Chapter 7

7

NEVADA

Three goddamn days.

That's how long it's been since I've seen my girl.

I've texted, but she's been ignoring me. That just makes me even more curious. I know I had an effect on her. I could tell by the way her breath hitched in her chest, her skin pinkened slightly and I'm sure I heard an indecipherable moan leave her throat when I pushed up against her.

I wasn't even planning on touching her, but I had to. She's so fucking adorable.

I've never seen anything like what happened at church the other day. She pretty much told us all to go to Hell and looked like a goddess while doing it. I almost can't take it anymore. If she thinks this is just about pussy, she's wrong. Without sounding like a complete ass, pussy is the easiest thing to get in a motorcycle club. And I'm not shy with my looks or what it can get me, but that was before Star. Everything I'm feeling now is for Star; my sudden bouts of jealousy whenever someone else looks at her. The way my heart pounds in my chest like it's going to explode. My body feels as if it's on fire; like if I can't have her, I might actually die.

She's not like any other woman I've ever met before. I like how her mind works. How she's tough, but also smart. Sarcastic. Funny. A straight shooter. She swears. She's got a hot body and perfect hair. I don't just want to get her into bed, I want to possess her. Even if I know that would never happen with a woman like her, the idea sobers me.

It also makes me rock hard.

I've been dating my palm this entire week, and that's getting old. I need sex. I love sex. But having sex with somebody else feels wrong, dirty even. Jesus H. Christ.

What is this madness? Then a thought crosses my mind…

Am I in love?

Is that what this is?

That's ridiculous. I can't be in love. Not that I'd know what that feels like because I've never been in love before. I do know that this feels different. I've never been so consumed by somebody, and though Riot tells me it's only because she knocked me on my ass and it turned me on, he's wrong. While that was really hot, there's something about a woman that isn't submissive that hits differently. I like that she's strong and stands up for herself. I like that she's not groveling at my feet like some of the sweet butts do, just to get into my pants. Realistically, none of that should be appealing to me, but it is. I owe it to the both of us to explore this. After all, if all she wants is sex then I'm down for that. I'll take any crumbs she's offering at this point.

I hate how fucking mopey I am, but when I see her and Halo arrive on the security cameras in the twins' office, I can't help the smile that spreads across my face.

She came. Of course, any leads that point to finding her sister will take priority over everything else in her life. She's determined, and I know every day that passes must feel like an eternity.

I head out, passing Rock as he heads my way. "You good?" he asks me.

I thumb toward the clubhouse doors. "They're here. Gonna bring ‘em straight on back."

Rock grins. "You worried the boys will move in before you get to them?"

"Do I look worried?"

Knowing my girl, she won't disappoint in her choice of tight pants and even tighter tops. I wouldn't exactly pick a fight with Brew or Haze, but both of them were more interested in Halo. However, walking into our club without one of us with them is just asking for trouble.

I jog toward the front door just as they're heading up the porch steps toward me.

"Right on time." I lean against the door frame like I didn't just shove people out of the way to get here before they got spotted.

"Hello, Nevada," Halo says. She's wearing a cream wrap dress that accentuates her massive tits. I've no doubt she's gonna get hit on tonight and I consider the best course of action. The women aren't unsafe, but they're new to the club. Unclaimed. Which means in some of the brothers' eyes, they're fresh meat and fair game. I don't want to have to fight every asshole in the club.

I glance at Star and my eyes almost bug out of my head. She's wearing a fucking patent mini skirt with thigh high boots. What in the ever living fuck?

Add to that, she has a plunging neckline to her long-sleeved gray top, her tits jiggling as she proceeds up the stairs toward me. She's also wearing a short, studded leather jacket. Her hair is loose and hanging in waves and she's done something to her eyes to make them darker. It's hot. She's smoking fucking hot. I want to bury my face in her cleavage and beg for buttermilk.

I smirk. "And here I was thinkin' you'd look out of a place in a biker clubhouse."

She stares right at me, her resting bitch face in full form as her lips part. "Nice to see you too." Her eyes skim down my body and I don't take my eyes off her. I can't. She's mesmerizing. Every single inch of her is like Christmas came early.

"How's your week been?" Halo asks me. I realized at the meeting that she is clearly the chatty one of the two of them. In fact, I doubt there's a mean bone in this woman's body. She also stuck up for Star on more than one occasion, plus accompanying her here tonight tells me that she's a good friend. I respect that kind of loyalty.

I push off the door. "Just fine, lil' lady." I hold the door open and Halo smiles when she passes me. Star's eyes meet mine and I purposely drop my eyes down her body and whistle low. "Wearin' that short skirt in here means I might have to put a few fires out tonight, Mama."

She doesn't say anything, but her lips move slightly as if she's fighting a smile. She steps ahead of me and my eyes drop down to her ass. Sweet Lord Almighty.

I adjust my dick in my pants. He didn't get the memo that it wasn't the time to play. Not yet anyway.

I resist the urge to sling an arm around Star's neck just to let everyone know she's with me, but I definitely don't want a broken arm, so I keep my hands to myself.

We don't even get as far as the pool tables when I hear wolf whistles and a couple of the club regulars JJ and Chains call out, asking if the girls want to join them. I flip them the bird, my hand on the small of Star's back as I tell them to keep walking.

"Holy shit," I hear Halo whisper. "I had no idea all the bikers looked like that ."

I roll my lips. I guess we're not all beer bellied, bearded old guys.

Something tells me that it wouldn't take much for Halo to fall for one of the boys in the club. It's just a matter of which one will get in first. Braving it, I sling an arm around Halo's shoulders; I know she won't mind.

I feel Star looking up at me. "It's just for show," I mutter. "Trust me, you don't want every asshole in here hittin' on you."

I swear to God she rolls her eyes. She does that a lot. Halo on the other hand has a look on her face that reminds me of a kid in a candy store.

"Uh, are we going straight home after the meeting?" she asks Star.

"If we want to leave with our virtues intact, I'd say that's a yes."

I snort at the virtues part. "You had to come here lookin' hot as fuck," I chastise. "Not exactly makin' my job easy, kitten."

Yeah, I like making up new nicknames for her, but she'll forever be Mama. It suits her.

"Is there any cute animal you haven't called me yet?"

I snicker. "Let me think? Hummingbird. Sugar glider. Arctic fox Dove . Tigress . Koala. I could do this all day."

Halo giggles. I give Pipes, Hawk and Priest a nod as we pass them by. All of them gaping at me. I might be enjoying this just a little bit.

"Koala?" Star sputters.

"They're Australian. They're cute and cuddly and eat leaves."

"I know what they are," she huffs.

Halo laughs. "Sugar gliders are so sweet."

"Yeah, and they're technically a rodent."

"Possum, actually," I correct.

"Well, she calls you Blue Eyes," Halo tells me, earning her a sharp look from Star. "Though I'm not supposed to tell you that."

"Hales!" Star mutters between clenched teeth. "I do not."

I grin even more. So my girl has another nickname for me other than Pretty Boy. And I can handle Blue Eyes.

I tilt my head so my mouth is close to her ear. "Must like me if you've got a nickname for me that you only shared with your best friend."

She shakes her head, sighing loudly. "It's a step up from asswipe, I suppose."

I chuckle.

We cross through the second part of the bar. The lights are dimmer here as it's usually where the girls dance or make out so people can't see. Not that you can't see, but it's more private. I imagine my girl riding me back here at one of the tables in front of everyone. My dick swells at the thought of making her mine and everyone wishing she was theirs.

"Yo, hold up," Riot calls, jogging our way. Of course, I told Riot they were gonna be here tonight and he already heard Brew and Haze were getting fresh at church. I let go of Halo and move my hand from Star's back to her hip, essentially pulling her into my side.

As if sensing that it's fruitless to argue, she gives me a narrowed stare, but doesn't shove me off. I'm glad. If she did, that would make me look like a dick in front of my brothers, but it would totally be worth it if her hands touched me.

"Hi, Riot." Fuck me if Halo doesn't pull him into a hug. He looks bewildered; his eyes going slightly round as his hands kinda dangle weirdly before settling them on her back as they hug. Dip shit. "How are you?"

"Better for seein' you." When they pull back, his eyes dip low and he checks her out in that indecent dress. "You look hot."

She giggles. "Oh, this old thing? I've never had the guts to wear it, but it's not like you get invited to a biker clubhouse twice in one week."

He grins like a lopsided idiot and I know he's about to whisk her away to the bar.

"We got business," I tell him, knowing that Halo won't ditch Star just to hook up with Riot. "Won't take too long."

He nods, sweeping his arm out toward the hallway leading to the offices. "Be my guest."

Halo gives him a warm smile as she moves past.

Finally, Star pushes off me, her hands on the side of my body and I revel in her touch.

I knuckle punch Riot as I pass him.

When we get to the office, Jett has joined Rock. I introduce the girls and we get straight to it.

"So, we hacked into a bunch of security cameras after a tip-off about a bus stopping right before the Mississippi state line. As we know, trafficking is a major problem in all US states," Jett says. "And we've pin-pointed a location. The license plate is stolen, but there is a storage facility close by, it could be a lead. Someone knows somethin' and if girls are still bein' transported over the state line, this is more of an issue than I first thought."

It's better than nothing. So is a location.

"Takin' out the mob put things on hold for several months," Rock adds. "But that didn't mean things weren't still goin' on in underworld circles. Trafficking is under major scrutiny in New Orleans since the takedown, but that doesn't mean other states give a shit about that. They're still thrivin'."

"Jesus," Star mutters. "It makes me sick."

"So, if we can get the location of the storage facility, there could be a chance that this is the holding premises?" Halo's mouth forms a round ‘o' as the words leave her mouth and she connects the dots. "Someone will talk."

"Wait, you're not plannin' on goin' there alone?" Rock cocks a brow.

Star puts her hands on her hips. "I have people who owe me." She sounds so fucking sure of herself. "We're not idiots, we're not gonna go walk in there alone."

"Appreciate that," Rock counters "And pardon my goddamn fuckin' French, but regardless, we're talkin' about full scale criminals here who operate a very lucrative and highly sophisticated set-up, waltzing in there like you own the place askin' questions probably won't fare well for you."

Star looks unfazed, her face doesn't give away anything. "Like I said, we're not idiots. I've been around the block a time or two. I know how these thugs work. I have a plan." Clearly not one she's going to share with us.

"I'd love to hear it," I mutter.

She tilts her head slightly and I know she heard me.

Well, we're definitely gonna check this out. No way is she going out there alone.

I say we, because I'm going with her if she's planning some kind of road trip. And I may not know Star all that well yet, but I can pretty much guarantee she won't be leaving this alone without getting on the road as soon as possible

Rock, being in the trucking industry for some years and having his own truck n' haulage and towing business, knows everyone in the know in Louisiana, but other states could prove tricky. Once we're across the border, it's a whole new kettle of fish.

Though, now that I think about it, we are friendly with an MC in Mississippi called the Ridgehaven Hellions, not that we've been in contact lately. Their club went quiet for a while but re-emerged about a year back with their club Prez Bane Adler at the helm. My mind starts to wander; now I'm wondering if we could get their help. That means dragging them into a mess the club itself isn't a part of, and Cash won't take too kindly to that. But surely reaching out for their help wouldn't hurt. I'll have to talk to Cash about it.

Jett gives me a look like he knows what I'm thinking, but I don't say anything. The club comes before a woman so I'm gonna have to get creative talking to Cash. I can't go doing things without his and Ryder's say so.

Star looks a little like a deer caught in headlights. I'm sure she has a lot to think about.

Jett folds his arms over his chest. "So? What is the plan?"

"That's something I need to discuss with my team," Star says. "Unless you boys want in, then I can't disclose anything that may jeopardize getting my sister back."

"That's somethin' we'd have to talk to Cash about," I say before Jett can reply. This isn't gonna be him saving the day, it's gonna be me. And not for my own sake, but for Star's. I know how much this means to her, and every day we sit here talking about it is another day we could've been out finding her. If the Hellions know something, then it ain't gonna take much to find out.

Star looks at me, vulnerability written on her face; her eyes are wide and her shaky voice lacks the gusto I'm used to. "You'd do that?"

I shrug. "I told you, this club takes trafficking very seriously, but now it's out of state, we can't do much about it. Cash may have connections that you don't have in Mississippi."

"Do you have a chapter there?"

I love it when she talks like a fucking biker chick. I shake my head. "No Rebels, but maybe other clubs… and before you go runnin' off googling MCs in Mississippi, I wouldn't advise it. Not all of them are so accommodatin'." The twins chuckle at that. "You got anythin' else?"

"Nothin' else solid. There was no footage from the club where she was last seen, cameras can be cheap and shitty," Rock says. "It's not unusual for nightclubs to wipe security footage before the cops ask for it, that way they're not implicated."

I glance at Star. "You've been to the club in question I'm presumin'?"

She nods. "Nobody knew anything, or if they did, nobody would talk."

Jett nods slowly. "I can look into the staff a little more, make sure they're all legit. Never know, sometimes the bartenders are the ones spiking drinks for a chunk of change. Not the first time I've heard that happenin'. More often than not, that's how women get singled out."

Rock gives her a sympathetic look. "I hope you find her. We'll do what we can."

"You need anythin' else in the meantime, just let us know," Jett affirms.

She nods. "Thank you. I… I appreciate your help, all of you."

For the first time since I've known her, she sounds genuinely appreciative. This is a big break, and as hard as it may seem, at least it's something.

Halo stays quiet, but I can tell by the way she hugs herself that she hopes this is going to bring them some good news. I hope like hell it is too, but that cold feeling creeps over my skin, warning me this could be a dead-end.

Star bites her lip as we stand in silence. I realize this is vulnerable Star. Not the hard-hitting, tough-talking woman I'm usually faced with. This Star is my Estelle. The woman who has a softer side underneath but hides it well. Oh, so well. And I want to break those layers down. I want to find out what's inside, and when I do, I'll cherish it. I'll make her forget about any other possibility, except being with me. Even if it's just for a night. That I can deal with. That gives me more time to make her realize I'm not the fucking Pretty-Boy-Blue-Eyes she thinks I am. I'm more than that.

We turn to leave and I give the brothers a wave of thanks.

"I think that went well." Halo puts an arm around Star as they walk in front of me.

"I need a drink," Star mumbles.

I step ahead of them. "Leave that to me."

Making it to the bar will be harder since the brothers know they're here, but I'm not fazed.

If anyone even thinks about talking to Star, they're gonna meet with the end of my fist.

She doesn't know it yet, but she is mine.