Ace: His Angel (Phoenix Riders MC 1)

20: Secret Meetings

Kaitlyn POV

After a week of nothing, Kyle lifted the lockdown order, and things returned to normal. Or as normal as living in an MC could be. I hung out with "the twins," Tiny and Gears, in the garage, or Whiskey in the kitchen, laughing and never having a dull moment, despite Ace's warning about using heavy machinery.

"Just ignore him. We're the experts here. Trust me," Tiny whispered, winking.

However, Ace rarely left my side since he found me soaking wet in my room. He never asked questions about it, and I didn't plan on telling him either; it would only stress him out more. Ace isn't someone you tell your secrets to, but you don't lie to him either because he will find out either way. I can only pray it never comes to that between us.

No word from my ex would be a good thing, but this time I'm not sure. His demand seemed too good to be true, but I need to try. To keep everyone safe.

*****

Kyle's stress was evident as he held a duffel bag, saying, "Some of us are going on a run and will be gone for a few days. Stay here with the other guys and Old Ladies, okay? And if you need anything..." He gave me "the look," and I understood.

"I know, I know. I will," I said, trying to reassure him. Kyle held out his pinky finger, and I wrapped my small one around him as he hugged me.

Pulling away, I saw Ace holding a bag, questioning what Kyle said, but I shrugged it off. Dropping his bag, he wrapped me in a bear hug and whispered, "Call me if you need anything, Angel."

His heart pounded against his chest, and worry laced his voice. I wanted to be selfish and ask them not to go, but I refrained. Instead, I nodded against his chest, and he kissed my head. He pulled away and grazed my jaw, forcing me to look into his hazel eyes. I gave a small smile, and the demons behind those hazel disappeared for a moment.

*****

The second day they were gone, something felt off, and a few hours later, my phone rang with my past calling. Walking to the backyard, I answered.

"Hello?"

"We need to meet today." To the point, for once in his life.

"When?" I asked.

"Twenty minutes at an old warehouse just outside of town."

"I can't just leave. We both know they're watching me like hawks after the last stunt."

"You'll figure it out. You always were a good liar. Just don't be late," he said and hung up.

Twenty minutes... fantastic.

With the others gone, the likelihood of convincing Whiskey to let me leave increased. However, he is under strict orders to not let me out of his sight.

Inside, I found Whiskey mumbling with his head in the fridge. "Hey, are you looking for something?" I asked.

He laughed, "Yeah! Food! The guys ate everything before leaving and were running low on it."

Don't fuck this up now, Kaitlyn.

"I can go to the store," I offered. Whiskey's eyes narrowed.

"I know, I know, you can't let me go anywhere, but it's the store. It's right down the street, and I need some space. I feel like I am suffocating here. Please," I pleaded.

Whiskey stared at me, weighing his choices, knowing if he let me go and something happens, it's his ass on the line. However, he can't say no to me either. Whiskey has a soft spot for me, liking me more than a friend would, and wants to make me happy.

"Okay...but text me every 5 minutes, Tiger, I mean it!" he stressed.

"I promise!" I said, kissing his cheek, leaving before he could change his mind.

Grabbing the truck keys, I headed straight to the address sent to me. I got lost multiple times, and if it weren't for the lone SUV parked out front, I would have missed it completely. Texting Whiskey quickly, I headed inside.

Walking into the warehouse, it looked empty and dark, and bits of light came through the missing windows. Moving further in, I heard something behind me. Turning around, five armed, enormous men stalked towards me, and panic tore through me.

Who the fuck are these people?!

"Cutting it close," someone bellowed with a faint accent. "The Riders watch you closely. Must have been difficult."

They were watching me?

"It was easier than I thought," I answered hesitantly. "Who are you?"

"Someone who's waited 36 years for this opportunity."

"What opportunity?" I asked cautiously.

A man in his late 50s, with greying black hair, and dressed in a nice suit, stepped out from behind the others. His accent made more sense. Italian. I'm fucked.

"The opportunity for us to work together," he mused.

"Why would I do that?"

Turning to his right, two men dragged a bloody and beaten body between them. Shit.

"Now do I have your attention?" he implored. I nodded, tearing my eyes from my ex to the old man.

"A shipment will pass through Phoenix Rider territory and will ensure it gets to its destination safely. If it does, you'll buy your brother and him more time to live," he said, gesturing to my ex. His even-toned voice told me he's done this a thousand times before.

"What's in these shipments?" I questioned, but the back of his hand slapped my cheek.

Tears welled in my eyes as I touched my cheek, intensifying the stinging.

"You don't get to ask questions! You answer yes or no. Understand?" he thundered. I nodded in agreement, knowing I have to tread carefully before Kyle and I are next.

"Good. Now that you understand, I need to ensure your brother understands. He was safe the last 36 years, but not anymore," he smiled, turning around, leaving me alone with his men.

I knew a deal with my ex was too good to be true, and now I'm paying the price. His men circle me, and my cries echo in the empty warehouse, along with the sound of flesh hitting flesh.

A while later, I hit the ground and didn't move. I couldn't. Pain radiated from my face, to my dislocated shoulder and bruised torso. They could have done worse, but I am a message, not a dead body. For now.

Closing my eyes, I remembered the pinky promise I made with Kyle. Painfully, I turned my head, seeing my phone a few feet from me. Struggling towards it, I pushed Kyle's name, putting him on speakerphone.

"What's wrong?" he answered, his worried voice filling the warehouse.

"Kyle..." I choked out, tears falling freely, and a sob escaped my lips.

"Where are you? I'm coming," he gritted out.

"I'm at an abandoned warehouse near the clubhouse...I'm sorry, Kyle..."

"Don't be sorry. You called, and that's all I asked for," he assured me.

I heard him tell the others he was leaving. Ace tried to go with him. Worry and fear laced his voice, hurting me more than I thought it would, but Kyle refused. He drove, not hanging up, but the shock of what happened wore off, and pain radiated throughout my body.

Footsteps woke me as a small "shit" left Kyle's lip. Opening my eyes, a pale-faced Kyle knelt next to me, worry written on his face. I'm sure it looked worse than it was, and I tried to hide my pain as Kyle pulled me into his arms.

"I've got you. It's okay, hang on princess, stay with me," he whispered before everything went dark.