Ride Hard (6 page)

CHAPTER SIX

She’d heard him say the words. Her heart nearly stopped when he uttered them, but Gabby couldn’t bring herself to repeat the sentiments. Of course, she felt it. She was plain crazy about the man. He was the love of her life. No other man meant as much. No other person invoked the same feelings that he did. But saying them out aloud might jinx everything. Was it easy for Nick to say the words? She didn’t know. But she was scared that he might realize that he made a mistake and declared his feelings too early.

Perhaps it was pessimistic of her, but she still couldn’t fully believe that this happiness she enjoyed wouldn’t be snatched away in one way or the other. Maybe Nick would fall out of love, or he would realize that she wasn’t worthy of his attention, or perhaps she would be forced to run away if Joseph didn’t leave her alone.

Anything could happen in the future, and if she made a commitment and he decided to go in another direction, she would be left naked emotionally. She couldn’t handle a betrayal like that.

As she sat in the police station with her lawyer and Nick, Gabby nervously wrung her hands together. Ever since she was forced to join Joseph’s gaggle of girls, the fear of police was drummed into her. She never approached one, even when he beat her black and blue. Some policemen were on the take and since she didn’t exactly know who they were, she steered clear. If she’d ever approached the police and he got to know, he would have killed her.

And even now, if he ever got his hands on her, he would make rue the day she hatched up this scheme along with Nick. When they were summoned inside the office, she sucked in a deep breath of air. It was about to start, and she’d no idea how this would end.

Nick gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “I can’t come with you, love. You’ve to go with James.” He was the lawyer, and although Gabby liked him, she would have much preferred if Nick was inside. He made her feel safe. No one else had the power to quiet her frazzled never, but this wasn’t the time to make a fuss.

She nodded, as she attempted to be brave. “I’ll be fine.”

Gabby had expected a great deal of questions and doubtful glances. She expected to be treated like a criminal, or perhaps a liar. But much to her amazement, the police were respectful, kind even.

After the first few basic questions were over, they began to probe into her background. “How old were you when Joseph snatched you off the streets?”

“He didn’t exactly snatch me. I ran away from home. And when I ran out of money, I sat at a bus station where I waited for someone to take me back home, or perhaps…I don’t know why I sat there, except that there were people there and it felt safe.” She moistened her lips with her tongue, hating the flood of memories that threatened to choke her. “He offered to give me food and said he would call my father. I went with him. It was stupid. I should’ve been wary.”

“You were ten,” said one of the officers. “He was an adult. The burden of responsibility was on him.”

Gabby blinked. It was so unexpected to hear a police officer utter something that made her feel as if this wasn’t her fault. All her life she’d struggled with the guilt that she did something wrong. If she hadn’t run away, if she was more careful, if she didn’t trust Joseph, none of it would have happened. His words touched her heart, eased the burden of guilt she carried for so long. “I…went to his house, or the safe house where he kept the girls.” As she described the initial days, the first few months, and then the long years in which she humped one man after another, Gabby felt the tears well in her eyes.

The grief was ever-present; the pain of saying goodbye to her childhood too young, the anguish of living in such demeaning environment, and the constant agony of knowing that she wasn’t loved ate her alive, but this was the first time that she spoke about it. Much to her surprise, they halted the interview to give her time to collect her thoughts. One of them bought coffee and cake. They were kind, attentive, and caring. Most of all, they
believed
.

It was more than what she’d hoped for.

The interview lasted for four hours. She gave all the basic information. As they were wrapping up, one question startled her. “Have you had any contact with Joseph ever since you came here?”

What was she supposed to say? Gabby dared not even breathe as she thought furiously about the answer. If she told them that he called her, it would open a Pandora’s Box. She would be forced to tell them about the threat he delivered. Her lawyer, James, might tell Nick. She couldn’t bear the idea of involving Nick in this sordid affair. As it was, he was in it knee deep. If he discovered that Joseph was hounding her, he might take action himself and it would put his life to risk.

She couldn’t take that chance.

“No, I never called him…and he doesn’t know where,” she lied.

They didn’t ask any more questions. Evidently, they trusted her. The concept was alien, strange, but it was very much real. Once she stood, Gabby half expected them to shout that she was a liar and made up the whole story. But instead, they smiled politely, assured her that they would begin their investigation soon, and led her out.

Nick was still waiting outside. Seeing her, his lips lifted in a smile. She melted into his arms without a thought. It felt good to be held by a man who loved her. It felt amazing to be surrounded by people who believed in her.

  It was such a heady feeling that she actually felt dizzy with the sheer joy of it.

“Are you alright?”

She smiled. Her heart burst with love for this man who made it possible for her to overcome her past and sail past the pain of it. “Never better, love.” His eyes widened almost as if he sensed her exhilaration. His hug was comforting, loving. She rested her head on his chest for a few seconds and then she stepped away. “Let’s go.”

Outside, James shook hands with them. “They have promised to make this a priority. It’s rare that someone offers them so much information on a prostitution ring. The girls who get sucked into this business are too frightened and wary to approach police. I’ve a feeling that they would want to make the most of this opportunity. Since Joseph is based elsewhere, they would now contact the relevant authorities in that area and pass this information alone. I think they will work on it with top speed to make sure that everything falls into place,” he assured them. “I’ll keep you posted as things unravel.”

After James left, Gabby wore the helmet that Nick offered. She rode behind him as they drove in and out of the traffic and made their way to the clubhouse. Hope coursed through her veins like molten joy. Soon, she would get rid of Joseph once and for all, and from then on, she would never have to worry about anything. For too long, she lived a life of fear. Gabby was ready to throw away the shackles of dread that bound her for years and live a free life once more. When Joseph was behind bars, she wouldn’t have to worry about him anymore.

She couldn’t wait for that moment to arrive.

When they reached the clubhouse, Gabby was startled to find Matt and Ronald waiting outside. Seeing them the two men straightened. Something was amiss; their stiff posture told her that her joy was going to be short-lived.

She wasn’t too far off the mark.

As soon as they parked the bike, Matt barreled towards them. “You bastard!” He swung at Nick. “How dare you?”

The punch would have landed on his face if Nick didn’t side step. He grabbed the younger man’s arm and pushed him away. “What the hell has gotten into you?”

Matt’s face contorted into a fierce expression. “You gave us away. I’m going to kill you.”

The two men scuffled outside the clubhouse. Gabby saw Willow as she stood in the doorway, her mouth gaping open at the sight. Gabby didn’t know what to do. Should she attempt to stop Matt? Nick didn’t really need any help. He was more than a match for the man who tried to hit him. Nick kicked Matt on his leg and the younger man sprawled on the ground.

“Stay away from me,” ordered Nick. “Have you lost your mind?”

Matt stood. He would’ve charged again but Ronald’s booming voice halted him in his tracks. “Stop it right now! Let’s take this inside.”

“They don’t deserve to come inside,” growled Matt. His lips were peeled back and malevolence twisted in his eyes. “Shit! Let me have a go at the bastard. He tried to play us.”

“Stop it!” said Ronald. He held Matt’s arm in a firm grip. Gabby expected him to give hell to the younger man for starting a brawl, but instead his gaze focused on Nick. “Did you go to the police station with her?”

What the hell was going on?

How did they know? And why was Matt upset?

“We did,” huffed Nick. “But that has nothing to do with you or him.”

Matt growled. “Nothing to do with us? Your asshole. Let me go, Ronald. You’ve protected him for too long.”

Gabby was sure that she was missing some crucial aspect of this situation. Why would Matt and Ronald be upset that they talked to the police? This had nothing to do with them. Did they know that she was trying to put her pimp behind bars? And if yes, how? Did Nick tell them? She sure hoped not. It was supposed to be a secret endeavor. Of course, these men were not likely to inform Joseph but James had told them to be wary of discussing this with anyone.

“Is it true? Have you and Gabby given away our new location and plans to the police?” asked Ronald.

She was sure that she didn’t hear him right. How could he think that Nick and she would snitch on them? This had nothing to do with them. “We went to the police, and it was something personal. It has no bearing on our dealings,” said Nick.

“No bearing…I…”

“Shut up, Matt,” ordered Ronald. “Wait! I need to know more. So you admit that you were at the police station? Matt saw you go in. I didn’t believe him.”

Nick took a deep breath. “Listen, we went to the station. But as I said, that is something personal that I am dealing with. It’s got nothing to do with Hell Brigade.”

“I don’t believe you, bastard!” said Matt. He shook his arm in an attempt to break free from Ronald’s grip, but the older man hung on. “What did you tell them?”

“Ronald, man, you need to trust me. I’ve never done anything that would put the club in harm’s way. You’ve got to have faith.”

Ronald shook his head. His eyes, usually so calm, were full of anger. “If you want me to listen to you, then you need to tell me the truth. What were you guys doing at the police station?”

Gabby held Nick’s arm. She didn’t want to disclose her personal secrets to anyone. Sure, they all knew about her past but they didn’t need to understand this. It had nothing to do with Hell Brigade. Matt misunderstood the situation. He must have followed Nick and thought they were going in to snitch on hell Brigade. How could they convince them that this was another matter altogether?

Nick pulled himself to his full height. Anger simmered in his coiled muscles. His integrity was never questioned. It was terrible that he got into this mess because of her. “Maybe we should…” she began to say.

“Quiet!” he ordered. Startled by the rebuke in his voice, she pressed her lips. Perhaps it was best to let him deal with the men. After all, she wasn’t officially a member of the biker’s club. He would know how to calm the men down. Nick turned his attention to Ronald. “As I said, this has nothing to do with Hell Brigade. Stay out of it.”

Matt shifted on his feet. “You expect us to believe you?”

“Yes, I do. I am telling the truth. The plan is as it was before. Nothing has changed.”

“So who are you going to send to prison this time? It’s all because of this girl. Ever since she has come in, things have changed. He has changed.” Matt pointed a finger at her and then at Nick. “She has corrupted your mind. What did you tell the police?”

“I told them nothing about Hell Brigade,” Nick’s voice was full of ire. The muscles in his shoulder bunched. “Stay out of this, Matt.”

Ronald’s face looked as if it was cast in stone. “It’s time you confessed everything, Nick. If you can’t tell us the truth, we have to assume the worst and that means we can’t trust you anymore.”