Page 57 of Chains

I look at my brother and President, and the feeling I had all day that something wasn’t right grows. But I’d pushed it to the back of my mind, thinking I must be manifesting trouble. I hadn’t had the time to even scratch my ass, let alone call Zoe to check on her, and I’m sure she was a pissed off tornado by now.

When his eyes come to rest on me, and I can see pity in them, I know for sure that something bad had happened.

“What’s happening?” I demand on a growl. We have been in Dallas longer than any of us wanted to, searching for Caleb, with no sign of him anywhere. It’s like he’s just disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Kick sighs and runs his hand through his hair. “That was Everleigh. Zoe’s gone.” I stand there, trying to comprehend what he’s telling me.

“What do you mean, she’s gone?” That can’t be right. When I left her, we were in a good place, and she gave me no indication that she was ready to flee.

“It looks like the fucker’s taken her.”

The realization hit me like a punch to the gut. I’ve left her vulnerable, and now she’s paying the price. I should’ve been there with her.

“Brother, wait,” Kick calls out, but I don’t stop until I get to my sled; a 1993 Softail Classic, one I’ve kept in mint condition, thanks to Angel, our resident mechanic. Throwing my leg over, I stop when I feel a hand on my shoulder; looking back, I see Kick and the rest of the brothers, their pitying looks making me angrier by the second.

“Don’t stop me, brother. You’d burn down the whole damn world if it was Everleigh.” I growl.

“Yeah, you’re right, I would. But I would also stand next to you and burn down the world for you and Zoe. If she’s your woman? Are you gonna make her your ol’ lady, brother? Because you know we can’t do anything if she’s some piece of ass you’re going to throw away once you’re done with her,” my president says, arching his dark brow in question.

I fight to keep a lid on my anger at his words. I knew I didn’t have to think about what I was going to say next, but I hated being pushed into that decision.

“Yeah brother, I am,” I tell him, looking at every man there.

He slaps my back. “Well, then. What are we waiting for?” Turning to Tiny, he adds, “Contact Knox, see what he can find out about this fucker’s whereabouts.”

“On it, brother,” the big man replies and takes his phone from his cut.

“Okay, let’s roll,” he announces.

I throw my leg over the seat, rev the engine and hear the answering call of my brothers over the din of the sled’s engines, all waiting for me to head them out. The love and pride I felt for my brothers made me choke up with emotion, forcing me to clear my throat. There’s no better feeling, besides having Zoe here with me, than being surrounded by my club brothers. I could do anything when we all came together.

Hours later, we were rolling into the parking lot of the clubhouse. The women, minus Zoe, were standing there, each with a worried expression on their face.

“What the fuck happened?” I demand, pissed that something like this could happen with all the security we have.

I look at each woman, and I’m sure my nostrils are flaring in my unrestrained anger. I wasn’t angry at any of them, but more so at the situation. A firm hand pushes against my chest, pushing me back, and I lift my head to see Riggs just as angry. “Back it up, brother. It’s not Lexie’s fault.”

I’m silent for a few seconds as we stare each other down, neither of us budging, then despite the seriousness of the situation, a full-on smirk transforms my face.

“I never said it was, brother.” I watch as his face turns a shade of red I hadn’t seen on him before. Because Riggs doesn’t blush or get embarrassed. Out of all of us, he’s the one that doesn’t care if he fuck’s a club whore out in public.

Ky’s standing off to the side with Knox, both men looking downtrodden that they allowed this to happen on their watch. I walk up to them, and instead of the punch I’m sure they were expecting, I link arms with each man. I wasn’t about to make them feel worse than I’m sure they were already feeling. Silence acceptance passes between the three of us, and I smile at them.

“Okay, put your dicks away.” Kick calls out, giving both me and Riggs a hard look. “Emergency Church. Five minutes.” Disappearing inside the clubhouse with Everleigh.

I follow at a much slower pace, feeling out of sorts. How long has Zoe been gone? Will we find her before the asshole does something to her? I enter my room at the clubhouse, and the sight of the rumpled sheets and the upturned lamp on the nightstand almost brings me to my knees. Knowing that she had fought for her life when I wasn’t here to protect her makes me want to commit murder. I angrily swipe at the lone tear that’s slid down my cheek, vowing that I will have my vengeance, and I will get Zoe back safe and sound.

How did he get her out of here? He must’ve had some help. That thought is almost too much for me to contemplate. But it’s something that we need to hash out. Especially if we have a traitor in our midst.

I go into the bathroom to wash my face, trying to ignore the way I feel at seeing her things strewn around the place. Once I’m satisfied that all traces of tears have been eliminated, I walk back out of the room and to the meeting room where we have Church.

I’m the first one to arrive, and take my seat at the table. Soon after, the rest of the brothers file inside. Snake and Spider walk in, but neither speak, as they take a position on opposite sides of the room. One brother is missing, and I frown, but before I can voice my question, Kick does it for me.

“Where the fuck is Bear?” He growls out angrily. “He stayed back to look after the women, and now he’s M.I.A?”

Knox had a bandage on the back of his head, evidence of the attack by Zoe's abductor. “Maybe this will clear up any confusion for all of you,” he says, anger flashing in his eyes. For a few minutes, we’re all quiet, and I can see Kick is barely holding onto his anger. The whites of his knuckles showing through as he tightens his fists, and I can tell whatever Knox shows him isn’t good. After watching, he lifts his head, pinning Snake with an almost murderous glare, as he angrily slides the laptop towards Tiny, and I lean in to have a better look.

It's a grainy video, but I can clearly see Bear at the gate, he takes out a gun, with a silencer attached and shoots the two prospects point blank, then steps over them like they’re just dirt on the bottom of his boots and walks into the booth, presses a button that opens the gate, and a white nondescript van drives through.

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