5. Chapter Four

Chapter Four

Emm

P eering through the thin, tattered curtain of my cramped RV, I locked eyes with the wolf—or at least, I believed it to be a wolf. Its fierce gaze pierced through me, as if I were nothing more than a succulent piece of meat.

I shut the curtain and dropped the towel, going along with my business and getting dressed. I went for a swim to clear my head, and get my mind off the animal that haunted the woods, and any other weird paranormal activity. I even went swimming during the day which is something I wouldn't normally do.

Skinny dipping wasn't something I do often, but the lake looked so clean and refreshing.

The woods during the day weren't as foreboding as at night. I thought I would be safe from predators, but once I felt the hair on my neck rising like someone was watching me again, I waded to shore and covered myself, hoping to find maybe a curious rabbit or a small deer.

Regrettably, the sight that greeted me was that of a repulsive-looking creature. It loomed before me, its size surpassing that of any ordinary wolf. Its snout reached up to my shoulder, a testament to its immense proportions. And, as if its appearance wasn't unsettling enough, its gaze on me was hungry and added to the sense of unease.

Blood smeared across its face, missing teeth, scratches and scars were embedded along its body, and the worst of it was a severe case of mange that had caused it to lose clumps of fur.

I could have easily been attacked, and of course, I was foolish for not having my gun near me, but I didn't think I would need it in broad daylight. However, I won't make that mistake again.

Yet, he wasn't aggressive, just curious.

I dried my body quickly, putting on a pair of stretchy jeans and a black top. I fluffed my hair and let it air dry as I checked my laptop to see if the listing was still there for Locke.

It was; no one had reported catching him yet and my lip curled in excitement. I closed the computer and shoved it, along with my burner phone, into my heavy fireproof lockbox underneath one of the kitchen seat compartments.

It was getting late in the day, and my goal was to head to the Iron Fang bar and take a look. I was hoping not to stick out too badly, but being a newcomer, it would be inevitable. I had to become part of the town and be friendly.

I rolled my eyes at that. Usually, I stay under the radar and hide. My targets usually hide in big cities and I go unnoticed by so many. This town would really test my skills.

With the sun hitting the tops of the trees, the shadows hovered over the camping area. I took one quick look out the window to see if the wolf creature was present, and damn if he was.

I reached out and firmly gripped my Glock, feeling its cold metal against my palm. With a slight click, I toggled the safety switch on and off, ensuring its readiness. Confirming its loaded magazine, I carefully slid it into my holster, leaving my hand on it as I felt the weight now resting against my hip. I approached the door and opened it, ready for him to barge inside. Instead, I found him patiently waiting. His curious gaze meeting mine, and his tail swished into the dirt.

Weird.

"Whatcha doing there?" I tried to give him soft voices to not provoke the animal. He looked better after a dip in the lake. He didn't have the deranged look in his eye and the blood had been washed away from most of the fur that was left.

He cocked his head and whined, then glanced at the gun I was holding.

"If you stay back, I'll let go of it." I spoke to him like he understood me. I wasn't sure why. I'd never been a big nature person, but then I never had time. This animal, though, I felt was different.

Why I thought that, I wasn't sure. I should shoot the thing and put him out of his misery. I bet the thing has fleas and ticks all the way up his asshole.

The wolf didn't move, and even dared to lay his head on his front paws. So, I slowly let my hand go of the gun in my holster, covering it with my leather jacket. The wolf stayed and wagged his rat-like tail— since it held no fur.

Huh, guess I have a little companion for the time being.

As I continued to walk away, the beast's whines became louder.

"Easy there, just going into town for a bit."

Hopefully, you'll be gone by then.

"I'll be back. Just—stay over there." I put my hand low to the ground, and the beast lay his head back down.

Smart thing.

I revved up Marlow and she roared to life. As I put her into gear the beast was already at my window, his green eyes shining brightly into mine.

"Damn it!" I exclaimed, my hand instinctively clapping over my racing heart. The monstrous creature locked his gaze with mine, his eyes unnervingly resembling human orbs, rather than those of an animal.

Surely not.

"D-down, boy," I muttered.

It took a few long seconds before his claws fell off the truck so I could get out the hell out of there.

Those eyes stuck with me the entire drive to the Iron Fang.

I couldn't keep them out of my head and I couldn't figure out why. I leaned my arm against the window and rubbed the side of my head. There was nothing weird about that forest. It was my lack of sleep, and the townspeople putting crazy ideas in my head. That beast could just be my imagination or just an enormous sick wolf that needed some care and was looking for someone, anyone, who would give it attention.

I could go to the town vet and ask for some meds for it?

I shook my head, and parked on the other side of the street from the bar. I wasn't really thinking about helping that animal, was I? I was here to get Locke. Get the bounty, get paid, bring my family to the States and hopefully be done with this sort of thing. Get a real job and then do… what? What would I do?

I blew out a breath and stepped out into the late afternoon sun. I got here at a time that would allow me a few hours before dusk, to show my face and get to know some patrons so I could start asking questions.

As I approached, the sound of laughter echoed through the open window. Pushing open the door, a vibrant melody poured out from a nearby DJ stand, captivating the room. Against the wall, a guy leaned casually, exuding an air of nonchalance. A silver vape dangled from a chain around his neck, emitting a faint scent of sweet vapor. He clutched a beer bottle by its neck, his mischievous smirk fixed on a girl who held his undivided attention.

No one turned to look at the door to see me come in, which was good, since I needed as few eyes on me as possible. As I walked closer to the bar, the bartender, tall, slim and muscular build, approached the side where I now sat and looked me up and down.

He poured two beers into glasses and shoved them at two patrons. He gave them both a wink, tapped the bar and let them know he would be right back.

"You aren't from around here." He flipped his blonde hair back with a flick of his neck. "And, I know everyone, so who are you, gorgeous?"

I gave him a fake laugh and leaned on the bar with my arm. "I'm Emm, and you are?"

The bartender leaned on the bar toward me and smirked. "Name's Anaki. Best bartender here; always ask for me, and I'll get you the best. Now, pick your poison or do you want me to guess your drink?" He wiggled his eyebrows.

I sat back and smiled. He was quite refreshing, and I haven't smiled in quite some time. "I'll have you guess my drink."

It should be hard for him. I was a mood drinker, and I was in a mood that might surprise him for the night.

Anaki narrowed his eyes playfully, sizing me up as he leaned back, tapping a finger against his chin. "Hmm, I'd say, right now," he played with his chin, "you're wanting a whiskey; neat. How did I do?" he grinned, pouring a glass of amber liquid and sliding it over to me.

I raised my eyebrows and lifted the glass in a toast before taking a sip. The burn of the whiskey down my throat warmed me from the inside out. "You hit the nail on the head. I'm impressed."

Anaki beamed proudly, polishing a glass with a towel. "I have a talent for reading people," he boasted before leaning in closer, and lowering his voice. "And you look like a very interesting person. So, what's your story, Emm? How did you come to this bar in the middle of nowhere?"

He was certainly straight to the point. I dressed as best I could to fit in with the locals, and I wasn't far off. I wore jeans, a simple top and a leather jacket because of the cool breeze that would come late afternoon.

The atmosphere was filled with women confidently embracing their fashion choices; donning dresses and jean shorts that accentuated their figures. Not a single soul felt the need for a cover-up, and amidst the vibrant scene, I noticed a blonde-haired woman in the corner of the bar, tenderly breastfeeding her baby.

What in the Sweet Home, Alabama is this?

I bit my cheek when I saw it. I could not say one damn word.

But, a baby? In a bar?

And, the bikers may look rough on the outside, but some of them were actually cute with the women they were with. Holding their hand, kissing their cheek.

—and wait, I saw some making out. Or what, were they having sex in the hallway?

I guess a single woman in the bar does stand out.

"I'm just traveling around, right now." Taking another sip of my drink. "Tired of the corporate world and just wanted to travel around the country."

Anaki bobbed his head. "Yeah, I get that. Being a paper-pusher would have to get boring. That's why I'm behind the bar, I get to talk to people all day—learn about their lives." He looked me up and down and I knew there was a hidden meaning behind it.

He was trying to figure me out as much as I was him. Anaki's body language suggested that he just might not believe me.

Before I could utter a word, a woman, approximately my height, gracefully approached. She was adorned in a sleek black trench coat, accentuated by a vibrant purple corset. Cascading from her neck were intricately designed long necklaces, garnished with brilliantly colored stones and talismans. Behind her stood a dark-skinned woman, who discreetly concealed an unmistakable assault rifle beneath her own trench coat. My gaze inadvertently landed on the weapon, but she quickly concealed it, catching my curious stare.

I sat up straight, narrowing my eyes at her and letting my other hand drop to my side, but continued to sit in the chair.

"Your kind isn't welcome here," the woman with the corset said.

Anaki's brow furrowed as well as mine, and I waited for her to continue.

"You come here with bad intentions. I can feel it. Finish your drink and leave."

I downed my whisky and stood up from my seat. "I'm Emm. Sorry, I didn't catch your name?" I held out my hand and smiled to look pleasant, but the woman just stared at it.

"Tajah, what gives?" Anaki hopped over the bar and stood between us. "This is Emm, she's new in town. She's traveling—"

Tajah waved her hand in front of Anaki. He pretended to bite her finger and I held back a smile.

"She's an outsider is what she is. An outsider with bad intentions." Tajah glared at Anaki and the fire he had to keep me here, faded.

"Emm seems harmless to me," Anaki weakly argued back. "We were just getting to know each other."

"Hi! You must be new. I'm Journey." A smaller woman with brown hair and caramel-colored eyes interrupted the tension. She held out her hand, and I took it just to get away from the thickness invading the room.

When I got a better look at her, I saw a blue crescent moon on her head. The artistry of the tattoo on her forehead was so beautiful. It was bold to tattoo your face, I had to hand it to her, but it matched the beauty she held.

"Nice to meet you, Journey. It seems I'm not welcome today. Maybe we can chat another time." I kept my hand held at my gun as I turned toward the exit.

I could feel the stares from others in the room, and I did not need to stir up trouble. Not yet anyway.

"No, you are most definitely welcome." Journey scowled at Tajah, who was clenching her jaw. "Tajah was just about to apologize."

"I wasn't—"

"Excuse me?" A rugged biker joined. He stood behind Journey and put his hand on her shoulder. He had death surrounding him; I could feel it. Tall, imposing and his voice was like timber. This man was dangerous, and I prayed he wasn't the one I was looking for.

Tajah cleared her throat. "I was telling Journey that Emm isn't welcome. She's an outsider, she even wields a gun in our establishment." She nodded her head toward my hip.

"You all have guns," I argued back. "Why can't I, as a female, protect myself?"

Ha, yeah, I pulled the weak female card.

"Grim, it's perfectly logical that Emm would have a gun. She's traveling on her own. She needs to protect herself," Journey sided with me.

Grim's intense gaze locked with Tajah's, and a wordless exchange passed between them. Tajah let out a low grunt, the sound filled with frustration, as the woman trailing behind her shot daggers at Grim. With a swift motion, they hurried away, leaving Grim behind.

Journey let out a long sigh until she smiled back at me. "See, no harm done. Come back to the bar, next drink is on me."

I continued to stare at the fleeting back of Tajah and her guard. I would have to be on the lookout for those two. I'd never had to watch my back much, since my targets were usually easy to find and acquire.

As we sat at the bar, Journey apologized for Tajah and her partner, Beretta. Journey explained that they weren't keen on outsiders. It was a small town that the club, the Iron Fang, protects and a lot of the town now included transplants.

Transplants meaning people that the Iron Fang rescued from sex trafficking rings, kidnappings and other assorted crimes, who were looking to get back on their feet as Journey explained.

A club that fights for the weak? I guess it isn't unheard of. I've seen clubs fight against drugs and help domestic violence victims. But, whole sex trafficking rings? And... why the hell are they telling me that?

And why did that mean that Tajah had to be so cunty to me?

One thing was for sure. They were apologetic about Tajah and wanted me here. Did they think that me carrying a gun meant I was helpless?

I wasn't fucking helpless. In fact, if there was truth in anything Journey had told me about the club, I was certainly the bad guy here. Tajah had every right wanting to kick me out of this town.

Shit, just what I needed. A nice biker club that does community service, and a bounty hunter that wants to hunt out a bastard hiding in the town.

I took the water that Anaki had already poured for me and drank a few sips. What if this Locke character was a runaway and was here because he needed help? And I was hunting him down to put him back with his captor?

Wouldn't be the first time I've dealt with some shady shit on the dark web. I've had to kick the original poster's ass, too.

Dammit.

There were too many variables and that was just one scenario. I'd have to keep digging. Which meant more lying to these bikers, who might just have hearts of fucking gold.

"So," Journey took a sip of a Margherita next to me, "what kind of job did you leave, again?"