Page 86 of Marcus: Sins of the Father

“Great.” She beams with delight. “Sara knows someone who may be looking for an intern. She’s going to put in a good word, and she loves the idea behind my opera.”

She’s barely containing herself from bouncing up and down like a kid on Christmas morning, and I love every minute of it.

“That’s amazing. I’m so proud of you. You’re really making your dream come true.”

“Thank you for supporting and believing in me.” She kisses me on the cheek.

“All right, all right, you lovebirds. Do I need to give you the keys to my room again?” Crash teases.

I look over at her and waggle my brows.

She slaps at me playfully. “I think we can control ourselves until we make it home.”

“If you say so.” Crash jingles the keys in his pocket, knowing he’s tormenting me.

We continue drinking, playing pool, and shooting the shit until the wee hours of the morning when half the brothers have already gone home.

“Hey Crash, if you don’t need me, mind if Brandy and I head out?”

“Yeah, prospect. You can take off; you earned it.” He glances at his ringing phone and holds it to his ear as we turn to leave. “Hey, what’s up?”

I feel a hand grab my shoulder and turn to see Crash frowning.

“What do you mean he hasn’t made it home? Didn’t he ride with you?” His eyes connect with mine. “Well, shit. Both of them? Okay, calm down. We’ll find them.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE – UP ALL NIGHT

Marcus—

Crash hangs up the phone. “Sorry, man, but it looks like I’ve got a job for you after all.”

“What’s up?” I stand ready to do the club’s bidding.

“Mary called. Apparently, Red Dog never made it home, and neither he or Billy are answering their phones.”

“Could be crashed at Billy’s, but it’s weird Billy wouldn’t answer. He knows he’s on call twenty-four-seven. He’d never be far from his phone.”

“Yeah.” Crash rubs his hand down his face. “Hey, can you swing by Billy’s place and see if they are there? I’m going to let Shannon know I’ve got to go ride around looking for their dumb asses. I hope Harley hasn’t left yet. She can take her momma home.”

I glance over at Brandy, not sure what to do, but thankfully Crash notices. “Hey Brandy, why don’t you ride back to my house with the girls, too? I’m afraid Marcus, TJ, and I are going to be out for a while.”

“Oh, yeah, of course,” she chimes, releasing my hand.

I give her a quick kiss, and she follows behind Crash to find Shannon.

Pulling out, I try to think which way Billy usually takes to his apartment. I decide to take the main drag.

I drive slowly, watching for any tire marks suggesting a bike may have veered off into a ditch. When I roll into the parking lot, I scan the spaces, searching for either of their bikes. I don’t see them but decide to run upstairs and bang on the door, anyway.

I knock loudly, but don’t hear any movement on the other side. I knock one more time for good measure, but I don’t want to make too much noise. We don’t need the cops showing up. They’ve been up our ass enough.

When there’s still no answer, I slide my phone from my pocket and try Billy. He doesn’t pick up. I scroll through to Red Dog. Same thing. Then I dial Crash.

“Hey, find them?” he asks as soon as he picks up.

“No one seems to be here.” I respond into the phone as I look up and down the hallways, making sure no nosy neighbors have roused.

“Goddamn it. All right, I swung through a couple of gas stations. I’m about to pull back on the road and come your way. Go ahead and call Mary. See if she’s found anything out.”

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