Waiting game

The bikes roared out of the compound like thunder. Hazel stood in the middle of the room long after the sound faded, still wearing that stupid PROPERTY OF REAPER vest. Her hands wouldn’t stop shaking.

The blonde from earlier sauntered over, drink in hand. “Well damn. Looks like you’re stuck with us for a bit, new girl.”

Hazel didn’t answer. She just stared at the door like it might magically bring Lena back.

“Name’s Tiffany,” the blonde said. She took a sip and looked Hazel up and down. “You really got two clubs fighting over your ass already? Must be some magic pussy.”

“Shut the fuck up,” Hazel muttered.

Tiffany laughed. “Feisty. Cute. But you better watch that mouth around here. Some of these girls been waiting years for Reaper to claim somebody. And then he drags in a greasy little mechanic who don’t even want him? Bad look.”

Another woman, older with dark hair, leaned against the bar. “Leave her alone, Tiff. Girl looks like she’s about to puke.”

Hazel finally moved. She walked over to the couch where she’d sat on Jax’s lap earlier and dropped down. The leather vest felt heavy. She wanted to rip it off but didn’t. Something told her that would be a worse mistake.

She looked at Tiffany. “They’re gonna get her back, right? Lena. She didn’t do anything.”

Tiffany shrugged. “Depends how bad they want her. Vipers ain’t known for playing nice. Their president, King? That man collects pretty things. And from what I hear, he’s had his eye on you for months.”

Hazel’s head snapped up. “What?”

“Yeah. Word is he used to drive by your shop slow some nights. Asked around about you.” Tiffany smiled like she enjoyed delivering bad news. “Guess Reaper beat him to the punch. Now it’s personal.”

Hazel felt sick. She put her head in her hands. “This can’t be happening.”

The older woman brought her a fresh beer. “Drink. It’ll help with the waiting.”

Hazel took it but didn’t drink. She kept seeing Lena’s face. Laughing under the hood of that Ford three nights ago. All because Hazel couldn’t keep her stupid fantasy to herself.

“Is there anything I can do? Tools? Anything? I’m a mechanic. I fix bikes for a living.” she asked the older woman.

The woman raised an eyebrow. “You serious?”

“Yeah. If I’m stuck here, I might as well be useful.”

The woman studied her for a second, then shrugged. “Come on.”

She led Hazel out to the big garage attached to the clubhouse. A few guys were working on damaged bikes under harsh lights. Hazel rolled up her sleeves without being asked.

“Show me what needs fixing.”

One of the prospects — young guy with a nervous twitch — kept glancing at his phone. He stepped outside twice to take calls. Hazel noticed.

For the next two hours she lost herself in the work. She found a bad fuel line on one bike, patched a leaking radiator on another. Her hands moved on autopilot while her mind raced. Every time a bike revved outside she jumped, hoping it was Jax returning with Lena.

The nervous prospect walked past her again. This time she spoke up.

“Hey. You got a name?”

He froze. “Tyler.”

“You seem jumpy, Tyler.”

He forced a laugh. “Big night. That’s all.”

Hazel didn’t push. But she remembered his face.

Tiffany wandered in at some point and watched her work. “You actually know what you’re doing.”

Hazel didn’t look up. “Surprise.”

Around 3 a.m., the gates finally opened.

Hazel ran outside. Jax rode in at the front. His arm was bleeding again. Dagger looked worse. They had no Lena with them.

Hazel’s heart sank.

Jax killed the engine and got off. She marched straight up to him.

“Where is she?”

Jax’s face was tight. “King wasn’t at the location we hit. It was a decoy. They moved her. But we got confirmation she’s still alive… for now.”

Hazel felt like she’d been punched. “So what happens next?”

Jax looked at her for a long moment, then at the bikes she’d been working on. “You did all this?”

“Yeah.” She wiped grease on her jeans. “And I want to do more. I’m not sitting on my ass while my best friend is being tortured. I fix bikes better than half your guys. I’ve worked on Viper motorcycles before when they passed through town. I know how they ride, how they modify their shit. Let me help. For real. Not as your prisoner, but as someone who can actually do something.”

Dagger, holding his side, nodded slowly. “She’s got skills, Prez. We’re gonna need every edge we can get.”

Jax rubbed the back of his neck, thinking. “King sent a message while we were out. He wants a meet tonight at the old mill. Midnight. He says he’ll bring Lena… if we bring you.”

Hazel didn’t flinch. “Then I’m going.”

“Like hell you are,” Jax growled.

She stepped closer to him. “This is my fault. I ran my mouth. I got Lena into this. If there’s even a small chance I can help get her back, I’m taking it. Plus…” She lowered her voice. “I’ve been watching your guys. One of the prospects — Tyler — he’s been acting weird. On his phone a lot, looking nervous. Might be nothing, but we should watch him.”

Jax’s eyes narrowed. He didn’t dismiss her.

“Fine,” he said finally. “You can come. But you stay right beside me the whole time. You don’t speak unless I tell you to. And you wear the vest.”

Hazel nodded. “I also want my own room when we get back. I’m not sleeping in your bed every night like some prize.”

Jax’s jaw clenched. “You’re really testing me right now.”

“I’m trying to survive,” she replied. “You took me for sixty days. If I’m going to last that long, I need to be more than just a warm body you fuck when you’re angry.”

Something flickered in his eyes. He didn’t argue.

For the rest of the day, Hazel kept working. She made sure several bikes were in top shape for the meet. She also quietly asked around about Tyler without being too obvious. By nightfall, she had a small knife strapped to her ankle and a plan forming in her head.

Before they left, Jax pulled her aside near his bike.

“You sure about this?” he asked quietly.

“No,” she admitted. “But I’m doing it anyway.”

He stared at her for a long second, then handed her a small earpiece. “Wear this. If shit goes bad, you listen to me.”

Hazel took it.

They rode out into the dark. She held onto Jax tightly, the wind cutting across her face. When they reached the old mill, King and over twenty Vipers were already waiting. Lena was on her knees beside him, looking pale and badly beaten.

King smiled the moment he saw Hazel.

“Well, well. You actually brought her. Good choice, Reaper.”

Jax helped Hazel off the bike but she stepped forward before he could pull her back.

“I’m here,” she called out clearly. “Let Lena go.”

King laughed. “Bold. I like that. But the trade isn’t that simple anymore.”

That’s when Tyler, the young prospect, walked out from behind King’s men with a nervous but smug grin.

“Sorry, Reaper,” Tyler said. “King made me a better offer.”

Hazel’s stomach dropped.

Jax pulled his gun instantly. King raised his hand.

Every Viper aimed their weapons.

The air crackled with tension.

King looked straight at Hazel, eyes full of dark hunger.

“Last chance, little mechanic. Come to me willingly and I let your friend live. Stay with Reaper… and everyone dies tonight.”

Hazel felt Jax tense behind her.

She took one more step forward, heart hammering.