A Recon mission...that's what I was on.

I stopped at a 24 hour pawn shop off the strip and picked up some binoculars on the way out to Bennie's, whatever was going on at Cole's place, I was going to find out on my own.

I was tired of being kept in the dark. I was tired of not being able to fight for myself and I was tired of being the mother fuckin victim.

NO MORE

Something has changed inside me since the night at Lana's when I fought for my life. I no longer felt weak. I learned how to fight and protect myself.

I felt strong, all I needed now was to figure out what's going on here and who's playing who.

The desert is hard to do reconnaissance in, especially with a white Jeep with red wheels that stick out like sore thumb, but I managed to park in between two out buildings across the road from Cole's place about a mile down.

I knew no one would see me here but I could watch them with the binoculars clear as crystal.

The sun had fully risen into one of the most magnificent sunrises I had seen in a long time. The light cast beautiful shades of oranges and pinks that blended into shades of purple with perfect, fluffy, cotton-clouds scattered across the sky as if Bob Ross himself painted the happy clouds just for me.

A sliver living perhaps in all of this was seeing the beauty around me again. I hadn't for so long.

I took the glorious sky in front of me as a good sign, an omen if you will. I was a very big believer in signs from the universe, karma and in good luck charms, but most of all I believe in my evil eye talisman.

The Eye of Horus, or the Evil Eye, as it's more commonly know is like a lucky rabbit foot. It's a talisman that is used to ward off evil spirits to those who wear it dating back to ancient Egyptian times.

As soon as I saw it, and knew what it stood for, I tattooed it on my shoulder, so I'd always have someone watching my back warding off bad juju.

About a week before I escaped Ryan's clutches, I found a evil eye necklace in a boutique in Fort Collins, I took that as my cosmic sign from the universe to get the Hell out of there.

I played with that same evil eye necklace around my neck now with my left hand, fumbling it between my thumb and index finger, while I looked through the looking glass of the binoculars that I held with my right hand.

I kept my ears on high alert since I could only see what was in front of me as I looked into the binoculars.

There wasn't much movement yet outside the house, but I could see Rex's bike parked next to the house, under the carport where Cole usually parks.

Roxie's car was parked outside of the workshop, a red Mercedes that I wanted to smash.

Whore

I left go of my necklace and grabbed my gun looking at Rex's bike.

Screws-yep that's what he does- Screws ya right over.

My phone rang making me lower the binoculars and grab my phone out of my purse.

Without looking I knew it was Cole it but my heart still raced.

I took a huge breath and blew it out before I answered.

"Hey babe" I answered as cheerful as I could so I didn't tip him off in any way to what I was doing.

"Where are you, are you okay baby?" He asked and I cringed. My stomach wrenched at hearing him call me that. I just wanted to punch him in his beautiful face.

"Yeah I'm fine, I just couldn't sleep well so I wanted to work out" I answered him honestly, that wasn't a lie, I did want to work out and punch the shit out of something.

"You shouldn't be out alone Hailey, you know that" he scolded me

I put the binoculars back up to my eyes while holding the phone to my ear.

"Yeah, I know, I won't be long. What are you going to be doing today?" I asked curious to see if he would lie to me.

Two guys I didn't recognize came out of the workshop wearing cuts from Rex's charter.

Why are so many of the California chapter here?

"I'm meeting up with someone today that's going to give me what I need on what my old man is up to. We have two days to get ready for this meeting with Ryan" he answered as if he had nothing to hide.

Maybe I did jump to conclusions?

"Who are you meeting?" I asked nonchalantly hoping he'd be honest and tell me.

"That's not important baby, I'm checking out, we can't stay more than one night anywhere. Tell me where you are so I can send the prospect to meet you"

Oh Cole, you done fucked up son, you don't know how important that answer was.

"I'll call you when I'm done. Have a real good time at your meeting Cole" I said with venom and sarcasm, then I hung up on the lying prick and put my phone on silent.

I continued to watch Cole's house for another hour. Nothing. That's what I got out of it.

The only details I found out was Rex and Roxie are still very much a part of Cole's life in the club and there are several Slayers from the California charter here right now.

That could be simply because Cole asked them to be because of the meeting with Ryan or it could be that he's planning a coup to get my money and me away from Cole.

I'm so confused.

Tossing the binoculars on my passengers seat I started up my Jeep and drove the long way around to Bennie's so hopefully no one saw me, even though if Duck was there, Cole would know I was out here.

I decided to text Bennie before pulling up in the driveway. She replied immediately to come in.

I decided it would be in my best interest to act like I was just here for a work out. I trusted Bennie, but in light of all of the recent events, I've learned the only person I can trust is myself.

Unfortunately even Lana could be compromised through no fault of her own because of her loyalty to Ghost. She wouldn't intentionally betray me but I won't put her into the position for it to happen.

I parked in the driveway and took a few deep breaths and grabbed my workout bag.

I could feel the adrenaline building in my body as I approached the door. A quick look around made me think Duck headed out already and I was happy for that.

Before I could knock Bennie opened up the door.

"Hey girl, how have you been?" She asked opening the door wide inviting me in.

"Okay, we've been on the move- listen, I need a workout" I said, my body almost itching it had so much adrenaline bouncing around in its veins.

"You don't look okay Hailey, what's going on?" She questioned with her hands on her hips.

I pulled my shit together and lied the best I could.

"Yeah, I'm fine" my voice went high pitched "it's just being cooped up and I haven't slept well since that night. Everything is bottled up and I need to punch the shit out of something" I told her a version of the truth and it sounded believable and she let it go.

"Let's go outside then" she smiled and turned heading towards the back door in the kitchen.

After an hour of attacking the bag I was dripping with sweat and my arms felt like jello but my mind felt clear and in that clarity I had an Epiphany.

I told Bennie I had to go meet up with Cole.

"Thanks for the workout. I'll see you soon" I said walking down the steps to my Jeep.

Once I was driving down the road the long way around so I didn't drive directly past Coles, I called Lana.

She had returned my emergency text while I was working out but I wanted to meet and talk in person.

"Hey, you okay, what's going on?"

she answered on the first ring

"Can you meet right now, without drawing attention to yourself?"

I asked in a serious tone

"Yeah, where?" She asked quietly

"There is a 24 hour pawn shop right off the strip on Liberty, I'm headed there now"

"Alright, I can be there in thirty minutes. Be careful Hails, I don't know what's going on but when I woke up to the mountain text, I freaked out"

"I'm good, just make sure you aren't followed and don't tell Ghost where you're going, please" I pleaded

"I won't, gotta go, see you in a few minutes" she quickly said and hung up.

I took a huge lung cleansing breath and blew it out.

The plan in my mind was unfolding by itself. Now I just need to get back my money everyone wants so bad.

——————

Author's Note:

Hey guys I'm not sure if anyone is interested in this story anymore since I took a break but I'm home now and ready to continue. If you want to know what happens and want to keep reading, please let me know by leaving a comment, or by simply voting below⭐️

I'll continue if there is interest, if not, I'll be moving on to my other stories.

Thank you for your support so far!

Love A💋