Page 15 of Riggs
"She is the key witness to a murder committed by their President. One of the reasons she came to Hope House was to hide out until the trial."
"How soon do you need us?"
"How fast can you get here, brother?" he asks right away with urgency.
* * *
It takesus two days getting to Montana, and by noon we are driving past the Polson welcome sign on the edge of town. I breathe in deep, pulling in the fresh mountain air. The weather up here is several degrees cooler, and a lot less humid. The drive out to the clubhouse brings back memories from the last time I visited Polson when Quinn was taken by Satans Reapers.
As soon as we take a left turn onto the dirt road, Jake's clubhouse comes into view. From the looks of it, he has the entire family hunkered down already. Our bikes slow, allowing one of the members to open the gate, letting us pass. Members start filing out the front door at our arrival. Parking our bikes, I dismount. "Hope we're not late for the party," I smile and offer my hand to Jake.
"Just on fuckin' time," he welcomes, then leads us inside, and we sidle up at the bar for a drink. Several of the member's old ladies appear from the kitchen area and following close behind are a few of their kids. Logan pulls his woman, Bella, into his side, as a little girl clings to her leg.
Bella smiles. "Riggs, it's good to see you again." She turns in her husband's arms, placing her palm on his chest, and looks up at him. "We're going to round the kids up in the playroom and feed them lunch. We left a few platters of premade sandwiches on the table in the kitchen for you men to eat." The warmth in her eyes as she looks upon him warms my heart, and for a moment, I find myself wanting the same. Kissing her forehead, Logan slaps her ass.
"Thanks, babe." Lifting their daughter, and placing her on her hip, Bella joins the other women in gathering the kids and ushers them into another room.
"I want you to meet our newest prospect," Jake announces just as Ember, one of the club girls' hands me and my men a cold beer. "Prospect. Come here — both of ya," Jake calls out, gaining the attention of a young man. The young woman at his side, as he strides across the room is Sofia. "Riggs, this is Sam, and I'm sure you remember Sofia."
"Nice to meet you, sir." Sam sticks out his hand, and I place mine in his, giving a firm handshake.
"Call me, Riggs." I shift my attention to Sofia. "How ya doin', darlin'?"
She gives me a soft smile. "Doing okay. It's nice to see you again."
Jake clears his throat, and his tone becomes all business. "Sofia. Remember me telling you I had a plan in the works for Luna?" Sofia nods and her facial expressions change to worry. "I believe the best way to keep her safe is getting her out of Polson, and Riggs agreed to help." Her eyes dart my way before looking back at Jake.
"What do you mean?" she questions.
"I want you to help convince Luna she needs to go back to Louisiana with Riggs. He'll get her settled and keep her safe. I feel this is her best bet at starting over." Jake informs her. Last night when I called to check in with Jake, he brought up the idea of Luna leaving town with me. I wasn't keen on the idea of babysitting some woman, but I'd do anything to help a brother.
Once Sofia has gathered her thoughts, she sighs. "I don't know if she will agree to any of this. Luna is already skittish. I can only imagine how she will react after informing her we want her to leave."
There's no need in pussy-footin' around the issue. A decision has been made, and this young woman I've agreed to take back home needs to understand there are other people's lives at stake. Fear and thinking of yourself can't be part of the equation right now. "Bring her out here. I want to talk to her myself." My words come off a bit gruff and stern, but I'm not here to play games or worry about feelings. I'm here to get a job done. Sofia doesn't hesitate. Walking away, she heads up the stairs.
I'm starting on my second drink when Sofia appears with a young woman standing behind her. I lock eyes with who I assume to be Luna. And fuck me I forget how to breathe. That's how beautiful she is. Long blonde hair, curves in all the right places, large natural breasts that sway when she walks. Her most striking feature; hands down her eyes; the most hypnotizing shade of violet. With her head held high, even though she looks terrified, she approaches me. It takes all my restraint not to reach out and pull her closer. Raine, the club's other girl, steps around Luna and faces her. Sofia starts explaining to Luna what is going on, and I watch Raine use ASL to translate. Jake informed me over the phone Luna is deaf. I think him knowing about my grandmother was another factor that played into him asking this favor of me. Raine speaks for Luna as soon as Sofia finishes talking, but as Luna's hands move, I already know what she is asking.
I watch Luna's face as Sofia introduces me, telling her the club wants her to leave with me — to Louisiana. Her eyes dart back and forth between Jake and me, and her chest heaves, and I watch panic begins to set in as she processes everything. Sofia does her best to comfort her. "Luna, Rex knows where you are. If you stay here, you are not safe." Luna closes her eyes, but I've had enough. She needs to understand this is going to happen, and she needs to know she can trust me, and the choice the club has made.
Standing, I place the beer bottle in my hand on the bar, take a few steps forward, coming toe-to-toe with my violet eyed beauty. Putting my finger beneath Luna's chin, I tilt her head back, for her to look up at me. The contact startles her, and her eyes widen. I give her a second before communicating with her. The moment I use ASL, her mouth drops open. "You don't need to fear me, Mon Tresor. My men and I will keep you safe. I promise."
Luna takes a small step back. Her hands move, and her eyes burn into me. "I don't want to put anymore lives in danger. My mess has caused enough harm. I think it's best I leave on my own." I watch her lips trembles as she fights back the tears pooling in her eyes.
"No. The decision has been made. You're coming back to New Orleans — with me." Luna's face morphs into anger, and her eyes narrow to slits.
"You have no right to decide something like that. You can't boss me around," her hands rush to say, before crossing her arms under her breasts, causing them to push up, and my eyes drop briefly. I have to admit; she has grit and sass. I like it.
Stepping into her space, I grin. "Looks like I just did, Sweetheart." Placing her hands on her hips, she huffs in frustration. Before she can protest any further, Jake interjects.
"That's enough."
Quinn says something, but I have no idea what. I'm too focused on the woman standing before me. I can tell she is going to test me. Luna holds my stare for a few extra seconds in defiance. I find myself intrigued by her strength and ability to push past the fear I see hiding beneath the surface. She's broken. Something deep inside me wants to protect what remains. Jake grabs my attention after Luna turns on her heels and walks away.
