Lucifer: Hades Riders MC Read online

  Chapter 9

  I let life continue as usual. I just had my three-month prenatal appointment and all was well. I hadn’t heard from Lucifer since he stormed out of my place a month ago – which was fine by me – but I’ve kept in close touch with Nettie and occasionally Bull. I ripped him a new one and divulged how the whole confrontation went. He sounded shocked and apologetic, and he seemed sincere when he admitted he didn’t think it would be that bad. I hadn’t uttered a word about my plan to anyone. It took me two nights of research and a whole bunch of work but I was ready. I felt bad, because I didn’t want to lose Nettie or anyone else but once I left I’d have to be careful of contact.

  I walked into the restaurant feeling a bit nervous. I spotted Bull immediately sitting there with his tall frame as various women checked him out around the room. I slipped into the seat opposite him. His eyes flew up and a huge smile graced his face.

  “Hey there beautiful, how you doing?” he asked.

  I smiled. “I’m good.”

  “How’s the little devil?” he asked referring to the baby.

  “He’s doing really well.” I dug into my purse for a picture. “Here’s the sonogram from my last appointment.”

  He smiled and looked at it. “Aww, he looks just like you!”

  I rolled my eyes. “Oh shut it.” He handed it back over and I tucked it away right before a waitress came by our table. We ordered our food and chatted about nonsense. When we were done, I ordered an ice tea so we could get to the real reason I bought him here.

  “Look Bull, you’ve become a friend to me… both you and Nettie.” I began.

  He smirked. “You know we care about you sugar.”

  I nodded. “Yes I do and I really appreciate it. Which is why I wanted you to meet me, I wanted to see you again. I had to say goodbye to you face to face, see you for the last time.”

  He frowned and sat up straight. “What do you mean goodbye?” he asked.

  “I’m leaving here.”

  “What?!” he said loudly and shook his head. “You can’t, what about the baby?” he asked.

  I nodded. “Exactly! I told you what he said, I won’t risk it, and how could he possibly raise a child. I mean come on my child is not going to grow up knowing only hate and contempt. I’m doing what’s best for the both of us.”

  He sighed. “I know what he said but don’t you think you’re being a bit hasty here? He was pissing mad about a lot of things. I’m sure you said somethings out of anger.”

  I shook my head. “My decisions made, I’m not taking that risk.”

  He groaned and rubbed his temples. “You know I’ve got to tell him right?” he asked.

  I nodded. “I do. And that’s fine.”

  He looked at me confused. “He’s not going to let you leave, what’s the point then?”

  I smiled. “I’ll be long gone before he even finds out.”

  I deposited the phone that he got for me as well as my own personal one on the table and stood. He followed my cue and stood and I wrapped my arms around him hugging him tightly. “I’m going to miss you!” I admitted.

  He sighed. “Me too sugar.” He pulled back and looked into my eyes. “I really am sorry you know, I didn’t want all of… this.”

  I gave him a watery smile. “I know, I understand.”

  He released me. “Be safe sugar, he aint going to be real fucking pleased when I tell him.”

  I nodded. “I know. You be safe too… maybe someday I’ll see you again?”

  He nodded. “I sure hope so.”

  I handed him the note I’d written for Nettie, I met with her last night and told her… and she obviously didn’t speak a word. I told her about my meeting with Bull and in a way to cover for her I’d written this so that it would seem like I was just telling her goodbye. Also, there was a message in there on how to contact me if there was ever a need. She said she’d keep her ear to the ground and she wouldn’t betray them either, but if it sounded like my life or anything extreme was on the line she’d reach me. She would be the only person who would know how to pick up on it or figure it out.

  After a light kiss to his cheek we released each other and I offered him a small wave before walking out of the restaurant. He watched behind me with sad eyes and I felt bad for having to give him up. I knew when he told Lucifer, he’d probably ask a million questions and I remembered what Nettie had told me about him – he was extremely smart so I had to have my wits about me to pull this off. I walked over to the rental car and got into it. I only had two bags in the car but I had it propped up on boxes to make it look like the car was stuffed. The bags were filled with trash but he wouldn’t know that. All I needed was for him to get a good look at the car, assume I’d traded in for this one to go on the run and I’d be making my journey in this.

  Over the years, my father had introduced me to a lot of people… people that did all types of things, both legit and not so much. My father never held his tongue when telling me about them which served me really good at this moment. He wanted to be sure that if anything ever happened to him, I’d all have the same services at my disposal. I hadn’t risked telling my dad I was leaving not knowing how Lucifer would react to him for holding out. I made sure that he knew nothing, so I contacted these people behind his back. With some bribing and a little threatening I was able to get everything done without having to worry about them spilling the beans.

  So here was my plan. First, I contacted some guy named Vinny who was shady as all hell. He could make any types of documents or have them disappear. I’m talking legal documents. So I had him set me up with a whole new identity. I’m not talking just a new social security card, ID, and birth certificate. No he drafted me up a whole life. I had employment and school history; I was born and raised in Maryland now instead of Jersey. I liked that spin. He made it so that nothing tied back to my old life. My parents died in a car crash recently – so there’s no chance of anyone wanting to know or meet them – while my fiancée was driving them to the airport. Nice touch, cover up for my child. Once I had all the documents I needed, I contacted Richard. He was good with moving or more accurately laundering money. I had him do some tricks and deposit the money throughout several accounts I opened under my new name. They were done to look like overtime savings, money from my husband’s death, and inheritance from my parents.

  Lastly, I needed to pick a place to go. I wouldn’t just hop over a few hours away, I needed some distance so I chose a place anyone would least likely suspect me to move to, Aurora. I had someone locate me a place based on my description, get all the paperwork done and have it furnished. I wanted something nice but low key. The population of Cayuga County is less than 1,000. It’s a quiet and cozy neighborhood. Perfect. Next, I had to secure a car and a job as well as find an OB/GYN.

  I couldn’t very well have my medical records with my current name sent over now could I? so instead, I had all my medical chart data replicated over to my new name – couldn’t risk something happening to me and they didn’t have correct information – and I would just saunter into the office for my first appointment and pretend I just found out. So far, there were no complications and I’ve been doing everything I was supposed to so there shouldn’t be any harm. The doctor was the easy part. The job not quite so much since I had to do all the interviews over the phone. Eventually I landed something at Macy’s to be a clothing designer. It wasn’t Vera Wang, but it was something. They had their own line and I’d still be getting to do what I loved. Plus, it was only temporary. I wanted to settle in and stay underground for a while then I wanted to eventually pursue my own career where my name Abelie – no wait Jianna Mancini – would be known everywhere. I secured me a jeep and had it ready for me parked in a lot. As you can see everything is in place, I left all my stuff behind sans a few small things that I couldn’t part with which were in my duffle with an overnight outfit.

  I pulled off, out of the restaurant parking lot and drove around randomly for an hour making su
re I wasn’t being followed before I made my way over to an alley. I had brought a beat up Nissan from some random person through craigslist and paid in cash. I didn’t transfer the car into my name or anything since I’d only need it for a little bit then whoever found it could have it. Besides, the less of a trail I leave the better. The rented car had been in my name and that’s where it should end. I’m sure Bull got the license plate so it only made sense. I didn’t want to tip him off to the fact I’d gotten a whole new identity. I wanted him to continue to look for a girl name Abelie Bianchi.

  I drove the beat-up car into New York City where the streets were crowded and I had slimmer chances of being spotted or even caught on any cameras. I was paranoid because I was also worried about my father pulling strings himself to find me. The last thing I needed was for him to find me and that would tip off Lucifer. I found a spot on the street and parked, then slipped into a McDonald’s close by where I changed my clothes – down to my shoes – and put on a hat. From there I walked to port authority to catch my greyhound bus.

  I was in my seat on the bus 20 minutes later heading to my new home and life. It was a five-hour trip, but I refused to close my eyes for even a second. To me, it was too dangerous to let my guard down in any way. The trip seemed to fly past, they made an announcement that we would be pulling into my stop in the next 15 minutes so I slipped to the bathroom once again and changed into a third outfit. This time I had a cap on and tucked all my hair underneath. I didn’t want to be easily recognized just by looking for the outfit I’d had on. I’ve never been here before and I had no idea what the security was like so I wanted to play it safe.

  I scanned the sticky note in my hand, reading the numbers to my license plate. I held onto this for dear life because this was the only place I’d find this. Eventually I found the jeep and found the keys in the hidden spot. When I let myself in, I opened the glove compartment to find the paperwork for the house and car as well as the house keys and an address. The first thing I did was drive around until I found a Sprint store and went to purchase me a phone for Jianna Mancini. Then I was able to use the phone GPS to get me to my new home.

  The house was nice, but not in an ostentatious way. He’d done good, followed instructions well. I mean I could’ve easily had an exquisite mansion built or looked for the most luxurious home this place had to offer but that wasn’t what I wanted. Besides, I’ve never been one for extreme grandeur – it attracts too much. People always want to know who the person is that just moved into the rich home and everything about them. Here, I’d just seem like any other Joe that you can care less about getting to know… I hoped.

  I did a walk through and was thoroughly pleased with all they’d done. I was happy and finally took a deep breath. I made it… I did it. I made it out safe and sound. I know I’d be on edge for a while, but I feel free. That python that had been slowly wrapping its way around me since the thought of being pregnant came up softened then released completely. I sat on the couch in pure bliss, for a while I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to do it. I had two days left until I started my new job. I had left all my clothes behind and it pained me that all of my work and tools were still there. The only thing I’d packed was my sketch pad. It was a large sacrifice, but one that needed to be made. I could make more, tons more of clothes and I planned to. But for now, this would do. I had to do shopping so there won’t be much rest. I had to buy food, house supplies, toiletries, kitchenware, clothes, you name it and it’s on my list. But it was worth it. It was all worth it.

  Epilogue

  Lucifer

  I’ve been in a shitty fucking mood. First, I was angry that I had got rid of Abelie. I know it was irrational but she was a good fuck. More than good, hell I never had better if I was honest and I wasn’t ready to give that up. Plus, she got under my skin. I don’t know what it was about her. The woman constantly beat the shit out of me, not that her blows ever hurt any but I’ve killed for less. Let one of those club bitches even think of raising a hand to me I’d break her neck and here this pint-sized Barbie was abusing the ever-loving shit out of me.

  Then there’s her mouth, she’s said enough to have her tongue cut the fuck out. For some goddamn reason the thought never crossed my mind to do anything to her. Plus those crocodile tears did something to my insides. I didn’t like her crying or pouting and that got her whatever she wanted. But then again, those are the reasons why I didn’t keep her. I couldn’t. She was becoming a weakness to me. The fact I sought her out every night and woke with her every morning was a warning bell. When the time came, I knew what I had to do.

  I often found myself going into her old room. It still smelled like her, vanilla. I must be losing my mind because I actually fucking missed her. I’d stopped myself more times than I’d care to admit from going to her house and pounding her until her bed broke through the wall. Then, Bull drops a bomb on me. She was fucking pregnant. As soon as those words fell out of his mouth I felt my world shatter to pieces. I was instantly warped back in time and I was that helpless 17-year-old again with a knocked-up bitch of an ex-girlfriend. All I could do was see Nancy, her spineless, deceptive ass. I stormed over to Abelie’s apartment to tear her a new one. I heard everything she said but it was being drowned out by the memories of my past. No matter what, when I looked at her Nancy’s face was all I saw. Her voice was suspiciously like Nancy’s. Then there was the pain that Nancy caused. All of the things she caused me to sacrifice, the one thing that meant a lot to me that she sacrificed. In hindsight, the entire time I was having a fight with Nancy, not Abelie.

  After I stormed out of her apartment, I came back here and got drunk. It wasn’t until a couple of days later that Bull – short for bulldozer – did just that as he stormed into my office and slammed his fist into my face. I was taken aback, since he never comes at me this way. While I was stuck in my shocked state he slammed his fist into my face again and pushed me hard against the wall. Best friend or not, that shit wasn’t going to fly. I prepared myself for a fight when he started flying off the handle.

  Apparently, he and Abelie kept in touch which I knew because I’m a fucking stalker when it comes to her ass and she’d told him what happened. He ripped me a new one. I’ve known Bull since I crossed paths with him in a shelter. It was my first time and he helped me out when some shit happened. From there on, we became good friends. He knows all about my past and I his. The fact that we had a lot in common is what bonded us so quickly. We had an understanding about what it’s like to be alone, to raise yourself. At least he had Nettie in his younger years before meeting me. I had no one until him.

  Needless to say, he talked sense into me. She wasn’t Nancy, and there wasn’t anything she could really gain from me. It’s not like she was lacking in her own millions. For the first time in my life, I had true regret over my own actions and like the fucking coward I was I couldn’t apologize. My ego wouldn’t allow it. So instead, I decided to bide my time. In reality, I didn’t know how I truly felt about any of it because I didn’t want to think about it. Instead I pushed it to the back of my mind to fester all the while I pretended it didn’t exist and it was driving me mad from the inside out. I know I was being an even bigger jerk and was completely irritable and irrational but there wasn’t fuck all anyone could do about it unless they wanted me to take out my anger on them. The only person I was mad at was Abelie, and all the things she was doing to my fucking mind. I wanted to strangle her then fuck her till she couldn’t walk. I was conflicted with the feelings and thoughts I had about her, and I was afraid to talk or be near her until I understood what it all really meant. I knew that if I gave in to my obsession with her I’d fuck around and fall in love with the bitch. That’s the last thing I needed in this fucked up life.

  I was sitting in my office, pissed off that fucking Led’s lazy ass fucking missed the deadline for this deal and we lost out on making a good $5 mill. Fucking dick head I tell you. I was on the computer looking for some new shit for us to get into whe
n Bull walked in. I looked up.

  “What’s up man?”

  “Lucifer…”

  “I’m kind of busy right now, can I hit you later?” I asked.

  He sighed. “This is import – “

  I was irate. “It can’t possibly be that fucking important. Fucking morons lost out on money now I’m looking to try to cover for that and make even more. Unless it’s a fucking contribution to the fucking club then get the fuck out.”

  I hated talking to him like that but sometimes… he could be a pain in my ass. “Would you fucking listen?”

  I glanced back at him and I noticed the change in his stance. He was getting defensive, and annoyed. Me, I didn’t give a flying fuck I was already way past that. “No. Get the fuck out.”

  “John!” he shouted.

  My head snapped up and my face turned into a snarl. “Don’t ever fucking call me that again you son of a bitch.” He knows how much I hate my name. I hate it and everything it represents.

  He stormed to my desk and knocked all of the papers off and leaned over so we were almost nose to nose. “You know what, I shouldn’t even fucking tell you shit. You don’t deserve to know if you’re this much of a bastard.”

  I looked into his eyes and saw he was tormented and I instantly felt like a dick. He wasn’t normally this persistent over bullshit and I should’ve recognized that already. Instead, I’m so focused on my damn self and my issues I’m not paying attention to what’s happening around me. That’s a very fucking dangerous thing in our line of business. That could be the difference between life and death.

  I slumped back into my chair and sighed. “What Bull? What is it?”

  He scoffed and looked at me in disgust, I didn’t blame him. “You done being a prick? I need you as fucking calm as possible right now before I tell you this shit, you hear me?”

  My body tensed. I didn’t like shit like that being a prelude to something important. My stomach clenched and I felt something twist. It was like a red siren begun going off in my head and I knew what he was going to say before he said it. Actually, not what but who and from the look he was giving me full of concern and skepticism I knew I wasn’t going to like it one fucking bit. “What happened to her?” I asked through gritted teeth.