28. Joker

Chapter 28

Joker

It has been seven hours since Skylar pulled her little runner act. I've scoured this whole fucking city looking for her. I even chased down her friend, Totsie, or Tesla, or fuck, whatever it was. No one has seen her. At least if they have, they're not telling me. I'm about to go to that damn nightclub Swank, just on the off chance that she's there. Her friend said she knew the owner. I'm at my wit's end. Damn woman knows there's danger close by. If there wasn't, we sure as hell wouldn't be going on lockdown. As I pull into the parking lot at Swank, I notice the damn club is completely closed. I guess they're closed on Mondays. I shake my head. Searching the area, hoping there are doors open for staff or something I can use to get inside. There doesn't seem to be anyone around though.

My phone rings and it's the club's number in Kentucky on the caller ID. I pick it up, prepared to hear Raze give me shit. I tried to call earlier, but it kept saying all circuits were busy. The damn rain is really doing a number down that way.

"Hey," I answer. Before I can say anything else, Raze's voice booms back, full of anger.

"Where the fuck are you?" I frown. The man's voice sounds off. It's cold and tight, full of anger.

"I'm in Cincinnati."

"You should have already been back," he barks. Okay, now he's just pissing me off. It's not like I've been shucking my duties. "I haven't got time to track your ass down."

"I've been looking for Skylar," I snap back.

"You don't know Skylar's here? She said you did."

"She's there? Fucking hell, I'm going to strangle that woman. I didn't know. She ran away this morning, and I've been tearing this damn city apart trying to find her. I finally laid my claim down on her and I thought we were good, only for her to run away. The woman is going to make me lose my mind."

I hear Raze exhale and curse under his breath. "Man, she's been here in the basement for lockdown with her mom and Thea for the last couple of hours. But they're going home later tonight. Bull's picking them up on his way back."

"Bull's coming home? Does that mean shit is over? I'll head back quickly. I need time to talk to him and Breaker."

"Mother-fucking-hell," Raze hisses.

"Raze? What's wrong?"

"I thought you knew." He takes a breath. I can hear him exhale to the point it sounds like he's in pain. "You don't know," he whispers mournfully.

"Know what?" I ask, thoroughly confused.

"Breaker, man. Him and Rock from the Devil's Blaze were ambushed. They can't find Breaker, but they think he's dead. The county will be dragging the lake near the accident. Rock's body was there, but our men were too late."

I can't speak. Fuck, I can't even breathe. Breaker? The thought of him no longer alive is just wrong. That bastard is too full of life. My next thought is Skylar. This will destroy her. "They don't know he's dead, right?"

"Apparently, one of the Feral Kings laughed about it and told them what they'd done. That's how they know to search the lake. Dom just said they're searching for a body and we'll go from there."

Dom probably phrased it that way to keep from saying they were looking for Breaker's body. Fuck, I don't understand any of this. There has to be a mistake somewhere. There's no way Breaker could be dead. "I'm heading out now. Skylar must be a mess. I need to be with her."

"Surprisingly, she's doing okay. She's standing strong and watching after her mother and sister. She's one tough woman, but if she left without you, Joker, chances are she isn't going to want you around her right now. There's a lot on her plate."

"I'm not giving her a choice in the matter, and it's my place to carry that plate for her, brother. My place. I'm not letting her face any of this alone. I'll see you soon. Call me if anything changes."

"You got it."

I put my phone in my pocket and close my eyes as pain and sorrow mingle and sweep through me with the force of a hurricane. Except for Killer, Breaker is my closest friend. I can't even wrap my mind around Breaker no longer being alive. It's just not possible. These days, he's a driving force behind the club. That's why most of us think he should be able to step into the leading role of the club. Not having him around will leave a hole that can never be filled.

Son of a bitch. I need to hit the road now and get to Skylar. I need to be with her—even if the woman wants to fight it, she needs me just as much.