Lucky's Choice (12 page)

Lucky raised his head, staring at the moon as it began to sink behind the mountains. He pressed the heels of his hands against his eyes. He was unable to bring himself to pray. He had gone against the very essence of everything he believed in, committing untold sins then repeatedly asking forgiveness. It was a vicious cycle that had held him prisoner until the only hope he had left was to cut the tie to Treepoint as he had the church. The door was now closed to that source of solace, and he was on the outside where he wanted to be.

That was what he had been telling himself over and over, trying to make himself believe he was ready to move on to a different way of life. He had to give himself time to adjust, and leaving would give him that, another lie he repeatedly told himself.

Sinking to his knees, he shivered, not from the chilly morning air, but from having his soul ripped apart.

He jerked when a hand gently touched his shoulder.

“Dean, are you okay?”

Lucky dropped his hands but he didn’t turn to face Rachel, unable to look at the woman who had sat in his church since high school.

“I’m fine.” Lucky cleared his throat. “What are you doing out here? It’s freezing.”

“I don’t know. I woke up, and something told me to come outside. Then I saw you…” Her voice trailed off into silence.

“Go back inside. I’m fine.” He didn’t want to talk to her. The one he wanted to talk to wasn’t listening to him anymore.

Her hand flattened against his shoulder and a warmth began to seep into his damp flesh from her touch, spreading down his arm and coursing through the rest of his body.

“I don’t think you’ve been fine for a while, Dean. For years, you’ve given everyone else your strength until you have nothing left for yourself when you need it the most.”

Lucky shook his head. “I turned my back on what gave me strength.”

“My gift left me for a while before it returned even stronger. He doesn’t leave us. My ancestors came across the Appalachian Mountains during the Trail of Tears. It would have been easy for them to give up, but they didn’t. Instead, their beliefs were handed down for generations. They weren’t given an easy path. My grandmother told me stories about how they would look for the moon to rise every night to rest and give thanks for surviving another day. Then they looked for the sun to rise so they could see their way.”

Rachel’s hand tightened on his shoulder as her voice dropped reverently. “Look, Dean, the sun is rising. You can find your way if you just open your eyes.”

Lucky raised his head, seeing the sun’s rays just beginning to break the dark sky. “I don’t deserve to be found.”

“Dean, I would quote several passages to you that show you how wrong you are, but I’m sure you know the passages better than me. God rejoices when His sheep return home. You were the one lost, not God. He’s been waiting for your return all along.”

The warmth from Rachel’s touch began to burn, as if his soul which had been ripped apart was being welded back together. The sun’s golden rays surrounded him in an abundance of colors.

Rachel gasped behind his back, dropping her hand, while Lucky shakily stood, his turmoil for now quieted.

She crossed her arms over her chest, shivering.

“Go inside. If you get sick, Cash will kick my ass.”

She nodded yet didn’t move. “Cash said you’re leaving for Ohio?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“I told Viper I would. Train doesn’t want to go.” Lucky reached out, cupping Rachel’s cheek. “Thank you, Rachel.”

“Goodbye, Dean.”

He shivered as a chill of foreboding swept through him.

They walked back together, each lost in their own silence as they neared the house until several lights in the windows came on.

“Everyone is getting up early for a Saturday,” Rachel remarked.

Lucky began to walk faster. The brothers were usually going to bed at this time, not getting up. Opening the back door, he ushered Rachel inside, finding the members gathered in the kitchen.

“What’s going on?” Lucky asked Rider who was sitting at the table, looking hungover as he put on his boots.

“Willa called Winter, asking for Viper’s help. Sissy ran away last night. She found her missing when she got home from the school festival.”

“Shit.”

“Willa’s been out all night, searching for her. She thought at first that she was with friends, but they all say they haven’t seen her.”

“Cal and Jace?”

“Drake says both boys are home and have been all night.”

“Fuck! Willa’s probably terrified.” Lucky wanted to shake some sense in the teenager, but to do that, he was going to have to find her first.

Viper strode into the room, immediately breaking the town into sections to search among the brothers.

“Lucky, you take Jamestown. If she’s been missing since last night, it’s going to be a crap shoot to figure out how far she’s gotten.”

“I’ll get dressed and head that way. I’ll call Stud and ask if the Destructors can start searching.”

Viper nodded grimly. “Be quick. Knox had to alert Child Services when Willa reported Sissy missing. If the girl wanted away from Willa, she’s got her wish now.”

Lucky went downstairs to his room, taking a quick shower after calling Stud who said he would begin the search in Jamestown and offered to have the Blue Horsemen begin searching over the West Virginia line in case she had gone in the opposite direction.

He was tugging on his shirt when a thought occurred to him. Picking up his cell phone, he called Knox.

“Lucky?”

“Yeah. Have a quick question.”

“Go ahead.”

“Willa there or at home?”

“Willa’s here with the rest of the kids. Flora Tackett’s sitting here, ready to take custody of them. Willa notified her Sissy was missing.”

“Fucking bitch couldn’t wait until Sissy was found?”

“You know Flora.” Unfortunately, Lucky did. The self-righteous bitch wouldn’t think of taking in foster children, but she had no problem giving a hard time to anyone who did.

“Have you talked to Leanne?”

“I did. She swears she doesn’t know where her sister is.”

“She’s lying. Get her away from everyone and she’ll break.”

Knox’s voice lowered. “I can’t threaten a kid.” Lucky heard the door close in the background, and then Knox’s voice returned to normal. “Besides, Flora won’t leave me alone with her.”

“Send them all to the diner for breakfast and ask them to bring back something for Leanne. Tell them you need Leanne to go over a list of Sissy’s friends.”

“I already did that.”

“Do it again. Tell them she may have missed one. I don’t give a fuck what you tell them, just get them away from Leanne.”

“Then what? I can’t lay a hand on her.”

“Threaten her with arrest. Lock her up in a cell.”

Knox started laughing. “She’ll piss herself. I have Lyle back there.”

“If she knows where Sissy is, she’ll talk,” Lucky insisted.

“All right. What’s the worst that can happen? Diamond can sue the city and get my job back if I get my ass fired.”

“Those girls have been running circles around Willa for months. If Leanne breaks, give me a call. I’m going to Jamestown to check if she managed to get that far.”

“Wait fifteen minutes before you head out. No reason to backtrack if Leanne decides to talk.”

“All right. I have a few minutes to spare since Stud has the Destructors out searching.”

“I’ll call you back.” Knox disconnected the call.

Lucky stared at the women who were still lying on his bed, sleeping, and self-disgust filled him. While he had spent a night here in debauchery, Willa had endured a terrified one, worried about the girl she had tried to help.

Raci’s eyes flickered open. “Where are you going?”

“I need to take care of something. Can you clean the room for me?”

“Sure thing. It’s the least I can do after the night you gave me.” She sat up in bed, stretching.

“What do you want me to do with your knives?”

Lucky’s cell phone began to ring, but he didn’t immediately answer. He needed to get away from the memories of last night before he could deal with anything concerning Willa.

“Lay them on the nightstand. I’ll clean them and put them away myself.” He never trusted anyone other than himself to clean his knives. They would be left untouched until he had the time to sterilize them. Everyone in the club knew to never touch his knives, or there would be hell to pay.

Lucky left the bedroom, closing the door behind him before answering the insistent ringing, seeing it was Knox calling him back.

“What did you find out?”

“Brother, we have a big problem.”

Chapter 10

Willa’s hands twisted in her lap. She prayed good news about Sissy would be waiting for them when she returned from the uneaten breakfast she had tried to choke down. With fear for Sissy on her mind, the food hadn’t tempted her, and Flora Tackett’s stony silence hadn’t helped. However, disappointment filled her when she stepped inside the sheriff’s office and found there wasn’t any new information.

Willa looked up when the door opened, swallowing convulsively as she saw a couple she recognized from church approach Flora. She didn’t have to ask why they were there. Her arm tightened around Caroline’s waist, her other arm pulling Chrissy closer to her side. Charlie sat on the chair next to her, his feet swinging back and forth.

Flora and the couple walked toward her.

“Willa, you know the Wests?”

She nodded. Dalton West and his wife Lisa were both deeply involved in the church, considering it their sacred duty to live their lives in service to God. Willa couldn’t explain the feeling of distrust she felt whenever they were near, although she had marked it down to Lisa’s flirtatious behavior with Lucky when he had been pastor. The husband had witnessed the behavior and had even seemed to encourage the inappropriate conduct.

They had taken in several children from the community. The younger sister of Cal, Jace’s friend, was one, whose mother had died from cancer. There was also an older girl who had been raised in the home and had moved out on her own. She still attended church yet refused to have anything to do with the couple. Willa took that as a sign that no close relationship had formed between them in the time she had been in their home. Ginny had spent six years living with the couple; therefore, some kind of attachment should have been formed. Instead, the girl wouldn’t speak to the couple when they approached her at church gatherings.

Willa couldn’t place her finger on exactly why she didn’t like them. They were always polite and constantly volunteered at the church and school. They were just too perfect. Not to mention, there was something about the way they would look at The Last Riders’ women when they attended church that made her think of her own mother when she would lecture her on being a good Christian girl.

“Yes.” Willa didn’t stand, not wanting to wake Caroline who was asleep on her chest.

“They will be taking charge of Caroline, Chrissy, and Charlie.” Flora’s brusque voice was matter-of-fact as she ripped the children’s world apart.

“Please, can’t we wait—?”

“You are clearly unable to handle these children and keep them safe.”

Leanne, who had been sitting quietly, sprung to her feet. “I won’t go!”

Flora ignored the girl’s outburst, continuing to talk to Willa. “Don’t make this hard on the children. The Wests are able to take all the children except for Leanne. I’m still searching for a foster home for her. If I don’t find one by the end of the day, I’ll place her in one of the group homes where I have a bed available until I can find someone willing to take her.”

Leanne started crying, retaking her seat.

“You’re frightening her, Flora. Can’t she stay with me until you at least find a home for her?”

Her brusque refusal was stopped short when Viper and Shade entered the office, followed by a mutinous Sissy who was being trailed by Lucky.

Willa jumped to her feet, jostling Caroline and Chrissy awake. “Sissy! Thank God you’re all right.” Willa was so relieved she wanted to burst into tears; only the grim faces of the men prevented her.

“Where did you find her?” Flora asked before Willa could get the question past her trembling lips.

“We found her just outside of town.” Viper spoke when Sissy remained quiet. “She had managed to make it to Rosey’s.”

Willa’s horrified gasp was drowned out by the ones from the Wests and Flora.

“Mick didn’t see her. She stayed out in the parking lot, trying to catch rides,” Viper explained.

“Sissy!” Willa cried out at the danger the girl had placed herself in.

“I’m fine,” Sissy snapped. “None of the losers would give me a ride.”

“Thank God.” Willa soothed Caroline, who began crying.

“She fell asleep in the back of Mick’s car. He found her when Lucky called him and asked him to search for her.”

“How did you know she was there?” Willa asked the man standing silently by the door.

Lucky’s eyes flickered to Leanne. “Call it a hunch.” He shrugged.

Willa buried her face in Caroline’s hair. Understanding now why Knox had wanted Leanne to remain behind when they had gone to the diner, Willa realized she was a complete and utter failure at taking care of the children.

“I’ll call off the search,” Knox said, going to the phone behind the counter.

Flora immediately took charge of the situation. “Leanne and Sissy, you come with me. Dalton and Lisa, you take the other three. I’ll check in with you tomorrow. Willa, if you pack their things, I’ll stop by this afternoon to pick them up.”

Dalton reached for Caroline as Lisa reached for Chrissy, both girls beginning to cry.

“Please, Flora…” Willa pleaded.

“We’re not going back to Willa’s?” Sissy frowned, asking her sister who had also begun to cry.

Leanne shook her head. “They’re placing us into a group home.”

“You fat bitch….” Sissy lunged for Willa but Lucky snatched her by the waist, pulling her back.

“Don’t touch her. Ever.” Lucky’s voice froze everyone in place, and fear entered Sissy’s face.

“It has nothing to do with what Willa wants.” Knox slammed down the phone. “If you want someone to blame, look in a mirror! Why are you so mad, anyways? You didn’t want to stay with Willa, so your ass just got what it wanted.”