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  I paced back and forth in the house, unable to stand myself. I had to find out what was going on, and I was going to. Ever since I learned I wasn’t able to go with them, I paid attention to the conversations they were having about the mission. I managed to find out the location of an abandoned warehouse they’d meet the guy at, and I was going to see for myself how it was going.

  He’s going to be pissed at you for showing up when he told you to stay here. But then, if something’s going wrong and you save them, they’re going to be glad you didn’t listen.

  You’re not going to get involved. Just show up and check it out. You can do this. Hell, how many times in your life have you dealt with abandoned warehouses? This isn’t any different than when you were a kid in New York. And, you can prove to Spencer that you can hold your own when you need to, too.

  He doesn’t have to sweep in and save your ass all the time.

  Even if you wish he would.

  I sighed. It wasn’t an easy decision for me to make. But, I was going to go insane if I had to stay at the house alone for much longer. I had to figure out what was going on and call the cops if necessary.

  I knew how Spencer felt about them, but I wasn’t going to let himself get killed with his stubbornness. Nothing was going to happen to me, anyway. I could just creep up to the warehouse, peer in through the window, and make sure everything was going okay.

  If I played my cards right, Spencer wouldn’t even find out that I had been there in the first place. I’d managed to hide other things, so why couldn’t I hide this?

  In an instant, I made up my mind. I was going to the warehouse, whether he liked it or not. It was the right thing to do, I was sure about that. Even if he thought it was better for me to stay behind, I wasn’t going to listen. Not on this one.

  I grabbed the keys and headed out to the truck, grateful that he’d left them. Then, I slid inside and started it up. I still had my driver’s license, but it had been such a long time since I’d driven anything it took me a minute to get the truck going.

  Stick was something I’d always enjoyed in the past, and it was clearly the same now. Within a few minutes, I was on the road and heading to the warehouse, using my phone’s GPS to find it. I liked Santa Rosa better than New York. It was a lot easier to navigate.

  Soon, I was out in front of the warehouse, my heart racing in my chest. I turned off the truth a short distance from the place, then I started for it. Being in broad daylight didn’t make me feel any better, but I had to work with the situation as it came.

  I eased up to the window, looking for one that was broken so I could see what was going on inside. The bikes from the MCs were parked nearby, so they had to be in there. But there was silence. I didn’t know what was going on, and I once again, had to fight to keep from getting sick.

  I was just about to the window when suddenly, I was grabbed from behind once again. I didn’t even need to guess to know it was Warden Park. The man always smelled of cigarettes and gum, and it grossed me out. He’d come right up from behind, taking me in his arms and clamping his hand over my mouth.

  “Clearly, I have to do everything my fucking self,” he hissed in my ear. “Do you know how simple it should have been for Hanserd to get rid of you? But, no. He fucking goes to the MC to do it like the coward he is.”

  I struggled, trying to free myself from his vice-like grip. For being an older man, he was a lot stronger than he looked, and it was impossible for me to slide free of his grasp. I wanted to fight him, but he had me. His hand was clamped so tightly over my mouth no sound would come out.

  “You realize what a pain in my ass you’ve been for the past two weeks? Shit, I almost lost my job! Fucking Hanserd should have. I can tell you one thing, our professional relationship is over!” He spat the words, and I wondered what had gone on between the two of them.

  They had been such allies when I left – to the point Warden Park threatened me not to say a word about any of what had gone on or he would make sure I was made out to be the bad guy. I hadn’t dared. The only person who knew outside of the prison was Spencer.

  But, they clearly wanted me gone now.

  “It doesn’t take a fucking hitman to get rid of a woman. Especially you!” He spoke in my ear the entire time he pulled me back to the truck, and I continued to struggle. I wanted nothing more than to break free of his grasp, but he still held me firm.

  He got me back to Spencer’s truck and threw me in. I tried to crawl out the other side, but I didn’t realize it was locked. He had me. He got in the driver’s side, taking the keys from the cupholder where I’d left them. “So now, I’m going to have to kill you myself. Do you know how fucking annoying all this is?”

  “I know that you’re never going to get away with it!” I spat. “I’m the criminal for not even killing a man, and you’re going to kill me and think that you get away with it? You aren’t. Trust me. This is all going to come back to bite you!”

  He laughed. “You don’t spend decades of your life as the warden in a prison and not learn a thing or two. I know how to get away with murder, sweetheart, and though you aren’t going to be around to see it, you’re precious boyfriend will.”

  “What the fuck does this have to do with that?” I cried. I didn’t know I’d react so strongly, but the thought of him hurting Spencer killed me. I didn’t put it past the man. He was ruthless. He didn’t give a damn about anyone but himself, and I knew it.

  “Everything! Do you think I don’t hate him, either? That man was such a pain in my ass when he was in prison. Fights, fights, and more fights. I would happily put a bullet in his head if he was here, too,” Warden Park spat back at me. “It’s going to feel good seeing you dead and him blamed for the murder.”

  “Good luck with that. He’s got an alibi,” I said with a laugh. The Warden didn’t scare me as much as Hanserd, but I knew I still had to be careful with him. He was a loose cannon, that was for sure. I knew he would likely try to carry out his plan to kill me, but I wasn’t going to give into the terror that was washing over me.

  “Oh, does he? I’ve been watching you longer than you realize. I know you have been living with him, and I know he’s not at the house right now. I also happen to know when he comes home to your dead body, he’s going to be the only one there. Mighty convenient I was around to hear the screams coming from inside the house,” he laughed. “Trust me, I’ve had plenty of time to think about this.”

  “You’re sick,” I spat. “And, you aren’t going to get away with it. I’m going to make sure you get caught. Trust me. You’re going to get locked up for a very long time.”

  He laughed again and pulled the truck onto the road, heading back to Spencer’s house. I thought he had been lying about knowing the location, but it seemed he really did know where he was going. The sick feeling in the pit of my stomach intensified, and I knew I was going to have to be smart.

  I wasn’t going to let him take me down without a fight, that was for damn sure.

  I would kick and scream. Anything that would help someone – anyone – hear me. I didn’t know when Spencer would be home, but I hoped there would be another passerby who would come to the rescue.

  This man was clearly crazy, and I had to stand up for myself. I simply had to if I was going to survive this and see Spencer again. That was all I cared about. I hadn’t listened to him, and now I feared it was going to cost me my life.

  I had to get through this. I had to see him again. I had to do anything it took, just like he would for me. Warden Park or not, I would fight for my freedom.

  I wasn’t losing this time.

  23

  Spencer

  I stood back and watched as the cops took our man into custody. I knew Brooke didn’t want us to take care of the situation entirely on our own, and I had to admit, it didn’t hurt getting him locked up. Hell, here was a guy who was willing to kill someone for money. There was no need for him to be on the street, that was for damn sure.

  But,
it bothered me when he confessed Warden Park was the one behind the hit. I had never gotten along with the warden when I was in Arbor Hills. Hell, the man had openly hated me.

  Sure, I did get into a lot of trouble. I was a fighter, and I wasn’t afraid to stand up for myself against anyone who tried to throw shade at me. I would make a point of being top dog. It was what got me through the place and why I was so successful now. But, if the warden was behind the hit, then there had to be something else he wanted.

  Who was the one he wanted dead, and why? It didn’t make any sense. He was free of Brooke and me both, so why risk a murder that could get him caught and thrown in the exact prison he was so proudly running?

  In the back of my mind, I considered he might be after Brooke. Hanserd had been. He had made it clear she was the one he wanted gone. I had a feeling he wasn’t working alone, and with the Warden now behind this hire, then it only made sense that he was the one who really wanted Brooke out of the picture.

  There’s no denying that he knows you are the one fighting crime and injustice out here on the streets, and with the help of Roscoe, you are doing a damn good job of keeping the prison free of inmates.

  Park gets off on power. How do you know he’s not out to get revenge against you now?

  It would make sense. He liked to be in control. He liked having hundreds of inmates wandering through the halls of the prison, and thanks to the work the MC did, they didn’t have nearly as many as before. Sure, there would always be some, but that wasn’t for him.

  I had nothing to do with any of it as soon as I was free of the place. I left and never looked back. But, that didn’t mean he wasn’t keeping tabs on what was going on with me in my life. Hell, I wouldn’t put it past him if he was.

  Could it be possible he made the connection between me and Brooke? If he knew about Hanserd and what I’d done to the guy, then it was pretty obvious I was in her life, and I was happy to make sure she was safe from the likes of any of them. She didn’t deserve the shit that they put her through, and they should both be thrown in prison themselves for what they’d done to her.

  Hanserd committing the crime, and Warden Park covering it up. They were both just as guilty as each other in my book, and I wished there was a way we could prove it. I didn’t care what judge we went before. If I were to show them the proof of what had happened and what Hanserd had done after, there was no doubt in my mind he’d be locked up in a heartbeat.

  But there’s no proof. You let him go because you handled it on your own. You did what you always do and made sure there was one fewer inmate in that prison. That might have pissed off Warden Park, too. No doubt he’d turn on his friend in a heartbeat if he thought he’d get away with it.

  Hell, I don’t even know if I would call the two of them friends. They feed off each other and run the place like a concentration camp. I was lucky to make it out, and I’m glad Brooke was released, too.

  But shit, it still doesn’t make sense they would come back for murder now. She had to really piss them off if they want her dead. Then again, they’re going to have to go over my dead body. I’m not letting either one of them near her if I have any say in the matter.

  I followed the cops outside the warehouse and found the warden’s car parked along the street. I knew it was his. I had seen it many times when I was out in the yard for our hour-long recess. I’d seen it again when I picked up Brooke from the place.

  The sight made me uneasy. I didn’t know if he was in it, I didn’t have a clue where he was. But, I wanted him found and questioned. He couldn’t get away with conspiracy to murder. Like the hitman, he would be going away for a very long time.

  “Well, another one locked away,” Aaron said as he walked up. “That was easier than I thought it would be.”

  “I want to get the warden,” I said. “He was the one behind it, and I don’t trust that he’s not going to do the same thing again, really.”

  “We’ll keep an eye out for him. But don’t you think he’d fly the coop? I mean, his man was caught after his other man had the shit beat out of him. It’s only a matter of time before it’s traced back to him,” Aaron said.

  “I thought about that, but that’s his car,” I said. “Something doesn’t feel right.”

  “Maybe you should get home,” Aaron suggested. “Make sure everything is alright out there, you know? I’m not saying he knows where you live. But, these people really put a lot of work into what they were doing here. Just to be on the safe side.”

  “Not that they were any good at it,” I said with an eye roll. “Yeah, I’m taking off. I want to make sure Brooke’s alright.”

  “I think we’ve got it handled here,” he said. “Go for it.”

  I nodded and hopped on my bike. I didn’t like the uncertainty I felt. It was right in the pit of my stomach, and it made me feel like something was terribly wrong. I wanted to get home to Brooke as soon as possible.

  It was a slim chance that Warden Park knew the connection between the two of us. At least, not how strong it was – but I didn’t want to risk it. He had to be in town somewhere, and I was going to find out where.

  As I pulled into the driveway at home, I noticed my truck was out of the garage. That wasn’t where I left it. I always parked inside unless I wanted to put the bike in there.

  “Fuck,” I muttered. That had to mean something was wrong. Had Brooke taken it somewhere? I told her to stay put, but she had been really adamant about coming with us. If she had figured out where the warehouse was located, she might have tried to follow.

  That would explain why the Warden didn’t appear to be in his car – and the sinking feeling I had in the pit of my gut.

  If he’s done something to her, I’m going to kill him with my bare hands. I don’t care what the cost is.

  I pulled out my gun and crept into the house as quietly as possible. I wasn’t sure what I’d find, but I wasn’t afraid to pull the trigger on someone who was hurting the woman I loved. Immediately, I could hear the struggle that was going on in her bedroom, and I fought to keep from flying into a rage.

  My impulse was to run in and empty the gun into him. But, I thought about Brooke. I didn’t want to lose her, and I would rather see the warden go through the hell that both of us had gone through than get the easy way out. I crept toward the bedroom.

  Brooke was tied to the bed, trying to break free. Warden Park, on the other hand, was taunting her, telling her what was going to happen and how things were going to play out.

  “You are the final loose end, and it’s time that we get you tied up. Trust me, when Spencer comes home and finds your body, it’s not going to be hard to convince the cops he was the one who killed you. He has a criminal history, after all, so why think anything different?” he laughed. “And, having him back under my thumb is going to be great. I can get rid of you and take him all at the same time. Two birds with one stone, if you ask me.”

  “You’re never going to get away with this!” Brooke shouted. “I don’t care what you think! It’s going to come back to bite you, and you’re going to be the one who ends up locked up in that prison!”

  “Like I said. I know how to pull off a thing or two in life. I understand your concern for me, but I’m not going anywhere,” he laughed again. I could taste bile. Brooke looked over his shoulder and saw me, but she said nothing. My gun was drawn, ready to go, and I knew I’d hit my mark.

  He reached around behind him, pulling out a knife. But, in an instant, my gun was pressed against the back of his head. “Your game is up, Warden. Nice try, but I guess you aren’t as good at getting away with things as you think.”

  I was sure he’d drop the knife, but he didn’t. Instead, he whirled on me, slashing my arm across the top of the wrist. I cried out, dropping my gun in surprise. But, I recovered in a heartbeat and was on top of him, wrestling to get the knife out of his hand.

  He managed to slash me two more times, once across the cheek and once across my chest. But, I was stronger th
an him and younger, as well, so I pushed him to the ground, pinning him with my knee as I pulled out my phone.

  “Your game is up,” I said. “The cops will be on their way in a heartbeat. And, thanks to your little hired hand in the warehouse, we know you were the one behind the whole thing.”

  “Fuck you. You can’t prove anything,” he spat.

  “I think we can prove everything, actually. And, the knife with my blood and your DNA all over it isn’t going to do you any favors, trust me,” I said with a smirk. “It’s going to be damn good seeing you walked out of here in handcuffs.”

  Warden Park continued to cuss and tried to struggle, but I had him pinned. I was finally done with him and his bullshit, and it was time for him to pay up. With Roscoe on our side, I knew he was going to be convicted.

  And what sweet victory that would be.

  24

  Brooke

  It was nearly midnight by the time the police left, and I was exhausted. I didn’t know if I had any more terrifying kidnappings left in me, and I hoped I’d finally get to be done with that shit.

  Spencer and I would both have to go into the police station the next day and give them a full report of what happened, but for now, we could breathe easy. Both Warden Park and Hanserd were gone, and I didn’t have to worry about anyone else coming for me.

  At least, that’s what I hoped. Spencer took me in his arms with a grin, and I shook my head. “I don’t know how I’m ever going to thank you for what you’ve done for me.”

  “You don’t have to thank me,” he said with a laugh. “You’re my woman, and I protect what’s mine. If someone is going to try coming for you, then I’m going to put them back in their place. End of story.”

  I shook my head, unable to hide the smile on my face. “Is it true?”

  “Is what true?” Spencer asked with raised eyebrows.

  “Am I really your woman?”

  “Of course, you are,” he said with a grin. “You were made for me. Hell, I think you and I were made for each other, honestly. I want you by my side for the rest of my life. The good times and the bad – everything.”