Sour Cherry(26)

The front door opened, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“Did you forget something?” I called out, my irritation tinting every word. “Or did you finally realize you need my help?”

I didn’t get an answer.

“Cooper?” I made my way out of the bedroom and walked toward the living room.

Two people waited for me, neither of them Cooper.

I tried not to let the fear slithering up my spine appear on my expression or in my words. Leaning against the wall with my arms crossed over my chest, I gave them my full attention and hid my shaking hands. “I was wondering when you’d show up.”





Chapter Ten

Amelia smiled back at me, motherly, inviting. “Hey, baby. Where have you been?” She walked over to me, her heels pounding on my hardwood floors as she swayed her hips, then embraced me.

Shock splintered down my limbs like lightning. A hug from the club’s matron was the last thing I’d expected when she showed up. This woman had ordered our Sergeant at Arms to shoot me out of a freaking vent, for crying out loud.

My president’s electric blue gaze settled on me as I hugged his wife. His expression remained cold, calculating. In his forties, Ryder Branson controlled everything and everyone within his club with an iron fist. If orders weren’t followed or completed, punishment ensued. He might chalk it up to an accident afterward, but occasionally, people just disappeared. The dead look in his eyes made me wonder what he’d tell the other members of my club. Would it be an accident or a missing persons case?

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

Amelia released me from her embrace. With perfect beehive hair, dark makeup and crow’s feet around her eyes and lips, my president’s old lady held me at arm's length. “We’re here to help you, Cherry. We’re always here to help you.” She shook me slightly as if I wasn’t paying attention. “Now where’s the package, sweetie? Where’d you stash it?”

She dropped her hands then began picking up the dirty clothes and couch pillows off my floor.

“I don’t have it.” I rubbed my arms where she’d touched me, careful not to make any sudden movements as I watched her. My gaze darted toward Ryder to see his reaction, but I only received a blank expression. He didn’t believe me. “I’m telling the truth, Ryder. I met with the contact and gave them the box. Only now I think they weren’t the real Hell’s Angels—”

“You’re changing your story?” Ryder crossed his arms over his muscular chest. In every day attire, he looked like a normal guy. Married. Kids. Great day job at a bank. But on the weekends, like today, Ryder exuded power in his jeans, cut, work boots and cut-off gloves, and scared the shit out of me. “Amelia, babe, why don’t you get a drink from across the street?”

“I don’t think that’s a good id—”

“Now.”

Her green eyes lingered on me before she threw a quick smile to her husband. She planted a passionate kiss on his lips as she passed him, then whispered something in his ear before heading into the hallway. She closed the door behind her, leaving me alone with my club president.

I didn’t know what to say, or what to do, than just stand there. This man had ordered his wife and Talon to kill me back at the safe house. And they would have if not for Cooper. Whispering thoughts of his safety crossed my mind. Had they caught up with him, too? The idea made me cringe. Over the last week, he’d played an integral part in my life and I couldn’t lose him because of some damn box.

“Why don’t you have a seat?” Ryder motioned to the couch.

I struggled to remember if I’d put any weapons in the couch as I moved toward it, a knife or gun perhaps? Maybe something my father had left behind? I couldn’t defend myself against Ryder. He’d been in the club practically all his life, a hardened criminal and fighter to the bone, but I’d sure as hell make it hard for him to kill me. I sat down and watched as Ryder took the recliner across from me.

“Is this the part where you tell me I deserve this and then put a bullet in my head?”

“I want you to tell me the truth, Cherry. You owe me that much.”

“Seriously? You sent Talon and your old lady to kill me. I don’t owe you shit.” I had to keep my temper under control. I didn’t want things to get worse, but I just couldn’t let Ryder get away with what he’d done. I inhaled slowly, letting the air disintegrate the anger building in my chest, and let it out. “I did as you asked. I showed up at 9:00 p.m. just like the instructions said, at the junkyard on Trop, and waited for the Angels to show. Forty minutes later, I handed them the package and left.”