Page 34 of Link (Dragon Riders MC 1)
A fucking shock collar, of all things.
I’m coming back for all of you. I swear it.
“Come on, guys. Let’s go,” I said.
I lunged at Skeleton one more time, just to make him jump in front of his men. Then, I rounded up the guys. We left that motel standing, which I knew was a bad choice. But for now, I considered Hope’s freedom a win. We needed to reconvene, though. I wanted to take down that entire operation of theirs. The women of this town deserved better. The women of this world deserved better.
And if I had the chance to rid this planet of just one sex trafficking operation, I’d consider it a mark of honor.
“You okay?” Bowser asked.
I threw my leg over my bike. “I’m going to go tell Joanna the news. I want the rest of you to head back to the bar, though.”
Ash handed me my helmet. “Any reason why?”
I shot him a look. “You know damn good and well what I’m thinking right now.”
Ash nodded as my eyes fell back to the front door of the motel lobby. Men stood outside the doors with their guns aimed at us. Ready to shoot us in the back if we so much as rode off in the wrong fashion. I watched Skeleton approach the door, cowering behind his men. He rubbed his throat with his hand as a frown took over his cheeks, and I knew this wouldn't be the last of my issues with this fuckwad.
“All right, guys. Let’s ride,” I said.
The second we all hit the main road, I split off from them. Bowser led the guys back to the Iron Horse while I made my way to Joanna’s. I didn’t want another second to go by without the news. But I also wanted her to see this contract. With both pieces of the ripped paper in my pocket, I navigated my way through town. I wasn’t sure if Joanna would be home or at her office, but I figured I’d try her house first. Since that was closer to me than her place of work.
And I guessed right when I saw that red Subaru parked in the driveway.
Perfect.
A curtain fluttered as I pulled up beside her car. I cut the engine and pulled off my helmet as the front door opened. I made my way to her, watching as she stepped out onto the porch. Wearing black-rimmed glasses, a silken black nightgown, and puffy white house shoes.
How the fuck did she look so hot in puffy white house shoes?
“Link. Is everything okay?” she asked.
I grinned as I walked up to her. “I have news.”
“Do you know when you and Ash are going to be meeting with Hope? She’s been asking me about it.”
“Even better news.”
She paused. “Wait. Is Hope…?”
I nodded. “She’s free, Joanna.”
Her jaw dropped open. “But how did— The meeting— It—but Hope—”
I pulled out the crumbled contract from my pocket and handed it to her.
“What’s this?” she asked.
“Hope’s ripped-up contract.”
She furrowed her brow. “It’s only one sheet of paper.”
“And it stipulated that she could only be released from her services at the motel if Skeleton himself fired her.”
Her eyes whipped up to mine. “So, he fired her?”
“Yep. Got it on recording, too. Hope is a free woman. And the crew will extend our protections to both you and her for a little while until tensions die down. Just to make sure they don’t make a play for either one of you.”
“Do you think that’s something that will happen?”
“You’re dealing with people who work outside of the law. I’d expect them to try something.”
“But Hope could come stay with me now?”
I nodded. “It would actually be better if the two of you were in the same location. Easier to keep you two safe if we aren’t split up like that.”
“I’ll definitely let her know then.”
I paused. “You okay?”
She swallowed hard. “Just—in a bit of shock. I didn’t—I thought this would take much longer than it did.”
“Well, when you know how to deal with cowards like Skeleton, it doesn’t usually take some grand plan to make things work. Just a show of muscle and the promise of a bad time if things don’t work out.”
She held up her hand. “Spare me the details, just in case.”
I grinned. “Noted.”
Her eyes danced between mine. “Thank you. For everything. I don’t even know how to repay you, other than to cut you a check.”
“We’ll talk about that later. Our job isn’t quite done yet.”
She thumbed over her shoulder. “I should go inside and call Hope.”
“I’ll head in with you. Your protection should start now. And depending on what Hope says, I can send Ash to her location to help her get her things and get her here. Or wherever the two of you want to go.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m positive, Joanna.”
