Page 23 of Chains: Unchain My Heart

Juliette was surprised he was giving her something else now. She shook her head. “I can’t accept this, too. It’s too much.”

But he insisted, explaining that the charms had helped him find her. He told her that even if she didn’t have the box, he believed she could help him locate it eventually. He looked into her eyes, hoping his false sincerity would shine through.

Juliette gratefully accepted the amulet and Zaiden walked over to his bike, climbed on and rode away, leaving Juliette standing on her porch, the two charms clasped tightly in her hand.

As soon as Zaiden was out of sight, Juliette dialed Chains. She relayed everything that had happened, from Zaiden’s unexpected visit to the charms he’d given her.

Chains listened carefully, his voice guarded. “I’m still not sure about this guy, Juliette. Just be careful, alright?”

“I will,” she promised, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the charms in her hand.

Chains, sensing her fascination with the trinkets, asked if he could come over and take a look at them and within an hour, Chains was on her doorstep.

They sat on the porch together, examining the charms and discussing their significance.

Despite still having lingering questions about Zaiden, Juliette was inclined to believe he was a good-hearted individual. Chains had yet to meet him, but he didn’t share her view of the man.

* * *

Zaiden returned to his room,the image of the vintage Indian motorcycle fresh in his mind. He couldn’t shake the thought of how much it could be worth. Excited, he pulled out his phone and called one of his fellow criminals, Nathan Bishop, an expert in selling stolen goods.

“Hey, man. You won’t believe what I just saw,” Zaiden said.

“What is it?” his friend asked.

Zaiden sent him the photo he had taken of the motorcycle while in the shed. “Check this out. It’s a 1940 Indian Chief. How much do you think it’s worth? And how hard would it be to sell it without papers, maybe to someone out of state?”

Nathan whistled on the other end of the line. “Wow, that’s a beauty. Let me do some quick research.” There was a brief pause as his friend looked up the information. “Alright, I got it. In good condition, a 1940 Indian Chief like that could fetch anywhere between $25,000 and $35,000. It’s a collector’s item, you know.”

“You’re kidding! That much?”

“Yeah, man. These bikes are rare and highly sought after. As for selling it without papers, it’ll be a bit tricky, but I know a few people who could help you out. Just make sure you’re careful and keep it on the down-low.”

Zaiden’s mind raced with the possibilities. Not only was he after the box, but now he also had his sights set on the valuable motorcycle. “Thanks, man. I’ll keep you posted.”

He ended the call and rubbed his hands together. Juliette Martin was going to make him a rich, free man. He wouldn’t be able to have her if he stole the bike, but hell…with the money he’d be getting from the sale, there were plenty of other pretty woman who would let him take them for a ride. And he sure as hell wasn’t thinking about a bike ride.

* * *

Chains had decidedto stay the night with Juliette once again, and as they walked toward the shed, she suddenly paused, feeling that something was off.

“What’s wrong?” Chains asked, noticing her hesitation.

“I don’t know,” Juliette replied, frowning. “I can’t quite put my finger on it.”

“Do you think it has something to do with Zaiden?” he asked.

“No, not after what he gave me,” she said, shaking her head. “I think he’s a good person looking for what he wants. Otherwise, he would never have given me the trinket…or the second one. It was like he’d been sent to me as a messenger from my maw.”

She reached for the door handle, preparing to unlock the shed. To her surprise, it was already unlocked. She stopped and thought for a moment, knowing that she always locked everything carefully to prevent any of her things from going missing. However, she remembered how excited she had been that morning to go to the swap meet, and she couldn’t stop thinking about Chains. It was possible that she had forgotten to lock the door in her haste.

As she stepped inside the shed, she scanned the room, looking for any signs of disturbance. Everything seemed to be exactly how she had left it, and her concern gradually dissipated.

“Everything is fine,” she told Chains, who had followed her into the shed. “I must have just forgotten to lock it this morning.”

Chains nodded, relieved that nothing was amiss. “As long as you’re sure,” he said, wrapping his arm around her. “Let’s not worry about it for now and just enjoy our time together.”

* * *

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