“I’ve traveled that road plenty back in the day, but I don’t remember seeing a nightclub.”
“It used to be a roadside market. They were known for their vegetable and fruit stand. Back about twelve or fifteen years ago, it was the only gas station between Asheville and Erwin.”
“And it’s just a hole in the wall now?” Kane asked. “Is it a biker bar?”
Jax chuckled. “What you really want to know is if it’s a lifestyle club.”
“I know there’s one in these parts, but I can’t imagine Drina leaving Gemma and Brianna in a place like that.”
“It’s probably not like what you’re accustomed to,” Flint said, grinning like he was recalling a recent memory. “The front of the place is still a roadside market. The room behind it was converted to a pool hall and bar. Now in behind it? That’s where you find the fetish club.”
Flint cleared his throat. “And uh, you have to be a member to go in that part of the club.”
“You don’t say.” Kane planned to join. “Brianna goes there often?”
“You’d have to ask her,” Tyler said, glancing at Jax. “We think she was in the pool hall and bar.”
Kane studied Jax. He was quiet and seemed to be taking everything in and storing it to memory. Jax shifted in his chair, obviously uncomfortable with the notion that Brianna might have frequented the place. Poor guy. If he was trying to pass off his concern as a friend, he’d need a few dozen acting classes. He was as lovesick as any man he’d ever met.
“What’s the name of this place?” Kane asked.
“Paddles and Picnics,” Tyler replied.
“Owners apparently don’t believe in hiding what they promote, huh?” Kane laughed, turned up his beer bottle and took a long pull.
“White water rafting is big in these parts,” Tyler explained. “Hence the name.”
“Sharp marketing, I guess,” Kane said, his voice trailing. “Tell me about the motel. Is it nearby?”
“Right next door,” Flint said. “My buddies work for the rescue squad. We caught wind of what happened before Brianna had even made it to the hospital.”
“Did you see the room?”
“I did.” Jax finally spoke, catching surprised glances from his brothers. He took a deep breath and added, “I had to know what happened.”
“How come you didn’t say anything?” Tyler asked.
“You boys can discuss that later,” Kane said, thumbing the door. “Coco and Peyton are right inside. I see no reason to upset them.”
“You’re right,” Jax said, rising from his chair. “And we need to be going.”
“Any idea where you’ll find Brianna?”
“No.” Jax walked off the porch and stood there staring straight ahead. After a moment, he added, “But Mr. Cartwell, you should know. If Brianna’s father has new enemies, they probably didn’t come all the way from New York to scare only one of Alberto’s daughters. We’ll keep Brianna safe, but someone needs to protect her sisters.”
“That’s why I’m here,” Kane assured them, summing up the men promising to keep an eye on Brianna. “But tell me something, boys. How are you planning to protect Brianna when you don’t even know where she is?”
“We’ll find her,” Jax said. “And when we do, we’ll let you know, but we have no intentions of bringing her home.”
* * * *
After the Jackson boys left, Kane reentered the house to tell Peyton what they’d discussed. Hearing voices in the kitchen, he paused. He hadn’t had a lot of luck with Coco earlier. Maybe Peyton would be able to get somewhere with the one who viewed herself as the head of the household.
“Kane hasn’t said a lot, Coco, but I know my husband. He doesn’t think this is a freak incident or he wouldn’t have loaded me up and headed to Tennessee. He would’ve driven over to check on you girls and he would’ve returned home the same day. What’s going on here?”
The silence was deafening. The only racket in the background was the soft hum of the dishwasher.
Finally, Peyton said, “I know we’re not close, but at one time—”