Page 28 of A Biker for Noelle
I wait a few minutes for Brewer to return, but when I note the time, I realize Charlie will be here any minute, and we open soon. After another five minutes, I decide to take the boxes to the trash myself.
Gathering up the boxes, I make my way to the back exit that leads to the alley behind the bar. I poke my head out the door to ensure I’m alone before quickly walking to the dumpster. I go to pry open the side latch of the dumpster, but it won’t budge. “Come on.” I grit my teeth and yank on the lever, yet it still doesn’t open. Finally, after much fiddling, the door slides open, and I chuck the boxes inside. When I turn to go back inside, something out of the corner of my eye catches my attention. A black van is barreling around the corner of the building. I think something must be wrong for a split second because of how fast the van is going. Worry turns to dread when the van stops, the back door flies open, and three men wielding guns jump out.
A scream lodges in my throat before managing to speak, “Oh God, no!” I cry. Inside the van, with a gun to his head and tears running down his frightened face, is Zack. I don’t think twice. I jump into the van with him. The door slams shut behind me, and the van lurches forward as the tires squeal against the snow-covered pavement.
“Zack.” I throw myself at my brother and wrap my arms around his trembling body.
“Noelle.” Zack sobs against my cheek.
“It’s going to be okay, buddy. I promise.”
“Torin will save us, won’t he?” Zack whispers.
I wipe away the tears streaming down my brother’s face. “Yes, he’ll come for us. Just hang on.”
It’s not until then that I see Torin’s mom, bound and gagged at the far end of the van.No!“June.” I move toward her, but I’m forcefully pushed away.
I turn, looking at the men in the back of the van with us. Three of them are wearing black masks, but one is not. He has jet-black hair, a long nose, a sharp jawline, and cold, dark eyes. I know without a doubt that man is pure evil. A chill runs down my spine when he smiles at me.
“I have to give you credit.” He lights a cigarette. “You’re one smart bitch for coming up here and hooking up with Devil’s Punishers. You spread your legs, and now you got them eatin’ out the palm of your hand.”
I sneer at the asshole, and he chuckles. “What do you want with us?”
The guy takes a long drag from the cigarette. “Your dumb as fuck stepfather thought he could fuck with the wrong people. He promised my boss something but then failed to deliver.”
“Is it money?” I ask. “If he owes you money, I can get you the money. Just please let me, my brother, and June go.” The truth is, I don’t have any money. At this point, I’m desperate enough to promise anything.
The jerk laughs and shakes his head. “Money. That numb nuts don’t have money. He knew he couldn’t pay back the fifty large he owes my boss, so he made another deal.”
Fear like I’ve never felt before washes over me. “Wha… what did he promise?”
A sinister grin spreads across the guy’s face. “You.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Eazy
In my rearview mirror, I see the sun dipping below the horizon, casting a fiery orange glow across the Montana sky as I go through downtown Ember Falls on my way to the bike shop. Slow drives down Main Street, especially at this time of year, with all the festive decorations, usually soothe me. But today, a threat hanging over our small town like a dark storm cloud darkens my mood.
It has been several days since we dealt with the motherfucker who arrived looking for my woman. I recall our encounter and his words when he said my woman is collateral for her stepdad’s debt. The rage that surged through me then still festers, eating at my insides today. The thought of Noelle’s stepfather using her as a bargaining chip churns my stomach. I’ve been on edge for days because we have more questions than answers.
I drum my fingers against the steering wheel and glance at the wrapped Christmas gifts beside me. Despite dealing with all this and maintaining safety for my woman, her brother, and theclub, I’m doing my best to keep it from suffocating them. I take a deep breath, letting it out slowly, trying to calm my unsettled nerves, which remain on edge.
I finally arrive at the shop to see if the dealership delivered the new car I ordered for Noelle. Parking by the bay door, I walk inside.
“Hey, Eazy.” Lydia looks up from her phone and smiles.
Lydia has been working for the shop since the beginning of summer. She’s a good kid. Since her sweet mom died more than two years ago from cancer, she’s been taking on jobs wherever she can to help her old man make ends meet. All that pressure, and the kid is taking online college courses, too. I admire her determination and hard work. “How’s it goin’, sweetheart? Rooster around?”
“Yeah. He’s out there working on Mr. Blackburn’s farm truck.”
“How’s your old man?” I ask.
Lydia smiles. “Right now, he’s like a cat on hot bricks because he finally mustered up the courage to ask Mrs. Bailey out on a date.” She sighs. “It’s good to see him looking forward to something again, even if he’s nervous.” Lydia frowns. “I miss Momma, but Daddy has so much love inside him that it’s unfair not to have someone he can share it with again.”
Her words make me think about Ma and how much she loved my old man and still does. Then my thoughts drift back to Noelle, and my mind plays out a scenario in which I lose her, just like Ma lost my dad. The thought makes my throat tighten like I just swallowed a brick. I glance at the clock on the wall, and it’s an hour until closing. “Go ahead and clock out early, kid,” I say, and her eyes light up.
“You sure?” Lydia asks as I head to the garage.
