Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 132332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 662(@200wpm)___ 529(@250wpm)___ 441(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 662(@200wpm)___ 529(@250wpm)___ 441(@300wpm)
I pass the nook where I keep my phone plugged in. A notification blinks on the otherwise black screen. I pick it up and carry it outside with everything else.
“I thought we said no work today?” Marcel nods to the phone in my hands.
“There’s a message.” I hand him the platter and set the dressing on the table. “I don’t want to ignore it if it’s a client. Or if Carter needs something.”
“I’ll allow it.” He winks at me.
I swipe my thumb over the screen and stare at the long list of missed calls. “Oh my God.”
“What?” Marcel’s spatula clinks against the platter. “Everything okay?”
“I don’t know. I have like a dozen missed calls from Bianca.” My voicemail is jammed full. All Bianca. I hit call instead of listening to them.
“Charlotte!” she screams into the phone. “Oh my God, I’ve been trying to call you.”
A lead balloon of fear settles in my stomach. “What’s going on? Is Carter okay?”
“No,” she sobs. “Someone grabbed him.”
Marcel moves closer, motioning for me to turn the speaker on.
“What do you mean someone grabbed him?” I shout. “Who? Where?”
“I don’t know. Some guys.” Her voice lowers. “The cops are here.”
Marcel grabs the phone from my hand. “Bianca, what happened?”
“We were outside my apartment. Just talking next to his car.” She sobs and hiccups through each word. “He was parked at the curb in front of my brownstone, like he always does.”
Marcel lets out a frustrated growl.
“This…this sketchy black van pulled up right next to us. Two guys in black hoodies jumped out. Grabbed him. Carter punched one. I jumped on the back of the other guy, but he elbowed me in the face. They wrestled Carter into the van and sped away. I got a few numbers off the plate.” Anguished sobs choke off any more words she may have been trying to say.
Marcel paces away a few steps, barking out orders to Bianca for more information.
My vision swims.
Fear and horror singe my blood. My baby brother’s in trouble. Why didn’t I know? Sense it somehow?
“Miss, who are you talking to?” a deep voice asks in the background.
“Carter’s sister.”
“Miss Clark?” The deep voice becomes even louder. “This is Officer O’Flannery. We need you to come to the station so we can get some information—”
“What are you doing to find my brother?” I shout.
“Everything we can. We have several witnesses. His girlfriend says your uncle is a leader of a local motorcycle gang? Is that right?”
“For fuck’s sake,” Marcel mutters.
“Where can I meet you?” I ask.
He gives me the address of the station. Not sure I have any intention of actually going, I quickly jot it down and hang up.
TELLER
Charlotte’s terrified eyes and frantic movements rip out my insides.
“Jesus Christ.” I run my hands through my hair, settling them at the base of my skull. What the fuck is happening? “We’re going to find him, Charlotte.”
“Is it club-related?”
This isn’t the time to fuck around and try to protect the club. Charlotte and I are way past that. She’s too smart to swallow any bullshit. “I honestly don’t know. We don’t have an issue with anyone that I know of right now.”
“Marcel,” she whispers. “If something happens to him… If he… I can’t live with that. Do you understand?”
“I hear you.”
“I know he’s not a brother—”
“No. He’s my brother. He’s club family. I swore I’d protect him, Charlotte.” And boy, did I fuck that up, apparently. Someone had the balls to abduct him in broad daylight. In my club’s territory.
My mind’s racing. Who could possibly have an issue with us? Why involve Carter?
What if it has nothing to do with us?
“How much do you know about Bianca? What’s she into?”
Charlotte snorts. “I don’t know. They’ve been friends for years.”
I’m already tapping out a text to Rock, Wrath, Murphy, and Dex. They’ll spread the word. I add Z, Rooster, Jigsaw, and Grinder in too. They have a longer ride to get here.
“Will they try to contact us? A ransom?” Charlotte asks.
“I don’t know,” I mumble, not looking up from my phone.
Rock answers right away.
Rock: Be at your house in ten.
“Thank fuck.”
Charlotte’s phone dings.
“It’s Merlin!” she yells.
I reach her in two steps, my hand out. “Give it to me.”
She nods and slides the phone into my hand.
“Hello?”
“Figured you’d answer her phone,” he answers.
“What’s going on?” This better not be a fucking social call.
“You tell me,” he says slowly. Highway noises muddy up the background.
“I’m not in the mood to fuck around with you.”
He coughs a few times. “You missing anyone important?”
“Yes,” I grind out through my teeth.
“Thought so. I got a call. Not sure why they think I give a shit.”
“Are you fucking serious?” I stalk into the house, slamming the kitchen door. “Charlotte’s beside herself.”
“Yeah? And what about you?”
“I’m getting him back with or without your help. But I’d rather have you tell me what I’m dealing with. Where are you?”