War & Mayhem Book 3: Thrasher
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Gina O’Connor
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17
Chapter 1
Book 3: Thrasher
TILLY
Endless hours behind the wheel should have calmed my mind, but instead, it only amplified the whirlwind of thoughts from the past few years. The open road, contrary to popular belief, didn’t bring me peace. People often labeled me as broken, even insane, for choosing the career path I did.
I’ve seen them recoil when I reveal my profession. You wouldn’t typically picture a blonde girl like me working as a forensic technician. I put in the hours, earned my bachelor’s degree, and now I’m one of the best in my field.
As I crossed into the town where I grew up, a wave of unease washed over me. My attention was drawn to the rumble of the car I was driving, or perhaps it was the blaring music from the sound system. I sighed, running a hand through my blonde hair at a stoplight, anxiety creeping in at the thought of being back.
“Hey!” a voice called from the car next to me. I glanced over to see two men leaning out of their windows, tongues lolling out like dogs.
I arched an eyebrow at them, earning smirks in return. I knew this town and its men all too well. They were different from city guys, but their stupidity was universal.
I glanced at the traffic lights, then back at the men.
“Next lights!” one of them shouted. I tightened my grip on the steering wheel, watching as the lights turned green.
Before anyone could react, I was speeding toward the next intersection. I had a past that no one knew about. I had debts from my degree and connections that, in hindsight, might have come back to bite me in the ass.
Reaching the next set of lights, I floored it through the yellow signal, veering off in the direction I needed to go, leaving the other car stranded at the red light.
***
As I pulled into the police station parking lot, I retrieved my badge from the glove compartment and stepped out of the car. The door slammed shut behind me as I headed toward the entrance. I was here for an investigation; the previous technician had quit.
Despite not having set foot in this town for over a decade, my work was my priority.
“Can I assist you?” a young woman asked as I approached the counter. I could feel her gaze scrutinizing my visible tattoos.
Did it bother me? Not in the slightest.
“I need to speak with the commanding officer,” I replied, flashing her my badge. She nodded, picking up the phone to call him.
From down the hall, I could hear raised voices.
“He’ll be with you shortly,” she informed me. I nodded curtly and took a seat against the wall. A girl sat a few seats away, scratching at her arm. The marks on her skin told me why she was so restless.
Heavy footsteps echoed down the hall before a tall man appeared.
“Ms. Moss.” I stood to greet the commanding officer, but before he could respond, a shout from the hallway made him turn his head and sigh, muttering an apology to me.
“Good to see you again, Mr. Cameron,” I said, shaking his hand before he ushered me into his office.
“Thank you for making the trip,” he said, retrieving a file from a cabinet.
“No problem, sir. I go where the work takes me,” I replied. He offered a small smile before settling into his chair.
For the next two hours, I sat with Commanding Officer Cameron, going over the case details. The evidence was scant, but it was clear that the victims were young women who had been strangled.
***
I rolled my shoulders as I stepped off the elevator and made my way down the hall to the room that would be mine until the case was closed. I unlocked the door, tossed my duffle bag onto the bed, and set the case file on the table.
Stripping off my clothes, I stepped into the shower, hoping to wash away the stress. But it clung to me, refusing to be rinsed away.
After I’d scrubbed myself clean, I reached for one of the fluffy towels and wrapped it snugly around my body. I then made my way back to the bed, rummaging through my bag for some clothes.
Slipping into jeans and a snug tank top, I tugged on my boots and jacket. My badge and case file found a new home in my duffle bag, which I stashed in the wardrobe.
I glanced at the clock and sighed. I knew what I had to do. I had to see him. With another sigh, I left my hotel room and made my way to my car.
As I drove along the coast, the sun began to set. The sky was ablaze with hues of orange and pink, a fiery spectacle in the Australian sky. This was my favorite time of day. The beauty of the sunset was unparalleled.
As I ventured slightly out of town, the Highway Jokers compound came into view. My grip on the steering wheel tightened, and before I knew it, my foot was pressing down harder on the gas. I turned into the compound, my tires screeching as I came to a halt.
As I climbed out of the car, eyes turned toward me. I noticed girls draped over the club members, their gazes fixed on me. I slammed my car door shut, the sound echoing around me.
“Wow, she’s a looker.”
“Who is she?”
“Oh shit!”
But it was the voice of an older woman that stopped me in my tracks. Vikki stepped in front of me, a smirk playing on her lips.
“Well, I’ll be. Never thought I’d see your face around here again.” Her eyes raked over me. “What brings you here, darling?”
“Is my brother here?” I asked, sidestepping her question.
“Hmm.” She shrugged nonchalantly. She looked surprisingly good for being the club’s matriarch. “I’m not telling until you answer my question, darling.”
She circled me, her eyes assessing me as I kept my gaze fixed on the clubhouse doors. I saw them swing open, my brother emerging with a group of men trailing behind him, a lit cigarette in his hand.
“It’s a family matter,” I finally answered, brushing past her. But not before I heard Vikki whisper to another girl, “Trouble.”
“I never thought I’d see you wearing the VP patch,” I said, standing a few feet away, my hands tucked into the back pockets of my jeans.
All eyes turned toward me, but it was the familiar dark eyes that widened in surprise. His face paled, the cigarette falling from his lips. Before I could say anything else, I was enveloped in a bear hug.
“Holy shit, Tilly!”
“Can’t…breathe…,” I managed to gasp out as he held me tight.
He set me back on my feet, taking a step back to look me over. “Damn, sis. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming home?”
“I wanted to surprise you.” I shrugged.
“You’ve grown up, haven’t you?”
I mirrored his smile.
Daniel and I were close as kids, but when he joined the Highway Jokers MC, we drifted apart. I left for university while Daniel stayed here in Bunbury.
“It’s good to have you back, sis,” he said, pulling me into another tight hug.
“Not sure for how long, though,” I whispered in his ear.
As Daniel pulled back, I could already see the sadness in his eyes.
