One
The air was crisp, almost scratching at Zeke's bare skin as he stood on his roof terrace, staring at the city below him. The night was almost over and he stood smoking, watching the smoke float away with the gentle breeze.
His body was begging him to sleep but he refused. Not until he got his Rose back. Not until he slaughtered the men who had taken her from him and got revenge. The blood on his hands was getting harder to wash away but he didn't care. No evidence was ever found even when a few cops were caught in the fight. They were bent as fuck and worked for Jax.
Zeke downed the last of the whiskey in his bottle and turned back to stumble into his apartment. It was cold and uninviting. The kitchen didn't smell like the cakes Lori made and her laughs were lost.
He clenched his fists and threw the bottle into the wall, yelling in anger as it smashed into pieces. In anger, he swept his arms across the kitchen side, sending everything smashing into the floor.
"Fuck!" He roared and punched the wall, ignoring the painful crunch of his knuckles, "Fuck!"
The front door crashed open and Enzo ran in followed by his men.
"Where is she?!" He yelled, "Where the fuck is she?"
"Zeke, we have every man we have on the street looking for her. I have eyes on Jax but so far, there is no sign that Lori is with him. As for Victor, well, he's disappeared," Enzo said, "You need to have your hand looked at,"
"I'm fine," Zeke snapped, "I want her found, Enzo,"
Enzo looked at the men behind him and sent them away before he walked over to Zeke. He could see Zeke was struggling to keep it together and he didn't want his friend breaking down with an audience.
"You need to sleep," Enzo said.
"No. I won't sleep until she is in my arms,"
"Zeke, you'll end up too exhausted to help her," Enzo said, "Get your fucking ass to bed. Have a shower cause you stink like a brewery. I'll hold the fort for when you are rested enough,"
Zeke shook his head, "I can't lose her. I promised to protect her and I fucked that up,"
"You didn't," Enzo sighed and helped his friend walk upstairs to the bathroom, "Whoever took Lori fucked up. They don't realise what you are capable of,"
"I should have let her go," Zeke whispered feeling the alcohol hit him as soon as he sat down on the edge of the bath, "She's too good for me,"
"I don't think Lori would appreciate you saying that,"
Zeke closed his eyes as tears fell, "She hates me. I know she hates me,"
"Get undressed," Enzo said, "I love you man, but I'm not going to shower with you,"
"My beautiful rose," Zeke said, falling sideways. Enzo grabbed him quickly, "Gone. Slipped through my fingers and in the hands of the fucking rivals,"
"Zeke, enough!" Enzo snapped, "Get in the fucking shower and get to bed,"
"You have always been good to me," Zeke slurred and struggled to get out of his shirt, "Lori would laugh at me. I don't get drunk,"
"We do things when we are hurt," Enzo said, "I'll be outside. Call me if you need me,"
It took a few more hours for Zeke to sober up enough to talk without getting too emotional, and he sat behind his desk with his men spread around the room. They were all on edge, even more so with Zeke's girl being taken.
Zeke stubbed his cigarette out and leant back in his chair, "Any word?"
"We've been watching Jax and an insider says he didn't kidnap Lori," Trey said, "But he also said he isn't sure if he had any involvement,"
"So far no extra food or clothes have been delivered to one of his houses," Simon shook his head, "Victor as well,"
"Has he been followed?" Zeke asked.
"We have a few men on him at all times. He doesn't realise because he isn't the sharpest tool in the box," Enzo scoffed, "We haven't found any sign at all that Lori is with him. No extra food or feminine products,"
"Have his properties been searched?"
"All of them but one," Simon said, "But his mother lives in that house and she has carers coming and going. It's a small flat with one bedroom, bathroom and kitchen. That's it,"
"Then where the fuck is she?" Zeke hissed and slammed his fist onto the table, "We have more men than every fucking prick in this place, and none of you fuckers can find her!"
Enzo exhaled, "Everyone leave,"
Zeke stared at the bottle of whiskey sitting on his shelf and he let out a slow sigh, forcing himself to ignore it.
"Zeke," Enzo said, "We will find her,"
Zeke swallowed hard and scrubbed his face, "We need to go to Kissed. Ask around and see if anyone has heard from her,"
"Are you in the right place to go there?"
"I...I need to get out of this fucking place. I can't sit back and get drunk every day or night," Zeke looked at his friend, "I love her and I've never loved like this before,"
"I know,"
"And I will burn the fucking world to have her in my arms again,"
The music was thumping loudly when Zeke and his men entered the club. There was a new girl on the stage grabbing the attention of the men and the dancers noticed Zeke.
Zeke headed to the bar and Ellie rushed over, throwing her arms around his waist. He heard a collective gasp of the bar staff and dancers as he hugged her back.
"Any news?" Ellie asked and Zeke shook his head, "I'm so scared for her,"
"So am I," Zeke said, "Grab a drink. You're sitting with us tonight,"
"Zeke?" Ellie said stepping away, "Ada isn't in a good place,"
"Is she here?"
Ellie nodded, "Drinking,"
"Fuck," Zeke sighed, "Enzo? Grab Ada and bring her upstairs,"
Zeke grabbed a drink and headed to the VIP section where his men were waiting. He downed his drink and watched as a few dancers came to entertain his men.
He sighed closing his eyes and rested his head back, staring at the ceiling, imagining how Lori would sit on him and smirk at the way his body reacted.
Zeke's eyes shot open as someone swung their leg over his lap and he sat up, looking into Crystal's eyes, "What the fuck do you think you are doing?!"
"Giving you a dance," She smirked and linked her fingers behind his neck, "Just like the good old days,"
"Get the fuck off me," Zeke hissed and shoved her from his lap.
"What is wrong with you?" Crystal snapped, "I don't see your usual bitch on your lap?"
"What was that?" Zeke said, his blood running cold. He spotted his men usher the women away and got to their feet.
"What happened?" Crystal folded her arms, pushing her breasts up, "Did she realise that she was never going to satisfy you? I know you, baby. I'm better than some bitch who-ah!"
Zeke slammed her against the wall by her throat and squeezed, making her breath catch in her throat. He saw the fear flash in her watery eyes but he didn't let her go even when she tried to push him away.
He lowered his mouth to her ear and whispered, "You don't know me. Your mouth was just a hole to fuck when I couldn't find someone. You will never be able to satisfy me because you are just an unwanted, desperate slut who will do anything for attention. So no, you aren't better than Lori because Lori is my life,"
"L-let me go,"
Zeke squeezed harder, "Get the fuck out of my club and get yourself a new job. If I catch you in here again, I'll snap your goddamn neck,"
Crystal whimpered and he let her go, watching her burst into tears as she rushed off. Zeke grabbed his drink and downed it before slamming it onto the table.
"That went well," Simon said breaking the silence.
Zeke almost smiled, "Corbin, make sure she gets the fuck out of here,"
Zeke sat back down and rubbed his face. There was shouting and he looked up to see Enzo carrying Ada over his shoulder, with Ellie rushing after them.
Ada landed on the sofa beside him with a thud and she went to punch Enzo, just to be pinned down.
"Behave," Enzo warned, "Someone bring her some water,"
"I don't need water!" Ada hissed and tried to get out of his grip, "I need my best friend!"
"Drinking isn't going to do fuck all," Enzo snapped, "You aren't the only one who lost her, Ada. You aren't the only one who fucking loves her. We are doing our best to track her down but it isn't easy,"
Ada stopped struggling and a few tears ran down her cheek, "I miss her,"
Enzo sighed and let her go, "I've told you we will get her back. No fucker seems to listen to me,"
"Then why are you here and not out looking for her?" Ada asked as someone handed her a bottle of water.
"We are here to ask questions," Enzo said, "Stay put and I'll get you some ice,"
Zeke leaned back in the chair and looked at Ada, "Why didn't you call?"
"I did. You were always drunk off your ass. It was hard to get through to you," Ada said, "I wanted to ask if you had heard about Lori but you've gone quiet,"
"I'm sorry," Zeke said quietly, "I've not been in a good place,"
Ada nodded, "I went to see her mum and she isn't doing well. I don't know how to comfort her,"
"She wants to see me tomorrow," Zeke shook his head, "Ada, you aren't the only one who is scared. I'm never fucking scared but as soon as Lori came into my life...shit, she is my everything and I don't know who took her. Lori probably hates me for not protecting her like I promised,"
With a sigh, Ada rested her head on Zeke's shoulder and held his hand tightly, "Lori would never hate you. No matter what happens, she loves you. I've never seen her so happy before and you are the reason,"
"We will see about that when I find her,"
"Zeke," Ada squeezed his hand harder, "Lori hasn't...wherever she is, she is probably giving them hell. Probably kicking, screaming and trying to gauge their eyes out. Lori is a fighter and she always has been,"
"I know that," Zeke shook her head, "But I know they are hurting her. Hurting women is easier than-"
"Let's not think about that," Ada said and Zeke looked down at her crying, "I don't want to think about how my best friend is being hurt,"
Zeke swallowed hard and pulled Ada into a hug as she cried into his chest. The pain radiating from his chest was almost too much but Ada was right.
Lori was a fighter and he hoped that she was trying to kill anyone that went near her.
"She's going to come home," Zeke said quietly, "Even if it kills me doing it,"
