Page 32 of The Riders’ Reign

Hector also needs to end up dead.

It’s the only way to save Camile and her family, too.

I wish I understood a little more about how cartels worked, and the organization within them. Are there men back in Mexico who are just waiting to take the reins if something were to happen to Hector? Does he have other family members who would slide into his place? Or if we cut off the head of the snake, would the body also die?

Footsteps approach, and I lift my head, looking through my one good eye at the older man approaching.

“Your club does not seem to be in any hurry to get you back,” Hector observes, his face curled into that permanent smirk caused by his scar.

“Yeah, well, I can be a pain in the ass. I don’t blame them.”

“I hope they’re not planning on doing something stupid.”

“We’re an MC. We’re not exactly known for our brains.” I shrug and give a soft laugh. Trying to make yourself half likeable to the person who has taken you is another way to eke out time in captivity, and right now, buying time is the most important thing I can do.

Hector taps his lips. “Something tells me you are more intelligent than you make out.”

“Nah.” I shrug. “We’re all just muscle and mayhem.”

He purses his mouth. “Maybe some of you, but others…” He narrows his eyes.

Does he know I have a military background? If he does, he may be more suspicious of me than if he thinks I’m just a biker. If I play dumb, they’re more likely to make a mistake somewhere along the way.

I know Jack and the others aren’t dumb either. Some of the club members aren’t the brainiest, though—the Numbnuts being the most obvious examples.

God, how I wish the MC was here now to get me out of this place. But Jack’s been shot, and I have no idea what his condition is. If he’s fighting for his life, the last thing he’ll be worrying about is what’s going on with me. I’m confident the rest of the MC won’t just give up on me, though. They’ll be doing whatever it takes to get me back.

“Do you know if my club prez has pulled through?” If Hector has someone on the inside, perhaps they’ve told him how Jack is doing? I doubt he’ll tell me, but I have to ask, even though he probably hasn’t got a fucking clue.

I’m worried sick about Jack. The last thing I saw before my world went black was him getting hit in the leg. I don’t know if he sustained more injuries after.

The cartel is unlikely to have eyes at the hospital. So, unless his insider has updated him with recent club news, he won’t know. Still, I try, despite knowing it’s a long shot. They’re here for Ledger, nothing more. They aren’t going to have spies all over the place. Besides which, Hector has said that shooting Jack was a mistake, and I believe him. In which case he wouldn’t have known Jack would end up in hospital and have anyone planted there.

Hector pauses then says, “There is no indication that he has died.”

I note that somewhat interesting response. That’s the sort of answer a politician would give to a question he doesn’t like, or a bare-faced lie, which is the more likely option. It’s also bad news for us, as him giving me such a bullshit answer shows Hector can’t be trusted even a little.

He could just decide to shoot me at any moment. Still, at least now Camile will be looked after, and that’s what’s important. Of course, I don’t want to die, and my heart aches at the loss of the future we might have had, but her going on to live a long and happy life is all that matters to me, even if I don’t get to be a part of it.

I’m so grateful to Rook and Ace for including me in what they have together, even if it was only one time. I wish I’d stayed afterward now, but I’d been beating myself up for giving in like I had.

What a fool I’d been. I’d been given the greatest gift, and I’d run from it. Fear got in the way of what I really wanted, and I won’t let it happen again if I survive this. I’ll find the strength to claim what I want, Camile, and more, a place in the family she’s building with Ace and Rook.

Maybe with Jack, too, if he pulls through. God, I really don’t want him to die; he’s like family to me. Despite not caring for Jack personally, I doubt Hector wants Jack to die either. If he does, he must realize there is no way he’ll be getting his son back.

Not that Hector will ever see his son again. Shooting Jack had been a mistake, but the man responsible has already paid the ultimate price for ever getting involved with us. He just doesn’t know it yet.

“You’d better hope the girl makes the right decision about disclosing the location of the safehouse, and if she tries to lie again, she’ll live to regret it.”

“Camile will make the right choice.” I bite back what I really want to say and do to him for threatening Camile. I’m doing my best to keep playing it cool.

I’ll let him make of that what he will.

She won’t give up the safehouse, not even for her mother’s life.

“It’s a good offer. I hope the people around her will make her see that.” He gives me a pointed stare as if I can influence the rest of the MC from here.

“What does the timeline look like?” I ask. “If you’re going to reach the safehouse then bring her mother back here to make the exchange, I guess I’ll get to spend a lot more time in your scintillating company?”