“There’s no one out there. No sign of forced entry.” I scrub a palm over the back of my head. I shouldn’t be here. I should be home getting drunk on Karma’s pussy. Was about to leave the clubhouse when Zoe called. I started not to take her call but figured she wouldn’t be dialing me unless it was an emergency.
“Are you sure?”
“Why’d you call me? Coulda called your brother or gotten Navarro to take a look.”
“Link is busy with Pam and the kids. I didn’t want to worry him, and I don’t need to give Kimber another reason to drool over Nav.”
“Fair enough. When was the last time you had contact?”
She shrugs. “I don’t know it’s been a while, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t snooping around.”
No one has laid eyes on Billy in years. Link ran him out of town years ago. Every now and then the lousy fuck gets drunk and finds her number. Calls under the guise of wanting to check on his girls when really all he wants is money because he can’t hold a job and has nasty habits. He’s stupid but smart enough not to test Link’s patience by making an appearance in town. I’m surprised he’s still breathing, and that Link hasn’t put him down for the shit he put his sister and nieces through.
“He knows better.”
“Maybe.”
“You really think he was here or you trying to scope shit out between Karma and me. Maybe you’re having second thoughts about calling it quits.”
“All those things can be true at the same time.” She shoots me a weak smile that doesn’t quite deliver.
“Made yourself clear on the phone the other night so let me do the same in case it wasn’t crystal at the hospital. You made your choice and I’ve made mine. I want a woman who can handle my life and has no doubts that it’s my bed she wants to be in. Found it in Karma years ago. She wasn’t ready then, but she is now. Next time you hear something, call your brother. Call the prospect. You’ve got two girls to protect, and I respect that. What I don’t respect is you using that as an excuse to play games. You’re not a player, sweetheart. It’s not a good look.” I leave the conversation hanging there and step off the porch. I head to my bike and don’t look back or give her an opportunity to argue. Got me a woman to get home to.
The minute I roll up the driveway I know something is wrong. Dogs are barking like mad and there’s no movement from inside. I hit the backyard and the security lights don’t kick on, but I observe the glass of the sliding back door broken and just inside She-Ra lays in a puddle of blood.
Fuck. Fucking hell. Goddamnit. My girl’s eyes hit mine and she whines. Thank fuck she’s still alive. I pull my cell out and dial Viking. “My house now. Bring Andi.” All this blood doesn’t belong to the dog. As much as it kills me, I leave my dog on the floor and move through the house knowing I’m not going to find Karma but having to check just in case. Whoever took her is long gone. I touch the contents littering the kitchen floor. Karma made her strawberry dessert she knows I love. The food is cool to the touch and tells me nothing. I close the oven door and hit the power button.
I drop my ass to the floor and check on She-Ra. She’s been shot above her right front leg. The bleeding has slowed. I need to be on the road going after Karma, but I can’t abandon my dog until backup arrives. And if I know Karma, she’s giving Carlos Sanchez and his men hell. It takes about twenty minutes for Viking to arrive with a pajama clad Andi.
“Take care of her,” I order.
Andi’s face pales. “I’m not a vet.”
“Don’t give a fuck. Just handle it.”
Viking motions me to the living room to talk and give Andi room to work in the kitchen floor.
“What the fuck happened? Where’s my sister?”
“I fucked up.”
“You were supposed to be protecting her. If anything has happened to her it’s on you, motherfucker.”
She-Ra howls and I swear to fuck I’m about to lose it.
I punch a hole in the wall and Viking grabs my shoulder, giving me a jerk. I turn and swing on him needing something or someone to take my rage out on.
He ducks and shoves me back. “You don’t want to fight me. Pull it together, man. My sister’s life may depend on it. Now tell me what the fuck happened.”
“If I hadn’t answered Zoe’s call I’d been here.”
“Zoe.” His nostrils flair.
“Yeah, bitch called me said she thought her ex was nosing around.”
“Was he?”
I shake my head. “Not that I can tell.”
“Was she ordered to lure you from the house?”
“Doubt it. Think she was putting feelers out. Having regrets and I set her ass straight.”
“Just coincidence.” He nods and we go through the possibilities but we both know we’re wasting time. Sanchez has her and I’m going to kill him.
Andi informs us that she’s taking She-Ra to an emergency clinic. Going to tell them there was a break-in or some shit. I don’t give a fuck what she tells them. As long as my girl is good that’s all that matters. I’ll send a brother over to take care of the report. Get her treated and give them my contact information. “Keep Viking posted. Whatever she needs I’ll pay. And not a word of this to your pencil dick pig boyfriend. Got me?”
“I understand.”
“Good.”
Viking puts a quilt down across the back seat of Andi’s Durango, and I lay She-Ra down as gently as I can, but my baby is in pain.
I watch Viking and Andi practically eye fucking each other while I dial Sandman and Prez. I don’t know what their fucking deal is. He needs to lay claim to her or let her fucking go. This shit whatever it is with her isn’t good for him or her. They are dancing in circles around each other. I see it. And if I notice it, so does her cop boyfriend. The no-good lousy asshole who loves to make all our lives miserable.
Andi takes off with my dog and Viking and I ride out to the clubhouse to meet Prez.