The Biker's Fate Chapter 505

Melody

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. My hands trembling as I removed my microphone from its stand. My pulse quickened as I moved closer and closer to the edge of the stage. Tonight was our first show since Puddin's death, and I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I could never make it through the night alone. Fortunately, I wasn't alone. Far from it.

"Hello," I said, greeting the sold-out audience, who bathed me in applause, wrapping me in a deep embrace of sound and I paused to fully appreciate the moment. "Thank you all so much for coming here tonight," I said as the arena quieted. "As you know, we recently lost a dear friend," I said, choking up. "And I know he was loved by a lot of you out there. Especially you dads who've brought your daughters here tonight." The sound of middle-aged male laughter rumbled throughout the audience. "Puddin' wasn't only our bandmate, he was our older, wiser, brother and we'll all miss him for the rest of our lives." The crowd erupted into applause again. "So, tonight, we're going to do what he'd want us to do. We're gonna play some music and I've brought some friends along to help me," I said, introducing my band as they took their places on stage, then adding, "Please also welcome, from Roses for Anna, on bass, Mr. Jimmy Banks!"

Again, the crowd roared in approval.

I looked over to see Train, in his place, his eyes locked onto me. "You've got this," he mouthed, and I nodded back.

As we played through the set, I seemed to be working out the various stages of grief with every song. My emotions ranged from elation to sadness to furious anger. Puddin' could never truly be gone because he lives inside all of us, but I already missed him so much. Jimmy was brilliant, and a natural fit for the band, but he wasn't Puddin' and that would take some getting used to.

I'd decided to turn tonight's show into a benefit concert, with all proceeds going to several rehab centers across the country in Puddin's name. Bam and Zeke from Roses for Anna joined us for a few numbers as well as other stars who'd flown in last minute like Stracey, Jason Maxx, and Brooks Martin. Best of all was the long-awaited return of the Morgan Family Singers. I swear it was like no time had passed at all when Harmony, Lyric, and I sang together, and the crowd ate every moment up with a spoon.

I looked out over the beautiful smiling faces in the crowd, then at my sisters and my band, and my heart felt like it was going to burst. I'd never felt so supported and loved in all my life. It was almost like Puddin' moved on from being my big brother to my guardian angel and I felt safe.

We played two encores, then everyone gathered onstage for a rendition of "Amazing Grace," which had been Puddin's favorite religious song. Train's acoustic was the only instrument while my sisters and I huddled around one microphone, and my guests and band sang beside us.

You could have heard a pin drop otherwise.

"Sing with us," I encouraged. "Just the voices."

It was Savannah, the Bible Belt, so everyone in the room knew every word, and Train stopped playing as we backed off from the microphones and listened to the crowd sing out. I don't think there was a dry eye in the room, including my own.

"Thanks, everyone. You've made tonight such a healing experience, and I really can't thank you enough. I love you all. Please be safe. Goodnight!"

Train

I followed Melody off the stage, the crowd still screaming for her even after essentially a third encore.

"You were amazing," I said.

Melody had clearly given every ounce of her blood, sweat, and tears on that stage tonight.

"You too," she panted.

"Let's get you hydrated and out of those wet clothes."

Arriving at her dressing room, I walked in before her, doing a sweep as she closed the door. We were alone, so she stripped out of her sexy dress, pulling on a pair of yoga pants and a T-shirt, as I checked every corner of the room.

"You're clear," I said.

"Thanks, honey."

My phone buzzed and I pulled it out of my pocket, frowning to see Doom's text. "Doom's waitin' at the door. Security won't let him backstage."

She frowned. "What do you mean, they won't let him in? His wife just sang with me on that stage."

"I know." I grabbed my walkie. "I'll get Chip to handle it."

"No. You go, honey, I'll be good here for a few," Melody said. "I need to shower anyway. I'll lock the door."

"Do not let anyone in," I ordered. "And do not leave unless I'm here."

"I won't," she promised.

I nodded, giving her a quick kiss, then stepping out of the room. I heard the click of the deadbolt and headed the short distance down to the security area where I met up with Doom.

"Hey, brother," I said, shaking his hand, then pulling Lyric in for a hug before turning to the venue's security. "Have you had your head under a fuckin' rock for the last twenty years? This is Melody's sister, numb nuts. Next time, pull your head outta your ass and call your supervisor rather than giving the star's family shit. Got it?"

"Ah, yes, sir. Sorry, sir."

"Come on back," I said as Lyric apologized to the man now sweating through his badly fitting security jacket.

"Baby, don't apologize to him," Doom said. "Train's right."

"Jesus, you two," she breathed out, following us down the hall.

Once I got to Melody's dressing room, I knocked on the door, but she didn't answer, so I rapped louder. "Melody. It's me. Open the door."

Still no answer.

I had been given a key by the venue, so I slid it in the lock, noting that the deadbolt was no longer bolted. "I'm coming in."

Pushing open the door, I stepped inside, Doom at my back, his gun at his side.

"Melody?" I called.

I checked the bathroom, closet, every corner, every inch, there was no sign of her. I pulled my phone out and dialed her phone, but it went straight to voicemail.

"Fuck me," I breathed out. "Where the hell is she?"

That's when I noticed her wardrobe case was missing.

Melody

I awoke in the dark with one hell of a headache. I tried to move but I couldn't, and it took me a second to realize my body wasn't in a very natural position.

Am I moving?

"Hey!" I screamed. "Help!"

I didn't have enough room to flail arms or legs, so it's not like I could bang on anything. All I had at my disposal was the sound of my voice. "What's going on? Help!"

The motion stopped suddenly, and pain shot through my body as my weight shifted. It was then I realized I was trapped inside my wardrobe flight case, and whoever put me in her was wheeling me around.

"Shut the fuck up," a muffled voice hissed.

"Who are you? Let me out!"

"Jesus, lady, shut up."

"What do you want?" I demanded. "Do you know who I am? You won't get away with this."

"If you don't want me to cut ya, you better shut the fuck up."

He didn't wait for me to answer, just carried on and we started moving again. I was now suddenly scared to death. I had no idea where I was, who I was with, or what the fuck was going on. I didn't have my phone. It was still charging in the dressing room back at the venue, so there was no way Train could track me.

I needed to keep my wits about me. I had to try not to panic because I had no idea what was coming.

I shuddered, squeezing my eyes shut, and sending up a quick prayer to the universe in the hopes that Train would somehow find me and find me quickly.

"Denny, what the hell did you go and do? What the hell is this?" a woman's voice croaked out.

"She's inside there, Mama," Denny said, excitedly.

"You'd better not have hurt her too bad," Mama hissed.

"Why are you gettin' mad at me?" Denny moaned. "I went and got 'er, didn't I?"

"Did anyone see you?"

"No, Mama."

"Are you sure? Because I'll tell the cops this was all your doin' if we get busted because of some pain in the ass witness."

"I hit her with the K, shoved her into the trunk and wheeled her right out the back door. No problems."

"You'd better hope not, and she better not be dead in there."