Page 55 of Coyote
“Give me a fucking minute to call him.” I did a deep dive mentally into the possibility that Cyclops could be the one stalking her. I didn’t like how uncomfortably right that felt. While Breaker was on the phone, my sister came downstairs.
“What’s going on. Don’t tell me club business either.”
Breaker didn’t stop his conversation with Storm. He walked off so she couldn’t hear what he was saying.
I explained briefly, “Bethany is missing. Someone’s taken her, she’s already on the other side of town.
“On the other side of town?” she exclaimed. “You’ve got to do something!”
“Breaker and I are heading out right now, I have an idea where they’re headed.”
“What about Nessa?” Callie asked.
“She’s still sleeping upstairs,” I said.
Callie heaved a sigh of relief, “I’ll keep an eye on her while you go look for Bethany.”
“Thanks, sis,” I looked down at Ruby, the little dog seemed okay, but after seeing the video footage I wasn’t too sure, “The fucker who took Bethany roughed Ruby up a bit too. I don’t think she’s hurt, but would you get one of the prospects to take her to the veterinary clinic for a check over?”
“Will do,” she said as she bent down to pet Ruby.
As I was putting on my boots and gathering up my things Breaker walked up. “Storm is contacting Steel. Cyclops doesn’t even have a place of his own to take her to. He lives at the clubhouse. Storm said to meet him there and hopefully by then Steel will be on board with helping us find them.”
“Let’s roll,” I responded curtly. I was in agreement with Breaker about not trusting those Twisted Metal fuckers. Their club president was the only halfway decent man in their club. Trying to keep the brothers from doing something stupid was like herding cats.
***
It took us almost an hour to get to the Twisted Metal clubhouse. Storm and Steel were waiting at the gate and let us in. My favorite prospect, Mace was parked up outside the gate and followed us in. I felt strongly that his intention was to watch our backs as best he could. I’d gotten a text from Cooper, he was at the veterinary clinic. Ruby got the all-clear with her physical, but they were x-raying her ribs to check she didn’t have a fracture. At least that was one less thing to worry about.
“Where’s Bethany? I want to see her with my own eyes, so I know she’s okay.”
Steel’s blank expression gave nothing away. “About that, Cyclops has laid claim to her.”
“He’s what? She’s already spoken for,” I gritted out.
Steel’s voice was carefully neutral. “He says they have a history, and he believes he fathered her child.”
Breaker grabbed me as I lunged for Steel. “The only other man she’s been with besides me is the man who raped her. He terrified her and that’s why she ran from Griffinsford three and a half years ago. Since he’s presenting himself as someone who’s been with her, his ass is mine.”
Storm spoke up, “Slow your roll, Coyote. We currently have a truce with Twisted Metal and that means we have to follow proper protocols. Steel’s a fair man. He’ll help us get to the bottom of this.”
What was wrong with my prez? It wasn’t like Storm to roll over like a pussy, especially when women were in danger. Fuck protocol, I glared at Steel, “Is my old lady here or not?” I could hear the anger and frustration in my own voice.
“She’s in the bar with Cyclops. I told him there had been a challenge. He’s ready to defend his claim.”
“What fucking claim? Bethany doesn’t want him. Doesn’t that count for anything?”
Steel sighed. “Sometimes women don’t know what they want. Sometimes our club brothers guard women they’re interested in, giving them a chance to get to know them. Otherwise, none of them would probably end up with an old lady.”
“Well, that’s fucking bullshit,” I flung back.
Storm’s voice held a note of warning. “Let’s table the discussion until all interested parties are present.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, what was wrong with him? Did he seriously think it was okay for a woman to be taken like that. If Bethany’s future hadn’t been on the line at that moment, I was just about ready to throw my fucking cut at my president and leave the Slayers behind. This bullshit was not what I signed up for.
Steel gestured to the prospects guarding the gate to open it. When we walked onto their property, it was like entering a dystopian nightmare. There were brothers smoking meth out in the open. They looked like the walking dead, with their scrawny fucking bodies and dead-eyed stares. Their clubhouse was a rough cinderblock building that someone had thrown a fresh coat of paint onto, but you can’t polish a turd. There were bullet holes in the front and around the door. As we kept walking closer, I saw middle-aged, clearly worn-out club whores. Compared to the women who frequented our club they were rough. I hated that my Bethany even had to spend a minute in this place.
When we entered, I looked around the bar and saw Bethany at a table in the back with Cyclops. He was talking to her, waving his hands around as though he were trying to convince her to stay with him. Poor Bethany was pale, and her expression appeared to be veering between terrified and nauseated.
I immediately took a step in their direction, Breaker grabbed me and hauled me back. The commotion caused Cyclops and Bethany to look in our direction. She was on her feet and trying to run to me as soon as it registered that I had come for her. Of course, the slimy bastard who abducted her stopped her.