Page 66 of Hell Yes
Jesse bit back an answer and instead, replied to Xander’s group text, suggesting they grab the guy now. But he was overruled by his father and Sonny. Fuck.
“Think, Jesse,” Xander whispered. “We don’t want to raise any public awareness about this guy or make any fuss. The last thing we need is police on our ass. We stick to the plan, we trap him at our place, and dispose of the problem. Quick, clean, quiet.”
Jesse’s temper calmed and he reluctantly nodded, sitting back, watching Xander work.
“I just hate sitting here waiting,” Jesse admitted. “I’m not good at that.”
“You and me both, hot stuff.”
Jesse gripped Xander’s neck, tight, and gave him a hard kiss. Now he felt better.
Sage was making the usual customer service chat with Simeon, seating him at a booth and pouring him a cup of coffee. When she returned to take his food order, he asked if she was the only person working in here. Sage replied no, they were just short staffed today.
Sam came out with Simeon’s food order and welcomed him. Soon, Sam was invited to sit with Simeon. Now things were getting good.
Sage stood nearby, drying off glasses and recording every word.
But when Sam casually asked what brought Simeon to town, the answer made Jesse’s blood run cold.
“I’m here to find my wife, Alessia Darling. She disappeared several years ago. The poor thing has mental health problems, you see. I’ve been searching for her ever since. I got a lead from my private investigator that she was living in this area. I just want to find her and bring her home safely.”
His wife? No fucking way.
Sam replied that he didn’t know anyone by that name, then called Sage over. Simeon told Sage all about Alessia again, and her running away.
“Do you have a picture, hon?” Sage asked. “I’m better with faces than names.”
Simeon held up his phone and a grainy picture of Val appeared. She was wearing a high neck dress, and looked young, very young. It must have been taken shortly before she left Mosley, when she was a teenager.
“Well, I’ll be. She looks like Val, doesn’t she, Sam?” Sage replied.
“You recognize her?” Simeon smirked, like he’d hit the jackpot, and the look made Jesse’s skin crawl.
“One of the waitresses who works here is the spitting image of this picture. But her name is Val Renn. Val’s great with the customers but quiet. Keeps to herself. Never talks about where she comes from, though,” Sage sighed. “But don’t mind me, I’m probably mistaken.”
“It’s possible that she changed her name. She’s done it before,” Simeon added. “Where can I find this Val? I want to speak to her.”
“She’s been gone a few days now, called in to say she needed a week off,” Sam replied and ran a hand over his face. “Between us, she’s gotten in over her head with some men, if you know what I mean. Taken up with these criminal biker fellas, the Hellions and Hellraisers, at their place in the country.”
“Really? Where?” Simeon asked.
“Oh, now, you don’t want to do that,” Sage warned him. “Those guys are dangerous.”
“I’m not afraid of anyone or anything. I’ve got God on my side,” Simeon preened.
Sam’s phone rang and he excused himself and walked away. Leaving Sage alone with Simeon.
“Please help me,” Simeon added. “I need to know if this Val is really my Alessia. I need to find my wife.”
Sage patted his shoulder, playing her role.
“If you really want to find Val, I might be able to help you,” she whispered. “You head west and take route 2 for about three miles and you’ll come upon a gated property, you can’t miss it. But fair warning, chances are, you won’t be able to talk to anyone. Bikers only let their trusted contacts into the place. But you might have luck on Thursdays, when they have their parties. Plenty of people coming and going then. Otherwise, that compound is locked tighter than Fort Knox. No way you’re getting in. But still, you can try and see if they’ll let you talk to her?”
“Thank you. I’m sure if I tell them who I am and why I need to speak with her, they’ll see reason.”
“Best have cash on hand, hon. That’s the kind of reason they understand.”
Simeon nodded. “Noted.”