I stop when Valencia’s screams cause me to turn around. There’s a man in a mask trying to drag her off toward what appears to be another van at the other end of the alley. I’m aiming my gun at the motherfucker when another shot goes off, and he falls to the ground. Turning to my left, there’s the man who was smoking a cigarette across the street. “Fuck, you attract trouble, don’t you?”
“I guess I do. Come on, there are going to be more of them. Follow me,” I tell the stranger, then run over to Valencia, who’s shaking, staring at the man’s body in the alley.
“Come on, baby girl. We have to get back to the club now,” I tell her, and she nods. I get on my bike, and she holds onto me even tighter, then we peel out of the alley, and our new friend is coming in tow with us.
We get back to the clubhouse in record time. Thank God the garage bay is open, so we roll right on in, as does our friend. Valencia gets off my bike first and then rushes over to the button to get the garage door to close. She tears her helmet off and tosses it on the ground, practically hyperventilating from what we just went through. “Fuck, Valencia,” I say to her, and she waves her hand, signaling for me to give her a few moments. I don’t want to hover over her, so I do as she wishes.
“I’m Reno. Thanks for helping us back there.” I extend a hand to the man who helped us.
“I’m Drifter. Nice to meet you.”
CHAPTERTWELVE
Valencia
My heart is still pounding, and I’m shaking with fear. There’s no doubt that my father is close.
“You all right,” Venom asks, squeezing my arm.
I nod, tucking my hair behind my ears. “I’m fine.”
“That was some crazy shit. You sure?” she pushes. I know she’s only trying to make sure I’m okay, but I can’t let her know about my life. I’m not ready to tell everyone. Not yet.
“Valencia?” she pressures me for an answer, but I don’t have the luxury of being honest with her.
Of course, I’m not sure. My father is closing in on me, and it’s just getting worse. I’m going to have to come clean with the club, and I’m terrified to do that. I’m scared to death that they’re going to throw me to the wolves because they won’t want to deal with me. I pray it isn’t the case. I’ve learned to care for everyone here. I’ve grown attached to people within the club.
I’ve kept my past hidden from them, and the thought of standing before them and spilling it all has my stomach in knots. My father isn’t just some low-level crime lord. He’s a cartel leader, and he’s a dangerous one at that. He’s the type of leader who knows they have every available resource to them, and he has no problem using them.
It was inevitable it would happen, but I guess a small part of me wanted to believe I could stay hidden forever. I was doing such a good job at it, but I should’ve known it was too good to be true.
I feel like the end is coming, and I’m scared. I’m not ready to leave them. I’m not ready to say goodbye. I’m terrified to lose them. Especially Reno. He’s become so important to me. I can’t imagine facing every day without seeing him, touching him, and laughing with him.
Would he even let me leave? I’m not sure. I’d like to think he would fight for me, that he wouldn’t simply let me go.
My heart begins to hurt, making this already awful situation that much harder.
Reno peeks his head out to see if I’m all right. My stomach swims with nerves wondering how much longer I’ll be able to look at his handsome face.
“I’m fine, but can I borrow your phone?”
It’s time for me to find out what I’ve been missing.
“Sure,” he says, handing me his phone.
I force a smile and thank him as he heads back.
The first thing I do is check Facebook. I check Narcisa’s page. I scroll through for a bit but find nothing substantial. A lot of selfies, but that’s nothing new. My sister has always been so vain in that way.
Tarquin doesn’t post on social media, so this is a dead end for him.
I let out a sigh and closed my eyes as I held tightly to the phone. Therehasto be a way to see what the hell has been going on.
My eyes snap open as I remember the hidden camera I have in my bedroom. I have no idea if it’s been discovered, but there’s only one way to find out.
I pull up the login, and after I’m in, I see a lot of new files available for my viewing. Well, I guess that answers my question about anyone finding out about the camera. And since the bedroom doors are not allowed to be closed, it could have picked up conversations in the hallway.
This is my last option to see what’s been happening in my absence.
