I grab Erika’s hand. “I should probably stay until?—”
“No.” He cuts me off, his voice hard. “You were the target. We need to get the fuck out of here in case they had a backup plan.”
“Go,” Erika urges. “I have my car. I’ll get to my Dad’s and call the cops from there. I don’t know what the hell just happened, but he might be right.”
“Okay.”
The three of us run to the parking area. Erika splits off to her car, and Sinner drags me to his bike, quickly pulling on his shirt and vest.
“We’re going to the club. It’s the only place I trust to keep you safe until we figure out what the fuck just happened.”
The past few minutes are finally catching up to me. “Did youshootsomeone?”
“They had you in a fucking van, Quinn. I’m just sorry I didn’t tag all of them.” He doesn’t look the least bit sorry. “Now get your ass behind me and hold on, sweetheart. It’s gonna get bumpy.”
11
Chapter 11 - Quinn
The first ridewith Sinner felt like a game. We’d been flirting, so wrapping my arms around him while the bike rumbled underneath us was natural. It was part of the same low-level hum of attraction we’d been dancing around before we left.
Now, the connection feels more like a lifeline.
I press my cheek against his back, inhaling the sharp mix of leather, oil and whatever combination of products Sinner uses that help make up his own unique scent. Every time I close my eyes I see the last message. The side of the van opening. Erika’s panic. The absolute fury on Sinner’s face as he ripped the bag off my head, ready to kill the men who attacked us.
I don’t understand anything that’s happening. We were in public in the middle of the day in a popular area. Who would do something like that?
As he rides into the lower part of the city on the other side of the river, chic, fashionable neighborhoods bleed into downtown,and then eventually into poor, working class homes and apartment buildings that remind me more of where I grew up. Some of the businesses are boarded up, but others are thriving in spite of the death of the factories that used to keep this area alive. A far cry from my current apartment, but it feels strangely like coming home.
We slow as we ride through an intersection. Off to the right, a church rises behind a brick wall. I don’t pay much attention to it until we get close to the gate and I realize it’s being guarded by a pair of bikers.
I don’t know what I’d expected an MC clubhouse to look like. A run down frat house maybe? With bikes on the lawn and a beer keg on the porch. Women in bikinis hanging from the windows?
I can’t imagine Priest, Sinner, and Colt in a place like that, though. Beer and women maybe, motorcycles definitely, but they’re way too organized to live in a ridiculous caricature of a bad guy hideout.
But still, a church?
The men at the gate wave us through, and I get my first look at what feels like a fortress in the middle of the city. This isn’t a handful of misfits in leather, smoking, drinking and causing trouble. These men are professionals and this is their kingdom.
Sinner pulls around behind the church and into a courtyard where a bunch of other motorcycles are lined up. There’s an old school along the back that looks like it’s been converted into some sort of barracks for the members. There are two houses. One to the side of the church and one behind. Both look like they’ve been split into multiple apartments. A massive metalgarage that was probably built later is open on one side with loud music blasting out the open airplane hangar sized doors.
I get off the bike, wide-eyed as I try to take it all in. Sinner pulls out his phone and makes a call.
“Not what you expected?” he asks with a grin after hanging up. In the sun, his hair shines like golden honey.
“Not exactly, no. I was picturing something more like an old frat house.”
He laughs. “We’re a bit more of an operation than that, Demon.”
I believe it.
My gut says they aren’t involved, but should I be suspicious? That the day they showed up was when strange things started happening? It could all be an elaborate setup.
What’s the priority for escaping a kidnapping attempt?
Get to safety. Check. This seems pretty safe for the moment.
I should get in touch with Erika. And call my mom? That can wait. The police? Someone has to report it, right? I don’t want Sinner getting in trouble.
