Final Ride (Lords of Mayhem) (4 page)

In that moment, Hilary could see her husband coming through.
Shooter’s rubbing off on her.

“You’re the most vulnerable, Hilary. I support their
decision to bring you in deeper. I know it’s going to be hard. I’m asking you
to do this for me, please,” Juliette said.

Hilary bowed her head. “Of course. I know I’m in over my
head, but I hate the feeling.”

“That’s understandable, babe,” Joey said.

“Come on, let’s get you a seat. We’ll make you some tea and
you can relax,” Evonne said.

Hil surrendered herself into their care, walking to the
couch and allowing them bundle her in a blanket that smelled like Hawk. Wedged
into the corner, she clung to the calm that settled over her.

“Here you are, love; it’s chamomile,” Evonne said handing
her a mug.

“Thank you,” Hil said accepting it and bringing it to her
lips. These women had always been there for her when she needed them most. They
piled onto the couch beside her and she soaked up their silent support.
Today
I stared death in the face.
They say your life flashes before your eyes
before you die. What stretched before her wasn’t the success she’d gained in
her career or the time she’d spent with family and friends. It was a darkness.
A vast emptiness. The unfulfilled dreams she had given up due to circumstances
out of her control. At some point, she’d let the chance of pain outweigh the
possibility of greatness. Life was too short to allow the chains of fear to
bind her.

Chapter Three

Hawk studied the silent woman in the passenger seat
carefully. She’d been subdued as they made their way to the police station. The
cage made his skin crawl, but it was necessary to accomplish their goals today.

“Everything okay?” he asked as they headed toward her home
to start phase one of their plan.

“Yes, I don’t know why they brought me in when they clearly
already made up their mind I brought this on myself.”

“People judge and treat you as they see fit whether they
want to admit it or not.”

“Yeah,” she said.

“You think about your plan?”

“I drafted an email this morning and let everyone know I’m
planning to take a research trip for an upcoming book. Once I hit my parents
with a round of phone calls we’ll be set.”

“Good. What about your car?”

“The insurance people are working on it. There’s no
protection plan against getting shot up. I’m sure I’ll pay a deductible and
they’ll fix the damage, if they can. I’m still not convinced it wasn’t
totaled.”

“After you get a few of your things and take out some money,
your education will begin.”

He could feel her eyes on him.

“Education?” she said.

“How to be a proper house mouse, remember?”

“Who’s going to be um…instructing me?”

He laughed. “No need to be so formal. Just a few of the
girls I trust to steer you in the right direction. They’ll get you hooked up
with appointments and shit for your hair and shopping. I draw the line there.”
He pulled his ball cap down over his head. He was dressed down in a pair of
jeans, a T-shirt and a black pullover hoodie. He’d left his cut at the complex
and waited in the car while she spoke to the police. To anyone else, he was
just a friend giving her a ride to where she needed to be today. He followed
her directions to the brownstone townhouse in an affluent area.

“My space is number twenty-one.”

“You like rules, don’t you?” he asked.

“They keep things orderly.”

“You still believe that?” he asked.

“I have to,” she whispered.

“All we can control is ourselves. The sooner you realize
that, the better your life will be.”

“Why? Because then I can live in
mayhem
?”

“No, you can live in peace because you won’t be trying to
regulate every aspect of life instead of living.”

“And you know all about that, right? You’re completely cut
off from regular society. You live by a different set of rules.”

“Which is why I know what I’m talking about. The world we live
in is a façade. It’s a nice farce perpetuated by those in power. All the
politically correct behavior and rule following doesn’t make life any sager or
more predictable.”

“So we should all live by the seat of our pants and do what
we want?”

Hawk shook his head. “Do I look like someone who doesn’t
know their ass from a hole in the ground? We have organization and ways of
doing thing. Respect that’s given is returned, and we live how we see fit. You
can’t get better than that. I have a dedicated group of people all working
toward the same goal. The government can’t even say that.”

“You present a pretty picture—”

“No, I speak the truth.”

Silence filled the car.

“All I’m asking you to do is open your mind. This experience
doesn’t have to be as bad as you’re making it out to be. It’ll be easier on
both of us.”

“You’re right. I’ll try.”

“That’s all I’m asking,” he said as he scouted the area and
moved from the car. The next twenty minutes were tense as they rushed through
her place, gathering clothes, unplugging machines, and removing spoilable food.
He breathed a sigh of relief when they made it out unscathed. They went to a
branch of her bank she’d never been to before and returned to the compound. He
took her to a cabin that housed their regular girls and knocked.

Fancy opened the door with a smile.

“Hey, Hawk, you here to visit?” she purred suggestively.

“Not today, doll. I brought that friend of mine I told you
about,” he said.

“Ah, welcome,
Mi casa es su casa
,” Fancy said opening
the door to reveal women in various stages of dress.

“I’ll be back later to get you,” he said.

Hilary’s mouth formed a perfect O, and her eyes dilated. He
bit back a chuckle as he gently nudged her inside and went to hunt up some
brothers. One thing about the complex, there was always something going on.

The look on Hilary’s face when he’d dropped her off with the
questionable women of Mayhem had been priceless. Hilary wasn’t a snob, per se,
but she had a sheltered feel about her. Clearly her parents had drilled into
her head what a lady did and didn’t do. Though he could tell she’d always
straddled the fence on being proper. She had a streak in her as wild as the
hair on her head. He was amused and disturbed by how much time he was spending
thinking about her.

He discovered Tiny in the game room, engrossed in a game of
a pool with Casanova. Tiny glanced up as Hawk walked in and smirked.

“I wasn’t sure you’d make it back alive.”

“Ha ha. Dick. We have an understanding,” Hawk said.

“How’d you manage that?” Tiny said.

Hawk walked over to stand beside him, leaning back against
the wall as Casanova lined up another shot and sank two more balls.

“Told her the truth. We were trying to save her life. She’s
not stupid; she understands this is how it has to be and why. Now I’m not naïve
enough to think there won’t be bumps in the road.”

“Try trenches,” Tiny said.

“You’re having way too much fun with this shit, you know
that?” Hawk said.

“This is the longest I’ve seen you with a woman. Can’t help
it if I’m amused it’s one I know will give you hell. You’ve grown used to being
the one to give orders. The change of pace will be amusing. Let’s face it; I
can use a little comedic relief in my life about now.”

“You’re all heart,” Hawk drawled.

“Where is the lucky lady who gets to be stuck with your
grumpy ass?” Tiny said.

“Off getting a crash course with Fancy and her crew about
how to be a house mouse.”

Tiny snorted. “I’m sure she’s loving that.”

Casanova scratched, completely missing the cue ball as he
burst into laughter. “Wait, what? Hilary is going to pretend to be a house
mouse? How’s that one going to work? I’ve seen that woman almost make a
prospect cry. Now she’s going to flip the script?” Casanova bent over and
clutched his stomach as he laughed harder. “I-I don’t even think she knows the
meaning of meek.”

“Jesus, fuck you guys,” Hawk said. “I’m going to get a
drink.”

“Yeah, you should. You’re going to need it,” Tiny said.

“Dick,” Hawk said under his breath. Tiny had been with
Boston for about five years, but before then he’d been the same as Hawk. How
easily people forgot what it was like to be single. Not that he was
complaining. He rolled solo by choice. He’d yet to experience the secret brand
of magic woman unleashed that changed men.

“Summer, I need a whiskey straight up.” He leaned against
the bar, admiring the curve of her ass as she walked over and picked up a black-labeled
bottle.

“Where’s Hilary? We saw her leave with you and then she just
disappeared,” said a familiar voice behind him

So much for peace.

Summer set a shot glass in front of him, and he downed it.
Giving a nod of thanks to Summer, he turned to face a concerned-looking Joey,
Juliette, and Evonne.

“At ease, ladies, Hil is fine. She finished up her crap with
the cops and she’s in another room talking to some of the other girls. She’ll
catch up with you later.”

Joey wrinkled her nose. “No offense, but why?”

“She can explain that to you when you see her.” He stared
them down, daring them to ask more. Their eyes widened, and they glanced away.
That’s
right, ladies. Don’t forget who’s had your back all this time.

“I’m sorry; we didn’t mean to come at you like a hurricane.
We’re just…on edge and worried,” Juliette said.

“It’s good to have people who care. She’s good. Now if you’ll
excuse me I have a date with a bottle.” He turned back to the bar. “Summer, top
me off will you?”

She walked over and poured him another shot. He slammed it
back, wishing he could get mind-numbing drunk. The last time he’d been tasked
with guarding someone, he failed miserably.
Not this time.

* * * * *

Ten Years Earlier

“Son of a bitch.” Hawk slapped the dashboard of the car as
he maneuvered the sedan through the slick streets. Rain came down in sheets,
and he hunched over the wheel searching the deserted streets and alley for Rayen.
His parents had needed a break from bringing their manic drug-addicted son down
from another binge. He was clean, but Hawk knew it wouldn’t stick. He hadn’t
hit rock bottom yet. Heroin was near impossible to kick, and without the will
to do it… Hawk shook his head. Five minutes he’d been out of the room to take a
piss, and Rayen had been out the door. Now he was out here searching for him in
the middle of what felt like a fucking monsoon.

His entire life he’d been raised to be free on his own
terms. But somewhere along the line he’d gotten shackled with the weight of his
baby brother. He loved the man more than life, but he was tired of being some
sort of keeper. Resentment boiled beneath the surface as he turned the corner
and drove deeper into the shady part of town.
Right now I should be in the
clubhouse picking a woman to bed down for the night.
His phone vibrated,
and he picked it up from the cup holder, flipped it open and pressed it to his
ear.

“Yeah.”

“You still looking for Rayen?” Tiny said.

“Fuck, yes. That asshole.”

“I got a call; someone saw him heading toward an alley
between First Street and Vine. You know the one.”

“Yeah, I know it.” The popular spot for drug deals was
always busy and rarely raided. The cops didn’t venture this far down into the slums
where they were grossly outnumbered, and quite frankly, not worried about
keeping shit clean.

“Be careful. Bad place you’re venturing into.”

“Always. I’ll call if I need backup.”

“You’d better. I don’t want to get my asshole stomped out
because you get fucked up on a solo mission.”

“My brother, my problem.”

“Just because he’s not patched, doesn’t make him any less
family. We understand why he didn’t become a prospect.”

“Yeah because he’s too busy looking for his next fix and we
couldn’t count on him for shit. Fuck. I could kick his ass for getting into
this shit, but I know he probably wouldn’t even feel it. I was gone for less
than five minutes man.”

“Junkies will always find a way. You can’t lock him in a
tower for the rest of his life if he doesn’t want it.”

“I know man. ’Rents can’t let go.” Hawk shook his head.

“Must be hard for them. Your dad’s a proud guy.”

“It’s true. I’m glad they went on this run. They needed the
break. I’m pulling up now so I’ll hit you up once I drag him home.”

“All right, brother.”

They disconnected, and Hawk parked his car. The gloomy
weather and the run-down buildings turned the street into something out of a
graphic comic. He stepped from his car, ignoring the rain as he crept around
the edge of the building, shielding his eyes from the rain as he strained to
focus on the shapes visible beneath the lone light in the alley. He recognized
his brother’s build immediately as he turned away and lurched toward him.

“Shit!” He’d already taken something.

He allowed the dealer to slink back into the darkness and
scuttle off like the cockroach he was.
No need to make a bad situation
worse.
Rayen stumbled out of the alley and Hawk released his rage.

“What the fuck, brother.”

“S-sorry Haw…n-needed it.”

The slurred speech made him pause.
Has Rayen’s luck
finally worn off?
“Let’s get you into the car.” He wrapped an arm around
his brother’s shoulder supporting his thin frame. The opiates had ravaged him.
Skin and bone plastered over a six-foot-one frame with lank, limp hair, and
sunken eyeballs, he looked like he had one foot in the grave. Hawk helped him
sit in the passenger seat and quickly rounded the car to the driver’s side. He
opened the door and cried out. Rayen’s body had begun to twitch, and his lips
were blue.

“You will not OD on my watch. Damn you!” Hawk’s finger shook
as he jammed the key in the ignition and turned the engine over. Pulling away
from the curb he hit the gas, driving as fast as he dared to in the storm. His
heart threatened to leap from his chest and bile crept up into the back of his
throat. The twitches turned into violent convulsions, turning his brother into
some sort of rag doll. White foam began to creep from between his lips. Hawk
drove faster. Tires slid over slick surfaces and he hydroplaned, steering into
the curve to right himself before he managed to pull into the cul-de-sac in
front of the hospital entrance. He threw the car into park, pushed the door
open and ran for the automatic doors. They opened and he prayed to the creator
he wasn’t too late.

“Help me please! My brother’s overdosing!”

The waiting room burst into action as a gurney accompanied
by nurses flew down the hall. A tall nurse with dark hair pulled him aside.

“Do you know what he took, when he took, and how long he’s
been this way?”

“Heroin is his drug of choice and no more than fifteen,
thirty minutes ago. He’d just gotten clean a few days ago.”

“Okay. We’re going to do our best to help him now, Mr.…”

“Hawk, just Hawk.”

“Hawk. The best thing you can do to help is fill out
paperwork and tell us as much about his history as you can.”

He nodded, feeling helpless and totally at fault. As if he’d
supplied the needle and injected his brother’s veins with the poison ripping Rayen’s
life to shreds.