Page 127 of Stella
“Long as they stay outta sight,” Brock says. “The more the merrier, but Callaghan? We’re gonna need some police intervention with the carnage, we’re not goin’ down for killin’ cops, not when they’re the bad guys here.”
“Don’t worry about that,” I say. “Vanders isn’t the only one with friends on the city council. I have someone I trust; Troy Shepherd, just in case anything happens to me, he’s the man you need to go to.”
“I’ll make sure it happens, but you’re good,” Willow says. “Nothing is gonna happen, you hear me?”
I shoot her a grin. “I’ll try my best to stay alive. Look after Calli.”
I pick up my motorcycle and head over to the cemetery, leaving Calli with Willow in the truck. Calli didn’t like it, but I told her to listen to Wills and kissed her on the head as I left. It feels strange not having my dog with me, but she’ll be there when I need her later.
This place is creepy. It is kinda fitting when you think about it, because I’m gonna make sure Vanders never takes another breath. He may as well start digging his own hole right now.
All this time he was after revenge, and the best way to get it was to kill Cash, and hurt anyone Cash cared about. Little did he know, bringing us together wouldn’t cause the conflict he thought it would. Truth be told, I’m still processing that.
Now he’s blown up the clubhouse, and we can’t account for anyone. Snatching Stella is where he made his fucking mistake.
Harlem was in the truck behind us, and by now, everyone in the MC will have the location.
Stella is a Rebel, and they look after their own. I sincerely doubt that Vanders has more police than we do bikers, but underestimating him has already been the biggest downfall. I don’t plan on making that mistake again.
When I park my motorcycle, I check my guns. I have several, plus concealed weapons. Assuming I’m being watched, I make my way through the cemetery. The number he gave me wasn’t the same as the one for Razor’s tomb, whether that was some kind of weird ploy, I don’t know, but I’m on my way. And I’m gonna get Stella back, that is a promise.
I don’t see or hear the trucks, so I can safely assume they’re getting into position. Glad I have ex-soldiers, as well as Willow and two of my friends watching my back. I head to the tomb,using my flashlight to light the way. There’s a full moon, and I hope to God that ring around it is good luck. I need all the luck I can get.
When I arrive at the destination, I see the red dot hovering on the stone in front of me as I duck out of the way. It’s not aimed at me, it’s aimed at the guy who’s ready to be taken out by Bones, also an ex-sniper just like Riot. He goes down silently, and I don’t know if it’s a curse or a blessing to have a sharpshooter behind me. I mean, I’m glad he’s a good shot, but that was really fucking close.
“Vanders?” I call out, taking the steps as I move inside the open door. Two men immediately jump me, but I was expecting it. I hold out my hands as they disarm me. Trying to take out anyone is too risky when I can’t see, and I don’t know where Stella is.
“Where is she?” I bark instinctively, struggling as they hold my arms.
Vanders leans on the wall opposite me, like he has all the time in the world. “You came. I’m glad, Stella is running out of time. Pity about the grave I just buried her in.”
“You fucking bastard!” I try to move, but the two goons hold me in place. “You won’t get away with this! Tell me where she is!”
“Really? Why do you think I chose this tomb, paperboy? Because I love these underground tunnels as much as anyone else. That won’t matter when you’re dead, though.”
“Leave Stella out of this! She hasn’t done anything. If you’re going to hurt someone, hurt me instead,” I plead. I’m not above begging at this point.
“But she’s close to you, and it’ll crush you to see her die. If only Cash could be here to see you now, sadly, he’s dead.”
I frown, my ears not hearing him. “What?”
“Oh, didn’t you hear? Yes, it’s a pity, I planned to torture him for hours, sothatdidn’t go quite as planned. I still have my guys on the ground, the police who are ‘helping’ with the cleanup. Once they have D and Caprice, well, we can have a lovely little family reunion. So unfortunately, you won’t get the nice little get together you were planning.”
“I’ll fuck you up, just get these two guys off of me and fight like a man!” I growl.
Cash is dead?Panic races through me. We didn’t even get a second to talk about any of it. A new fire burns in my veins.
“I knew you’d come with a fire in your belly, and I know you would’ve brought backup if you could, but when you have the NOPD in your pocket, it’s amazing how many come out of the woodwork where corruption is involved.”
I laugh. “You think I came alone? We have three MC chapters surrounding the place, you’re fucked either way.”
For the first time since I set eyes on his face, he looks slightly panicked. Maybe he’s been pen pushing too long. He points a gun at me. “I told you to come alone! Don’t you think I’ve thought about surrounding the place, too?”
“Maybe, but kill me and you won’t have that reunion you planned on. I know for a fact D and Caprice are safe. I’m the only one who can get them here if it means I get Stella in return. Who is Cash to me? He’s been a thorn in my side for years.”
He stops for a second. “You’d throw them under the bus?” he laughs, and it sounds as evil as he is. As if I need to be reminded, he adds; “Caprice is your sister.”
I need to lie better. “They mean nothing to me. Only Stella does. I don’t care about them, why would I? What have any of them done for me except make my life hell?”
