Page 2 of Chill’s Chance

“Detective Sterling said he has a message from your former commanding officer.” Puma says to me.

“What does he want?” I ask the detective.

“He said one of your former teammates has gone AWOL. A Lieutenant Bryson. The general thought you might know where he is or how to reach him.” Sterling says. “He also suggested that you might be in danger.”

“Why would he think that?” I ask.

“Before Bryson took off, he mentioned you. Said you owed him and he was planning on collecting. No one thought anything about it until he disappeared. General Clark said you two have some history.”

I scoff. “If you call finding out you’re a dirty little secret to be a history, then yeah, I guess you’re right. As for unfinished business. I have no business with Lieutenant Bryson. He and I concluded our business several years ago.”

Detective Sterling nods. “Ok, I just wanted to deliver the message. If you need help…” Sterling trails off and laughs at the expression he sees on my face. “You won’t be calling me. Got it.” Sterling shakes his head and walks away.

“Are you alright?” Puma asks me and I nod.

“I’m fine. A little surprised that he went AWOL. He was a career soldier.”

Once we’re in the limo and heading back to the clubhouse, I worry about Hunter. Which really pisses me off. I don’t want to think about him, much less worry about him. As far as I’m concerned, he can die a slow, painful death. I want it to be at least as painful as how I felt when I discovered the bastard I was in love with was married to another woman.

I shake away the thought of Hunter as I follow everyone into the clubhouse. Puma has his arm around Alisa and she looks happy. I’m glad. She’s been through hell recently and deserves some happiness. I need to talk to Puma about Hunter, but the way he and Alisa are staring at each other, I know it will have to wait. They’re about two minutes from getting naked. Lucky fucks. The room is quiet, which draws my attention away from thinking about my barren sex life. I suck in a breath when I see who’s standing in the middle of the common room.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” I demand, stalking over to Hunter and getting into his face. “I told you I needed to talk to my President first and then I’d meet with you. You know what you’ve done? You’ve made me an accomplice, and you’ve put my club at risk.” I pull out my phone.

“Who the fuck are you calling?” He demands, reaching for it.

I keep it out of his reach as I respond. “I’m calling Detective Sterling.”

“You’re turning me in?” Hunter roars. “What the fuck, Chill? You’re a fucking cold-hearted bitch!” He seems to realize his mistake when the sound of every chair in the room scraping against the floor echoes around the space. He glances around him as my brothers move forward, boxing him in.

“Chill. Your choice. We can take him to The Pit or dump him somewhere. Maybe Nellis. I take it you’re the deserter? Lieutenant Bryson?” Puma asks.

Bryson glances at Puma and then does a double take. “You’re Maklin Brooks.”

Puma growls. “Not anymore. I’m Puma, President of this club and I don’t take kindly to deserters threatening my crew. Dice, Wildcard, show this man his new accommodations in The Pit.”

Hunter doesn’t flinch or show any fear, but he does glance at me. “Please. I need your help. Find him. I don’t care what you do to me, but please, he’s only seven, and he’s all alone.”

Puma holds his hand to stop Dice and Wildcard. “What’s going on Chill?” He asks me.

“It’s my son…” Bryson starts and Puma gives him a hard look to make him shut up.

“Chill?”

“I only know what Bryson told me earlier. The cops found his wife murdered and their son missing. He thought I could help find him.”

“How long has he been missing?” Puma asks.

“Six days.” Bryson says, his voice cracking. “I didn’t hear about my ex-wife’s death until four days ago when I returned stateside. I asked for leave, but they were dragging their feet. During that time, I tried to find out what happened to Slade, but no one seems to know anything. He’s only seven. The thought of him alone, out there…” Bryson’s voice trails off.

I glance up at Puma and know he’s thinking about his newly found son, Mal.

“Chill, Wildcard, my office. Bryson. You too.” Puma orders.

CHAPTER TWO: HUNTER

Three angry MC members escort me down a short hallway. I’m left with little doubt that the next few minutes will be the difference between life and death for my son, and, quite possibly, myself. No one knows I’m here and I’m fairly certain these guys know how to make a body disappear. Hell, there’s a vast desert out there they can use as a dumping ground. I shudder when I think of dying out there. It would rather ironic if I died in the desert in Las Vegas after surviving the ones in the Middle East.

Puma leads us into a room and takes a seat behind his desk. Chill sits across from him and gestures for me to take the seat next to her. The third man in our group, the one they called Wildcard, leans against the door.

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