Page 21 of Sinful Need
“I’ve chosen wisely.”
What starts as a hand shake ends with Jase pulling Storm in for a bro hug. “How did you pull it off anyways? Hawk is dumb but not dumb enough to realize my body wasn’t there.”
Storm pats Jase on the back a few times, “That was the easy part. The coyotes tore the others to shreds. Hawk can’t count past ten. He had no idea there were fewer limbs then there should have been.”
The two share a laugh. It’s been too long since I heard that sound from the two most important men in my life.
I hear the click of the lock. “You two come with me. Can’t have you strolling out the front door after last night.”
Jase and his President, Chainz, follow me out past the bar and through the back room where the side entrance is. It’s still visible from the street but typically only used by employees. There’s no reason for it to be watched.
“Give me a moment, Prez?” Jase asks once we’re outside.
Chainz lights up a smoke and steps aside giving us a moment to say goodbye. There’s another squeeze in my chest strangling the air from my lungs. If their plan goes wrong ourreunion will be short. He could end up in jail or worse dead for real this time.
Jase draws his fingertip across my check to wipe away the tear I didn’t know was falling, “When this is over, I want you to come back to Pennsylvania with me.”
He kisses the top of my head in such a tender way that my knees weaken. Jase has always been a contradiction. Seems some things never change.
I’ve dreamed of being with him so many nights but that’s all the thoughts ever were. Dreams. As far as I knew, he was dead and when I woke reality would hit me all over again. This time it’s different. He’s really here but can I leave everything I’ve built behind to follow him across the country? We’re not the same people we used to be. That’s not even the most looming question on my mind. I have a decision to make and fast. Whatever I decide, I’m not the only one who will be affected by such an impulsive decision. What if I make the wrong one? “Can I think about it?”
“Don’t think too long. This goes down tonight and we’re on a plane before daylight. The airport in Cutler. I hope you’re there.” He crashes his mouth down over mine drowning me in a kiss so intense my knees buckle. “A reason not to say no.”
He turns away, leaving me alone to wrestle with the most important decision I’ve ever had to make. My heart wants to call out for him but my head is screaming ‘run before it’s too late.’
Chapter 12
Rayne
I left the bar before closing time for the second night in a row, sparking a questioning stare from Abby. She’s the closest thing I have to a friend but I can’t confide in her about this. I can’t confide in anyone. Jase wants me to go to Pennsylvania with him and as much as I want to, I don’t know if I can. I haven’t told him my secret yet and when he finds out, will he still want me or will he think I’m just as guilty as Hawk? I can’t even fathom a guess to what Storm would want for me anymore. Would he understand that my heart has always been with Jase or would he expect me to stay here with my father’s club? My head is all over the place. I stare at the poster in my trembling hands, as a sting of tears form in my eyes. I have a decision to make and I have to make it fast. Hawk isn’t the only danger I have to worry about now.
Balling up the poster, I shove it into the bag and wipe at my eyes. Whatever decision I make, I’ll have to decide on the road. It’s not safe for us here anymore. Frantic energy fuels my movements as I return to gathering our belongings. My handsshake as I stuff random pieces of clothing and toys haphazardly into bags.
My eyes shift to the sweet, innocent child sleeping on the bed next to me. Her peace now tainted by the shadow of the looming threat hanging over us. I’ve lost so much of myself over the years I refuse to lose this part too.She might not be mine by blood but that doesn’t make her any less my daughter. I’ve been caring for her for over a year now, watching her thrive and grow and every moment I’ve fallen deeper and deeper in love with her. I remember the day Hawk placed her in my arms, and the feeling of dread that came with it. I knew Hawk’s intentions were sinister but I wanted to protect her and that’s what I’ve done every day since. I could have called the police, tried to reunite her with her parents but for all I knew she didn’t have any. And then Hawk would have killed me for betraying him. Instead, I used the opportunity to save us both. I bargained for my freedom, negotiated terms to open my bar and promised to take care of her until he came for her. I vowed at that moment to protect her from him no matter the cost but it wasn’t until I heard the conversation between Storm, Jase and Chainz that it hit me. Hawk had planned on selling her into trafficking as soon as she was old enough to turn a profit. Only the sickest of bastards would want a child. My stomach churns at the thought.
I’m jolted into high alert by the echo of shattering glass from down the hall. I stand, rooted in place and listen. Could something have fallen in the other room? My senses heighten and I can’t ignore the pricking sensation running up and down my arms. There’s someone here.
My fear is confirmed by the heavy footsteps thudding across the hardwood floor. My heart pounds against my ribs, the frantic beat holding me prisoner as I scoop my sleeping child up in my arms.
“I’m here to collect my debt, Rayne. I warned you what would happen if you held out on me.” Hawk's shouts echo through the house. “Where the fuck are you?”
Fear courses through me, propelling my feet forward. I dash into my closet and push open the hatch door built into the back wall behind the row of hanging clothes. My rush movements jolt Lilly awake. I set her down on the floor. Her eyes are wide and she looks as terrified as I feel.
“Mommy I’m scared.” Her tiny voice barely audible over all the noise Hawk is making tearing my house apart looking for us.
I slide the door closed and slip the lock in place as Hawk bursts through the bedroom door. The loud thud of the wood splintering as it crashes against the wall makes Lilly cry.
I hold my girl close, tears streaming down my face and do my best to keep her calm and quiet. "Shh, it's okay. Let’s play the quiet game.”
“Going somewhere Rayne? You can’t run from me. I’ll find you anywhere.”
Lilly trembles in my arms, feeling my own fear but makes herself small and still. I taught her this game because I knew one day it would be necessary.
I can't let him take her. I won’t. Help isn’t coming that I know for sure. There’s only two men in this whole world that could help me and right now they're neck deep in a plan to rid this world of Hawk for good. Only problem is he’s here and not there. The thought of something bad happening to either of them guts me to the core.
“That girl is mine, Rayne and so are you. Stop playing fucking games with me.”
He calls herThe girllike he always does. He doesn’t even know her name. Hell, I don't even know her name. I call her Lilly on the count of the little yellow dress she was wearing when hebrought her to me. Of course by the time he handed her over she had been through hell. Her beautiful dress was dirty and stained. Her golden blonde curls knotted and matted to her head. I don’t know what she saw or how long he had her before dropping her in my arms. She was too young to remember any of it thankfully and I’ll do anything I have to do to make sure she never has to go through it again.
