Maccoy, p.9
Maccoy, page 9
CHAPTER NINE
– DELPHINE –
Alcide keeps his gaze on Elodie and throws words at me in a fierce yet soft tone. “No one is going to die. I won’t allow it.”
“You won’t allow it? Are you the man in charge of life and death?” I mock. “I think not. Can’t you see what’s happening right in front of you? Look at her. Really fucking look.”
“Hey,” Maccoy says and is blocking my view, cupping my face to keep me facing him. “You’re unleashing anger, fear, frustration, grief, and a whole lot more on people who don’t deserve it. We’re all on edge here and we’re doing what we can to come out on the breathing side of life. For fuck’s sake, listen to your own words. Look at her, really fucking look. Because I’m getting the feeling Elodie here fought back and managed to escape all on her own to come back to us. She doesn’t need to hear you freak out.”
Shit. He’s right. I swallow hard and place my forehead against his muscled chest to take a deep breath to get my bearings.
“Is she okay?” I whisper.
“Her heart is beating consistently and strong. I’m guessing crashing into the gate knocked her out but we’ll know more once the doc has checked her,” Alcide says.
The door swings open and a man steps inside, he has a bag in his hand and rushes toward the bed. Alcide steps back and starts to rattle how Elodie crashed into the gate. I assume this is the club doctor with the medical bag he now opens.
“Come on, let’s give them some privacy,” Maccoy says but my feet stay frozen.
I don’t want to leave her alone but I know Maccoy is right.
Glancing at Alcide who is still standing near the bed, watching Elodie with hawk eyes, I ask, “Will you stay with her?”
He dips his chin. “I’m not leaving her side, sweetheart. Not until I know she’s pulling through and then I still won’t leave her, okay?”
“Thank you,” I murmur and close the distance to hug my father for the first time. “Sorry I freaked out on you.”
His strong arms wrap around me and pull me closer. “You didn’t freak out. Your heart ruled your mouth and it’s normal considering the situation. Elodie is strong. Hell, the way she arrived at our doorstep showed us as much and I’m glad you have her in your life.”
“You and her both,” I tell him and tighten my arms before stepping away.
He brushes his knuckles softly against my cheek. “I have a lot to make up for and I’m not going anywhere.”
I shake my head. “We were both robbed from one another but the past is set in stone.” I glance at Elodie and add, “All the more reason to value each day from here on out.”
“Damn right,” Alcide agrees.
I give him a small smile and walk out of the room, Maccoy following close behind me. I practically crash down on the couch in the main room of the clubhouse and Maccoy takes a seat right next to me.
Taking my head in my hands I mutter, “Why can’t all of this just come to an end so we can deal with normal stuff?”
“It will,” Maccoy vows. “Soon enough. Elodie practically proved it.”
Confused I swing my head up and look at him. “What?”
Maccoy shrugs. “She managed to escape the ones holding her which means she was probably not in the care of a group but only one or two men. We just found out Abiel’s empire isn’t what it used to be. It might have been strong and thriving when he hit our MC years ago but the tables have turned. He’s grasping at straws here and we’re gonna make sure the fucker doesn’t have anything to grasp at soon enough.”
He reaches inside his pocket and takes out his phone. “Sorry, I have to take this,” he says and answers the call.
He probably had it on silent and the way he softly murmurs into the phone and quickly disconnects makes me wonder who he’s talking to.
My unvoiced question gets answered when he says, “That was Duly, president of another chapter who was the closest one near us. He hit the two warehouses of Abiel, the ones we know he does shady shit in and was probably holding Elodie in. Anyway, they found one property empty and the other one had an unconscious man and ripped zip ties on the floor. Alcide wanted to strike, go in blind to kill Abiel and men loyal to him to end this once and for all but we all agreed it was too big of a risk. Now I’m thinking it might be our shot to wipe those fuckers away. Clearly, they don’t have the manpower anymore and we do.”
“I hate how all our lives are in the balance because of me. Because of the casino. It’s crazy how many lives are already ripped apart and lost along the way. People are vicious and insane,” I grumble.
Alcide steps out of the hallway and with a raised voice he says, “She’s awake,” before he disappears.
I dash up and feel Maccoy right behind me as I rush to Alcide’s room. Elodie is sitting up and takes a few painkillers the doctor hands her along with a bottle of water.
“How are you feeling?” I croak.
“Like shit but I’ll live.” She pops the pills into her mouth and washes them away with some sips of water.
“Prez, a word,” Maccoy says and stalks out along with Alcide and the doctor, closing the door behind them.
I take a seat next to her on the bed and wince when I see her black eye. “I’m so sorry.”
“Oh, shut up. This isn’t your fault, remember that,” Elodie snaps. “You can’t control others and unless it was you who smashed a fist in my face, no apologies. And I clearly saw a dude right after I heard the gunshot, so…”
Sadness hits me. “Walton.”
“He never knew what happened,” Elodie croaks. “I heard the gunshot and turned. Walton looked right at me but his eyes…his eyes.” She shakes her head. “His knees buckled and he crumpled to the ground. I was so shocked and couldn’t move. Next thing I know I’m being punched in the face and it was like someone turned my switch off. I woke up with my hands and feet bound.”
She falls silent and her lips purse. “You and that social media app you made me download on your phone.”
Confusion hits me as to why she brings up the app now. “What? You thought it was funny watching those short videos, especially when animals do funny stuff.”
“It also made escaping possible because I saw someone explain how to get out of zip ties. Crazy, right?”
A laugh escapes me. “Seriously? You escaped because someone posted on social media how you could get out of zip ties? How? How is that possible?”
“I don’t know, but it worked. I remembered you should either hold your hands at some angle so they are a bit wider when they zip them and you can get out of them. Obviously, I couldn’t use that part, being unconscious when they put them on me. Though, when they left me in a room by myself I tried the other way. I tightened them and put my wrists over my head, swinging my arms with force down and making the zip tie snap when my arms hit my lower body. They snapped right off.”
“I’m in awe. You’re badass.”
She chuckles. “The one around my ankles was a bit more of a pickle since I had to find something to push the ridge in and get it off. It worked and then I could smack the dude watching me over the head with a piece of wood.”
“I repeat, badass.” I grin.
“I don’t feel badass now, but I do have to admit, it gave a rush of adrenaline for sure. It was like taking a role in an action movie and the thought popped into my head to search the man for keys to a car or something. I grabbed his gun and keys and used the fob to unlock the car and got the hell out of there.”
The door opens and Alcide along with Maccoy step inside.
“You’re up to talking I hear,” Alcide rumbles and takes a seat in the chair on the other side of me.
Maccoy comes to a stop next to me and asks, “Can you tell us anything you heard or saw?”
Elodie’s gaze slides to Alcide. “The man who took me was arguing with two others when I woke up.”
“Could you hear what it was about?” Maccoy asks.
“The door was slightly ajar and they were standing in the hallway. I didn’t catch the whole conversation, but I do know it was about money and how they were going to get it. One guy didn’t believe he would get paid for watching me and how he didn’t sign up for kidnapping and murder. I heard him leave and then the man who hit me stepped back into the room and held his phone in my direction for a few seconds as if he was snapping a picture or something, and then he left.” Elodie shrugs. “A little while later I tried to see if I could escape and managed to get the zip ties off. I knocked out the fucker by using a piece of wood that was lying around when he stepped back into the room and got the hell out of there by grabbing his keys and car.”
Alcide lifts a hand toward his face and rubs his thumb on one temple, his fingers on the other, while he covers his eyes. “You were lucky to get through this and get out the way you did. Fucking hell, it could have gone wrong in so many different ways.”
She reaches out. “But it didn’t. I’m here. And I do remember one thing the man mentioned to the others. He told them they would get a fat bonus once he made Delphine sign over everything she owned to him.” Elodie’s eyes find mine. “The whole plan of kidnapping me was because they couldn’t get to you, Delphine. They wanted you to come to them because you were too well protected by the MC. They would force you to sign contracts and then make you disappear.”
Make me disappear. A chill runs up my spine and suddenly everything becomes very real, hitting me hard and fast. These guys have already killed Zalverni, had Zalverni kill my mother because of the pressure they put on him, and kidnapped Elodie in an effort to get me. And then, when they have no use for us anymore, we would have ended up dead too.
“Breathe, darling,” Maccoy whispers on a hot breath right beside my ear. “You’re right here with all of us.” He pulls away and raises his voice. “My old lady is on full lockdown. I don’t want her alone if we have to head out. I don’t want any prospects watching her either, only full members.”
“Agreed,” Alcide grits. “Elodie too. It’s a good thing Duly is coming over; we’ll have enough manpower to handle this.”
“I can’t sit back and do nothing.” I glare at Maccoy and Alcide. “All while you and everyone else are going to put their lives at stake.”
“Do I need to mention again how they are weak in numbers?” Maccoy quips as if he’s talking about a bowling match where he has three balls left to take out one freaking bowling keg.
“And that makes everything easy and smooth sailing?” I snap.
“You didn’t hear me say that. I merely stated a fact that we have multiple chapters available and will be able to stand strong while those fuckers are growing weaker by the second. You heard Elodie say how someone defied an order and walked out. This is a good thing. Being desperate makes people dangerous. One look at Elodie shows exactly how dangerous and she’s damn lucky to have escaped those fuckers the way she did.”
“We already had men coming to save her but that could have gone bad as easily as the chance she took herself when she escaped,” Alcide adds. “But we’re done waiting. We have all the information and the manpower to do something. Decades ago, I didn’t share shit like this with my old lady and maybe it would have made a difference because you two are very aware of the danger while Ariana was completely oblivious. Club business is club business but you two are right in the fucking middle and even if I fucking hate the shit you throw at me, I’d rather have you aware of the danger because it makes you act differently.”
“Hell yes it does. It makes me think twice about sticking my head out the door,” I grumble.
“Yeah, unlike your mother who demanded to come with me and take our son with us because she was locked up inside the clubhouse for a week. She opened the door and Silas ran right out, picking up that fucking package,” he whispers on a miserable breath.
Elodie reaches out and covers his hand with hers. “History might have a way of repeating itself but knowledge is power. All of us have our eyes wide open and will face this head on. Well, you guys will because Delphine and I are going to sit this one out. You know, because my eye is almost swollen shut and not wide open and all.”
All of us laugh until Maccoy checks his phone and says, “Duly is here.”
Elodie grabs the remote. “Come on, Delphine. Girl time. We’re going to watch some TV. You’re in charge of the remote because I’m going to try and sleep while you’re gonna watch over me. The boys will go out hunting. Oh, and make someone bring some food. I’m hungry. Something sweet. Wait. I also want fries. A burger, extra pickles. Yes, and ice cream.”
Alcide barks out a laugh. “Delphine, text me a list and I’ll make sure a prospect heads out to get it for you guys.”
They leave the room and I release a frustrated sigh as soon as the door falls shut behind them.
“Remember our discussion earlier?” Elodie asks. “Where I mentioned I didn’t have a plan…well, this whole kidnapping thing made me realize something. I’ve spent years of living in this fucked-up world but when my ass landed in Las Vegas and then meeting your father? I realized I’ve never felt more alive. I’m not leaving. I’m staying right here and I’m going to keep on seeing your father.”
My chest fills with warmth and joy. “Can I hug you without hurting you? Because I really want to hug you.”
She doesn’t say anything but simply opens her arms and hugs me tight. This is probably the best news I’ve heard in weeks. Elodie is not only my best friend but with being older than me, she considers me the daughter she never had.
Something very fitting with her wanting to be with my father. The way he looked at her, because protective and seeing the emotions clouding his face it’s clear my father has grown rapidly fond of Elodie as well.
With everything going on it’s hard to think of a future but who knows, we might grow into a family. Hell, we practically already are with Alcide being my father and him and Elodie hooking up.
It also showed with the brotherhood stepping in to make sure Elodie was freed from her kidnapper. Even if the help from the other chapter wasn’t needed because she managed to escape all on her own.
Maybe things are taking a turn with these positive things but it’s a sliver of hope. I’m all too aware how shit can easily fall apart and make darkness swallow us whole. But for this moment in time I’m going to be thankful to have Elodie back safe and sound and relish in the news she’s going to relocate here as well.
Pulling away from the hug, I grab my phone and tell her, “Let’s get a list started so we can get some food here to enjoy. Then we’ll watch some TV and if you doze off, it won’t matter because we’ll reheat the food and still have ice cream and all, okay?”
“Sounds like one of the rare nights off we used to have together in Canada,” Elodie murmurs as she leans back and closes her eyes. “Good old days. Make sure there are lots of pickles on my burger. And I want one of those iced coffee things, extra strong. Chocolate ice cream and fries. And don’t let me sleep when the food gets here. You know I hate reheating food.”
“No worries, I got you,” I promise and fire off a message to Alcide.
Half an hour later there’s a soft knock on the door. I carefully slide off the bed without waking Elodie and open the door to find Alcide, holding two bags of food.
“You can put the ice cream in the freezer, call me if you need anything else.” His eyes go over my head to the bed. “How is she?”
“Sleeping. I’m gonna wake her in a bit now that the food’s here. I know she can use the sleep but it’s probably best to wake her and make sure she’s okay. The whole black eye and getting smacked in the head isn’t easy on the brain.”
“You’re right,” he muses, worry clearly visible in his eyes.
It also makes me want to share something I know now he’s going to be glad to hear. “She told me she’s going to be relocating here. For me, and for you.”
A slow smile slides across his face. “Yeah?”
His smile is infectious, and I automatically return it. “Yeah.”
“I was hoping she would but I didn’t want to force her. She’s strong-willed and when you push, she might jump out of the way, if you understand what I mean.”
“Sure do,” I murmur. “Good thing she sees where she’s needed. She’s amazing and I’m glad she’s going to stay in my life, and in yours.”
“I wasn’t expecting her.” He clears his throat. “I mean, I never expected to care for another woman, not after what happened to your mother, but I guess Elodie slipped right under my radar and hit hard and fast.”
“Like I said, she’s amazing.” I grin, knowing exactly what he means because the whole slipping under the radar and hitting hard and fast is exactly what happened between Maccoy and me.
“That she is,” he agrees. “That. She. Fucking. Is.”
CHAPTER TEN
– MACCOY –
“Are you sure about this?” Duly asks.
Alcide jerks his chin down. “Nothing makes sense at this point. I should have noticed sooner but in all honesty, we haven’t kept a close eye on what goes down on the strip. The only thing we’re wrapped up in is the debt collecting jobs we handled for Zalverni. In reality that’s just my VP here picking up a list of names and dropping off a wad of cash we agreed upon so we collect and have a profit. His benefits are keeping his hands clean while letting gambling addicts or those who have an outstanding debt not fuck with him. Otherwise, we don’t set foot in casinos and I respected my ex’s wishes. My mistake. Or make that mistakes plural. I would have been aware of my own daughter being raised by another fucking man if I set foot in that business years ago.”
“They did their part with keeping you oblivious, Prez,” I grunt. “I mean, you heard Delphine mention the use of a colored lens, right? Making her eyes match. They told her it was easier so she wouldn’t get those questions and stares but it would be a dead giveaway for any of us to have seen she was in fact your daughter. Then to ship her off to boarding school, have her grow up and then ship her ass off to Canada. Not to mention, they made sure only the VP was allowed into the casino to pick up the names for debt collecting on set dates and times. Yeah, they did their part in keeping her under wraps. All while the MC focused on our own shit that didn’t involve casino business. That’s why we didn’t know Abiel was slowly drowning in debt. Forced to add his own damn penthouse to the available rooms to rent while he lives with a hooker who owns a house out of town. Oh, how the mighty have fallen and is about to be six feet under with our help.”
