A Hidden Danger

Fear

Data

I was supposed to have left an hour before. But I was stuck working on something for Clutch that was a top priority for the club. He was a nomad, but he had been working more with the club over the last year. Until there was an absolute need for the rest of the brothers to know, he kept most of the things he worked on a secret. I knew better than to ask questions, but it was hard when I wanted to get to my girl quickly.

"Clutch, I think that's all we're gonna get. I need to get my girl." I told him.

"Don't tell me you're getting led around by the balls by that girl," he chuckled.

I had to fight myself to not punch him for the comment. Clutch had always had a way about him that pissed me off most of the time. He wasn't the nicest person to be around on a good day, and that day wasn't a good day for me.

"Look, man, I don't have time for this. I have to go pickup Autumn." I tried to walk around him, and he grabbed my arm.

"Don't be like that. She's just some bitch you've been using to get your dick wet." He said, laughing.

"Don't you ever fucking talk about her like that!" I yelled as I pinned him to the wall. "You're lucky I've not slit your throat for that."

"I get it, brother. No harm intended."

I backed away, pushing the anger down. I made it out to the truck and saw that it was forty-five minutes past the time I was to be there and pick her up. I hoped with everything I had that she wouldn't be angry that I was so late. Things had been going well over the last few days, and the last thing I want for her is to start feeling fear again.

I pulled up to the office and everything looked normal. I entered the back door, calling out to Marigold. I had taken to calling her that when there was no one else around. When she didn't answer, fear pricked at my spine. She always called out to me when I called her. I rushed to her office and stopped dead in my tracks at the sight.

There is Marigold's office sat a man in her chair. He had her sat in his lap unconscious. I instinctively moved toward them only to hear the click of a gun. I turned to see another man standing there behind the door, pointing a gun at my head.

"I think it best if you have a seat, Data. Or do you prefer Austin?" The man holding Marigold said.

I did as he asked, watching his every move. He was running his fingers through her hair as if this was the most normal situation in the world. I gripped the arms of the chair tightly, trying to stay calm in the situation. As I sit in the chair, I realize that the man had to be her husband, Marco.

"Have you put the pieces together yet?" he asked, cocking his head to the side.

"Marco." I gave a single word answer. I was seething and speaking right then wasn't a good idea.

"Good! As you can see, I've come to take my wife home. I understand that you have been looking out for her while she was wayward and for that you have my thanks. But you would do well to remember that I don't like someone messing with my possessions." Marco said with a growl. He held her protectively like I was some kind of threat to her.

"You think Marigold is nothing more than a possession?" I asked.

"Oh, she's much more than that. You see, I am the man who she's married to. So that makes her my wife. Mine. She may have made a scene of something that is inconsequential, but that doesn't change the fact she's mine." He looked down at Marigold and kissed her forehead. "Now, let's get something straight because I need to get my wife home and settled in. You and your little friends are to stay away from me and my family. That means no contact whatsoever."

The man who had been standing behind the door walked forward and placed the barrel of the gun against my temple. I closed my eyes willing myself to stay calm. Me losing my cool would do nothing but make the situation worse. For Marigold's safety, I needed to think things through carefully.

"I know you think you're in love with her, and I know she thinks the same about you. But I assure you that there is no future for the two of you. She is my wife and with a little training she'll be back to her old self in no time. But you. You are going to need to be on your best behavior. If I get even a raised hair on the back of my neck, that's related to you, then well I'm sure you can imagine what I would do to the man who fucked my wife."

"You know that what you're doing is kidnapping, right?" I spit out. I was doing a piss-poor job of staying calm.

"It's not kidnapping when you're bringing your mentally ill wife home."

"There's nothing wrong with Marigold."

"And who do you think the authorities would believe if he came to that? Her husband who has been offering rewards for her safe return or the man who took advantage of a pregnant woman when she needed help the most?"

It enraged me even more to know that he was right. He had every advantage in the fight. He was legally her husband and he could easily use his power and influence to spin things any way he wanted. I would never be able to win that way. I would never be able to get her out safely.

"You know I'm right. Now be a good boy and head home. Tell everyone that she went home to her family where she belonged."

The man with the gun grabbed my shoulder and pulled me to my feet. He pushed me out the door with his gun shoved in the back of my head. I tried to think of anything that would work to get her out of that monster's grip, but there was nothing I could do that wouldn't put her in immediate danger. I had to let her go with him until I could find a way to get her back safely.

Once he had pushed me out the door, he walked me over to my truck. The man made sure that I got in and left. Marco wasn't about to take any chances on me. I drove straight to the clubhouse. Fear was a constant companion on that drive. Nothing was making sense and I couldn't think straight from all the fear and worry I had coursed through me.

I ran through the door, making a loud sound that got everyone's attention. Naomi and Rachel looked behind me like they were looking for her. The brothers gathered around and everyone looked like they were itching to ask the question.

"They came for her. He's got her. We gotta get her back!"