Page 77 of Grim

Lawson grabbed his phone from his pocket, and after he sent a couple of texts, we were on our way. With each mile we drove, Lawson became more and more on edge. I could almost feel the rage radiating off of him, and it wasn’t long before he was no longer the Lawson I’d come to know and love. He’d shed that skin, becoming Grim and nothing but Grim.

I didn’t mind.

Grim was who we needed. He was the one who’d bring my Luna back to me, so I welcomed him by not saying a word. I just sat there and let him stew in his own fury. He would need it to face what was ahead. We both would—more than I even realized.

When we got to the clubhouse, it was well after midnight, but that didn’t stop Preacher and Creed from meeting Lawson at the front door. We followed them into the bar, and together, we told them everything that had taken place. Preacher listened with a blank expression. I feared he might refuse to help me, but then, he turned to Lawson and asked, “Have you claimed her?”

“In every way that counts.”

“And she knows what that means?”

“She knows enough.”

“Then, how do you want to play this?”

“We gotta get the kid back, and once she’s safe, I’m gonna make him pay for ever touching her.”

“Then, that’s what we’ll do.” Preacher turned his attention to me as he said, “You mentioned that you did a pick-up for your brother.”

“Yes, sir. I did.’

“Do you remember where that was?”

“Yes, sir.”

“What can you tell us about it?”

“He was set up in an old plant down by the river. It was right next to the lumber yard. I’m not sure what it was, but the building itself was in rough shape. If I didn’t know better, I’d say it should’ve been condemned. The bricks were crumbling, and lots of the windows were shattered. But it’s completely different on the inside.”

“How so?”

“As soon as you walk in, you see polished floors, fresh paint, and bright lights. The whole place is fixed up. And there were lots of guards. They were pretty much everywhere, especially at the doors. They pat you down and send you forward down this long hall that opens up, and you see the different levels above. His office was on the second floor, and it has all these windows so he can keep an eye on what’s going on.”

“You think that’s where he took Luna?”

My throat tightened as I said, “He said you know where to find me and that’s the only place I know, so I guess. But honestly, I don’t know.”

“Okay, that’s a good start.” Preacher turned to Lawson as he announced, “It’s time to call in the guys.”

Creed took out his phone and stepped away from us as he said, “On it.”

“We have things to discuss.” Preacher motioned his head towards me. “I think she could use a break.”

“I’m fine,” I argued. “I want to help.”

“And you will. But we have a way of doing things.”

“Okay. Whatever you say.”

“I’ll take her to my room.”

With that, Lawson took hold of my hand and led me out of the bar. As we headed down the long, narrow hall, I expected him to say something, but he didn’t say a word. He wouldn’t even look at me. I was already unnerved, and his silence wasn’t helping matters. I didn’t know what to do or say, so I just followed along until he stopped in front of a door.

When I was there before, I’d seen all the doors, but I’d never actually been inside one of the rooms. He opened it and as I stepped inside, I was surprised to find that it was much like a small hotel room. There was a bed and a desk in the corner, and there was a flat-screen TV mounted on the wall. It even had its own bathroom with a shower. It was nice, but I wasn’t looking forward to being in there alone—especially when my sweet girl was off with some monster.

I turned to Lawson for some kind of consolation, but his stone-cold expression made me wonder if he was upset with me. “I’m really sorry about all this. I know it’s a lot, and...”

“You have nothing to be sorry about. You did nothing wrong.”

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