Page 20 of Unbound By You (The Viper’s MC #1)
HARLOW
M y boots pound against the unsteady stairs as I climb back to the ground floor.
I’m not worried about making noise anymore.
It’s obvious this hit happened a few hours ago by the way the blood had congealed around the bodies we kept finding.
I knew there'd be more as soon as we came across the first one.
I tried to fucking warn him, but did he listen?
Of course not. He was all, “Me big man, me protect wife.” Now look where we are.
In the middle of a turf war, and I’m the damn turf being fought over.
That won’t be the case for long. I know Macon will set up the meeting.
That was the entire point of this little show of power.
He wanted to draw me out. But he wanted to ensure I’d show and not hit the road running.
What better way to do that than to involve people who mean something to me?
“Harlow!” Si roars from behind me, his own footfalls rushing over the cement as he chases me down.
My name from his lips, coated in concern, doesn’t stop my feet from rushing out the clubhouse’s front door back into the high afternoon sun. My mind’s already racing, trying to gauge what my next steps need to be.
There’s only one person I’m worried about, and I need to get to her.
“Wildcat!” Si calls again.
This time, his thick fingers wrap around my elbow and tug me around. His usually stoic look has been replaced by one filled with agitation.
Yeah, join the club, buddy.
“Where do you think you’re going? I can’t leave right now. I have to deal with…” He draws to a stop, not finishing that thought, but I know what he needs to do.
“You deal with this. Call the rest of your brothers. I have some shit I need to handle. I’ll text you.” My tone doesn’t waver under his intense stare-down.
He might be used to seeing the hot-headed version of me.
The one that pops off on a dime when shit doesn’t quite go her way.
But this situation is on a level he’s never experienced with me.
He thought that night he found me in Evan’s room was bad.
Right now, I’m fueled by a fire so deep in my bones that it’s a miracle I haven’t magically combusted.
One of my oldest friends is gone, ripped from this world when he didn’t deserve to get caught up in mine and Silas’s mess.
He signed up for a hard life when he decided to prospect for The Vipers.
Somehow, I don’t think a double shot to the head, tucked away in a place that should have been locked down, was on his list of likely ways to die.
Yet, his body’s still cold and alone in that basement.
I won’t let this go further, which means I need to get to Lexi, like yesterday. I should probably mention she’s a potential target, but he has enough to worry about right now.
Silas’s gaze works over my body. His throat bobs and his eyes harden. He wants to fight me on this and keep me by his side where he thinks he can keep me safe. He’s about to learn who he married.
I’m pulled off balance and slam into the hard muscles of his chest. His lips are punishing, claiming every last molecule of oxygen left in my lungs before he pulls back, and I gasp for air.
“You need me, you call. Understood?” His fingers grip my chin tightly, keeping my eyes directly on him.
I nod the best I can and back away, turning on my heels and heading straight for my bike.
S ix feet from the door, two steps to the right, under the black and gray area rug, I knock twice, and the floorboard pops free.
Pulling out the small gun case, plus a bag full of stocked mags and accessories, I quickly put everything back in place.
I doubt I’ll be allowed to keep my main on me during the meeting, but I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve that don’t usually get noticed during a pat down.
The latch of the front door closing and the jingle of keys filter down the hall through the quiet house.
Since I’m here, I might as well empty the rest of my hidey-holes.
I’m on the third one, my stash of cash, knives, and another gun case are on the bed waiting to be packed up when a throat clears in the door frame.
“Lo, what the fuck?” Lexi’s pissed tone draws my eyes in her direction.
Thank fuck she’s here. Now, I don’t have to detour into town and drag her from the floor of the little boutique she works at and cause a spectacle. That’s the last thing we need when the cops start sniffing around in a few days, looking for Evan.
“I know this looks sketchy, but don’t freak out, okay?” I put my hands up in a placating gesture.
“Freak out? Why would I freak? My best friend is in my house—that she moved out of—digging around in the floors for a bunch of weapons.”
“And cash,” I add with a playful tone, hoping she’ll lighten up a little.
“Oh, and cash. Got it.” She deadpans, eyes narrowing while she crosses her arms, propping her hip against the frame like she means business.
I love that she thinks she’s intimidating.
“I need you to go into your room and pack a bag for a few days. You’ll also need to call out from work,” I instruct.
“I can’t do that! I already called out the other day. I’m on thin ice as it is.”
“Oh well, you’re too good for that job anyway.”
She really is. Maybe now that Evan’s out of the picture, she’ll finally go back to school and finish the vet tech program she dropped out of when he started making promises to “take care of her.” Fucking lying sack of shit.
I know he never intended on doing anything of the sort when he was two-timing her and probably telling other girls the same damn thing.
“Oh my God, that is so not the point right now. I need to work. How am I supposed to afford this place? Especially now that I’m on my own.”
“I’ll still split the rent with you. It’s not like I’m paying to stay at Si’s. He wanted me there. He can continue paying all the damn bills.”
“Marriage is going well, I see.”
“Can’t say much has changed in the last twenty-four hours.” That’s not exactly true, not after last night. But she hasn’t noticed the ring on my finger. “Now, scoot, we need to leave as soon as possible.”
Who knows if someone’s already watching this place. If they made a move on the compound, this place and Si’s are likely compromised.
I place my hands on her shoulders and spin her around, giving her ass a swat to get her moving toward her room. She fights me every step, digging her heels in, but I’m determined. Plus, she weighs a whole one fifteen soaking wet. The petite thing that she is.
She stomps her foot like an insolent child and stops just inside the door. I love my best friend, but I don’t have time for her spoiled princess bit right now.
The accordion style closet door squeaks when I rip it open, pulling her suitcase out from under a stack of shoes and throwing it on her mattress.
“You’ve got two seconds to start packing, or I’m going to do it for you.”
“Jesus, Mom, fine! But you’re going to tell me what the fuck is going on because you’re starting to scare me.”
Dammit, that’s not what I was going for. Worry her. Sure, maybe a little. But scare? No, I was hoping to keep the reality of everything watered down.
“I promise. Just be ready to go in five and meet me out front.”
She shuffles to the closet, no more pep in her step than before, but at least she’s doing as I asked. I quickly move back into my room, throw everything into my backpack, and haul it on.
I have one more thing to do before heading to the safe house. Si mentioned he tagged my bike. Knowing him, even with our current ceasefire, he didn’t remove it. I check every hole and gap, gliding my fingers across places I can’t see without contorting to look.
Finally, my fingertips brush a ridge that shouldn’t be there. Working the tag-free, I rush toward Lexi’s car and pop it into the wheel well right as she comes out of the house.
“Do you mind if I meet you at Si’s? I need to stop by the store really quick.”
“Not going to Si’s and no time to stop by the store.”
She glares at me across the top of her car after throwing her bag in the back seat. “Tell me what’s going on, Harlow. This is ridiculous. I just need to get some damn tampons.”
I let out a frustrated sigh. “Not here. But fine, we can stop by the store on our way. Follow behind me and stay close.”
“Thank you.”