Page 16 of Knuckles (Dragon Riders MC 4)
No. No. This kidnapping was much too close to the moment I finally tracked down something about Skeleton.
“That fucker has her,” I murmured to myself.
I set her phone beside me and dug my own out. Part of me wanted to call the local police, but I knew they’d know even less than we did about Skeleton. They were trying as hard as they could, but federal officers were stretched thin nowadays. And even the ones that cooperated with us and helped us out along the way had been off the radar for a while now. There were always new demands for their kind. They weren’t just law bringers and people-protectors. They had to be community outreach as well as counselors and on-the-spot paramedics, if the situation called for it.
So, I decided to call Bowser and fill him in instead.
I dialed his number and closed my eyes as the phone rang in my ear. Every second that slipped by was another opportunity Skeleton had to slit Simone’s throat, and the idea made me more furious than I’d ever been in my entire life. I was angry with myself for letting her get the upper hand with me. I was disappointed in myself for not demanding more answers from her once we finally got to this motel. And what was worse, I fully regretted bringing her along.
Even though I knew damn good and well I would’ve been distracted anyway.
“Shit,” I hissed.
“That can’t be good,” Bowser said.
I sighed. “We got an issue, man.”
“Tell me what’s happened.”
I swallowed hard. “Simone’s been taken.”
He didn’t skip a beat. “Any chance it’s whatever threat she’s running from?”
“I never even got into it with her. But I’ve got a feeling it was Skeleton and his fucking men.”
“How do you figure?”
“Dude, I found the only link between Skeleton and this area he supposedly has a warehouse in or something, and two hours later Simone is taken? Really?”
He paused. “You got a point.”
“And before you ask, I don’t know shit about the car that took her. All I’ve got are tire treads outside. I can send pictures.”
“Send them straight to Ash. I just told him to open his laptop.”
I stood up. “Give me a few seconds. I’ll send them while you’re still on the phone.”
I charged back outside and felt a few eyes on me. Well, more than a few. I looked over toward the front lobby and saw the girl behind the desk staring at me with a phone in her ear. Well, if I hadn’t called local authorities, she probably was. Which meant our entire motel had been blown for us.
“Pretty sure the front desk attendant is—”
Bowser cut me off. “Just take the damn pictures.”
“All right, all right. Doing it now.”
I snapped pictures with the flash on as well as off. I took them from every angle I could as I heard sirens off in the distance. I cursed beneath my breath and sent the pictures right to Ash before putting the cell back to my ear.
Then, I headed quickly back into the room.
“I’ve also got her cell phone with me, so there’s no tracking it to get to them. It’s locked, and I’m sure we’re going to want in,” I said.
Bowser clicked his tongue. “Ash just told me he’s coming with all his equipment. Him and Sly will be there by the morning. In the meantime, I want you to stay put until—”
“Dude, I’m sorry. But I can’t wait until morning to go after Simone. She could be dead by then.”
“It was your idea to take her and you knew the risks. Now, buck it up and suck it up.”
Anger filled my veins. “No, you listen to me. We’re working with threats we don’t even know about right now and getting into her phone might be the only way to figure them out. But as of right now? I’ve got sirens in the distance telling me that police are about to roll up on this place, ask me questions, and throw me out. So, I don’t even know if we’ll have a motel to come to by the end of it.”
“One? None of that shit is my problem. It’s yours. And yes, I agree that we need to get into her phone. As for that front office woman? Link’s the one on the phone with her. Just confirming reservations. So, I don’t know who the hell those sirens are for that you’re hearing? But they aren’t you.”
I drew in a sobering breath. “Bowser, he’s going to kill her. You know this.”
“And we’re going to find her before that happens. You know that as well.”
“This is all my fault. I never should’ve brought her. I never should’ve—”
“Knuckles!”
My back stiffened. “Sorry.”
He sighed. “Look, I know your brain is in every which direction right now. Trust me, I get that. I honestly do.”
