Hinder (Midnight Saints MC Book 3) Read online

  “It doesn’t mean you can trust him, Prez.” I directed it at him, full of ire.

  “I don’t trust him,” Tony insisted, ”but I’m not going to treat him like an animal in a cage either. We’re better than that, better than him. We’re the good guys, remember. We don’t do shit like that.”

  “Yet you make me wear a fucking bark collar,” Maxum grumbled, “and break my fucking hand.”

  “Shut up!” Kara and Tony yelled at him in unison.

  “Come on, back to your cell, if only for your own safety.” Seth dragged him off.

  “Make him leave the coffee!” I barked like the bitch everyone would think I was. I was good at playing that part.

  “Kara, let him have the fucking coffee, it’s just one cup,” Tony said.

  “You know what, I’m done with this shit. Jed, give me your keys to your fucking car.”

  “What?”

  “Your keys, give me your fucking keys.”

  “I don’t have them on me. I can go get my car, if you need a car.” He looked bewildered, and part of me wondered if Tony ever filled him in like he was supposed to. But maybe he was just a little scared of me, as I supposed he should be.

  “Yeah. Go get your car, any car will do. You know what, I’ll come with you.”

  “Kara, what are you going to do?” Tony asked, standing up as if to follow.

  “Fuck off, Tony.”

  Chapter 19

  Jed

  I lead Kara to my bike, and she got on, and I took her to the house. I let her pick a car. She picked the T-Bird because it had the biggest trunk. “I owe you for this. I pay my debts.”

  “Not a problem.” I got her the keys, and she drove away. I jumped back on my bike and followed her back to the clubhouse, wondering if the plan would even work. And also feeling guilty for knowing all this and being a part of this.

  Fuck, would I ever even get a chance with Sophie now?

  There was a scuffle in the hall, and a moment later, Kara marched Maxum out of the clubhouse, forced him into the trunk of my T-bird, and drove off.

  “Fucking bitch!” Tony roared like a lion. “She’s going to get herself killed.” Then he turned to me. ”I hope you weren’t attached to your car, because you’ll never see it again.”

  “It’s fine.” I shrugged.

  “She’s going to drive it into the river. I just hope she has the sense to get out first.” He said it where no one else could hear, though an audience was gathering.

  Tony jumped up to go after her, but Seth, who now had a bloody nose, stopped him.

  “That bitch knows how to give a good uppercut.”

  Your nose is bleeding, dude.” Tony jumped up to get Seth an ice pack for his nose. Then he called Doc who came and said yep his nose was broken.

  “What do we do?” Austin asked.

  “If we go after her, we’ll only draw attention,” Tony cursed and threw a chair.

  “What is she going to do? Kill him?” I dared to ask, playing my part. I already knew the answer.

  “Who the fuck knows, she hates him, but I don’t know if she has it in her to kill him,” Seth offered.

  “We better hope no one sees her ride off with him. This is just what the Shadow Order and the Blue Diablos need; a reason to take us all out.”

  “They won’t recognize the car,” I said. “I’ve never driven it. It was my old man’s.”

  “We have to turn our sights to the Shadow Order and the Blue Diablos. I’ll go speak with the Crypt Keepers. No one speaks of what Kara did. Just give her time to cool off, let me know if and when she comes back. Austin, Seth, can you ride?”

  “Yeah. I’m good as soon as Doc bandages up my nose.”

  “Jed, you’re in charge here, you call me the minute you see Kara return.”

  “Got it, Prez.”

  They ran outside, jumped on their bikes, and hit the road. I didn’t care that they never invited me to the meetings; I didn’t mind being left behind, left in charge. What I did mind was my agreement to all of this. I never should have asked to know, because now, if she does kill him, I’m an accomplice. And it isn’t about the law; it’s about the woman I would have had something with if I didn’t help him die.

  Hours passed before I got the text.

  At your place. Thanks, Jed.

  She entered and tossed me the keys. “I didn’t put a scratch on it. Thanks for loaning it. I gassed it up for you, figured it was the least I could do.”

  “Wait, Tony said you were going to drive it in the river.”

  “No!”

  “Where’s Maxum?”

  “Somewhere no one will ever find him, and now if the Blue Diablos or Shadow Order come sniffing around, Tony doesn’t have anything to hide, he doesn’t know where Maxum is and neither does anyone else, hell, I don’t even know where he is. I paid an old buddy of mine to take care of him for me.”

  “You killed him?”

  “He ain’t dead yet, but well, maybe in a day or two, he will be.” she looked around. “Where is Tony?”

  “Crypt Keepers meeting. He told me to call him when you got back.”

  “Better do as he says.”

  “Hey, Tony. Kara is back.”

  “I’ll be there as soon as I can, don’t approach her, just let her cool off, if she asks where I’m, tell

  her I’m in a meeting with the Crypt Keepers. If she leaves again, call me.” With that he hung up. Kara came in, grabbed a bottle of water and headed for her and Tony’s room without a word to anyone.

  An hour later Tony arrived. “Where is she?”

  “In your room.”

  Chapter 20

  Tony

  I entered the bedroom. Kara was lounging on the bed sipping from a water bottle. “Glad you made it back safely.”

  “The problem is dealt with.”

  “What did you do with him?”

  “I gave him to someone to look after. That way none of us know where he is, and if the Blue Diablos or the Shadow Order come sniffing around, they won’t find him.”

  “I saw Jed’s car, so you didn’t drive into the river.”

  “No. I just needed his car to get to my destination without Maxum being seen. Don’t worry, I put on a disguise. I grabbed one of Bonnie’s old wigs and a pair of sunglasses and wrapped a scarf around my head. I wasn’t recognized, or followed, so you can relax. I think now is a good time to tell you something.”

  “Am I going to like it?”

  “I doubt it.”

  “What?”

  “I still think we should publicly break up.”

  “What?”

  “I have to go away for a while, don’t worry, I’ll be safe. I promise. Maxum is secured, so now we need to play our parts.”

  “I told you I don’t like that idea.”

  “Well too bad. I already made plans to move in with Eric. I was just taking a water break before I started packing. We got to make it look good though.”

  “I told you I don’t like that idea.” I repeated.

  “Well too bad, I’m doing it anyway.” She yelled. “And you can go fuck yourself!”

  “Kara! We’re having a child.”

  “Yes, and this is the best way to protect it. We both know the MCs are coming, it’s only a matter of time. Seth needs to send Reagen and the baby away too.”

  “No. No. We can protect you here, we always have.”

  “Do you remember the last time the Blue Diablos came?”

  “When you and Reagen got kidnapped, yeah. I remember.”

  “Well now we’re talking about the Shadow Order. I don’t know about you, but I’m scared.”

  “Yeah, I am too.”

  “Eric’s family has a cabin deep in the woods, the baby and I will be safe there.” I picked up my alarm clock and chucked it at the wall. Then she started packing her bags. When she’s done, she pulls the door open and shouts, “Go to hell!”

  Chapter 21

  Jed

  “Kara is out of th
e club,” Tony announced. “She’s a turncoat just like her fucking old man; things don’t go her way she throws a tantrum like a spoiled brat. What she did is unforgivable, and if I catch anyone speaking to her, there will be hell to pay. Seth, tell Reagen she is to have no contact with Kara, period.”

  “Dude, what happened?” Austin asked.

  “She decided to take matters into her own hands because she didn’t like how things were going down. I can’t have anyone, no matter who it is, undermine my authority, especially when it comes to a prisoner. So she’s out. Anyone disagree with my decision, there’s the door.” With that, Tony turned and slammed the door.

  “What the fuck!” Austin said, running his hands through his hair. “Didn’t see that coming.”

  “They’re both just hot heads,” Seth said. “They’ll both calm down, and unlike Maxum, Tony

  will have Kara back in the fold before their baby comes.”

  “Where is she going to go?” I asked. “Wait, baby?”

  “Fuck, I wasn’t supposed to say that.”

  “Kara and Tony are having a baby?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Eric. She’s probably running back to Eric.” Austin shook his head. “Well, that’s not our concern anymore,” Austin said. “Best to keep the peace for now.”

  “What should I tell Sophie?” I asked once the crowd dispersed, leaving me with the officers.

  “Tell her nothing. She doesn’t need to know, and make sure she stays away, she doesn’t need to be involved in whatever shit storm Kara’s rash decision brings on us. Because even if it’s all for show, it’s going to bring hell down on us. Someone is going to find out what we did. I just knew it was our best bet to at least have a heads up,” Austin whispered, leaving me feeling uneasy.

  Kara and Tony had been so sure it would work. I didn’t like that the VP disagreed.

  “Do you think she killed him?” Austin turned to Seth and asked.

  “No, I think she took him somewhere where no one can protect her from him or his allies when they finally come for him. It’s just a matter of time till they do. She doesn’t know how to control someone like that; he’s going to get the better of her, and I pray we find her before he takes his revenge on her. I think Tony is terrified for his wife and child. She put herself and their child in great danger all because of her anger and hatred for the man.” Seth added, ” I’ll be consoling my wife if anyone needs me.” He got up and headed for his room.

  “You don’t think she did it only for the sake of protecting us, like she said?” I questioned. As much of a bitch as she could be, I think she loves this club.

  Austin shrugged and went his own way too.

  At that moment, my phone chose to ring; Sophie’s name flashing across the screen.

  “Hi! Any news?”

  “Not exactly.”

  “Well listen, um, my exam is over tomorrow, so I was thinking, maybe I could come spend the weekend again.”

  “Oh, well, um actually some serious shit is about to go down and I just don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be around right now.”

  “What?”

  “It’s for your own sake, I don’t want you to be here and get hurt.”

  “But I wouldn’t be near the shit, I’d be safe at your place.”

  “Yeah, I don’t know that my place is all that safe right now either, I mean when serious shit goes

  down, this whole area could go up in flames and then you’d be trapped in my house. I just don’t think it’s safe.”

  “You jerk.”

  “What?”

  “You’re just like all the rest. You treat me nice ‘til you sleep with me, and then you discard me. Go to hell.”

  “Sophie, it’s not like that,” I protested, but she had already hung up. “Fuck!”

  “Women, am I right?” Tony asked, coming out. He got a beer and held it up, and I nodded. He got two, knocked off their caps, and handed them to me. He sat down at the table. “What’s your issue?”

  “I tried to tell Sophie to stay away because she wanted to come over again and spend the weekend, but if she comes, she’ll learn what Kara did, so I told her that shit was going down. Well, now she thinks I used her for sex.”

  “Ah, yeah they like to throw that in our faces.” He scoffed.

  “Thanks. So, what are you going to do about Kara?”

  “Nothing, like I said I can’t do a god damn thing about it.”

  “I don’t believe that.”

  “She’ll come back, I know she will, when Maxum isn’t a problem anymore.” He paused. “I hope she will. But right now, we have Shadow Order and Blue Diablos to deal with.”

  “So, what’s the plan?”

  “The Crypt Keepers have scouts. We’re supposed to lie low ‘til they meet us at the bar. Hopefully they will have something for us soon.”

  Chapter 22

  Jed

  That night, we were hanging out at the bar when Kara came in. For a moment, everyone thought that she must be there to make up with Tony. They could go to their room, fuck the hate out, and come to a better solution in the morning.

  But then, we all saw them; Eric and the Crypt Keepers. She was in a tight, tiny skirt and torn fishnets, her cleavage and tats on full display with a skimpy top. Most shocking of all, Eric had his arm around her.

  At first, I thought all this was a game, a ploy to lure the Shadow Order into a vulnerable place or to get them off our backs. But now, I wondered if it hadn’t become entirely real. Because this felt too far for a joke.

  Tony was going to lose his shit, and I didn’t know if I wanted to drink and watch it all go down, or get the hell outta Dodge for when he blew.

  “Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me.” He threw his beer on the ground and marched forward.

  Too late.

  Eric stepped forward, pushing Kara behind him. The waitress came over to clean up the mess.

  “What the hell is this, Kara? You left me for this jerk? Couldn’t even wait to get back to jump his bones?”

  “Yes, because he was willing and able to do what I needed done, with no questions asked,” Kara said. “Eric is a real man. He doesn’t hide behind his enforcer; he is the enforcer.”

  “Fine, two can play at this game, Kara.”

  “What are you going to do? Go find that slut you used to sleep around with?” she asked, narrowing her eyes at him. Usually, fights were entertaining to the club, but this felt different. The Prezs and their union was what brought us together and saved us from total destruction. The tension was all shock and somber. Nobody wanted this to end, not this way, not for them.

  “Yeah, I just might.”

  “She can have you.”

  “You fucking bitch! You’re out of the club. You’re no longer welcome here, and neither are you, Eric. I’d kick out the whole fucking club, but we still need them. If I find out the Crypt Keepers are harboring her and her asshole father . . . ”

  “We’re not harboring Maxum, we don’t know where he is,” the Crypt Keepers’ Prez said. “As for Kara, well, that’s between the three of you,” He moved past them and went to get beer from the bar. Austin, Seth, and I watched the scene play out from the table, where we sat.

  “You two aren’t welcome here,” Tony said. “Leave now, or I’ll have you two thrown out.”

  “Come on dude, she’s pregnant with your kid.” Austin always had to get in the middle of things, but it was usually what kept Tony calm. That, and Kara herself, but she was now the source of his ire.

  “How do I know it’s really my kid?”

  “Seriously?” Kara slapped him. “You’re an asshole.” Even I had to admit he deserved that. Kara had a temper. She was flighty. But she sure as hell wasn’t cheating on Tony. She had been wrapped around his body twenty-four hours a day since they got together.

  He grabbed her by the jacket and ripped off her kutte. He threw it on the ground and stomped on it. “Get that tattoo covered, traitorous bitch.”

&n
bsp; “Why, Tony? Because I had the guts to do what you couldn’t? I took him somewhere no one, not even you, will ever find him. I had someone do what none of you cowards were willing to do. You should all be thanking me for saving your asses!” she screamed.

  “Yeah, is he dead?”

  “No, but when I’m done with him, he will wish he was. He will spend the rest of his days locked in a dark, cramped, little space, and he doesn’t have many days left.”

  “Who’s guarding him while you’re out cavorting with Eric?”

  “Cavorting?” Eric scoffed.

  “He doesn’t need to be guarded; he can’t escape from his new prison. It has one door and one lock, and I threw the key into the river.”

  “What did you do? Lock him in a trunk somewhere?”

  “I’m not saying. I’m not sorry for what I did, Tony, and if you can’t understand, then you can go to hell. I’m going to do what you can’t. I’m going to end this fucking war once and for all.”

  “You go first, bitch. You’re just like your father, a turncoat when things don’t go your way. When shit falls apart, and believe me it will, don’t come crying to us, we won’t answer your call.”

  They turned and walked out, Kara not even sparing a glance for the man she loved.

  “What the fuck, Tony? She wanted you to fight for her, she wanted to know you were still jealous of Eric. Not humiliate her and shit on her. She was testing your love for her and you just fucked up,” I told him, a little on edge, from my own thoughts of my female problems. Not that I had ever been like some of the scumbags in the club. Still, I wasn’t exactly the romantic type either. Not unless the right woman came along.

  “Shut up, Jed, mind your own shit. She’s a traitor, that’s all that matters,” Tony growled. He ground his boot into the kutte, still under it. Then he stomped away.

  “I thought she was the woman you loved. Great way to treat her. You don’t deserve her. I hope Eric treats her better. She’s been through trauma with her father; try to have some understanding and compassion for her. She’s supposedly the woman you love; she’s certainly the mother of your child. You know it’s yours. You want to be the father he or she knows, right? So, shape up and go get your woman back before it’s too late.”