Page 52 of Truck Up
“Not far.” Edge pushes to his feet and leads the way out of the bar. “Just a few miles down the road. Then we’ll get you on your way.”
I nod, more than ready to get out of this town. Maybe once I’m on the road, the drive will clear my head. It’s doubtful, but I’m holding out hope.
If nothing else, the drive is long and scenic. It’ll give me the time I need to come to terms with reality.
I can’t change the fact that I’m going to be a father. Now I have to decide what kind of man I’m going to be.
It only takesus five minutes to get to the warehouse where the package exchange takes place. I follow Edge in the SUV while he’s on his bike. A couple of his men are already here and guarding the side door to the warehouse.
Besides transportation, Edge’s MC offers a wide variety of security for sensitive jobs. I don’t know the nature of all the jobs he accepts, but from what I’ve overheard, some of them are dangerous. Even the transportation jobs I help with can be dangerous.
Sometimes one of his men will accompany me, but not always. It really depends on the circumstances. This time I’ll be traveling alone.
I toss the SUV into park and climb out. Edge is already instructing one of his men to inform them we’re here. We always try to make these exchanges quick in case we’re being followed. It’s rare, but it’s happened a few times.
No one has ever been hurt on a job I’ve helped with, but there was one time when one of Edge’s men got shot. Some people will stop at nothing to get back what we’ve taken.
“They’re in here.” A man holds the door open and waves us in. He looks frustrated, and from his tone, I’m guessing this isn’t going to be an easy job.
“Everything okay?” Edge asks.
The man huffs. “See for yourself, boss.”
The warehouse is dimly lit and I can’t see much as I follow Edge. There’s one light hanging off to the side, and that’s it. I can’t make out anything in the room, but I hear the whisper of female voices.
“Oh hell,” Edge sighs as he takes in the group of girls huddled together on a small cot along the wall. “I was told there were only four.”
“Nope,” the man that let us in replies. “Five, and they’re all feisty. Refusing to take new names.”
“We’re keeping our identities,” one girl says. She looks like she’s the oldest of the group, maybe around thirty. I can’t see them well, but the youngest looks like she could still be a teenager. “That’s not a negotiation.”
“We can’t guarantee your safety otherwise,” Edge says.
The girl snorts. “Doesn’t matter what you do. You can never guarantee my safety as long as my father is alive and free.”
“Then why involve us?” Edge sounds annoyed. “There are a lot of women and children who need our help. I can’t afford to waste my time and resources.”
The girl pushes to her feet and approaches Edge. She doesn’t hesitate. “I was told you’re the best. We need a fast escape, and you’re going to provide it for us.”
Edge studies her like he’s dissecting every inch of her face under a microscope. From the looks of her, she doesn’t fit the typical victim profile. The women we rescue and get to safety are scared and weak from being subjected to years of abuse. They’re running from abusive husbands or boyfriends that will kill themif they get caught. This woman doesn’t even look like she’d tolerate someone yelling at her, let alone beating her.
Yet somehow this group of girls still secured Edge’s help. He doesn’t take on every job that comes his way. He has certain criteria that must be met before he agrees. Protecting the identity of the women and children he helps is at the top of that list. That always requires a name change, even if only temporarily.
“What’s your name?” he asks.
“Ember.” She holds out her hand as if this is a business deal, and she’s in charge. Definitely not one of the fragile and terrified women who is afraid of their own shadow. Who can blame them after what they’ve endured? But not this one. She’s a fighter. It drags a faint smile out of me. “Ember Dixon.”
I furrow my brow. There’s something familiar about that name.
“Fuck!” Edge runs his fingers down his beard and pinches his lips together. I’m guessing he recognizes her name too. “You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me.”
“No, I’m not fucking kidding you.” Ember glares at him. “I’m Ember Dixon and these are my sisters. We require safe transportation to Montana. I paid a shit ton of money for you to do it. Now make it happen.”
The name clicks as I admire her determination. These are the Dixon sisters, heiresses to Dixon Records, one of the largest music labels in the world. A recent scandal revealed that they’ve been abused by their father and his friends their entire lives. The scandal broke when their mother finally spoke out about it after their father announced that Ember was engaged to a tycoon friend of his from Dubai. If I recall, the man was nearly twice her age.
Their mother was found dead within days after the story was released and no one has seen the sisters since. Their father wasarrested and awaits trial for murder and child abuse. At least seven other men are under investigation for participation in their father’s abuse.
Edge shakes his head as he studies the other four girls huddled on the bed. They don’t look as brave and strong as Ember. “I was told there were only four of you. We’re going to need another car.”