Page 35 of Prospect
Sofia closes her eyes and takes a shuttered breath. "I don't know if she'll agree. Luna is already skittish around you all. I can't imagine how she'll react knowing we want her to leave with Riggs."
Riggs cuts in. "Bring her out. I want to talk with her," he grunts. Sofia leaves and returns a few minutes later with Luna in tow and walking alongside them is Raine. I watch the way Riggs becomes laser focused the moment his eyes lock on Luna. She looks terrified—ready to flee at any given moment. Riggs's stare is intense, and Luna has a hard time keeping eye contact. Sofia gives a reassuring nod before she begins to speak. "Jake has come up with a solution for keeping you safe." Raine who we found out knows sign language translates Sofia's words to Luna. Luna signs back, and Raine speaks for her. "What's the plan?"
Sofia points toward Riggs. "This is Riggs. He's the President for The Kings Louisiana Chapter. Jake would like for you to go back to Louisiana with him. The club thinks it would be for the best if you left Polson."
Luna eyes dart frantically back and forth between Jake and Riggs. Her chest starts heaving like she's on the verge of a panic attack. Sofia turns toward her friend, placing her hands on her shoulders. "Luna. Rex knows where you are. If you continue to stay here, you will not be safe."
Luna closes her eyes visibly gulping. What happens next shocks the hell out of everyone in the room. Riggs takes two steps forward, coming toe to toe with Luna. He places his finger under her chin and tilts her head back. Luna's eyes widen with the sudden contact. Her gaze stays fixed on the large man standing before her. Once satisfied that he has Luna's complete attention, Riggs lifts his hands and begins to sign. "You don't need to be scared of me, Mon Tresor. My men and I will keep you safe. I promise." He speaks out loud so the rest of us understand what he is telling her.
Luna signs, and Raine speaks for her. "I don't want to put anymore lives in danger. My mess has caused enough harm. I think it's best I just leave on my own." Luna's lip trembles. Sofia was right. Her guilt is eating her up inside. It's to the point she's willing to risk her life in order to keep everyone here safe.
"No," Riggs cuts her off with a growl. "The decision has been made. You're coming back to New Orleans with me." Luna's look of worry is replaced with one of anger as she narrows her eyes at Riggs
"You can't just decide something like that. You can't boss me around." Her hands move quickly.
Riggs grins. "Looks like I just did, sweetheart." Luna huffs placing her hands on her hips. She's about to protest once again before Jake decides to end the spat.
"Alright. That's enough."
"Come on now, Prez," Quinn smiles. "Where's the popcorn? This shit was getting interesting. I want to see what happens."
"Jesus fuckin' Christ," Gabriel grunts. The rest of us, myself included can't help but chuckle. Leave it to Quinn to break up an intense moment. Although intense is a bit of an understatement. Right now the vibes coming off Riggs could set the clubhouse on fire. Without another word, Luna turns and walks out of the room. "I'll talk to her," Sofia says taking off after her. Jake claps Riggs on the back. "Let's get a drink." Over the next couple hours, Jake lays out our plan of attack against Savage Outlaw. "Alright brothers," Jake stands. "Let's turn in and get some shut eye. Tomorrow we go huntin'."
Chapter eighteen
Sofia
As safe as I feel lying next to Sam, I can't sleep. Everytime I close my eyes, I see the end of a gun pointing in our direction all over again. Despite the fact I kept my calm during the entire ordeal, I feel like I'm barely hanging on. Yesterday I didn't have time to do all that. I was more focused on keeping Luna and Emma calm rather than focus on my own feelings.
Reaching over, I grab my phone from the nightstand. Pressing the side button, I check the time. 3:00 am. People will start waking before long, so I decide to go ahead and get out of bed. I slide myself from beneath the covers trying not to disturb Sam. Standing, I look down at him and watch his chest rise and fall with every breath, then my stomach knots up when thoughts of losing him surface. He could have gotten shot yesterday. Taking a deep breath, I push those thoughts aside because that didn't happen. He's here and focusing on that is more important.
With light footsteps, I cross the bedroom quietly opening and closing the door behind me as I step into the dim lit hallway. Thinking about making some warm milk and honey to calm my nerves I pad down the hall. Luna's cracked bedroom door catches my attention.Odd. Not even at New Hope House did she sleep with her door ajar. Pushing the door open, I peek inside and notice her bed made. Stepping in, I look around the room. Something's not right. Leaving, I make my way downstairs hoping I find her in the kitchen, but she isn't there. However, I notice the sliding door partially open. Crossing the kitchen, I notice the alarm has been disarmed as well. I wasn't even aware she knew the code. It's possible she was paying attention when Lisa locked up last night. I slide the door open and step out on the patio. There's a slight early morning chill that causes my skin to break out in bumps. Crossing my arms, I glance around the backyard, straining to see past the yard because of dense fog. Instinctively, I open my mouth to call her name but catch myself.Crap. My good sense tells me to go back inside and wake Sam, but my feet carry me forward. Something stronger is telling me Luna is out there.
I step off the concrete patio. The grass underneath my bare feet is damp from dew that covers the grass. I stay along the edge of the clubhouse until I reach the corner of the building. I then step out further in the yard to get a better look. That's when I think I see something off in the distance, in the direction of the compound gate. The fog is beginning to lift but still dense enough I can't see the fence line. Moving out a little further, I make my way toward the front of the building stopping by the tree where several vehicles are parked. That's when I catch sight of Luna walking toward the gate with her bag in her right hand. What is she thinking? Avoiding the gravel beneath my bare feet, I stay on the grass and jog in her direction. As soon as I catch up to her, I grab her by the arm causing her to spin around swinging her bag in my direction as she does so. Unable to avoid it, the bag slams into my shoulder. Her eyes widen when she realizes I'm the one standing there with my fingers gripping her forearm. Her face falls and her eyes well up with unshed tears. I look at her. "What are you doing?"
Her only response is to shake her head before trying to pull free from my hold, but I refuse to let her go. She was trying to leave. I won't let her run.
Before I can tug her back and get her to look back my way, I hear a low click just behind my right shoulder.
"Don't fuckin move," a gritty voice murmurs. My heart jumps into my throat. I recognize the voice. It belongs to the man who attacked me—Pike. Luna spins in my direction when my grip on her arm tightens to the point my nails dig into her skin. Her mouth drops open as she looks past me. I feel the cold metal press against my temple, knowing right away I have the barrel of a gun at my head. Standing stone cold still, I look at Luna and mouth run. Tears stream down her cheeks, as she refuses to move. Pike steps to my side, but I keep my eyes on Luna.
He snaps his fingers, and Luna's eyes shifts to him instead. "I know you read lips so pay attention. Keep walking in that direction, or you'll watch her take her last breath." He violently jabs the barrel of his gun against my head. I drop my hand from Luna's arm. Her eyes shift back to me, and I try once more mouthing for her to run. I see it. The look in her eyes the very second she makes her choice. I feel tears threatening to break free because I realize she is giving up. Every fiber of my being wants to scream; wants to fight back but I don't. I can hear myself yelling inside my head, but no words or sound ever leave my lips. I watch as Luna turns her back and begins to walk. With the gun pressed hard against my flesh, I follow.
It's quiet outside. Dead silent as we walk across the property cloaked in the foggy morning mist. Focusing on keeping my anxiety in check, I count the steps I take. When I reach 180 steps, the fence surrounding the property on the backside, near the old barn shed comes into view. This is only the second time I have been back on this side of the property. I'm not allowed back here but last summer I did a little exploring during a family BBQ and found myself out this way. I stare at the sturdy old wood structure as we walk past. I never did go inside. Something stopped me. My steps slow.
"Fuckin get to steppin', bitch," Pike shoves me hard enough to make me stumble into Luna's back. She turns, her face soaked from tears and I cling to her. Grabbing her by the hand, I don't let go. Pike steps in front of us and points his gun in our faces. "I said keep moving." I take a good look at him—tall, broad. His hair is dark, cut short. His face scarred. Burn scars I think, but only on one side of his face. "Don't fuckin stare at me bitch," he snarls then cracks the palm of his hand across my cheek. It stings, but I suck it up. I've been hit a lot harder than that. Showing defiance, I lift my eyes to his, glaring, showing my hatred for him. He smirks. "The guys are gonna love breakin' you. Let's go." Bile rises in my throat at his threat.
We stop at the fence. On the other side we watch two more guys appear from behind the tree line, weapons drawn. "You have got to be the luckiest fucker I know. How in the hell did you get her?" one of them points to Luna.
"Stop with the fuckin question and lift the chain link you asshole, before we get caught." Pike looks behind us. The fog is thinner than it was making it much easier to see the outline of the clubhouse in the distance. Pushing us forward, he instructs. "Crawl." Luna goes first. The two guys on the other side aim their guns at us. Getting on my stomach, I pull myself under the fence, and I'm yanked to my feet. Luna latches onto my hand. She's trying very hard to keep her eyes on what they are saying.
"Who the fuck is this?" the shorter man, with shaggy red hair questions, and points his gun at me after his buddy clears the fence.
"We'll discuss it as soon as we get our asses away from here." He brushes the dirt off his pant legs. I look at the other two men. They must be bikers too, but they are not wearing cuts.
"This was not part of the plan, man." The redhead grabs me by the arm and shoves me to the ground, causing me to land on my knees. Luna is pulled away by the other guy as the red-headed man hovers above me. "Orders were to place the bomb, wait for it to blow, move in, get the bitch, and leave." He presses the barrel of his pistol between my eyes, and I stop breathing. "This is not part of the fucking plan." The one who took us points his gun at his own friend.
"You fuckin question my authority again motherfucker, I'll make you dig your own grave before I kill you and toss you in it." He cocks his gun. "As VP, I'm in charge while my brother sits behind bars." He squares off with the redhead. The man lowers his gun. "Get the fuck up," he growls at me, and I follow his orders.
