Page 54 of Ripper
He lifted my chin, pressing his lips up against mine, and I felt relieved. The kiss ignited something in me, something that made me feel ready to fight. This was the first time since everything happened that I felt like I finally had a chance to save Uncle Axle. I wasn’t alone anymore. I didn’t have to shoulder all of this pressure on my own with Ripper by my side.
“What made you think to look in here?” he asked, leading me out of there.
He glanced around for a moment to make sure there weren’t any other members around before shutting something away in one of Tank’s desk drawers, and locking the door behind us both.
“There’s a girl I recently met that came into the shop for a fix and she seemed nice until she roped me into some things I wanted no part in. I told her about Uncle Axle being kidnapped because she seemed like the kind of biker that knew how to deal with trouble. She mentioned something about sensitive information being kept in the president’s office. Anna always had big ideas. She’s the reason I ended up with this,” I said, holding up my pointer finger so Ripper could get a look at my tattoo.
I looked up to see the blank stare on his face like he’d just seen a ghost. I furrowed my brow at him, tilting my head while his eyes flitted around the living room like he’d just figured something out.
“Anna? What does she look like?”
“Blonde, commanding, great fashion sense, but a whole lot of trouble.”
“Goddamnit. That psychotic, egotistical, maniacal bitch,” he snapped.
“You know her?”
“Yes I do. She’s my ex-girlfriend and to make matters worse, she’s running with the Freeway Kings now. I hate to say this, but I think you’ve been played, sweet pea.”
My eyes widened as I heard the words that left his lips. Flashes of every moment with Anna were scattered across my mind, and I realized then that he’d been right.
***
I clutched my knees to my chest on the torn couch in the corner of the clubhouse living room. I listened in while Ripper was out on the porch with Tank and the others, telling them half of the truth. I peered through the slits in the shutters to see them pacing around, and I noticed the angry look on Tank’s face. My heart was beating extremely fast, and even though I knew Ripper wasn’t going to tell them he caught me snooping, they’d still be suspicious of me for keeping this all a secret for so long.
I heard the front door open, and a few moments later, they all came in. Wrench and Archer both had their thumbs in their pockets. I could see the anger in Tank’s eyes, and I braced for the moment he’d blow up on me, but he didn’t. I glanced over at Ripper, who gave me a soft nod as though to tell me everything was going to be okay.
“Now, you’re probably the only prospect in the history of this club that’s kept a secret like this from your members. Usually I’d be the first to tell you it’s time to get lost, but Ripper made it clear that you didn’t know Anna was involved with the Freeway Kings,” said Tank.
“No, I didn’t.”
I gulped. My blood boiled at the thought that all this time Anna knew exactly where Uncle Axle was. I felt apangof pain in my chest when I realized she had to have been playing me from the very start.
“She knows you’re a member of the Rebels, right?”
I nodded and Tank cupped his chin with his pointer finger and thumb, thinking hard.
“Up until now I didn’t know she was a part of the Kings, and she wanted to keep it that way. There was no sigil on her jacket or her bike. She does have that tattoo though, but I saw it so long ago, it never clicked. She thinks I’m still too naive and stupid to bring any of this to Ripper. Uncle Axle is gone, and I know she has something to do with it,” I said, choosing my words carefully.
If I slipped up even for a second and told them the whole truth, I’d be out on my ass before I knew it. Ripper stared at me sternly to make sure I didn’t fumble over my words as Tank questioned me. I left out all the details about the demanding phone calls and the threats made against the Rebels. Ripper nodded at me when the conversation came to a close, and I took a deep breath, knowing I was in the clear for now.
“If Anna’s been playing you, I think it’s about time we turn the tables on her, what do you say?” he asked with a smile.
It was the first time I’d seen Tank’s face light up like that, and I realized that we may have just stumbled upon the opportunity of a lifetime. The Rebels needed the Kings gone, and Anna was the way in. I nodded, watching everyone gather around so we could make a real plan.
Ripper placed his hand on my knee, giving me a comforting squeeze while I listened to exactly what I needed to do.
“Think you can do this, sweet pea?”
“Oh, I can. It’s time we take the bitch down.”
I gritted my teeth, going over every step, every last detail that might just get me close enough to get Uncle Axle back.I’m coming. We’re going to bring you home.
***
I held my phone on the wooden booth table in the back of the bar near the outskirts of town. I scrolled through the last text message I sent Anna, nervously tapping my fingernails down, wondering if she was going to show up.Anna. I need help. Things are getting worse with my uncle’s situation. I’m at The Bearcrest. Meet me?I read it over a few times, swishing my hard liquor around in its glass, sipping on it slowly.
I heard the door open and the little bell rang loudly, so loud I heard it over the music coming from the jukebox in the corner. There Anna was with her vibrant blonde hair and chiseled cheekbones, making her way in with those impressively high stiletto boots.
