Page 25 of Running Wild

“Don’t call him that. I’d rather people think I’m an orphan than know that I share a bloodline with him and the two jackals who are his sons. I haven’t seen or spoken to him in five years. Right after he sold me to four of his cronies for, as he told them, ‘a party night they’ll always remember.’ He auctioned off my virginity to the highest bidder. I woke up in the hospital. They almost beat me to death. I had to have emergency surgery because of the damage that was done to me.

“Dear old dad acted like the loving parent he wasn’t. When I woke up, he demanded that I tell no one what happened or else. So, I kept my mouth shut and concentrated on healing. Once I did, I started squirreling money away until I had enough to escape. And that’s exactly what I did. And never gave that life any thoughts until I noticed I was being followed. I didn’t know what to do. I went on those dating applications, hoping to find someone who could help me. And, yes, a very stupid idea. Thank God I found Frank. He was so funny and seemed to really be interested in what I talked about. And this stays between us girls, he let it slip he was part of the Grimm Wolves MC. I looked it up, best I could, and knew I found the guy who might be able to help me.

“So we agreed to meet here in Texas after I hinted at how frightened I was about the trouble following me. I wasn’t thinking straight. I’m so sorry, never thought meeting up with Frank that these guys would follow me or show up, putting everyone in danger. Holy shit, what’s next?”

Not knowing how to explain to Celestina what happens next, I look to Goldilocks, who nods. I move to the two bastards tied half-ass to the chairs. Leaning down, I look them both in the eyes then whisper only for their ears.

“Enjoy the time you have left on this earth, motherfuckers. Kitty, gag them.”

Standing, knowing my sister has this, I walk outside, pulling my phone out.

“Enforcer, have a situation, need your help. Yeah, something like that, you dick. Seriously, we need one of those boats. You, Irons, and me. No, would prefer Noodles and Panther stay clear. It’s better that they have deniability. Exactly. Yeah, tell Pops his choice if he wants in, you know we can handle it. I’ll explain when you get here. See ya soon, Enforcer. And thanks.”

Leaning against a tree, I totally clear my mind to prepare for what’s coming up. Since Panther, it takes me a bit longer to get my mind in the right space. Poor Squirt. Her entire weekend seems to be going down the shitter. Good lesson for her, hope she gets it. Life ain’t all about fun because it can change on a dime.

I move to the deck and sit on one of the chairs watching the people having fun. In the boats on the lake, families on the beach playing volleyball or building castles in the sand. Just everyone enjoying their day in the sun. Something I’ve never experienced—family dynamics—well, until Goldilocks, Pops, and Momma Diane.

Hearing motors from one, no, two boats, I glance to my left to see our guys slowly approaching the dock. Once both boats have been tied up, they all start to pile off. What a bunch of goofs, but I feel bad to cut their fun short and bring our real lives and situations into a day of just enjoying friends on the lake. Pops comes directly to me, pulling me in for a hug.

“You good, Z? Whatcha need me to do? Anything, I’m here for you. Gotta check on my other girls. We need to get them the fuck out of here. Don’t need witnesses.”

He turns, moving toward the girls’ cabin. Enforcer gives me a chin lift then walks to their cabin. Panther comes to me, arms going around me. I know he’s trying to give me some of his strength for what’s coming next. For once in my life, I hang on for dear life. And this right here scares the shit out of me. But he’s worth my trust because he earned it with his own sweat and blood.

Enforcer comes toward us, a leather pouch in his hands.

“Let’s get this done, Shadow. Get those women out of there now. Panther, get them to that book signing, get their minds off of the entire morning. Take Noodles, Bullet, and Presley. And I’ll owe each of you, ’cause the thought of going to a fuckin’ book signing with a bunch of women who fantasize about fake men makes me want to puke. Girl, we’ll give the guys a few minutes to empty the cabin then we’re up. I’ve got a little something to take the edge and fight out of those two jagoffs. Once it starts to work, we’ll let the prospects get their dumb asses into the boat. Dingo, Doc, and Irons are strong like bulls. Then Dingo can tag along with Celestina. We’ll take off and after we’re out of the populated area, we can then finish them off and dump them in the water after we gut them so they sink deep. Gotta remember to take all identification off of them. Cut the fingers off and any tattoos also. Leave no trail whatsoever.”

Thank God for Enforcer. I hate that shit even in my head, let alone knowing how much I’m going to owe him. Damn, that’s going to hurt. I watch as one by one my club sisters come out of the cabin until it’s Goldilocks and Celestina. It’s eerie to look at my cousin. That’s how I’d probably have ended up looking if Dario hadn’t made my life a living hell, which in turn had my mind split in two, taking me down that dark road all alone. Celestina’s eyes are looking left then right until they touch on me. She leans to Goldilocks, pointing to me. My bestie nods but waits right there, badass that she is.

“Zeona, or do you want me to call you Shadow? Whatever, thank you. I don’t know what else to say. And can’t believe I’m thanking you for killing two men on my behalf.”

I watch her shoulders fall while she lets out a loud breath. The impact of all of this is weighing heavily on her.

“You can call me Shadow. Or I do let my family call me Zoey, so whichever one you want to use is fine with me. Go with the girls, Celestina, and try to let this shit fall out of your mind. You’re safe now. Keep that there, but also keep your eyes open and be alert. The guys will be with you, and from the looks of it, Dingo will be attached to your hip. And just saying, you could do a whole lot worse. We’ll catch up with you later on. Now get. Dingo will be your shadow, no pun intended.”

Without warning she hugs me, holding on tightly. At this point, usually I push whoever is crazy enough to put hands on me away, but for some reason I want to comfort her, so I raise one arm and pat her back awkwardly. When she finally lets me go and backs away, I see Goldilocks standing off to the right, wiping her goddamn eyes. Great, I’ll never live this shit down.

Though when my bestie smiles at me with such emotion in her eyes, it feels good. Now for the not so good shit.

TWENTY-FIVE

‘TINK’

MAGGIE/GOLDILOCKS

Holy shit, am I glad we live in Timber-Ghost, Montana, away from all of these goddamn, crazy as fuck women. Where did they all come from? And more importantly, when did Hannah, Dani, and Kitty become part of the chaos. Thank God Dottie hasn’t lost her ever-fucking mind too.

From the moment we got close to the main area where the signing was taking place, it was like entering anotherTwilight Zone.Women more excited for books than, let’s say, aMagic Mikeshow. Others with these huge empty carts that they are pulling, while some women had carts that were already partially loaded with books. I’m assuming to get those signed, who the hell even knows. And every time an author would appear the roar of the crowd was deafening. Worse than a rock or country concert, for Christ’s sake.

Hannah and Dani are comparing their lists for who they want to see first and where those authors are sitting in the signing. Maybe there’s something wrong with me because I don’t give the first fuck about any of this. I’m here to make sure Hannah’s entire trip isn’t a waste.

“No, Sweet Pea, ain’t nothing wrong with you. Think about it, most of these women don’t have much in their lives, and I’m not being mean. They use the books and reading to, how does that stupid commercial go, something about take me away. Well, it looks like the books work really well ’cause they do transport these women wherever and with whomever they want, every time they open a book. You, Maggie, deal with real life every single day. Think about every time you bust up a human trafficking circuit, the lives you save and the survivors you give another chance. That’s your book. We each have our own way of living, just yours is in the real world while theirs is in the book world. Neither is right or wrong. We don’t know what the story of their lives is or was.”

Gazing at my man, it amazes me how well he can analyze and see each situation for what it is.

“Thanks, Noodles, for a quick second, thought I was losing my mind.”

When he goes to give me a quick hug, I hear Hannah screaming like a lunatic yet again.

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