Page 13 of Shiner's Light

“Do you think her father or Sonia would have helped her?” Lucky asks, taking a swig from his beer.

“According to my conversation with Rodion Kostenko, he hadn’t heard a word from either of his daughters from his mistress,” Blow remarks, holding Phoenix to his chest. The toddler is one of the three little boys who love running around here and being with their dad as much as possible, but Phoenix is the only one who refuses to sleep unless his dad puts him to sleep, as he’s done now.

Since the first contact was made with Olive’s father, we learned he didn’t turn his back on his daughters. He wanted them to come live with him, but Sasha refused for both girls. He hadn’t even been able to speak to Olive at the time. From what he’s said, he sent money each month to an account to support both girls. He’d been applauded to learn the truth of what Sasha did to Olive and demanded we send his daughter to him. That he would protect her. There was no way in hell I was letting Olive go anywhere without me. She’s mine, dammit.

“He finds out she’s missing again, he’ll send men to find her and take her back to Russia,” Griz states.

“That’s to say he doesn’t already know,” Nines mutters. “I’m willing to bet the old bastard has already sent someone here to keep an eye on her.”

I definitely wouldn’t put it past him. If I had a daughter . . . for that matter, I’d do it for my son if he was missing and I knew the location, I’d put someone on the trail and sniff it out until I found him.

Maybe I should have been keeping Olive with me at all times instead of giving her space. She refused to talk to me after I said what I did about her attitude getting my dick hard. I’m sure I shouldn’t have said that to her, but at the time, it got her to stop fighting me. I didn’t think she’d stop talking to me completely. Well, not completely, but mostly.

The woman can take the meaning of silent treatment to a whole new level. I wouldn’t have an issue with this, in fact, I didn’t. I thought it was hilarious at first, but after weeks on end, it was getting on my damn nerves and grating at my patience.

If I’d taken her with me instead of leaving her at the clubhouse, I could have worn down that wall she’s got high. I could have talked her through the pain haunting those bright ocean-blue eyes of hers. She doesn’t know it, but I’ve heard her cries at night. I’ve heard the nightmares where she screams, begs, and pleads for them to stop. I should have kept her at my side, and then, I wouldn’t be searching for her now.

“We need to find her,” I grit out.

“We’ll find her,” Torch says and motions to the prospect behind the bar to get him a beer.

“Has anyone checked the alleyways where the homeless are set up?” Switchblade asks, getting my attention.

“Why would she be with the homeless?” Griz questions.

“Because no one ever looks for the homeless,” I grind out, getting off the stool. “Fuck. Why didn’t I think to look there? She wants to stay off radar, she’ll need somewhere no one would look for her. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.” Prowling toward the door, I shout over my shoulder, “Someone get Milo for me. I’m going searching for Olive.”

“I’m coming with you,” Torch says.

“Me too,” Scorn remarks. “I’ve got a med kit in my saddlebags already.”

“I’m coming as well,” Griz mutters. “Someone’s got to watch y’all’s backs.”

Like I need to have someone watching my back, still, it doesn’t hurt. It’s one of the reasons I love being a part of this club. My brothers, no matter what, have my back.

* * *

We are pulling up to the encampment known to those who live here in town. We don’t have many that are on the streets, mostly they’re in the larger cities, but we’ve got a few, and they all stick together.

As I get off the back of my bike, I scan the area, looking for Olive but not seeing her. “Y’all stay behind, I’m going to check it out. I highly doubt she’s here.” From the looks of it, I want to think she’s not here.

I make my way forward and meet the gazes of those who dare try to look intimidating. I keep my mouth shut and do my best not to inhale. It smells like straight-up body odor and piss all around me. I know these people don’t have a lot of options, some here by choice while others are forced, but it doesn’t get rid of the stench.

Looking in tents, around cardboard boxes, I walk through the whole area, not seeing her. I start to turn to head back to my bike when I notice out of the corner of my eye movement. A grin tugs at my lips as I meet the surprised gaze of Olive.

“Found you, honey,” I say, taking in her state. She doesn’t look dirty as most of these people do. In fact, she’s rather clean. Granted, her clothes are still the same from the night she left. Somewhere along the way, she must have found a pair of shoes.

Moving toward her, I keep the connection of our gazes, not wanting to give her the chance to bolt on me. Not that she could get very far without me catching her.

“What are you doing here?” she asks once I’m close enough to hear her whisper.

“You didn’t think I was going to let you get away without looking for you, did you?” I cock a brow, and squat down in front of her. “Time for you to come back where you belong.”

“I don’t belong there,” she denies. “Just go away, Shiner. I’m not going anywhere with you.”

“Olive, honey, you know that ain’t true. Your sweet ass is going with me willingly or not. I don’t give a fuck if I have to throw you over my shoulder and carry you to my bike.” I stand and hold out a hand. “Choice is yours. You can take my hand or get thrown over my shoulder. Which do you want to go with?”

For a moment, I don’t think she’s going to listen, and I’ll have to do what I threatened with, the fireman hold.

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