Torched: Afterburn (Iron Serpents Motorcycle Club Book 2) Read online

  “Isn’t she doing the stem cell thing today?” Nadia asked.

  Torch frowned and looked back at her. “I thought she said that was tomorrow.”

  “Maybe it is then. She didn’t say anything, but we started getting our shots the same day so I just assumed.”

  Goddamn it, she probably had gone to Denver to do it without telling him. Why? To avoid taking attention away from Buddha? To assert her fucking independence like always? Or maybe…

  Fuck.

  What if she was planning on confronting her old man and didn’t want an audience? What if she did something fucking stupid in public and got thrown back in jail?

  Not happening.

  Remembering that she’d taken her car that morning, he pulled out his phone and texted Biff to get her GPS location. A few seconds later, his fears were confirmed. She was eighty-five miles away at the kids hospital.

  “Shit,” he murmured. “I gotta go.”

  “You need me?” Zed asked.

  Torch thought about it and nodded. “Yeah, I could use you,” he replied.

  “Alright.” Zed looked over at Nadia and asked, “You good?”

  “I’m fine, go help Liv.”

  : 28 :

  | LIVIA |

  I sat in my car, jamming away to one of my favorite rock songs and keeping an eye out for Silas, when he pulled up next to me. I tossed my purse into the back seat as the passenger door opened and he plopped inside.

  “Interesting place for a meet,” he muttered. “A hospital?”

  “I have some business to take care of,” I replied. “We need to make this quick, I’m running a little late. Do you have another job?”

  “Yes. Well, more of an extension of the last one.”

  I bit down on my lip to keep from smiling. “Did you take care of the blackmailer?”

  “Yes, that’s been handled. Unfortunately, they discovered a problem after the man in question… disappeared, if you will.”

  “Let me guess, the problem is a few of the drones have disappeared too?”

  His head whipped around. “How do you know about that?”

  “I’m surprised it took them a week and a half to find out,” I smirked.

  “Styx, what are you hiding? Did you create backdoor access and see something on the cameras?”

  “Come on, Silas,” I groaned. “You don’t think I have better things to do than spy on clients after a job’s done?”

  “I don’t know, do you?” he asked.

  I reached into the center console, pulled out a small piece of paper, and handed it to him. “GPS coordinates. The five drones are inside a shed.”

  He scowled and narrowed his eyes. “You know this how?”

  “I put them there. Sorry, you know how it is with tech girls and their toys, I couldn’t help myself and figured there was no harm in borrowing them as long as they got back in one piece. Excellent engineering, by the way. They work great.”

  “Styx,” he hissed, “what the hell were you thinking? And why did I have to get in touch with you to find this out?”

  “Like I said, I wanted to play, there’s not a whole lot to do in a small town. And I tried to call but you have that ridiculous policy of tossing your burner the minute a job’s done. You really should make yourself more readily available.”

  He glared at me, not amused. “And how do you suggest I explain finding five stolen drones hidden in a shed in the middle of nowhere?”

  “Ninjas?” I quipped. “I don’t know, lie. You’re good at it.”

  He turned in his seat so his back rested against the door and he could look directly at me. “Do you honestly think I’ll hire you again after pulling a stunt like this? I don’t appreciate having to clean up other people’s messes.”

  I rolled my eyes at him. “Oh, come on, you clean up other peoples’ messes for a living.”

  “Yes. But the difference is they pay me.”

  “Okay, your loss,” I conceded with a shrug.

  His brow furrowed. “Just like that?”

  “You’re the one saying you’ll never hire me again. I apologized, what else do you want?”

  “I asked if you thought I would, it was a question,” he clarified.

  “Ah, so I was supposed to read your mind and then change it. Gotcha.”

  “Styx—”

  “Silas,” I sighed, “I’m not worried about my career options. There’s a sea of potential clients looking for good hackers out there. You, on the other hand, have a much smaller pond to choose from. Supply and demand. I don’t think I need to sit here and pander to you.”

  “I can have you blacklisted in a minute,” he boasted.

  “And I can have a new and untraceable internet handle a minute after that. Face it, you need me more than I need you and we both know you like to keep a monopoly on your employees. I’ll see you in a couple months.”

  He shook his head and sneered, but reached for the handle and stepped out without another word.

  “One more thing,” I called out.

  He leaned back in and scowled in displeasure. “Yes?”

  “It’s always the basic shit people overlook. Let me know if FTX is willing to spend another fifty grand to build a better fence. I know some guys.”

  “Goodbye, my dear… I’ll be in touch.”

  “Looking forward to it,” I said with a wink. “Bring me back something from Thailand.”

  “How do you—”

  “Basic shit, Silas,” I reminded him. “The flight manifest is sticking out of your pocket. Hey, if I get really bored, can I borrow your—”

  “No,” he cut me off with a pointed finger, “you stay away from my private jet.” He turned to get in his car, but swung back around and leaned in again. “That includes any hackable electronics and flight controls, don’t even think about it.”

  Grinning, I waved him off and cranked the music back up. A glance at the clock indicated I had about ten minutes to kill, so I reclined the seat and tried to clear my head by focusing on the melody. It was going to be a long fucking day.

  : 29 :

  | LIVIA |

  I stood waiting at a nurse’s station on the fourth floor of the hospital, when a jovial Dr. Louis Stevens approached. I recognized him from online pictures. He’d made quite a name for himself in the medical world and was considered to be one of the best pediatric oncologists in the region. I was just relieved to know my little sister was getting the quality care she deserved, so much so that I’d stopped by the billing department and paid off the outstanding balance of what my father’s insurance hadn’t covered. I’d also put down another twenty thousand for future copays and deductibles, with instructions to transfer the remainder to another family in need if Nicole’s treatment didn’t eat it all up. If all went well, she’d have a proper childhood ahead of her. I didn’t want her growing up in poverty like I had, not over her medical bills. I hadn’t done it for Graham, he could die penniless under a fucking bridge for all I cared. Nicole was the only one who mattered.

  “Mrs. Larter?” Dr. Stevens asked, extending his hand. “Gina said you wanted to speak to me, but I can’t seem to place your name or face. Do we know each other?”

  I shook his hand and smiled. “No, we’ve never met. I’m Nicole Townsend’s donor.”

  He furrowed his brow. “How do you—”

  “I’d rather not get into how I know if that’s okay. Don’t worry, I didn’t ask to speak to you to make trouble for you or the hospital.”

  “What is this about then?” he asked suspiciously.

  “Nicole is my half-sister, we have the same father—”

  “Oh, so you found out from him.” He looked relieved.

  “No, actually I haven’t seen or talked to him in about fifteen years. We’re estranged and I’d like to keep it that way, which is why I wanted to meet with you.”

  “Now I’m extremely confused,” he muttered.

  “I know, I’m sorry. Look, it’s complicated and personal. My father
hasn’t been in my life for a long time, I didn’t even know he’d had another child until the match came back. I got tested to help someone else.”

  “Mrs. Larter—”

  “Please, call me Livia.”

  “Okay, Livia… I have to ask, was there some kind of abuse I should know about for the sake of my patient?”

  “No, it’s nothing like that,” I replied. “He just wasn’t around and now that I’m an adult, I’d like to keep my distance.”

  He nodded. “I understand. What is it I can help you with then?”

  I glanced down at my feet, not quite sure how to word my request without coming off like a total creep. “I was hoping… I’d really like to talk to her, Dr. Stevens. Just for a minute or two. I don’t want Nicole knowing who I am or be in her life or anything like that, I just… I’d like to meet my sister, you know?”

  He cocked his head to the side and pursed his lips. “What you’re asking is a serious breach of patient confidentiality and parental rights, I shouldn’t even be talking to you right now.”

  “I know,” I sighed. “But like I said, I’m not trying to make trouble for anyone. I don’t want her knowing I’m her sister or that her father had another family before she was born, that’s for him to discuss with her if he wants to. I’m not here to step on any toes but I am here, hopefully to save her life, and I already know who she is. Can you find it in your heart to make an exception? You can tell her I’m a hospital volunteer or something, I don’t care. I’d just like to know what she’s like and meet her once in my life.”

  He leaned on the counter and rubbed his chin. “Livia… I don’t know.”

  “Dr. Stevens, I know she’s in room 4215. I could’ve slipped by and just gone in, but I’m trying to be respectful, not weird her out or cause a scene. The fact that I’m asking for your help should tell you I’m sincere and don’t have any ill intentions. You can listen in, I’m not asking to be alone with her.”

  He paused and studied me for a few seconds before conceding. “Okay.”

  “Yeah?”

  He nodded. “I don’t know who you had to bribe or what the story is with your father, but we were running out of options until you came back a match. I can give you a few supervised minutes with Nicole if you promise not to upset her or reveal anything her parents wouldn’t want her knowing. I’m very serious, Livia, this could open me up to a lawsuit.”

  Unable to contain my gratitude, I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” He took a step back and motioned for me to follow him down the hallway. “She’s in one of the play areas, Nicole doesn’t like to be cooped up in bed for too long even on bad days.”

  “I have the same problem. Is today a bad day?”

  “Today’s a better day than yesterday. I told her about the transplant earlier and the news seems to have given her some strength. She ate a little breakfast for the first time this week.”

  I tried to hide it, but that tidbit made me choke up a little.

  We passed by several rooms and I couldn’t help but look inside each one, my heart breaking for all the little kids who were hooked up to machines instead of running around outside on this beautiful day. I didn’t know how their doctors did it either. Not much got to me but even I—with my habit of sweeping emotions under a rug—couldn’t imagine being around so much suffering day in and day out.

  At the end of the hallway, we walked into an open activity area full of toys, books, and a TV. It was still early and Nicole was the only one in there curled up on a couch with a novel. Gone was her strawberry blonde hair and those blushing cheeks I’d seen in all the pictures, they’d been replaced by a bald head and skin so pale and translucent that I could see her veins.

  I had to turn away as my eyes started burning. Why was I doing this to myself?

  “Are you alright?” Dr. Stevens asked.

  I cleared my throat and took a deep breath. “Yeah. She just reminded me of myself for a minute, I used to read a lot too.”

  He squeezed my arm and smiled. “She’s a bright girl, she’ll do very well for herself if we can help her overcome this bump in the road. Are you ready?”

  I nodded and let him lead me towards her. She looked up from her book and studied me as we approached.

  “Nicole, this is my friend, Livia,” the doctor introduced me. “I was showing her around but I need to make a quick phone call. Would you mind keeping her company for a few minutes while I do that?”

  “Sure.” She shut the book and shifted to the end of the couch to make room for me.

  I watched Dr. Stevens walk off to the other side of the room—far enough for a little privacy, but close enough to listen in—and pull out his cell phone.

  As soon as he pretended to dial a number and put it up to his ear, I turned to my little sister. “What are you reading?” I asked.

  “Little Women. I’ve read it four times already.”

  I raised my brows in surprise. “Wow. You like the classics, huh?”

  She smiled up at me sweetly. “I like reading everything, especially about vampires and werewolves and wizards. But sometimes you need a break from the fake stuff. That’s why I’m reading this one again. The kids at school think I’m weird because I don’t watch a lot of TV… Do you think that’s weird?”

  “Sweetie, I think it’s awesome. Don’t worry about what other kids say and do whatever makes you happy. The popular ones usually end up as losers anyway, it’s the special ones like you who go places. Who’s your favorite sister in Little Women?”

  “I like Jo,” she said, with a twinge of excitement in her soft voice. “She didn’t care about rules or what anybody thought, she followed her dreams. I want to be a writer one day too.”

  I grinned, my heart nearly exploding out of my chest with pride. I wasn’t sure why, it wasn’t like I’d had anything to do with her love of reading or choice of female role models, but I was proud of her nonetheless. “Jo was definitely a strong woman, I’m glad you look up to her. And I’m sure you’ll be an amazing writer one day.”

  “What do you do?” she asked.

  “I work with computers, it’s not nearly as exciting as writing though.”

  “I think that would be fun too. I’m pretty good with computers, I always have to help my dad. He can barely send an email.”

  I felt a lump form in my throat at the mention of our mutual sperm donor, but did my best to avoid scrunching my face in disgust from the mere thought of him. At the same time, I was glad she’d brought him up because I had a few questions. “Do you have to write his emails for him? Old people aren’t very good with that kind of stuff.”

  She giggled and shook her head. “No, he can write emails, he just never remembers how to attach stuff or forward them to other people. He’s good with his hands though, last year he built me a treehouse.”

  I had to hold back even harder, the snarky thoughts in my head were just itching to be verbalized. “That sounds pretty cool. Does he do a lot of stuff like that for you?”

  “Yeah, he’s more fun than a lot of dads I know. My mom works at night so it’s just me and him a lot. Well, it used to be like that, but now he has to work more so my mom can take care of me. She’s a nurse. But I’m getting new stem cells soon, so hopefully things go back to normal. I can’t wait to ride my bike again, it’s been for-ever.”

  “I’m sure you’ll be back on it in no time,” I assured her. “I have a bike too, but mine has a motor.”

  Despite her obvious fatigue, her eyes grew as wide as saucers. “You have a motorcycle?”

  “I do. Two of them actually. They’re a lot of fun to ride.”

  “That would be sooo cool!” she exclaimed. “I don’t know any girls who have motorcycles.”

  “Well, maybe you can get your own one day. Like I said, you should do whatever makes you happy, sweetheart.”

  She glanced down at her hands like she wanted to say something, but wasn’t sure if she s
hould. Not wanting to push, I left her to her thoughts.

  After a prolonged moment of awkward silence, she looked back up at me. “You’re the one who’s giving me your stem cells, aren’t you?”

  Caught off-guard, I asked, “Why would you think that?”

  “Why are you avoiding the question?” she asked.

  Fuck me, it was like talking to my younger self. I smiled and shook my head, completely astounded by the similarities in our personalities. “You got me. You’re a smart young woman, aren’t you?”

  “Not that smart,” she said with a shrug. “You ask a lot of questions, especially about my family. I just figured.”

  “Yeah? How did you get to be so perceptive?”

  “I read a lot of mystery books too, they teach you how to look for clues. I almost always know who did it before the end.”

  “I guess brains can skip a generation,” I smirked.

  She scowled. “What?”

  Shit, slip of the tongue. “Nothing, I was just talking to myself.”

  “I talk to myself a lot too. Is that weird?”

  “Not at all, you’re a very interesting person to talk to.”

  Nicole beamed up at me. “I think you’re interesting too.”

  “Why thank you, I’m glad you think so.” I heard Dr. Stevens clearing his throat and looked over to see him motioning for me to wrap it up. I nodded and turned back to Nicole. “I need to get going, okay? I hope you start feeling better really soon. And keep reading those books, the world needs more clever little girls like you.”

  “I will.”

  I gave her hand a gentle squeeze, stood up, and started walking off.

  “Livia?” she called out.

  I turned back around. “Yeah?”

  “Are we related?”

  Fuck, she really was smart.

  I wished I could tell her, I really did. I wanted so much to watch her blossom and grow and do amazing things, maybe even be the one to show her how to use a clutch. But deep down, I knew nothing good would come from me telling her who I was. It would only leave her with a shattered perception of a man she loved. No, I couldn’t be selfish, she didn’t deserve to have to grow up even faster than she already had. Maybe one day Graham would be out of the picture and we could reconnect, but for now, I had to look out for her interests instead of my own.