Page 75 of Big Red

“They’re struggling here and there. All we can do is take it one day at a time.”

“I agree. Just let us know if you need anything, brother.” I nod my head and thank him. Viper then turns his attention to the rest of the brothers. “About a few months ago, I told Cara and Sara to look into a few properties. This place is becoming a home to the children here. The last thing I want to do is continue to handle club business where they lay their heads.”

I understand completely where he’s coming from. Even though the kids don’t live in the clubhouse, they often spend time there. We aren’t a bunch of single bikers anymore, so it only makes sense that Viper wants to change how we do things.

“So, with that being said, let's ride.”

We all get back on our bikes and follow Viper for about thirty minutes until we pull up to a warehouse. It’s the only building in the area for miles and miles. You would have to be lost to stumble upon this warehouse because there is no other reason to be out here.

We follow Viper inside, and a grin makes its way across my face. Chloe, Declan, and Vincent are hanging from the ceiling by their wrists. But Jefferey is strapped down to a metal table.

There are several drains throughout this room. I also notice the cabinets lining the walls. I can only imagine what is in them. A cell has been built in the corner of the room as well.

Cara makes herself right at home as she makes a beeline for the cabinets and begins pulling out all kinds of knives and tools. I look around and notice that Sara and Bear are missing.

“Where’s the rest of your crew, Cara?” I ask, referring to Bear and Sara.

“Oh, they’re on the way. They had to pick up myspecialgift for Jeffery.”

Some of the guys groan. Not knowing what Cara has up her sleeves is never good. I don’t know what she has planned, but I’ll make sure to keep my distance. The last time I stood too close, I ended up being covered in someone's intestines.

“Red, the floor is yours, brother.” Viper slaps me on the shoulder and sits on top of one of the tables.

The brothers spread out, leaning against the walls. As I approach Chloe, I notice how black and purple her nose is. Turning to Cara and then Viper, I ask, “Baby girl did that?”

Viper snickers, nodding his head. “Yup. Doc had to pop it back in place so it would stop bleeding.”

Turning back to Chloe, I look at her, eyes full of disgust. “I have a few questions. If I don’t like your answers, I’m going to make sure your death is long and painful.”

Chloe's eyes widen two sizes as Cara walks up beside me, sharpening a long hunting knife. Cara never takes her eyes off Chloe as she smiles devilishly at her.

“Y-you’re going to kill me now, Red? I know I shouldn’t have taken the kids, but I’m still their moth?—”

“Cut the shit, Chloe! The jig is up. You aren’t their mother. You’re just the woman that birthed them. Now, the first thing I want to know is how you went from having a boyfriend of eight years to being married in a matter of months to someone else? Don’t even think about lying.”

Chloe's mouth opens and closes, but no words come out. She looks from me to Jeffery, who’s strapped to the table, silently crying. Growing frustrated with her silence, I look down at Cara.

“I think she needs a little help loosening her lips.”

Cara nods with a smile. When she takes two steps toward Chloe, she shrieks.

“Okay! I’ll talk. Blaine and I got mixed up with some loan sharks. We were trying to get their money back but ran out of time.” A tear slides down her cheek, and I roll my eyes.

Surely, she doesn’t think anyone here is going to have sympathy for her.

“The night they killed Blaine, they gave me two weeks to get their money, or I was next. Jeffery was the only person I knew who had that kind of money to help me. He said if I married him, he would pay them off.”

I grew impatient when she didn’t say anything else, as if that was the whole story.

“Cara, help her get her story together.”

“No problem.”

Chloe shrieks as Cara walks over to her, ignoring her pleas. Grabbing Chloe's hand, Cara swiftly cuts her finger off. Chloe screams at the top of her lungs. Cara grabs Chloe's jaw in her hand.

“Are you ready to be honest, or do you want more?”

Chloe sobs while shaking her head feverishly. After taking a moment to calm herself, she clears her throat before speaking again. “I knew Jeffery through Blaine. They’re stepbrothers. Blaine told me about Jeffery’s… desires a while ago. When I asked him to help, he said he would pay the fifty thousand dollars I owed if I gave him Cindy.”

---