Page 73 of Biker Daddy

Chapter Seventeen

Drew

Drew’s bike rumbled purposely loud as he drove into the parking lot of the Grinders’ clubhouse. It was an old house on a shitty street where the neighbors never complained and the yards were all overgrown. The place was even smaller and a helluva lot more run down than he remembered. The whole neighborhood looked like shit.

Drew watched for Trevor through the unfenced yard. He’d sent him down the alley that ran between the back of the houses. Trevor had walked his bike through to avoid alerting anyone but also to have his bike close in case they had to move quickly. Drew gathered a breath.

Parking his bike, he got off and plucked his helmet from his head. He watched for movement in the house through the filthy windows as he walked up the stairs onto the veranda with the peeling gray paint. Beer cans lined the windowsills like other houses might have flower boxes. He kicked a milk crate out of the way and frowned at the cigarette butts littering the ground. He shook his head. The way the place was falling apart it was only a matter of time before the whole damn thing burnt to the ground from one carelessly flicked butt.

He banged his fist on the door and walked in, his boots clomping loudly to alert his former brothers. The front hall had been opened up to join the front bedroom by removing a wall and creating a sitting room. There were a few chairs and high tables as well as a bar fully stocked with liquor. A big screen television took up one wall. More empty cans were scattered about the room, along with overfilled ashtrays and empty liquor bottles. Rhonda, the house mouse hadn’t cleaned up from the night before apparently. He wondered if she was even still around. She’d been young back then but maybe she’d moved on.

Drew stepped further into the clubhouse, hearing some pool balls clacking in the dining room where the pool table was housed.

“Reaper?” More pool balls cracking off each other. “We’re in here.” Mauler, cue in hand, reefer in his mouth, poked his head around the jamb. Drew followed when Mauler turned back into the room.

The dining room was open into the kitchen and Drew saw Brent at the table, tied around the waist to a chair. He grit his teeth, but remained outwardly calm. Dingo was across from him, leaning his chair back on two legs, chewing on a toothpick. The remnants of a meal sat on a plate in front of him. A full plate in front of Brent indicated he’d chosen not to eat.

“You okay, buddy?”

“Yeah,” Brent answered, shooting a Dingo a dirty look. “They’ve roughed up my mom though.”

“Shit, kid. You ain’t seen nothin’.”

“And he better not.” Drew stood taller and cracked his neck. Dingo gave him a half smile.

“I gotta say, Reaper, you’ve really grown into that name. You look scary as shit.”

Drew only grunted and walked to Mauler. “Where’s Trigger?”

He nodded toward the stairs. “In his office.”

Drew glanced into the back room that also served as a sitting room to see Layla was tied to a chair with her mouth taped. Some guy sat on the sofa beside her using a cell, probably to play games. It was only eleven, so they were passing the time. Drew was glad the guy was looking at his phone and the others at him rather than out the back, because Drew caught a glimpse of Trevor sidling up to the house.

When he’d told Trever that Brent was his son and he and his mother had been taken, Drew couldn’t keep him away. Trevor wanted his kid and his woman and he was willing to fight to the death if it came to that. Drew understood. He’d have been the same way if it were Addi and their child.

The thought gave him pause. He could easily see Addi heavy with child, glowing with life and sassing him. It made his heart beat faster. He wanted that. He was desperate for it. But his gut told him things weren’t going to go well with the Grinders and he might not walk away from this. They wouldn’t stop looking for him and they’d kill Brent and Layla the minute he wasn’t around to protect them. That meant he had to end things, one way or another.

His skills hadn’t been honed in a long time. He learned to fight young in the club, and then in juvie and he’d continued to keep in shape, but besides helping Trevor with the occasional bar brawl that ended too swiftly, he hadn’t used his fighting skills.

How would he handle himself with Mauler and Dingo? They used their skills regularly. Drew scratched his chin. Mauler and Dingo were bullies, dealing with scared men who had crossed Trigger. None of them put up much resistance. They hadn’t the skill or brains for that. Drew wouldn’t back down and he certainly wouldn’t cower to them.

“Jesus Christ. We’re a little busy to be entertaining, Hacker,” Mauler said, slamming his cue down. Drew’s head spun. His jaw was tense and his eyes narrowed, but his heart was cracking off his ribs like a deer surrounded by wolves.

A big blond man had Addi’s arm clasped in his grip. Her hands and mouth were duct taped. He didn’t look like a Grinder except for the leather vest with the patch. It was the same guy who had been watching him in the Last Resort.

Addi struggled and yelped through the tape when he yanked her roughly. Drew saw red but kept his feet planted. He had to be smart, not impulsive.

“This is Reaper’s real girlfriend.” The blond’s voice was deep and condescending.

“How do you know?” Dingo said, jumping up and letting his chair slam back onto all four legs.

“Because I took the time to ask people rather than listen to the drunk and bitter rantings of the town lush. Besides, have you watched the news at all? These two are all over it.” He shook Addi and pointed between her and Drew. “She was on the back of his bike.”

The sliding doors to the back were open, letting in a cool breeze and their words flow out. Trevor could hear everything the blond man said, but Drew didn’t have to worry about Trevor rushing in to avenge his girl’s honor though. First, Trevor knew it was the truth, and second, he knew enough to stay put until the opportunity was right. Not too many people knew it, but Trevor had done a tour in Afghanistan back before he came to Fell County to take over his brother’s half of the bar after he’d been killed by a drunk.

“It makes sense, this one’s prettier and look at those curves.” Mauler left his spot by the pool table and wandered to Addi, ripping the duct tape from her mouth. Drew’s insides burned with fury and his fists clenched at his sides as Mauler ran his hands over Addi’s breasts and down her sides to her hips. He wanted to crush the guy’s skull, but before he could take a step, Addi leaned back on the blond and kicked Mauler in the gut with both legs, sending him stumbling back.

“Fuckin’ bitch,” he spat, and backhanded her.

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