UNDERTAKER Read online

  That only poured fuel on the fire of Ronnie’s rage. “Goddamn bitch. Dr. AJ Carter! She’s the reason he’s goin’ free. Meddlin’ fuckin’ bitch!”

  Donnie grinned. “Maybe you oughta teach her a lesson.”

  “Maybe I oughta teach ‘em both a lesson. Kill her and set him up for it. Two birds with one stone.” Ronnie’s eyes caught a gleam. Delilah couldn’t help but shiver. It meant he was about to go off the deep end.

  “This gonna be another one of your convoluted plans like this last one you brilliantly came up with?”

  Delilah cringed. No one talked to Ronnie like that. No one dared. No one except Donnie. He was the only one who could get away with a crack like that.

  Ronnie’s attention was too consumed formulating his new plan, his focus totally on the doctor. He paced back and forth, oblivious to everything.

  Delilah and Donnie watched him until he suddenly stopped in his tracks and pinned Donnie with a look. “You put that tracker on her car like I told you, right?”

  “Yep. Piece of cake.”

  “Pull it up. Find out where she is. I want to pay the good doctor a call.”

  “What, now?”

  “Yes, now, you fucking moron!”

  Donnie stood up. He may be the younger brother, but he had a foot and forty pounds on Ronnie. “Don’t fuckin’ call me that.”

  “Fine. Just fuckin’ do it.”

  Donnie took out his phone and pulled up the app. He slid his thumb over the screen and tapped it and waited. The little green dot popped up on the map.

  “Corner of Harpin Lane and Oakton.”

  Ronnie picked up a .38 cal off the coffee table, checked the chamber for bullets, and shoved it in the waistband at the small of his back. “Let’s go.”

  ***

  AJ, Amy, and Bella sat out on her screened in porch. They’d had a quiet dinner and were now relaxing, trying to keep AJ’s mind on anything but the clock, which she found herself checking ever thirty seconds.

  The last traces of light had faded from the sky and darkness wrapped around them like a cloak.

  The doorbell rang. Bella frowned. “I wonder who that could be.”

  AJ glanced at her. “Were you expecting anyone?”

  “Oh, it could be Melissa Campbell’s husband. She was going to send him over with her donation for the PTA bake sale. She makes the most amazing lemon bars. It’s a good thing Tom is out of town. I’d have to hide them.” She chuckled and went in to answer the front door.

  “It was sweet for Bella to let me stay here while Tom’s away,” AJ said, sipping her coffee.

  Amy waved her hand. “Don’t be silly. She loves the company. She gets lonely in this big house when he’s away on business.”

  AJ nodded. “I suppose.”

  They heard some odd noises coming from inside the house and exchanged a look.

  “What was that?” Amy murmured.

  AJ leaned forward to set her coffee mug down and was starting to rise to her feet when suddenly Bella was in the open sliding glass door, a gloved hand clamped over her mouth from behind by a guy holding a gun pointed to her head. She looked terrified.

  Amy started to scream, and AJ stumbled backward.

  “Shut up or I’ll kill her!” the man threatened. They both shut up. Another man pushed onto the porch and shoved them forward.

  “Get inside!”

  They did as they were told, shuffling and being herded toward the family room. There was a schump sound as the sliding glass door shut behind them.

  “What do you want?” Amy asked in a trembling voice.

  The two men were both dressed in black with ski masks over their faces.

  “Shut up!” snapped the one not holding Bella. Then his eyes focused in on AJ, and a chill went down her spine.

  The shorter one came toward AJ, and she couldn’t help leaning back a few inches, sinking into the couch.

  “Well hello, doctor.”

  She frowned, her heart beating a mile a minute as she wondered how he knew her. Was this another ex-boyfriend or ex-husband of a client, bent on revenge because she helped his girlfriend or wife get away from him? Her eyes moved between Amy and Bella; both women were going through this terror, perhaps even going to be hurt or killed because of her. More people would pay the price for a rage she had induced in someone. She couldn’t bear it; she couldn’t bear the guilt of it. Not again. Please God, not again.

  He got in her face. “You’re gonna do exactly what I tell you, or they die.”

  She nodded frantically. “Okay. Okay. Whatever you say. Just please, don’t hurt them.”

  “That all depends on you.”

  She nodded again.

  He stood her up and pulled a zip tie from his pocket, yanking her arms behind her back. The plastic bit into her tender skin as he secured her wrists.

  The tall man shoved Bella down on the couch next to Amy, and he did the same to them, securing their ankles as well.

  The short man, who had a tight hold of AJ’s arm, drew a roll of duct tape from his pocket and tossed it to his partner. When the man had taped their mouths, he came over and covered hers as well.

  He dipped his head and his eyes flashed with humor through the holes in the ski mask. “Nothin’ better than a woman with duct tape over her mouth.”

  The man holding her didn’t find humor in that. Instead, he barked, “Take their purses and let’s get out of here.

  The tall man swung back to the women, grabbing their purses off the floor. “You sit there quietly or we kill your friend, understand?”

  Amy and Bella nodded, terror in their eyes for themselves and for AJ as the short man dragged her toward the door.

  AJ tried to keep eye contact with the women who’d done so much for her, tried to communicate with her expression how sorry she was to be the cause of all this, how guilty she felt for all of it. All rolled into one tearful expression were her apology, her love, her guilt.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  It was mid-afternoon as the line of bikes slowed and made the turn onto Champagne Street, past the sign with the arrow that read St. Tammany Parish Corrections Facility, past all the rinky-dink bail bonds shops, rolling right past the sign that warned all vehicles entering beyond this point were subject to search. They slowed at the concrete building on the left with the polished metal lettering above the entrance that read St. Tammany Parish Jail and backed their bikes to the curb in the spots posted One Hour Visitor Parking.

  Blood climbed from his bike, his shades aimed at the lone Channel Five News SUV parked several spots to their right. He recognized the female reporter in the passenger seat. He assumed the driver must be her cameraman.

  Mooch moved next to him, pulling a toothpick from his mouth. How that man rode with a toothpick in his mouth, Blood had no clue.

  “Ain’t she that bitch from the report?”

  “Looks like it.” Blood grinned. “Why don’t you go give her an interview she’ll never forget.”

  Mooch chuckled. “I’d like to give her something she’d never forget, but it wouldn’t be an interview.”

  Blood huffed out a laugh. “Tell her you’re Willie Nelson, done gave up country music to join the Evil Dead. Bet she’d believe it.”

  “Well, I can sing a note or two.” Mooch eyed her. “How much time we got?”

  “Enough for you to keep us all entertained. Go on, I need a good laugh.”

  Mooch moseyed over to her door, motioning for her to roll the window down. Surprisingly she did. But she also raised one eyebrow and gave him a glassy stare. “Can I help you?”

  “Hey darlin’, you gonna put us all on the five o’clock news?”

  She gave him a bitch of a smile and bit out, “Did you come over here to spill the beans to me on all your illegal activities?”

  Mooch huffed out a laugh. “Not hardly.”

  Jerking the cuffs of her white shirt down, she aimed her gaze out the windshield. “I didn’t think so. Perhaps you came over because you s
aw an attractive woman.”

  Mooch shrugged and grinned. “I mean I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a factor.”

  “Were you going to talk to me on camera?”

  “Maybe.”

  “You must really think I’m an idiot.”

  “Well, your words.”

  Her expression turned to ice just as a female sheriff’s deputy walked up the sidewalk and stopped. “Step back from the SUV, sir, and mind your own business or you’ll be inside next to your friend.”

  When he didn’t immediately step back, she unsnapped her holster, daring him to disobey her.

  The brothers all started hooting and begging her to arrest him.

  Mooch backed off, his hands in the air, grinning.

  When he returned to Blood’s side, Blood could barely hide his amusement. “Almost kind of wishing she shot you.”

  “Blow me.”

  The glass doors opened up, and Richardson walked out with Undertaker. Cheers went up among the brothers as they saw their President. He was enfolded with many bear hugs and back slaps.

  Blood studied the grin that split Undertaker’s face. The man was happier than he’d seen him in a long time, but the circles under his eyes gave away the fact that he hadn’t been sleeping much.

  He scanned the crowd, finding Blood and moving to him. “Thought maybe AJ would be with you.”

  “She’s waiting for your call.” Blood dug his phone out of his pocket and passed it to him.

  Undertaker took it, his thumb moving over the screen as he asked, “She doin’ okay?”

  “She’s been a nervous wreck, waiting for you to be released, but she’s holdin’ it together. Been stayin’ with one of her girlfriends. They’ve rallied around her.”

  Undertaker nodded, putting the phone to his ear, his eyes scanning the horizon. He frowned, pulling the phone down and trying again. “It’s goin’ straight to voicemail.”

  Blood had no answer for him on why she wouldn’t have picked up. “Hey, let’s just head that way. I know where the girl’s house is.”

  Undertaker nodded. “Yeah. Let’s get the fuck out of here. Mount up boys!”

  ***

  When they hit Slidell, the boys headed back to the clubhouse and Undertaker, Blood, Mooch, and Sandman all broke from the pack. Five minutes later they were rolling down Oakton.

  As they rounded the corner, they were met with the sight of several patrol cars and unmarked vehicles parked at the address AJ had given Blood. When they pulled to the curb, Blood had to almost tackle his President to keep him from running halfcocked into the house. He got in front of him. “Take a fucking breath, Prez, and think this through. You just got released; she’ll freak if these cops arrest you and send you right back to lock up.”

  “Fine.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Find out what the fuck is going on.”

  Blood nodded and headed toward the officers, who held him back from entering. “Is Dr. AJ Carter here?”

  “Who the hell are you?”

  “A friend.”

  “Oh, really. Well, the detectives are gonna wanna talk to you.”

  “What for? What’s going on?” Blood snapped as the black detective AJ had spoken with at the clubhouse came walking out of the house, heading straight for his President.

  “You! This is all your fault. The minute she met you all these bad things started happening to her!”

  Undertaker, who’d been pacing and trying her cell again, whirled toward him. “Where’s AJ? Is she inside? Let me see her.”

  The detective looked at him like he was crazy. “She’s not here! They took her!”

  The blood drained from Undertaker’s face and his body went solid as he growled, “Who took her?”

  “Two men in ski masks.”

  Undertaker’s hands carved through his hair, holding it back then releasing it. He felt lightheaded. “Holy fuck. When?” he snapped.

  “Last night. Just after dinner. You know anything about that?”

  He felt his mouth go dry. “No. You have any leads?”

  “Stay out of this. This is an investigation.” Williams got in Undertaker’s face. “If she hadn’t met you, this wouldn’t have happened. I hope you’re happy.” He shook his head. “Why the hell she’d be an alibi for a piece of shit like you, I have no idea. But if I find out you are in any way involved in this, I’ll make sure you end up back in prison where you belong.” He stalked off.

  Undertaker motioned Blood over. “I know who did this.”

  Mooch and Sandman gathered close.

  Undertaker stared at Sandman. “That house I had you stake out… you remember how to get there?”

  “Yeah, it’s on Pine View.”

  He looked to Mooch. “It’s Ronnie LaMonte. I’d bet my life on it. That son-of-a-bitch has been one step ahead of me this whole game.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “He’s been behind all of this. The fire was a setup to send me back to Angola. He must have heard I was being cleared of those charges, so he’s moved on to plan B.”

  “When’d you figure all that out?”

  “I had some time on my hands lately,” he snapped with a sarcastic edge.

  “And what do you figure plan B is?”

  Undertaker shook his head. “I don’t know, but whatever it is it involves using AJ to get to me. We need to get to her before he hurts her.” He pinned them with a look. “I lost Angie all those years ago.” He paused, shaking his head. “I can’t lose AJ, too.”

  “Then you won’t,” Mooch promised with a hand on his shoulder.

  “Hey, we’re going to find her. We won’t stop until we do,” Blood promised.

  Undertaker nodded, meeting Blood’s earnest gaze. Then he glanced at Mooch and jerked his chin toward the house. “You wait here. Give us twenty minutes head start, then give them LaMonte’s name and address.”

  “You got it.”

  Undertaker turned toward his bike.

  “Hey, Prez, be careful,” Mooch called to him. “This one’s personal; don’t let that have you taking irrational chances.”

  Undertaker nodded.

  Mooch’s eyes shifted to Blood, his brows arching, and ordered, “Watch his back.”

  “Always, VP.”

  The three bikes roared off, Sandman leading the way.

  ***

  Sandman held his arm up, slowing his bike to a crawl. Blood knew why. He didn’t want the roar of the motorcycles to give them away. They rolled to a stop on the side of the road, two blocks away.

  Dismounting, Undertaker snapped, “Where is it?”

  “This way.” Sandman led them at a jog over to the next block, and through some trees until they were close enough to see the back of the house. They ducked down and snuck up the driveway of the house behind it, coming up along the garage.

  Sandman peered around the corner. “Drapes are drawn on the sliding glass doors in back. There’s a car there, but it ain’t the Buick.”

  “How do you want to play this?” Blood asked Undertaker.

  “I bet ya the sliding door’s unlocked,” Sandman advised. “Let’s try that way.”

  Undertaker started to move, but Blood held him back. “You think I’m lettin’ you walk in there, you’re crazy.”

  “You think I’m not goin’, you’re the one that’s crazy. She’s my woman.”

  “Which is why you should wait here.”

  “You try and stop me I’ll put a bullet in you. Move.”

  “You got a kid on the way. Gonna need a father.”

  “If she’s in there, she needs me. Now get the fuck out of my way. That’s an order.”

  Blood dropped his arm.

  Undertaker jumped the fence and dashed head-down toward the back of the house.

  “Stubborn son-of-a-bitch, ain’t he? Kinda reminds me of you.” Sandman looked to Blood.

  Blood glared at him and snapped, “Let’s go.”

  As predicted, the door was unlocked. Sandman slid it op
en a crack and listened. There was dead silence. He quietly pushed it the rest of the way and they moved inside. They could hear footsteps moving around upstairs.

  Blood pointed to the ceiling. Undertaker nodded. Blood started for the stairs, but Undertaker grabbed his arm, shaking his head, then he moved to the stereo and flicked it on, cranking the volume all the way up. Sandman and Blood took up positions on either side of the arched doorway to the back family room. Undertaker sat in a chair, his gun in his hand, and waited until the bait drew their prey.

  Ronnie came pounding down the stairs. “Motherfucker, what are you doing back here? I told you to stay away, Donnie!” He stalked into the room, and froze when two muzzles were pressed to each side of his face. “What the fuck?”

  Undertaker reached back, never taking his eyes off Ronnie as he turned a lamp on and the stereo off. “Well, if it isn’t little Ronnie LeMonte. I hear you been lookin’ for me.”

  “How’d you find me?”

  “I’m a smart man.”

  “You ain’t smart enough to keep yourself from being arrested, you ain’t smart enough to keep me off your tail, and you definitely ain’t smart enough to save your ol’ lady.”

  “We’ll see.” He jerked his chin at Sandman who left Ronnie in Blood’s capable hands and headed upstairs to search the place.

  Undertaker stood and grabbed Ronnie by a fistful of shirt and shoved him down in the chair, then lifted his gun and pressed the muzzle to Ronnie’s forehead. “Where is she?”

  “You know I’ve dreamt of this. You wanting something from me… watching you squirm like a worm on a hook.”

  “I’m so flattered that you dream of me. I haven’t given you a thought since I left Angola.”

  “You have your perfect life, don’t you, Mr. Big Shot MC President?”

  “Look, if you have some kind of score to settle, game on. I see no need to bring her into this.”

  Ronnie laughed. “It may not be necessary, but oh it is so much fun.”