“Harmony will be taken care of. Keep your head in the game and don’t get blown the fuck up.” When I tell him this, I watch as a sly smirk forms on his face.
“Thanks.” But when his gaze hits me, I know that he’s silently telling me I’m in charge of her safety. I nod at him then turn my head back to see what Shadow is doing. When he gets to the surrounding property, we then see that there are some pretty vicious dogs chained to trees.
“That’s something else I wanted to show you,” Shadow blurts out. “I noticed them when I did my initial sweep. They aren’t technically on the property, just outside of it. They are sporadically spread out along the outside border.”
“So, no matter where we go in at, we’re dealing with mines, dogs, and snipers?” Story questions. “What a motherfucking clusterfuck.” I’ve never agreed with anyone so emphatically before.
“No, not we...me,” Mercenary intervenes. “I’ll have those mines gone by the time we do anything. All we’ll have to worry about are the snipers and the dogs, well, they’re just a distraction, really. They’re in place to alert the club members. Doesn’t mean they won’t latch on to your fucking balls, but it’s a tactic many use. I should know.”
“So, how do we take care of the dogs?” Stone, our treasurer, asks.
“I know a girl,” Fox informs us.
“You know several. This is new information how?” Phantom jokes. “What’s so special about this one?”
“Novalee is a damn good veterinarian, who also trains dogs. She’s not anything like my other women. Our relationship’s never gone outside of the platonic part of friendship. But, I know she’d tell us how to immobilize the dogs. Maybe put them to sleep or something?” Fox has a woman that’s not a bed buddy? This is something new. He’s never mentioned a woman who’s just a friend, at least none that don’t come with benefits on the side.
“Novalee? As in doctor Porter?” Merc asks, and Fox nods. “That’s where Harmony and I take Sissy and Gypsy. Yeah, she is good.”
An overly annoyed Rogue lets out a heavy sigh at the small talk. “Get a hold of her,” he commands him. “Now, Fox.” He jumps up out of his seat and rushes out of the room. Phones aren’t allowed in church, so he’ll have to call her outside.
“Mercenary, are you sure you don’t need someone to go with you?” Rogue questions, while lighting a cigar.
“I’ll go with him,” I announce as I turn toward Merc. “He needs a spotter and some help with the dogs.”
“Actually, I think I should do this one alone, brother.” Merc reaches over and pats me on the shoulder. “It’ll be hard enough keeping an eye out for myself and these buried minefields. If I’m having to worry about you, I could miss something vital. I’m good doing this alone, I just work better that way.”
“Figured that, but I thought I’d give you to option to have a brother at your back,” Rogue states.
“Appreciate that, Rogue, but I wouldn't be as proficient if I was worrying about one of my brothers.” Mercenary looks around the room, making eye contact with all of us. Then he continues by saying, “I promise, Sandman. I will find a way for us to infiltrate their club and bring your woman back.”
“I have no doubt, brother,” Sandman says in appreciation. “As much as I want to go with you, I know that I’d only be a hindrance. I haven’t the first clue about minefields and how to avoid them. I need to be in one piece when we bring Aria home.” Tilting my head slightly in his direction, I take him in and try to get a read from him. I don’t believe a damn word he’s spewing from his mouth. It’s not his normal disposition, he’s a doer, he doesn’t do well sitting on the sidelines.
“You’re going to sit here like a good soldier and not try to sneak away and follow his footsteps?” I question him, feeling like someone needs to voice this concern out loud. I can’t be the only one feeling this way.
“What do you want me to say here, Edge? You want me to swear you a blood oath? Would you like Shadow to insert a gps chip in me? Believe me, brother, I want to go, but I know that if I see one sign of her, I’ll go charging in both barrels locked and loaded.” He pounds his fist angrily to his chest. “But I also want her coming out of there alive! I know what has to be done! Doesn’t mean I have to like it, I just have to fucking live with it.”
“Just worried about you, Sandman. About both of you making it out of this alive. As much as you need her, we need you. Your head needs to be one hundred fucking percent in the game.” Angrily, I stand up. I know him like anyone knows someone they eat, breath, and have nearly died with.
“Everyone sit your asses back down and shut the fuck up!” Rogue roars, veins popping out of his neck and forehead.
* * *
Talia
* * *
Harmony and I tried to distract ourselves from the hollers and cursing coming from behind the meeting room doors. When the sound of Rogue’s roar catches our ears, we both jump in our seats. “Fucking hell,” Harmony sighs. “Sounds like the proverbial shit has hit the fan in there.”
“Ya think?” My eyes are glued to the door. Things have quieted down, but that doesn't mean things are all good and dandy. Out of all the screaming I’ve heard, Edge’s voice has been the one that’s stuck out, and captured my attention the most. He sounds livid. If I’m not mistaken also a little fearful. But I’d never say that to anyone, he’d get pissed if anyone viewed himself as having a weakness. I know, just like they all do, that they are each other’s kryptonite. He can worry all he wants about having an old lady, but at the end of the day, he’ll always be vulnerable if one of his brothers are hurt.
“It’s eerily quiet in there. Do you think they’ve finally managed to kill each other off?” she jokingly asks me.
“Where do you think Fox ran off to?” Earlier, he hauled ass out of the building, like a trail of firing was ablaze behind him.
“He went to the cubby and grabbed his phone. I’m assuming it was club business. That’s the only reason one of them would leave that way.” When she answers my question, I somewhat remember him placing his thumb on a keypad I saw earlier and wondered about. When he pressed his thumb to it, it opened a hidden compartment in the wall. Doesn’t surprise me, though. Clubs always have their own unique ways of safety and keeping things hidden.
“Is there anything we can be doing?” I can’t just sit here and twiddle my thumbs. This makes me feel useless. I’ve brought this particular issue of my past to the club, I should be doing something more to help out. Maybe I should call Briggs and have him come and pick me up. I can take a bus somewhere far away from here, to a place where I won’t put anyone else in danger. I brought this on myself. I’m the one who made poor decisions in my younger years. I should take care of this on my own. The guilt is beginning to eat at me. The fact that these men are willing to sacrifice themselves is so hard to fathom in the first place. I can’t get past the reality of how they’re placing the ones they love, in a dangerous position to protect me. They barely know me.
Plus, I need to get my hands on the morning after pill. I don’t regret for a second the way that I allowed myself to get lost with Edge. It was just one of those things that happened in the heat of the moment. But, there’s no way that my life is safe to bring a child into. I don’t see that happening anytime soon for myself. It also doesn't escape my attention that Edge would rather drive a knife into his heart than father a child...at any point in time. He’s made it very clear that he wants no involvement with anyone that could become a weakness to him. Something deep down inside of me tells me that Harmony wouldn’t be willing to go and get one for me without Edge’s consent. She’s friendly toward me, but her loyalty lies with her best friend and this club. I can understand and even accept that. But as a woman, I wish I could count on her to take my side on this. Seeing as though she is currently pregnant, something tells me that she would have mixed feelings about this anyway.
Needing time to think further on my next plan of action, I excuse myself and head back to E
dge’s room.
Chapter Nine
Talia
As soon as my body hits the bed, I close my eyes to contemplate my next move. Time escapes me yet again before Edge comes into the room. “I’ve gotta leave for a couple of hours. The prospects are staying here to protect you and Harmony. Stay inside the compound, do not go outside under any circumstances.” He comes over to me and leans over to give me a kiss. Knowing this will be the last time I’ll ever feel his lips on mine, I deepen it. The sting of tears threaten the back of my lids, but I manage to hold them back.
“Stay safe, Edge.” My meaning goes far beyond whatever it is he’s fixing to walk into.
“Always, Trouble. I’ll see you in a few hours. Get some rest.” He winks at me as he walks out the door.
“Goodbye, Edge.” This time, I let my tears fall free from my eyes. “You will always hold my heart in your hands. Have a good life.” I say a silent prayer for these people who have come to mean so much to me in such a little space of time.
I give it forty-five minutes before I sneak out of our room. Before I head out, I need to make sure everyone is too busy to notice me leaving. I also need to get my hands on the gate key that’s set behind the bar in case of emergencies. It’s electric, usually you key in a code to enter or exit. There is a key in case the electricity goes out, I’ll need to use it to get out since I don’t have the code.
Pee-wee and Shifter, two of the prospects who’ve been here the longest, are in the corner drinking and playing a game of cards. They barely acknowledge me as I come into the room. “Where’s Stretch and Shade?” I ask, pretending to make small talk, but actually needing to know where they’re stationed. Making myself a drink, I go with a plain soda.
“Shade’s doing a perimeter check and Stretch is on gate duty,” Pee-wee, a little slip of a man answers. His road names suites him and his stature well. This suits me just fine. It’ll actually work to my advantage. If Stretch is on gate duty, he’ll be asleep in no time at all. They should have actually given him the road name sleep because that man has seemingly been asleep since I’ve been here. Stretch is a good guy, and will do his job. But he’s a manwhore who almost puts Fox to shame. He’ll do a quick search then find a club bitch to come and blow him while he’s pretending to still be outside. It pays to be observant of those surrounding you.
“Do you need something, Talia?” Shifter looks my way and asks.
“Nah, just came to make myself a drink before heading to bed.” I hold up my glass with one hand while slipping the key in my pocket with the other. Waving to the two of them as I leave the room I go back to Edge’s. I pocket a phone laying on a nearby table and hope I can get into it without some sort of code needed. Grabbing my backpack full of what meager belongings they brought me, I head to the bathroom. Leaving out of his bathroom window is my best option. It has a fire escape with stairs that will make climbing down easier. Every four rooms has one, so I count my lucky stars that Edge’s happens to be one with it. Looking back over to his bed, I make a decision to write him a short, brief appreciation letter.
Rummaging through his desk, I find a pen and notebook. Pulling it out, I begin.
* * *
Edge,
I will never be able to express how much you, and the men of your MC, have come to mean to me. I can’t in good conscience sit and allow you all to put yourselves in danger. I’m so sorry for the danger I’ve already brought to your front steps. I know you were just repaying the favor in the beginning, but you’ve come to mean a lot to me in a short period of time. Me leaving is what’s best for all involved. Harmony can have her baby without fear of war, and the possibility of having to raise a baby without Mercenary. You can move on and find happiness in the arms of a woman that you won’t be having to protect every second of her life. I want that for you, Edge. I pray that you find that woman who makes you want to be a better man and take a chance on. Open your heart Edge. I promise that you’ll never be happier than you will be if you let the prospect of love in your heart. I know mine will always hold a special place for you. Please thank whoever brought my belongings even if it was only for a short time.
Forever,
Talia
* * *
I didn’t put everything I wanted to into the letter. Desperately afraid that if I did, I’d lose the courage to walk away. I can’t take that chance, leaving is the best thing for everyone. Especially my heart. Going into the bathroom, I slowly open the window and climb up on the toilet, I slip one leg and then the other out. When my entire body is out, I quietly shut the window again. I lightly tap the window with my hand, before quickly turning around and making my way down the steps. Keeping my back to the wall, I glide down the side of the building, sticking to the shadows. I nearly chuckle when I see Stretch doing exactly as I suspected he’d be doing. He’s far enough away that he shouldn’t notice me, but I see him since he’s out in the wide open. Rolling my eyes is the natural reaction when I see purple hair fisted in his hand. There’s only one slut who lives here that has purple hair. Cindy. I swear her mouth gets more use than the club’s vacuum cleaner. What catches me off guard however, is that Shade is standing next to them, rubbing up and down on his dick. Guess they’ve decided to tag team her. “Perfect,” I mumble to myself, smiling at my good fortune.
As I run for the gate, I stay out of the shining lights flooding the yard. Thankfully, there are patches not covered that I take advantage of. My hands are shaky as I insert the key into the lock. Now that I’m out of the yard, I wonder what I should do with the gate key. Knowing that I’m wasting precious time, I pocket it once again, deciding that I’ll have Briggs mail it back to them in a few days. My legs take flight beneath me, and before long, my muscles are burning and my lungs are begging for oxygen. When I finally make it to a residential neighborhood, I hide behind some bushes after getting an address. I should be well-hidden here until Briggs can make it to me. Grabbing the phone from my jean pocket, I turn it on and dial Briggs’ number. Thankfully, there was no lock or pin on whoever’s phone this is. I’ll have Briggs mail it back to them also.
“Yeah?” the grumpy old man answers and I feel a grin form on my face.
“Briggs, it’s me,” my words come out in a whisper.
“Talia? The fuck are you?” The fear in his voice has me feeling bad that I haven’t contacted him to let him yet to let him know I’m alright.
“Briggs I’m okay, calm down before you give yourself a heart attack. I need a favor.”
“What do you need?” His tone softens, letting me know he’s in protective mode, instead of that of a father.
“I need to disappear. We need to use plan B.” We had a backup plan if we caught wind that Frank had gotten wind of where my hideout was.
“Text me your address. I’ll be there as soon as I can. Are you safe where you are?” he anxiously asks me.
“I’m good. I’m hidden behind some heavy shrubbery. No one can spot me unless I step out,” I quickly answer, wanting to get off the phone and hit the road as soon as possible. Especially before someone realizes I’m gone and so is their phone and they begin to track it.
“Hanging up now, hang tight, Talia. I’ll be there soon.” He hangs up before I have a chance to say another word.
* * *
Edge
* * *
Rogue ordered that we all ride out, and scope out the Warped Pussy Henchmen’s town. We need to find out the best point of entry and exit options. We go without sporting our colors or riding our bikes. We parked those in the warehouse before leaving and climbing into the cargo van and SUVs we have. I’m in the front of the convoy with Rogue, Bane, Sandman, Pyro, and Mercenary. The rest of the men are behind us. We will each take a different direction once we hit their town. We will be riding past the clubhouse so Mercenary can get an idea of where he should begin working. The other two will be circling the town, getting a feel for the surroundings and looking for back roads leading to the back of the land around the Henchmen�
�s clubhouse.
The drive will take us at least three hours both ways, we’ll spend most of the night sneaking around. This will place us getting home around sunset tomorrow. I’m already counting down the hours until I can slide into bed beside Talia and hopefully slide into her hot, slick pussy. Just as I’m getting lost into memories of our time together, we arrive at our destination. “Keep your eyes open,” Rogue orders. Dislodging my thoughts, I begin to scan their compound. The snipers on top of the building are the first thing that capture my attention. They aren’t being inconspicuous by any means.
“They’re sloppy,” I share my observation.
“They’re so sure of themselves, that they don’t expect anyone to come to them. Men that are fearless, and assume they’re impenetrable, are the ones who are the easiest to infiltrate,” Mercenary shares.
“Don’t be so damn cocky,” Sandman sneers. “My woman’s life depends on this.”
“We know, we won’t do anything that will compromise her safety.” Aria isn’t the only one whose life depends on the outcome of this operation. His main concern is Aria, mine is Talia. Both the same mission with different women to protect and keep safe from any future harm that these pussies could bring.
“There.” Mercenary points to a part of a surrounding field. It’s the most hidden as far as trees covering. “That’s going to be the best option for me to do my thing and not be spotted.”
“We’ll drop you off around the corner.” Mercenary grabs his bag of goodies and gets ready to be let out. Bane drives a little further down the road coming upon a dirt path. “We’ll be back in exactly forty-eight hours to pick you up,” Rogue informs Mercenary as the vehicle comes to a complete stop.
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