Hellbent Hero by Naomi Porter

8

Storm

TRACK AND I were on our way back to the compound when Copper called not ten minutes after leaving the jail. While I was visiting Hero, Track checked in on some of the businesses we provided security to. With Hero locked up and Boxer preparing for his fight, Track had to pick up the slack.

Copper clearly sounded worried about Tara, so I turned right around and went to her place. The prospect wasn’t one to exaggerate shit, so I knew he wasn’t bullshitting me.

The brisk air chilled me to the bone. Sometimes we’d have an early snowfall in October. Kids would tromp through the streets bundled in winter gear while trick or treating. Those cheap polyester costumes in the stores were a waste of money in the northern states, unless the kids stayed inside to wear them. A mask was all they needed to go with their winter gear, so they didn’t freeze their asses off.

Except the snow didn’t always stick around. It just teased us. Gave us a taste of what was to come. Not that Minnesotans expected anything less than six months of winter. For fuck’s sake, it was a long-ass season here. Why my west coast brothers stayed was beyond me. I grew up in these parts, but Hero and Wolf were California boys. They had the beach while I had subzero temperatures. Whatever. To each his own.

My brothers and I had already taken our snowmobiles out of storage to get them in tip-top shape. Trail signs were recently posted throughout the town and in the country. If we couldn’t ride our hogs, then a snowmobile was the next best thing. We screwed around a lot during winter, racing each other through the woods behind the clubhouse, and did lots of hunting and ice fishing.

The extreme cold didn’t keep us inside. We loved it. I was fucking happy more people didn’t move here.

I pulled my bike alongside Copper’s, where he was perched on the seat. His grim expression told me this wasn’t good. Track came in next to me.

I jerked my chin. “What’s up?” My gaze scanned the area, assuring nothing appeared amiss. In my mind, Tara was Hero’s woman. That put her under the club’s protection. But being Angel’s best friend elevated Tara’s status even more for me.

“Thank fuck you’re here.” Copper dragged his hand over his cheek. “I have a bad feeling, Prez. Tara wasn’t doing so well after she saw Hero.”

“Yeah, we’ll deal with that issue later.” My jaw twitched. Copper should’ve called me the second he knew Tara was going to see Hero. Damn, prospects knew better than to think for themselves.

“I know I screwed up.” He brushed his hand through his hair, nervously looking at the trailer house. “But I couldn’t exactly stop her from entering the building with people around.” He exhaled a shuddered breath. The kid was seriously worked up over this.

“No, I suppose not. What’s got you worried?”

I cut my eyes at Track, who looked equally concerned.

“Tara adopted a kitten this afternoon. She seemed happy about it. Went to the store to buy supplies. She named her Luna. We played with it for a couple of hours. Then it all spiraled from there.”

I furrowed my brow, pushing my kickstand out. “How so?”

Copper inhaled a deep breath. Clearly struggling over whatever happened. “Tara wanted to order a pizza, but I told her I’d eat at the clubhouse. Then I asked her to come back… for Madeline. She said no. But I pushed, and she pushed back.”

Track snorted. “Not surprising. That redhead is a fiery one.”

Copper nodded. “She doesn’t want me guarding her anymore.” He appeared hurt by that. “She kicked me out. Locked up her doors and closed all the windows.”

I shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal. “So?”

“It didn’t feel right. She seemed out of control. Like a druggy needing a fix.”

“Tara doesn’t do drugs,” I told him, getting off my bike. I stared at the dark trailer house. It was too early for her to have gone to bed.

“I know. I just had a weird feeling. Y’know, in my gut, so I went around the back. The only light I found filtered out of the small window in the bathroom.”

I recalled the rectangular window on the wall above the shower when I was in it with Madeline during the summer. It was cracked open to let the steam out.

Copper lifted off his bike. “It was partly open. I don’t think Tara realized. I heard Luna’s little cries. And humming. I smelled smoke, but it wasn’t weed. Then I heard Tara cry out and whimper like she was in pain. I bolted around to the front and banged on the door. She never answered. I didn’t want to break it down so I called you.”

“Fuck.” I stalked to the door, not needing to hear anymore. I knocked on the aluminum screen. Alarms went off inside me. If something happened to her, I’d have hell to pay from Hero. Jesus, and my Angel. “Tara! Open up!” I banged harder, testing the pathetic lock; I opened the rickety storm door. The main one was locked, as Copper had said. “Tara!”

The door flew open, catching me by surprise.

“What?” she hissed, nostrils flared. Tara had two sides to her. I’d observed her protective and kind side with Madeline and her short-tempered, angry side when Hero ghosted her. The way she flipped from one to the other had me wondering if a broken girl was under her rough exterior. I knew from experience, brokenness bred erratic behaviors.

I smelled it—cigarette smoke. Tara’s eyes were red around the rims the way Angel’s got when crying. Something was definitely up with her.

“Copper told me you didn’t want him guarding you anymore. Not happening. Let me in so we can talk.”

“No. You don’t control me like you do Maddy.” She started to close the door. I stuck my boot partially inside, stopping her. “You don’t want to mess with me, Storm. I’ll go to the Sheriff. Get a restraining order.”

I laughed at her ignorance. “Don’t forget who runs Winters, little lady.” I pushed my way into her home like a barbarian, spotting the kitten on the sofa.

“Get out of my house!” She grabbed her phone off the coffee table. “I’m not joking. I’ll call nine-one-one. Tell them there’s an intruder.” Her hands shook violently. Was it fear or something more?

I sniffed the air. “Since when do you smoke?”

“That’s none of your fucking business, Biker Prez. Now get the fuck out! You better hope I don’t tell Maddy how you barged in uninvited. She won’t take well to it.”

I sneered at her. “Bitch, don’t fuck with my woman and me. The only reason I’m here is that you’re her best friend. And Hero’s woman.” I threw out the last part to gauge her reaction.

Fury sparked in her brown eyes as they teared up. “I am not his woman!”

“Keep telling yourself that, Roja.”

She took a swing at me. “You dick!” I caught her wrist before she hit my face.

“Don’t,” I growled in warning. Clearly she was unhinged. I threw her arm back and stalked to the door. I wouldn’t engage her further. But I had eyes on her to make sure she didn’t do anything crazy. Then, not looking back, I shouted, “Whatever’s going on with you, I will find out.”

“Get. To. Hell!”

The door slammed shut behind me. That didn’t go as I’d expected.

Fucking women. I’d struck gold with my Angel. She was the most even-keeled woman I knew, next to Sugar and Tina. Probably why Madeline was perfect old lady material. And the simple fact she was my soulmate…

“Let’s go,” I barked at Track and Copper.

“We’re just going to leave her unprotected?” Copper asked with a baffled expression. He didn’t know her place was littered with cameras.

“I’ll put someone else on her. Make sure they stay out of sight.” I straddled my bike, giving Track a nod. “We need to get back, but first, I need to make a call.” I was supposed to have supper with my wife before the council met for church—a little one on one. After that, the meeting would run until we got word from Boxer’s informant that Dutra was dead. It could take all night.

Track and Copper got on their bikes, waiting for my lead.

I took out my cell phone and called Grizzly.

“It’s Grizz.”

“I need you to see if you find anything unusual at Tara’s.”

“Anything specific?”

“No. Take a listen over the last couple of hours. I’m on my way back to the club.”

“On it.” The line went dead.

“Let’s go,” I shouted to the guys, then started my hog and took off.