by Faith Gibson
WHAT a shitshow. War grabbed Kerrigan, keeping her far away from Ryker and Gideon. His brother’s rage was a tangible beast, swirling through the air, clawing at everyone around them. Between the bombshell Gideon had dropped on Ryker and him basically admitting he and his brother weren’t the saints they claimed to be before their flocks, Warryck couldn’t blame Ryker for his actions.
Kerrigan let War hold her back, but she didn’t stop yelling about how Gideon was a hypocrite, cursing him. Sutton had pulled the Alpha card on Ryker, something War couldn’t ever remember him doing. Ever. He was content to let all his kids make their own decisions and learn from the consequences if they weren’t the right choice. War had wanted to kill Gideon himself, but Sutton had his reasons for keeping the man alive. Otherwise, he would have let Ryker tear him apart.
Hearing the man admit his brother had been the one to take Juliette all those years ago had been a shock to them all, but none more than Ryker. He’d spent over twenty years wondering what happened to his woman for her to be killed along with their unborn child in a fire. Now he knew, but it probably wasn’t going to give him the closure he needed. Knowing Josiah Talbert kidnapped her then used her for private parties would set Ryker on a course for revenge.
“Where is your brother?” Sutton was in Gideon’s face. It was hard to hear the question over Ryker’s threats and Kerrigan’s accusations.
“Last time I saw him was this morning at my home. He doesn’t share his plans with me, so I have no idea where he was going.”
“Where does he live?”
“H-he’ll kill me if he finds out I talked.”
“And I’ll kill you if you don’t. You’ve seen what we are. We can rip you to shreds and scatter the pieces far and wide where no one will ever know what happened to you. You can take your chances with your brother, or...” Sutton let the rest of the threat go unspoken.
Gideon shook his head, looking at all the Hounds surrounding him. His eyes landed on Kerrigan, and War stepped in front of her. The man had caused her enough grief. “Talk. Now.” War was ready to get Kerrigan away from Gideon and decide whether or not to wipe her memory. He didn’t want to, but Sutton wouldn’t allow her to be witness to Gideon’s death without insisting she had no memory of it.
Kerrigan eased around War and slid her arm around his waist. “If he refuses to talk, you can probably wait a few days for Josiah to return to the compound. Gideon has meetings there at least once a week, and I’d lay bets his brother is in attendance. Also, I think his precious flock should know what kind of man has been leading them all this time. In fact, you should probably use your, you know” — Kerrigan tapped her temple — “on him before taking him back. Let them decide for themselves whether or not to hang around before his brother comes back and takes over.”
“Those at The Sanctuary aren’t capable of living without someone leading them. They rely on me to purchase the things we can’t make ourselves. You can’t just turn them back into society. They’d never make it.” Gideon sighed. “I admit Kerrigan was there against her wishes, but other than that, I haven’t broken any laws.”
“No? What about Mac? You tracked her like an animal all because she fell in love. You kept her there against her will, too. Tell me, Gideon. What happened to Elijah? Did you let your dog go after him? Where is he?” Kerrigan was shaking, so War wrapped his arms around her, trying to calm her down.
“He was taken to Josiah’s compound to live.”
“Forgive me if I don’t believe you.”
Sutton stepped closer to Gideon. “We’re going to need the address to see for ourselves. If we find this Elijah safe and sound, that’ll be one less mark against you.”
“I’ve done nothing wrong.”
Ryker tightened his grip. “If you consider kidnapping and imprisonment nothing, then our definition of wrong is worlds apart.”
“Whatever. I’m dead either way.”
“Are you refusing to give up your brother’s location?” Sutton asked. Gideon shrugged, and Sutton told Ryker, “First, we’re taking him back so his followers can hear his sins, then he’s all yours.”
“You can’t make me talk, and they’ll never believe you.”
“Tell me, Gideon. What did Lewis and Steven tell you happened at the hotel?”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“It has everything to do with what’s going to happen next. Did they tell you Kerrigan took one of them out with a lamp before she got away? Or did they say someone else was already in the room when they got there?” Sutton crossed his arms over his chest, smirking.
“What... how...?”
“That’s what I thought. Ryker, tie him up and stick him in the back seat. We’re going to pay a little visit to his people before his brother comes back. After we finish there, we’ll go check on the Elijah kid.”
“I’m going with you,” Kerrigan demanded, ready to fight War if he refused. He wouldn’t take that away from her. She deserved to follow this thing through to the end, and he wasn’t about to let her out of his sight.
“Of course, Sweetheart, but you need to call your folks and let them know you’re okay.”
“Gideon crushed my phone.”
War handed her his phone and placed a kiss on her forehead. While she called her parents, War and Mav walked over to where their father and Ryker were in a heated argument. His adrenaline had waned, somewhat. When he got the call from Kerrigan’s father that she’d disappeared from the diner, he’d lost his shit. It had taken several of the Hounds to hold him back from leaving without a plan. He knew then his feelings for Kerrigan were real, and he wanted her in his life for as long as she’d have him. When she sent him the text saying Gideon had taken her again, first he vowed to get her back. Then he swore he would tell her how he felt, regardless of how little time they’d known each other.
War was going to have to do something nice for his daughter. If it wasn’t for her sitting behind a desk in New Atlanta, he never would have found Kerrigan in the first place. Probably never would have met her and fallen... War glanced back at Kerrigan and caught her staring at his ass while talking on the phone. She looked up, and when he smirked, she shrugged. God, she was perfect.
With Lucy’s help, he and the Hounds tracked down the car Gideon was driving. If the man had known he was surrounded by Gryphons, War doubted he’d have pulled over. Men like Talbert thought they were untouchable. When he saw the gun pointed at Kerrigan’s head, his Gryphon had taken over. Sure, he had the element of surprise on his side, but he was a little pissed at his animal for doing something so rash. The gun could have gone off. It didn’t, and they saved Kerrigan, but still. War had argued, but in the end, it hadn’t mattered.
We saved our female.
“Shut up.”
Mav looked at him. “You say something?”
“Just arguing with my Gryphon.”
“Yeah, I hate when mine gets mouthy. Thinks it’s in charge. Fucker.”
I am in charge.
“Whatever.”
“Did you hear what I said?”
“Huh?” War looked back at Mav who was laughing at him.
“No worries. I get it. This thing with Kerrigan is new, and if she were mine, I’d be distracted too. I asked if you were going to take her with us to the compound.”
“Yes. She knows about the layout, and she wants to go.”
“And you don’t want to let her out of your sight.”
“There’s that. I never should have let her go off with her parents as long as Gideon was still out there.”
“What’s your plan when this is all over? Before I left to do the job in Ohio, you talked like you were ready to come back to the family. Has that changed?” Mav looked over War’s shoulder at Kerrigan.
“That hasn’t changed. I just hope I can convince Kerrigan to come with me.”
“I hope so too. Love is a good look on you.”
War didn’t correct his twin. He had loved Harlow, an
d his feelings for Kerrigan were just as strong if not stronger. He didn’t care how short a time he’d known her. He knew what he felt was love, and the way she looked at him said she felt something for him as well. If it wasn’t love on her part, War would give her time.
When she walked back to where he was standing, Kerrigan was frowning. “My parents are really upset that I’m planning on going with you to The Sanctuary. They want to come get me and continue with our original plan to go to South Carolina.”
“Are they going to wait for you?” War held his breath, waiting on her answer.
“That depends. I was hoping you and I could spend some time together, but I don’t want to intrude on your time with Maveryck.”
“I like the idea of you on the back of my bike. Taking off and just going wherever the roads lead. Would you like that?”
“I really would. I’ve spent most of my life in New Portland. Now that I’m out of a job, it’s the perfect time for a vacation with a sexy man and his motorcycle. Maybe we can head south and spend a few days at the beach so my parents get used to us being together.” War placed his palm behind Kerrigan’s hair and tipped her head up, placing his lips on hers.
“Sorry to interrupt.” Mav stepped closer when they pulled apart. “Sutton wants to head to the compound now before Gideon’s brother figures out something’s wrong. If you want to drive Kerrigan in the car, one of the Hounds can ride your bike.”
“Can we take your bike, please?” Kerrigan asked War, grinning.
“Whatever you want, Sweetheart.”
Mav whistled low and nudged War with his elbow. “Kerrigan, do you have a sister?”
“Sorry, no.”
“Figures. Well, if you get tired of the serious twin, let me know.”
War shoved Maveryck away. “Shut up, you pest.”
Maveryck threw his head back, laughing. He winked at Kerrigan after sobering. “Let’s ride.”
When they approached War’s Harley, King walked over. “Why don’t you take my bike? I’ve got a backrest for when Millie rides with me, and it will be safer as well as more comfortable for Kerrigan.” War swallowed hard and nodded. Most bikers didn’t allow someone else on their ride, but War was quickly learning the Hounds were different. They treated each other like family. “Thanks, King. I would appreciate that.” They swapped keys, and War grabbed his helmet while the other male did the same. He set it on Kerrigan’s head and secured the chin strap. “Our first order of business after this mess is over is to get you a helmet. Then we will go shopping for clothes and whatever else you need.” War had plenty of money, and he planned on giving Kerrigan anything her heart desired. The smile spreading across her face warmed him from the inside out.
War should have included himself in the discussion the Hounds had about how they would handle things once they arrived at the compound, but he’d been too invested in everything Kerrigan. He tried to concentrate on what would happen when they arrived, but her arms around his waist and her chin on his shoulder were too much of a distraction. He settled his left hand on her knee, and she leaned in closer. The ride took well over an hour, and he’d never enjoyed a trip as much as he did that one.
War had always prided himself on being responsible, and as Maveryck joked, serious. He wasn’t always like that. Before Harlow, War had been just as fun-loving and carefree as his twin. He couldn’t blame the change in his demeanor on his wife’s death, though. He’d changed before that. War wanted to get back to the way he’d been before. As he rode with the Hounds, a temporary member of their group, he felt something shift inside. He wanted this. To be part of both their MC as well as the other work they did. And he wanted to do it with Kerrigan by his side.
When the Hounds pulled over to park their bikes, Maveryck rolled to a stop beside them. “Most of us are going to walk in so the guards in the area aren’t aware there are so many of us. Sutton and Ryker are going to drive Gideon inside. Kerrigan, you can ride with them so you don’t have to walk.”
She turned to War. “Will you come with me?”
“Like you could stop me.” They angled off the bike, and he held Kerrigan’s hand as they strode to the car where his father and brother were waiting.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Kerrigan
KERRIGAN was nervous. She trusted Warryck to keep her safe, but being back inside the compound was the last place she wanted to be. But she’d willingly returned if for no reason than to save Mac. Before she and War joined Ryker and their dad in the car, Sutton explained how they “convinced” Gideon to cooperate. The only memories of his they erased were the ones where War shifted into his Gryphon and Ryker used his talons. At some point, they had cleaned his wounds well enough they weren’t immediately noticeable. The plan was for Gideon to walk into the compound, gather his followers in the building where he held Bible study, and admit to his sins. All of them.
When they arrived, several guards met them at the large building next to the barn. There were no roads or drives leading farther into the compound, so it only made sense to stop there.
“What’s going on?” The guards had surrounded their vehicle, and the largest of the group held open the door for Gideon when Ryker stood aside to let him out of the back seat.
“I need to have a meeting with everyone. Gather all the men and women into the sanctuary. The workers watching the children can remain where they are. The kids don’t need to be bothered.” Gideon looked like hell, and his guards were staring instead of moving. “Now, James. I’ll explain everything, but I don’t have a lot of time. Oh, and make sure to bring Sparrow from the inner chamber.”
The guards held back, but the one he addressed as James inclined his head then motioned for the others to follow. Gideon set out on the same path she and Sparrow had walked. “This path leads to his house, not the sanctuary.”
Gideon turned and snarled, “I need to change clothes, if that’s okay with you.”
Ryker grabbed hold of Gideon’s bicep. “It’s not okay. Once you confess to your flock the kind of man you are, they’re not going to care if your shirt is ripped or not. Besides, when we’re done here, you’ll be wearing prison garb.”
Gideon jerked his arm free and turned toward the path the guards had taken. Ryker looked at Kerrigan, and she nodded. In her mind’s eye, she could picture the layout of the buildings, and the direction they were headed should lead them to the center of everything. When they got through the trees, men and women were leaving their jobs and walking quietly to the sanctuary. If they thought it odd Gideon had called them all together, they weren’t talking about it amongst themselves. Some greeted Gideon, and he responded to those who dared to say hello. When they noticed Kerrigan and the others following behind, people pointed and whispered.
War leaned over and whispered, “This isn’t creepy at all.” He was looking around, and Kerrigan remembered she had the same thought when she first saw how everyone was dressed, moving around like a heard of sheep. Kerrigan searched the masses for McKenzie. She wanted to talk to the younger woman and give her a head’s up, but she didn’t see her anywhere.
While the men and women entered the building from the front, Gideon stepped through a door at the back and stopped just inside. “What are you waiting on?” Ryker shoved him forward. If looks could kill, Ryker would have been incinerated, but the large Hound ignored Gideon and continued marching him toward the door leading to the sanctuary. The front pews were filled with couples, and behind them, single women filled the rows on the left, while the single men took those on the right. Those who had already seen the Hounds and Kerrigan stared, but those who hadn’t whispered and pointed. Gideon had allowed talking before he brought the congregation to order during Bible study, so it wasn’t surprising the building was filled with quiet murmurings.
When Gideon stepped to his podium, the crowd immediately hushed. Sutton and Ryker flanked him on either side, while Kerrigan and War stayed a few feet back. She didn’t miss the way people stared at her. Kerriga
n supposed she did look a shock in her jeans, boots, and leather jacket. It wasn’t cold out, but she loved the coat so much since it was a present from Warryck she refused to take it off. Besides, she felt like a badass dressed like a biker chick, even without any makeup on her face.
Before he began speaking, Gideon looked over his shoulder to where Kerrigan was standing with War. He glanced down at their joined hands, frowning. Shaking his head, he turned his attention to the congregation. “You’re probably all wondering why I called you together. I want to start off by saying it has been the greatest joy of my life, leading this community. When I built The Sanctuary all those years ago, I was a sinner with a narrow mind. My father and brother had started their own communities, and I was determined to follow in their footsteps. Over the years, I became a different man. A better man. At least I had in my own eyes. But like all men, I fall short daily. And not so long ago, I fell far.” Gideon wiped his brow with his knuckles and cleared his throat.
“Those of you who were here from the beginning know I had a wife. I took her from a life of depravation and brought her here to live, where I did my best to turn her from her sinful ways to a life filled with God’s word and what he wanted from all the women He created. When she told me she was already married, I didn’t believe her. I thought it was her way of...” Gideon stopped speaking when Ryker growled at him. “Long story short, I was lost when Juliette died. I thought I could continue with my work here, leading all of you to happy, fulfilling lives. I brought women to my home in hopes I’d find a suitable replacement to stand by my side, but that never happened. Then, Brother Steven showed up with Kerrigan O’Shea, and I thought God was giving me a second chance at my own happiness. I know some of you recognized the resemblance between Kerrigan and Juliette. I was sinful and selfish. I kept Kerrigan here against her wishes.” Gideon turned to face her. “I’m sorry, Kerrigan. I should have let you go the first time you asked it of me.”
Kerrigan narrowed her eyes at the man. She had heard Gideon speak during Bible study. She’d heard him in his home when he held meetings. She knew he was a gifted orator, and she knew he was lying through his teeth. He was only sorry he got caught. Kerrigan crossed her arms over her chest and cocked her head to the side. The man was playing to the sympathies of the congregation, and she was having none of it.