Page 26 of Crusher

We still don’t know what the Outlaws are up to, but I guarantee they ain’t sitting around twiddling their thumbs after we attacked their clubhouse. Gunner’s boy was in trouble because of those assholes. So we did what we had to do and we’d gladly do it again.

That said, we know they won’t scurry off with their tails between their legs like they should, so we’ve been on alert, preparing for retaliation. And I have a sneaking suspicion those bastards had something to do with me being shot at on the road the other day. So who knows what else those motherfuckers are up to?

If I find out they’ve done something to Sadie… I’ll kill every last one of them.

Kyle disrupts my thoughts, getting my attention. “I didn’t know what to do so I… I came looking for you.” He says it as if he’s uncertain it was the right decision.

“And you thought I’d be at the shop. How’d you know about that place?”

“We’ve driven by tons of times. And I always see guys wearing vests like yours.” Smart kid. “You’re in a motorcycle gang.”

“It’s a club, not a gang.” I laugh to myself. “What else do you know?”

“Well, Marcus says you guys do bad things. And that you hurt people.”

“I don’t know who this Marcus is, but we don’t hurt people, kid. Not unless they deserve it.” It’s not a lie, and I choose to ignore the do bad things part.

“And I watch TV. I know about bikers. Well... enough, I guess.”

“Enough to make you think I can help you?”

“Enough that I know you can… do things.” Not sure I like the sound of that, but I let him continue. “Besides, Sadie trusts you. I know she does because she let you inside the house. The only person who ever comes over is Tessa.”

“Is that right?” Makes me feel better to know there hasn’t been another man at her place.

“So, can you help me? I’m scared something’s happened to her and she’s all I got.”

I swallow down my anger, raging at the thought of something bad happening to the woman I just claimed. Then, guilt eats away at me for leaving her behind this morning. Maybe if I’d just stayed…

“You got me now, and I promise we’ll find your sister. I’m on my way.”

Ending the call, I snag the keys to one of the club SUVs and head across town. As soon as I turn into the auto shop parking lot, I spot Kyle waiting outside next to his bike.

“You can leave that here. We’ll come back for it later.”

Without argument, he hops inside the vehicle, settling into the passenger seat and buckling his belt. We’re quiet on the short drive, tension filling the cabin while we’re both deep in thought. I use Bluetooth and dial Sadie’s number for the millionth time; it just goes to voicemail again. I know it’s a pointless task, but I keep hoping that eventually she’ll pick up. I need to hear her voice. Even if she were to tell me to fuck off, it’d ease the heavy weight resting on my chest.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

I pound my fist against the steering wheel, making the horn bellow and alarming the other drivers around us. Kyle flinches in his seat, and I send him an apologetic look. I need to rein in my temper because I can’t lose my shit in front of him. He needs me to be calm and I don’t want to scare him any more than he already is.

I drive through the gates and pull up to the clubhouse, killing the engine and ushering Kyle inside. Everyone’s scowling, their bodies taut, and I can almost see the heat radiating off them. Something’s happened since I left and I’m about to find out what.

I locate Venom, Sentinel, Maverick, and Throttle huddled at the end of the bar; then realize they’re all staring at a laptop. Prez’s shoulders are almost lifted to his ears while he clenches his hands into tight fists. Whatever the fuck they’re looking at, it ain’t good, so I stretch out an arm, urging Kyle to stay back.

“…ain’t dead yet…”

The low volume of the computer’s speakers makes it hard to hear the words until I get closer. I leave Kyle a few paces back while I step between Throttle and Sentinel, then stare down at the screen in front of me. An Outlaw stands in the middle of the frame wearing a malicious smile. Looks like he’s enjoying himself and it’s not until he tugs on Sadie’s hair that I understand why.

“We found a lost little mutt on the street today and decided to keep it.” His threat plays through the speakers.

My blood roars through my ears, boiling to the point that I can’t fucking breathe. Gripping the sides of the screen, I stare at her face covered in bruises and beat all to hell. There’re tears in her eyes from rage and pain, but I can feel her determination to hold them back.

Dead. They’re all fucking dead.

Venom is seething beside me—he’s always thought pretty highly of Sadie—but all I can focus on is her. I force my eyes to take a hard look at the man on the screen, soaking up every detail of his face so I can find him and do what needs to be done to fuckers who think it’s smart to touch what’s mine.

He jerks on her hair again, snapping her head back. “She’s a fiery little thing. It’ll be a shame when we put her fire out.” He slowly licks one of her swollen cheeks and fury immediately spreads through my limbs. “Ain’t this your whore, Crusher? The one I saw you fucking with your pathetic cock last night?” He palms his dick through his dirty jeans. “Maybe she’ll like my dick better. Show her how the Outlaws destroy a pussy. We’re gonna take everything else that belongs to you too. All of you fucking Disciple cunts. Take your guns, your drugs, your fucking women… the whole goddamn town that you think you own!”

---