Chapter 3 - Secrets in the Ink
The boy grabbed Jax’s leather vest with tiny, desperate fingers.
"Don't let him take me," the boy pleaded.
"He locked Mom in the cellar."
The diner went dead silent.
Two bikers sitting at a nearby table turned around, their expressions darkening.
Jax stood up to his full six-foot-two height, towering over Thomas.
"What did you just say, kid?" Jax asked, keeping his eyes locked on Thomas.
"She's under the house," the boy cried out, tears finally breaking through his hopeful eyes.
"She told me to run to the man with the dragon tattoo on his neck!"
Jax reached up and touched the dark dragon ink trailing up his throat.
Thomas did not look surprised.
Instead, Thomas reached slowly into his inner jacket pocket.
Jax braced himself for a weapon.
Thomas produced a slick black smartphone instead.
He tapped the screen twice and held it out toward Jax.
On the screen was a live security feed of a dark concrete basement.
A woman was tied to a wooden chair, her head slumping forward motionless.
Around her ankle was a heavy iron chain anchored to the floor.
"You have one hour, Jax," Thomas murmured, his voice smooth as silk.
"Give me the key code written on that paper, or the room fills with water."
Jax looked from the phone down to the folded paper under his palm.
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"What key code?" Jax asked, his jaw working violently.
"The one your dead brother left behind," Thomas whispered.
