Declan: Royal Bastards MC: Flagstaff Chapter (Book 2), page 3
“It’s in Texas.”
“We’re going there next,” he answers immediately, and I know I look confused when our eyes meet in the rear-view mirror. “In that video you have of Mom, she looks so happy singing that song, Amarillo by Morning; I heard it on the radio the other day and was trying to remember more about her. Will we get there by morning? Because that would be like she was with us.”
“If I can stay awake, we’ll make it there by morning. Even if we need to stop for me to sleep a few hours, we’ll still be there before noon,” I add, blinking away the tears that form in my eyes, feeling angry and guilty with the only life I’m able to give him. “Deal?”
“Deal.” Justin smiles again. Deal has become a code word for us. It means something along the lines of ‘God only knows, but I’ll try my best’. Most days I’m so exhausted, my best doesn’t hold any value, but my super smart little brother loves me anyway.
*
The monotony of the road soon lulls Justin into a trance, if not occasional naps. When he’s not talking, I start to get more and more worked up over what I did, and the wad of money I grabbed is mighty uncomfortable jammed into my shorts like it is but I’m too scared to part with it.
Switching to a classic rock station, I think about Declan. Meeting Throttle when I went into the dark bar to ask about work, there were several times the butterflies in my stomach almost took over and made me dart from the strip club. He went from looking bored to flirty the moment he bothered to look at my face. Although, he only did that briefly before checking the rest of me out.
The moment I laid eyes on Declan, I was calmer—until he pulled me over and crammed me between him and his desk. I honestly thought my heart would beat through my chest.
I’d sneak looks at him while we talked, trying to figure out his age and knowing he must be closer to forty than thirty. His brown hair had been shaved on the sides of his head but the stubble was more gray than brown, and wrinkles around his eyes showed what his body certainly didn’t. The hair on top of his head was fastened into a loose ponytail and I wanted to see it hanging free.
Declan was solid everywhere else, not overly muscular but very fit, without the flabbier stomach I’ve long associated with middle-aged men, and his hands! Jesus, I almost came when he grabbed my ass. That moment was my undoing.
I doubt I would have denied him anything after feeling the way his touch burned me. I also would have been too mortified to ever return, if by some chance I did get the job.
Without thinking, I slam my hand on the steering wheel, then ignore Justin’s question when he asks me what’s wrong.
“We need gas,” I answer when he asks me a third time. “And I need to stop for your next inhaler.”
“I still have forty-eight hits on the one I have.”
He rattles off the number like it’s nothing, like I haven’t quizzed him on that figure constantly the past few years. It’s not even really the cost of them so much as how far I drive to get the prescription refilled. It has to be far enough that Justin’s dad will be thrown off our trail. If he’s even still looking for us.
“We’ll pick one up in New Mexico anyway.”
“I’m getting better,” Justin tries to reassure me. “The mediation is really helping.”
“Meditation, Goober,” I correct him, trying not to smile. I’ve had to stay away from teaching dance—that was how we were almost caught a couple years back; instead I teach exercise classes. A co-worker coached me on the ‘exercise pole’ class about six months back, right when she was trying to get pregnant and I took over her classes as soon as she did.
My arms have never been stronger nor my abs tighter. Of course, I’ve gained some weight since I was at my peak within my class, but I’m grateful for every pound considering I was borderline anorexic back then.
*
In the early evening, I stop at a drug store chain to pick up the prescription, diet coke and a cheapie cell phone. I send Justin over to a kiosk to transfer my pictures before tossing my old phone and my eyes settle on an atlas. Flipping it open, I trace my finger over the path we’ll need to take and spend time looking at the area surrounding Amarillo.
My jaw drops open. It’s like fate. I’m finally going to Juilliard.
This one is more than likely missing the bright lights of New York City, seeing as how it’s a dot on the map outside Amarillo.
I am able to keep this promise to my brother. I get him there by morning.
Heading north past the town, we hit a diner and I pull over, parking in the spot just beyond the building.
“Let me crash for a bit, Justin,” I plead with him, yawning wide. “I don’t think I can make it across the parking lot right now. You have to stay put, alright? I can’t get arrested for anything.”
He nods solemnly and I’m out like a light.
Hours later, when we make it inside for a meal, we find so much more. We find a haven.
Chapter 3
Two months later, New Orleans
Declan
Rolling over, I immediately reach for my phone. Aggravated when there’s no news from Axel. He’d gotten a lead on Jenna and I was hoping to get confirmation on it before the ride back to Flagstaff.
Our get-together with the New Orleans Chapter and visiting our national President, Jameson, was necessary and my brothers, Throttle, Diesel, and Ranger have enjoyed the visit. Those assholes have been tagging every piece of available snatch since we got here.
After a shit ton of whiskey the other night, I finally told Jameson about the ten grand Jenna made off with; how I covered it but swore myself to abstinence until I laid my hands on her again.
A decade ago, he’d have trotted out the most irresistible pussy for me. Insisting I get over it. A lot has changed in his own orbit though.
“Considering how—intense you are about honesty, I never thought that’d be your thing,” Jameson says slowly, studying my face.
“I wanted her the moment I saw her, now I’m thinking that with the vig on the ten large for two months? She basically owes me a child at this point. Might as well have one with a chick who’s got some brains with balls to match,” I answer, shrugging it off even though I know I sound like a bastard.
“Never figured… Never mind. Maybe try to get her to agree though, huh?” he says after shooting back his drink.
Last night I was debating that abstinence pledge as I watched one of the club whores dancing; she was all dolled up in a school-girl outfit that mocked the innocence that I felt coming from Jenna. I sure as hell didn’t think it’d take this long to track her ass down, but the shit Diesel dug up on her has got to be fiction—meant to get her pulled in if any cops ever look into her.
Back in Cali, there are reports of her being responsible for the arson that led to her grandmother’s death; I can’t reconcile that with the person I met. Though, her being on the run helps to explain why she was so desperate for the money dancing brings in.
From what he pieced together, not long after her mother died from cancer, instead of attending some fancy as shit dance academy in New York, she torched her grandmother’s house and has been working menial jobs, moving from town to town. I can only guess under various aliases.
The only thing from her past that’s remained constant is that old sedan. If not for that and her first name, Jenna’s origin might have been as hard to track as where she ran to.
Dragging my ass down to the kitchen, one of the whores is up and fixing breakfast. She smiles and points me towards the coffee pot and I text the guys to get their asses moving as I enjoy my first cup.
A few minutes later she’s sliding a plate in front of me as Ranger drags his ass into the room.
“Fuck,” he groans, holding his head. “Had a blast but won’t be in any hurry to come back down this way. How the hell can anyone stand this humidity?”
“Ain’t the humidity that’s got your head pounding,” I laugh back at him.
“Steph? Gimme double what you gave him,” he directs the girl at the stove.
“You fucked me five times in the past three days and still can’t remember my name?” she squeals back before dumping a plate in front of him. “At least southern boys are more respectful!”
Ranger digs into his plate, ignoring her altogether.
“You good to drive?” I ask him and he nods. He’s in a van, hauling some goods back for our Chapter.
“Yeah, brought a button-down shirt with me, gonna look all clean cut for any cop who’s on the lookout.” He smirks over at me. Minutes later, he’s cleared his plate and goes upstairs to get his gear before hitting the road. Oh, to be young again…
“You got a place for me if I head out to Arizona?” The club whore asks me, and I realize she’s been studying me as she sets up plates for the others that’ll be making their way down.
“I’m sure there’d be interest in a girl with your attributes back home,” I drawl, keeping my eyes on her tits. “You’d get a room with living expenses taken outta your pay from whichever strip club we place you in, unless you just straight up tend the clubhouse.”
“I was asking about a place with you,” she says, walking up and sliding her hand down my back until she grabs my ass. “I get the feeling you could keep me happy.”
“Then you best stay here,” I grunt and push away from the table.
Neither Throttle nor Diesel were interested in food, so we get on the road, enjoying an uneventful day until we’re nearly halfway through Texas and Throttle’s bike is giving him shit.
Diesel knows of a decent garage nearly an hour from where we are, so I call Ranger to let him know we won’t be meeting him in Amarillo tonight; ordering him to stay put in case he’ll need to double back to pick up Throttle and his bike.
Pulling up to the garage, Diesel goes inside to talk to the owner while Throttle pulls out his tools and gets to work.
I start pacing around the lot, looking at cars that are for sale or in various stages of repair. More than anything, I can’t understand why I’m so agitated and don’t want my men to see me like this.
While my Chapter all have a digital image of Jenna on their phones and know to call me immediately if they spot her; Diesel and Axel are the only ones actively searching for her in databases across the country. It never occurred to me she’d stay hidden this long; I’m sure that ten grand is helping her stay under the radar. I hoped she enjoyed spending every dime of it, maybe that’ll make her feel extra guilty when I start in on reclaiming it.
Once Throttle gets the spark plug wires changed out on his bike, we head for a meal and local motel. It’s hours later that I get the call I’ve been waiting for.
“What?” I bark out. Ranger and Axel are both on the line and start to speak at the same time.
“I found h…”
“He found that item you’re looking for,” Axel speaks over Ranger.
“You’re sure you found what I want?” I ask excitedly, feeling like a kid at Christmas.
“He sent me a picture. Nothing like finding a piece for that one ride that means so much, huh?” Axel responds in a bored voice, subtly reminding Ranger to keep shit off the phone lines. If, God forbid, the Feds have tapped into any of our cells. Considering what went down with the Royal Bastards in Elko, he’s dead right and I’ve been using the same phone for nearly a month.
“Luckily, Ranger took a nap earlier so he feels like he can get moving back here sooner, rather than later.” Axel continues to guard what he says, just enough to get the message across.
“Ranger, make absolutely certain you’re picking up the right piece. And I expect it to be in pristine condition,” I order him, thinking of all the things that could go wrong. “Understand?”
“I understand, Prez,” Ranger says, sounding like adrenaline is coursing through his body before we hear him talking to someone else. “Oh, miss, sorry to block the door. You have a good night now.”
His voice is as smooth as molasses but it’s the other voice that interests me. “Thank you! And I wanted to thank you for that tip, it just made my day. You know how it is at the end of a shift? I go running for the door like the building is on fire.”
Ranger lets out an unexpected laugh and says ‘Good night’ again.
“Heading out now, I’ll check in when I can.” His voice instantly switches from warm to cold when he’s back to talking to Axel and me.
The line disconnects but Axel calls me back immediately.
“You’re sure about this?” I ask.
“A hundred percent.”
“I’m going to shower then I’ll get on the road. Wait until dawn then let the others know to get moving,” I tell him.
Jenna
The diner was full of regulars earlier on—with each of them, I know exactly how much I’ll make in tips. Not that I mind, from the night we first walked in here the owners, and their regulars, have welcomed us with open arms; God only knows what they saw on our faces that night.
The money I stole weighs heavily upon me. I’ve spent just less than a thousand of it, really determined to keep it for rainy days. Any extra tips I get, I put toward building it back up to the amount I stole. Telling Justin became a necessity when I decided to put half of it inside his stuffed dinosaur.
For the first time in our lives together, it was me crying my eyes out to him, asking for forgiveness like it was his to give.
He stared at me solemnly for long moments, his eyes once again flashing with an intelligence not often seen in young boys. “I think, maybe, it’s okay. But just because we need it more than he does.”
“We don’t know that, Justin,” I said, wiping the tears from my cheeks.
“I didn’t know why you couldn’t get us a bigger apartment, Jenna. I’m sorry I got so mad when you picked this place. It’s not that bad,” Justin says, reaching out to hug me. “I don’t need a real birthday party either.”
Tonight, I was surprised to see a younger guy come in, well, younger than the regulars but not me, I guess. He was dressed in a nice shirt and started off flirting with me, then he got more than a little fidgety.
Next thing I know, he’s done with his food and leaving me a tip, larger than what I’ve pocketed in the past two days, before he heads out to the parking lot and starts pacing.
Considering the amount of time he then spent on his phone after he went outside, I wasn’t surprised that he was still outside when I was leaving; just happy I could thank him for his tip.
His smile seemed strained when I did, and he shifted his eyes, refocusing to the call he was on before crossing to get into the driver’s seat of a dark van. Sighing, I get into my grandda’s old car and drive down the road to the apartment complex where I rent a studio apartment. It isn’t much, but it’s affordable and Rudy—a regular from the diner—manages it, so he didn’t run the required credit check on me.
I roll my eyes when I see that my upstairs neighbor took my parking spot, again, and drive around to the far side of the building. God, I hope Justin’s asleep and not binging on the History Channel again. I don’t have the energy to discuss aliens or sword making with him tonight.
Getting out, I pop open the trunk to grab my ‘go-bag’, knowing I’m overdue in updating our supplies.
“That’s handy,” a man says, slapping his hand over my mouth as he pulls me off my feet, my purse and go-bag helping him as my arms get tangled in the straps. Arching my back to try to escape his hold, becomes impossible and he simply slams the trunk down and carries me further into the darkness.
Freeing one hand, I claw at his hands until my brain catches onto the fact that he’s wearing leather gloves. By then, he’s stuffing a rag in my mouth before he yanks my hands behind my back to secure them.
“Don’t know how you pissed him off this bad, but it ain’t gonna be pretty,” the man says before tossing me over his shoulder and putting me inside a dark van. The same one that had been sitting in the diner’s parking lot.
Once inside, I really start screaming and kicking—even when he grabs some duct tape to secure my legs and keep the rag in place. My God! What will happen to Justin when he wakes up alone!
I start sobbing in earnest, hoping this man will have mercy on me enough to remove the gag so I can explain that there’s an innocent child that will suffer.
He doesn’t. He just starts driving, blasting the radio so he won’t have to listen to me.
Looking around, I don’t see anything with sharp edges, just boxes of God knows what. There aren’t any windows back here and I start to feel lethargic after the adrenaline burns off and the miles pass by.
Chapter 4
Jenna
Eventually, the van turns off the road and comes to a stop. Moments later, the door slides open and a light is turned on me, nearly blinding me.
“Good job, Ranger,” another man drawls out, clapping the first man on the back.
The taller of the two men leans forward and I kick my legs out in fear.
“Aww, don’t be like that, baby. Here I’ve been hoping we’d pick right up where we left off,” Declan drawls out, caressing the side of my face with one of his fingers. My body freezing up the moment I recognize him. “I’ve had all this time to figure out how I’ll have you pay me back.”
I begin screaming through my gag again. If we’re going to Flagstaff, that puts me a minimum of eight hours away from Justin. I have no idea how long we’ve been on the road but if he gets me back to his place it’ll be almost a day that Justin will be alone. More than that with the shift I just worked.
Launching myself forward, I accidently head-butt him. Declan falls back in surprise and I tumble out of the van. Thankfully, landing on him and not my head. While he growls and curses me, I move my face over to the road and start rubbing my cheek back and forth against the harsh surface.
I can feel my skin tearing but I have to get the tape worked off, they have to know my brother is in danger.
No matter what I’ve done, I have to believe Declan wouldn’t allow a child to be hurt.
