Breaking The Biker (The Biker Series) - An MC Gold Vipers Motorcycle Club Biker Romance Novel (12 page)

As we neared Joanna and Phillip’s log cabin, she slowed the car down. 

“Look, there’s a car parked outside. It was there last night, next to Phillip’s,” she said, pointing up the dirt road.

It was a newer red BMW. “And you’re not sure whose it is?”

“No. I thought it was someone he was having an affair with, but I left so fast, I didn’t get a chance to see the owner.”

“Maybe this person is the one caring for Billy?”

“That’s what I’m wondering. I’m parking back here. They’ll see us if we get too close,” she said, pulling behind some trees.

Catching another glimpse of the home, I couldn’t help but feel like I was very much out of my element. The cabin, which had to be over ten-thousand square feet, looked like something out of an architectural magazine.

“This place is breathtaking,” I said, staring at the large, rustic retreat.  

“Thanks. It took two years to build,” she said, shutting off the car.

“I bet,” I replied, feeling a stab of envy. I could never provide such a luxurious home for Billy and it made me feel so inadequate.

“I know. It looks a little overwhelming,” admitted Joanna. “And, honestly, I think it’s too much for just the two of us. I wanted something cozy and quaint, but Phillip insisted on going big.” She smirked. “Probably because he lacks in size, if you get my drift.”

I smiled. “That explains a lot.”

“Well, are you ready?” she asked, holding out the keys to me.

I grabbed them.

“Let’s go and find your son.”

Dropping the keys into my purse, I pulled out the gun. “Let’s go.”

She frowned. “Do you know how to use that thing?”

“Yes.”

She sighed. “If this goes bad, I wasn’t here. I foresee a divorce in my near future, and I can’t afford to lose my job.”

“I understand,” I said, getting out of the vehicle.

Joanna got out, too, and we began making our way to the back of the cabin. When we reached the door, she pulled a set of keys out of her purse. “This is crazy, but I shouldn’t be so nervous about going into my own home. I’m really beginning to hate Phillip for making me feel this way.”

“Welcome to the club.” 

She slid the key into the door and let out a ragged breath. “Okay. Here goes nothing.”

I watched as Joanna unlocked the door and then followed her inside to an impressive entertainment area. Not only was there an eighty-inch projector television, but they had twelve leather loungers facing it. There was also a popcorn machine behind the seating area, and a soda dispenser.

“Obviously, this is our media room,” she said, closing the door behind us. “We’ve never used it, but Phillip insisted that we needed something like this.”

“It’s nice,” I replied. “And I love that smell.” The giant room smelled like cedar and leather. 

“I used to, but quite honestly, it’s making me sick to my stomach,” she said, looking around. “All of it. You know, the more that I learn about my husband, the more nauseous I become.”

I didn’t know how to respond, since I couldn’t stand him myself.

“Come on. Let’s go search the rest of the house.”

I followed her out and we quietly checked the remaining rooms in the basement. Not finding anyone, we headed toward the staircase.

She turned around and looked at me. “This will lead into the kitchen. So be prepared,” she whispered.

“I’m surprised you don’t have a security system,” I whispered back as we started up the stairs.

“He’s been meaning to get one installed. You hear that?” she whispered, stopping abruptly.

There were muffled voices coming from the other side of the door.

“I think it’s the TV,” I whispered.

“There’s one in the kitchen.”

I recognized the music and voices from a television show Billy adored,
Dora, the Explorer.
Then we both heard the
sound of a young child laughing.

“I told you. It’s him. He’s here,” she whispered, beaming a smile at me

I quickly went around her, needing to see if my son was actually in the house.

“Wait,” she whispered loudly.

Ignoring Joanna, I cracked the door open slightly and peeked through. The first thing I noticed was a woman sitting down at the kitchen island, engrossed in a book. She appeared to be in her fifties, had white hair, and was dressed to the nines. Something about her was familiar, but I wasn’t sure what. Feeling more courageous, I opened the door a little wider and that’s when I almost fell backwards to my death. My two-year-old son, the love of my life, was seated in a high chair, watching television and eating crackers. His left arm was in some kind of a sling, but other than that, he was alive and breathing.

My eyes filled with tears. “Oh, my God… Billy!” I gasped, flinging the door open. I rushed over to where he was seated and set the gun down to free him from the high-chair.

“Mommy,” he cried happily, raising his right hand to me as I pulled the plastic top off.

“You get away from him,” snapped the older woman, coming to life.

“Raina, watch out,” said Joanna in a strangled voice.

I looked over my shoulder and found myself staring into the barrel of a gun.

“Mommy,” whined Billy, trying to get the seatbelt off by himself. “Out.”

“Put the gun down,” I said, furious at myself for putting mine down.

“Back away from him,” she said, ignoring me. “
Now
.”

“No. This is my son and there is nothing you can do to make me leave him,” I said, my voice shaky.

“Betty, what in the hell are you doing?” said Joanna, taking a step closer to her.

It was then that I recognized the woman. She was Phillip and Mark’s estranged aunt. Mark had mentioned a few times that the woman was crazy. I’d never suspected just how much.

“You stay out of this,” ordered Betty, waving the gun back and forth between the two of us now. “Jake!” she cried loudly.

Not understanding why I wasn’t getting him out of the high-chair, Billy began to cry.

“It’s okay,” I said, turning away from Betty again. As threatening as she was, I could tell by the look in her eyes that she wouldn’t actually shoot me. At least, I hoped I was reading that correctly.

“You’re insane,” said Joanna. “Do you know how much trouble you’re in?”

“Shut up,” she replied. “And you… get away from him.”

Only half-listening, I unbuckled Billy and pulled him up and into my arms, trying to be careful with his arm. He rested his head on my shoulder and I kissed his cheek, my tears sliding off of my nose, onto his nose. He had fever, which worried me. Especially since I didn’t know what was under his bandage.

“Mommy, that tickles,” he said, giggling, as more of my tears dripped onto his skin.

“Sorry, sweetheart. Does your arm hurt a lot?”

His smile fell and he nodded.

I kissed his forehead, relishing in the baby shampoo scent I’d missed so much. At least they’d kept him clean and fed. “We’ll bring you to a doctor and see if they can help you feel better.”

“Okay,” Billy replied and then turned to Joanna. “Hi.”

“Hi. Goodness, you poor little guy,” said Joanna, her eyes soft. “Your mommy is here now. She’ll take good care of you.”

“Yes. Thanks to you,” I said, unable to thank her enough.

“I’m just relieved that he was still here.”

“Me, too.” Although, the thought of what he must have gone through during the last couple of weeks made me both angry and frustrated. I looked over at Joanna. “Let’s get him out of here.”

“Stop where you are,” said a man’s voice firmly.

Stiffening up, I turned around and saw a balding, middle-aged man, with glasses, pointing a revolver at me.

“Well if it isn’t the medical genius himself,” said Joanna dryly. “This is the guy I was telling you about, Raina. Jacob Slether.”

I gritted my teeth. “You’re the man whose been experimenting with my child?”

“Put the boy down or I’ll shoot you in the head. Right in front of your son.”

The thought of Billy witnessing that made me hesitate. “You’re really going to shoot someone carrying a child?”

“If you don’t put the boy down, yes. Most definitely. I’m actually a very good shot. Betty,” he said, much louder, “you’d better call Phillip.”

She reached for the cell phone, sitting on the dark granite counter, and began searching for the number.

“Put the gun down before someone gets hurt,” said Joanna, talking a couple of steps toward him. “I’m sure Phillip would be extremely angry with you if you hurt Billy, even if it was by accident.”

“Get back,” he said, cocking the gun. “Or you’ll be the one who gets hurt.”

She raised her hands in the air and gave him a dirty look. “Fine. Just be careful with that thing.”

He waved the gun back toward me. “We have a plane to catch soon and I’ve got no time for games. Now, you put the child down or I’ll shoot Joanna.”

“What?” I gasped.

“Mommy… I want to go home,” moaned Billy, putting his fingers into his mouth. He laid his head down on my shoulder once again.

“I know, honey. I know.” Determined not to leave without my son, I looked back at Slether. “Listen to me, if you just let us leave, we won’t say a word. I swear to God.”

He laughed coldly. “Right.”

“I’m serious. I don’t want anything to do with the law. I just want to take my son home. Please, let us go.”

“Sorry, but that’s not going to happen. Now listen, I’ll give you ten seconds to put the kid down or I’ll just start shooting. One… two…”

Before he could make it to ‘three’, Joanna ran out of the room, screaming her head off as a distraction. It was almost comical.

“Dammit,” growled Slether. “Betty, stay here with them.”

She picked up the gun from the counter and pointed it at me again.

Slether ran off.

Still not believing that she’d fire the gun at us, I decided to act. I held onto Billy as tight as I could and ran toward the basement.

She gasped. “Stop! Jake! She’s getting away!”

I made it to the stairs and raced down, frantic to get my son out of the cabin. As I took the last step, I heard someone following me. Thinking it was Betty, I glanced over my shoulder and to my dismay, found that it was Slether coming after me.

“No,” I mumbled, running toward the media room. Before I could make it, Slether fired the gun, shooting me in the thigh. Crying out in pain, I stumbled to the ground while trying not to land on my son. The next thing I knew, he was pulling Billy out of my arms.

“Mommy!” cried Billy.

“Let him go, you bastard!” I screamed, watching in horror as Slether ran away with my son.

Using all of my strength, I got back to my feet and limped over to the stairs, frantic to get Billy back.

“I don’t think so,” said Betty, standing at the top, her gun pointed down toward me. “You aren’t getting him back and we don’t need any witnesses.”

I raised my hand. “Please. He’s my son,” I begged. “You can’t do this.”

“It’s already been done,” she said smirking.

I stared past her and saw Joanna coming up behind Betty. She shoved the older woman forward, sending her tumbling down the steps. Horrified, I got out of the way, as she landed near my feet, her neck broken.

“Hurry!” called Joanna, turning away from the stairs. “Before he gets away!”

Lightheaded and in a world of hurt, I climbed up, focusing on nothing else but getting my son back. As I reached the top of the staircase, I heard the sound of an automatic garage door. Panicking, I stumbled through the cabin, toward the front door. When I made it outside and onto the porch, I saw a red SUV kicking up dust as it headed away from the house.

Slether was getting away.

“No!” I screamed, dropping to my knees.