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“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.
