Page 11 of Sinful Need
The tattoo has been a part of me for so long, I barely notice it anymore. I had it put there years ago to remind me why I could never return home. Not even to visit my brother Brady’s grave.
I tear her hand off my arm. “Go find someone else’s cock to ride tonight.”
“Fine. I was only trying to help.” She crushes her cigarette into the ashtray at the center of the picnic table.
“There’s no helping me tonight.” She doesn’t know how true that statement is. I’m best left alone at times like these.
“Have it your way.” She spins on her high heels with her hands on her hips, leaving me to drown in my misery.
The memories are now a raging flood bursting free. The rest of the night is spent slamming back Jack and chain smoking long after Chainz and Tank retire with their Ol’ Ladies and the Club Whores have attached themselves to whoever was left when the party drew to a close.
The sun is creeping up over the horizon and I’m sporting a colossal size headache. I’ve shifted from the picnic table to a lounge chair around the fire pit still billowing smoke from the ashes, and traded my shots for the bottle.
Heavy footsteps behind me lets me know I’m no longer alone. A firm hand lands on my shoulder. “You look like shit.”
“Fuck you.” I’m sleep deprived, hung over and in no mood to take shit.
“No thanks. I think that chick last night chafed my balls.” Cobra grabs his cock and adjusts himself.
“That’s called crabs, asshole. You should probably get that checked.”
“Fuck that shit. I wear a slut proof vest.”
“Good to know.”
“Another thing you should know. Chainz called Church ten minutes ago. You’re late.”
“Couldn't you lead with that man?”
“Where’s the fun in that? Come on.”
Cobra and I are the last two to enter Church. I’m not the only asshole with bloodshot eyes and alcohol on their breath. Most of the men in the room look as fucked up as I feel. At least last night's interruption didn’t ruin the night for everyone.
“Thanks for finally joining us.” Chainz lowers the gavel, calling round two to session. “What did you find Hound?”
Hound tosses a pile of papers onto the table. “A fucking paper trail.”
We all reach out and swipe a page to read over. I’m surprised he found anything but if anyone could it’s him. Years as a Cyber Network Officer in the Marines taught him valuable skills that our club relies on. It’s his skills that helped us locate Dia last month when Ben Cross sold her to the highest bidder instead of letting her divorce him. I’m glad it worked out the way it did and Tank and Dia got their happy ending after all these years. A tinge of jealousy fills me. Rayne was never mine to begin with but I don’t see any way we’d be as lucky, even if she were. She’s spent years with the new order of the Viper’s Den and there’s no telling what she’s been through. I can’t help but think about her though. It’s making me crazy.
“How did you find all this?” I ask.
“Never doubt me brother.” Hound prides himself for a job well done. “In the last eight years twenty-five women have gone missing in a hundred mile radius of the Viper’s Den. You’re right. They're smart. A couple girls a year across multiple jurisdictions. There’s no reason to suspect a connection. Some of these girls were believed to be traveling along Route 66, others prostitutes, drug addicts, women with no one to look for themuntil it's too late. Police have no leads in these cases however, a detective suspected the club’s involvement.”
“Was?” Chainz interrupts.
Hound nods his head. “He’s missing. Presumed dead. Again no solid leads.”
“So really you have nothing but more speculation. I told you that shit last night.” I slump back in my seat, pissed at myself for getting my hopes up that there would be something solid to go on. Something to justify sending the Viper’s Den to hell.
“Not officially, no, but further digging into these women's lives and I connected five to the club. Two of them were known club girls but the club dodged being suspects in their disappearance. Police closed the case assuming they went into hiding or overdosed somewhere. I haven’t found any Jane Does that match their descriptions. If they’re dead they won’t be found but if I had to bet they were sold. A third was last seen leaving a bar with a member and the one that’s most unsettling is that girl Andrea.”
This grabs Tank's undivided attention. He would do anything for Dia and he’s already told us how close the Dia and Andrea became when trapped in that cage. He leans forward resting his elbows on the table while Hound continues.
“There wasn't much to find on her but I put her near the Barlow area not long before we found her in that cage. My guess is she pissed off the wrong person and this Viper’s Den tried to get rid of her.”
“And we sent her back there?” Tank slams his fist on the table. “Tell me you found something recent on her. Tell me we didn’t hand her back to these assholes.”
Hound nods his head. “I felt the same way when I came across that. It seems she’s checked into a mental health program and appears to be doing well. I have no reason to believe she’s inany danger right now but also don’t know if the one who took her knows she’s back. If they do, she could be in danger.”
