by KJ Dahlen
When everyone pulled into the compound parking lot, Breed assigned two riders to watch their backs. They took the kids and Shyla into the clubhouse right away. Then the drivers drove the busses back to the schools. Both of the men were full blooded Cherokees.
Finally, Breed joined Kizzy in the club. She was busy looking after the girls and sorting out which ones needed Cowboy and which ones didn’t.
Rosie was one of the girls who needed Cowboy’s care. He was bent over her and working quickly.
Kizzy looked up and shook her head.
Breed could read the heartbreak in her eyes.
She got to her feet and walked over to him. Looking back at the girls, Kizzy told him, “Most of them are okay or they will be. The bruises will fade in a few days. So far, only Shyla and Rosie are the worst.”
“What’s wrong with Shyla?” Breed frowned. “Why did she pass out like she did?”
Kizzy turned hateful eyes to him. “Blade has a habit of stomping people when he wants to inflict pain doesn’t he?” Shaking her head she said, “Cowboy thinks he broke her ribs maybe. He also thinks her lungs are bruised. He literally almost stomped her to death.”
“Then what the fuck was she doing attacking me?” Breed growled.
“She was protecting those kids,” Kizzy told him quietly. “Protecting those kids meant more to her than her own life when you stopped that truck and opened the door.”
Breed stared at his cousin for a moment then whispered, “We weren’t going to hurt them.”
Kizzy shook her head. “She didn’t know that did she? She didn’t know who was on the other side of that door. All she knew was she was pushed into a trailer and told that she was being sold.”
“Will she survive?” he asked as his gaze settled on her form on the other bed. He wasn’t surprised to find Greer sitting next to her.
“That’s up to her,” Kizzy informed him. “She’s back home and safe for now. I’ve been talking to some of the girls and I think you need to hear what they got to say before you call their families.”
“Why is that?” Breed frowned.
“Because everything isn’t what it seems.” Greer growled as he joined them.
“What the fuck does that mean?” Breed wanted to know.
“Most of these girls have no family,” Kizzy explained. “Blade was working with the director of the orphanage to procure some of his victims, some he grabs off the street or hunts them down.”
“Do you remember how he got Shyla?” Greer asked.
Breed shrugged. “She and her friend Beth were shopping in town and had just finished. They were loading their purchases in the car when a van pulled up behind them. When the door opened one of the men pushed Beth away and the other three grabbed Shyla. The van drove away before she could even do more than scream. That was three weeks ago and we hadn’t been able to find her before today.” He nodded. “Now I know why. That bastard had her.”
“But why?” Kizzy asked with a frown. “Why would he come all this way to find just one girl when he has access to however many girls he wants?”
“He did it to hurt you Breed,” Shyla whispered out as loud as she could speak.
Breed and Greer turned to look at her.
Her dark brown eyes were open. She seemed to be having a problem breathing and she was beginning to panic.
Kizzy rushed over to her and laid a hand on her shoulder. “Relax. You’re fine, just don’t panic like this. Breathe slowly.”
“I c-can’t—breathe...” Shyla said.
Greer knelt beside her and took her hand in his. “Yes, you can,” he whispered. “You just have to calm down and you’ll be fine.”
Shyla closed her eyes and forced herself to relax. Within minutes, her breathing slowed down.
“So what else did Blade have to say?” Breed asked.
Shyla grinned and asked him, “Did you really curse his father’s headstone?”
Breed shrugged.
“Good, that bastard deserved it.” Shyla stared at her cousin. “Did you know ever since you put the curse on his headstone, Blade and Hade’s Messengers have had a run of bad luck? Bad luck he puts on the curse?”
“Is that right?” Breed’s lips titled into a smile.
“Oh, yeah. He’s such a little boy, it’s everyone else’s fault, never his own stupidity.” Shyla nodded. “Just before his dad died, his mom started up a relationship with one of the other brothers. So then when his dad died, the other biker thought Blade was gonna step aside and let him be president. The other biker was older and more experienced, most of the men wanted him as Prez and when that didn’t happen, Blade and his mom were attacked. Apparently, she’d made the brother promises she couldn’t give him. Half the club stood behind the other guy and they went off to make their own club and became rivals of the Messengers. So now, Blade has them to worry about too.” She tried to chuckle but her body hurt too much. “Now, he has a missing shipment to account for.”
“Yeah, I’m hoping his connection with the cartel is really pissed about that.” Breed nodded with a determined tone.
“Oh, you can bet on that,” Shyla grumbled. “The cartel was there just last week and the big man picked one of the girls out for himself. He picked Rosie and she wasn’t supposed to be hurt, then Blade went crazy on her this morning before we left. He really hates his contact and I think his contact hates him right back. I do know he wishes he didn’t have to work with him but the other man is the money Blade needs. And he needs that money now more than ever if he wants to keep his club. The rival club is taking most of the jobs away from the Messengers and the men under Blade aren’t happy about it.”
Cowboy came back over. “You need to slow down with this talking.” He glanced at Breed. “She needs rest.”
“Yes, when I’m done, mister doctor.” Shyla shifted in the bed trying to get comfortable. “I found out something curious too. Seems the Messengers have been going downhill for a number of years. Blade’s dad made some serious mistakes in the five years before he died and never did get back on top after that. The when the old man died, Blade thought their bad luck was finally over until you showed up and cursed his father’s grave. After that, they believed the curse was real and have been blaming it since then. He really hates you now.”
“Yeah, well I’m not overly fond of him either.” Breed scoffed.
“Breed, no one can know the girls are here yet,” Shyla stressed. “They’re tired and sore and scared witless. They need rest and hot food. Blade never took care of them.”
Breed nodded as his eyes softened. “Of course, we’ll take care of them but we must hear what happened to them and why. If they want to return to their families, I can’t stop them but I can’t and won’t put this club in danger of retaliation either.” He stepped away from her bed. “You get some rest and heal quickly. Those girls need a calming woman and they have chosen you for that role.” Looking over at Cowboy, he asked, “Do you need anything for now?”
Cowboy looked over at him wearily. He’d just finished with Rosie. “No, but I will be keeping an eye on these two for a while.”
Chapter Two
Breed nodded then grabbed Kizzy’s hand, pulling her out into the main room.
The sight that met them there almost broke Kizzy’s heart. Eleven little girls were huddled around one table, as they looked lost and afraid. She went over to them and knelt down. “Hey are you guys okay?” she asked softly.
“Miss, are Shyla and Rosie all right?” one of the little girls asked.
Kizzy smiled slightly. “They will both be just fine. Our doctor is looking after them.”
“Oh good.” She brushed her hair away from her face. “What’s going to happen to the rest of us? Please don’t make us go back there.”
Breed knelt down to her level and looked her in the eyes. “Honey, you’re here now and we’ll take care of you. We’ll make sure you guys are okay and safe.” He patted her hand. “Don’t you worry.” He chuckled as he looked at
her. “If I were you, I’d worry more about dinner than anything. Capone is our chief cook and bottlewasher and sometimes, I have to wonder what I’m eating.”
“Hey boss, I resemble that remark.” Capone chuckled. “But none of you are dead yet, so that’s a plus.”
Kizzy sat back on her heels and shook her head. “Well, you know what girls? I don’t know about you but that just isn’t going to cut it for me. Why don’t we show these big tough guys what girls can do?”
“What do you mean, miss?” one of the girls asked as several peeked up from their sad states.
“Its time for the girls to try their hand at cooking. I think I’d like to know what’s on my plate. What do you say girls?” Kizzy asked them. “Shall we show them how it’s done?”
“We could try,” one of the girls whispered. She looked around the room. “But they’re awfully big guys, how do we feed them all at once?”
Kizzy smiled. “Why don’t you each have a shower and clean up a bit then meet me in the kitchen. I know you’re all hungry and I can feed you something while we work on food for everyone okay? I can show you all you need to know about feeding a lot of people all at once.”
One of the men came over at motioned at the girls. “Come on, let’s get you girls cleaned up some. I’ll show you guys to the showers.”
A couple of the girls tightened their holds on their blankets.
The fear on their faces told Breed more than he needed to know. “I’m sure you girls are old enough to shower on your own, all he’s going to do is show you where it is. Ink, dig up some t-shirts or something so we can wash their clothes okay?”
Just then, the main door opened and several women from the tribe nearby came in, led by Marah Moon.
Breed got to his feet. “Mom, what is this?”
“If you think for one minute we’re leaving you guys in charge of all these little girls, you are just crazy son. You bikers can barely take care of yourselves, let alone little girls.”
Kizzy smiled. “Thank you Miss Moon. The girls are a little skittish right now. I suggested they shower and get cleaned up before we start dinner.”
Marah nodded. “Well, come on girls, let’s get you moving.” As the girls filed out of the room under the guidance of the women of the tribe, Marah came over to Breed and Kizzy. “It’s a good thing you did here son. God only knows what you saved the girls from. And you got Shyla back too. That’s wonderful. Her family is so happy you found her.”
Breed nodded. “But Mom, this could bring Hade’s Messengers down on us if they ever figure out the girls are here. We don’t know their stories yet.”
Marah shook her head. “And you may never know it but you saved them from a life of hell. We are protected here and we know how to protect ourselves if they do come. The men of the tribe will keep watch over the ridge and let us know when and if they show up.”
Breed’s hands curled into fists. “We’ll protect those girls from Blade and his boys. And we’ll defend this place from them as well. But that might not be the only trouble coming our way. Kizzy is tied into another kind of deal with Blade, her cousin and grandfather. We need to protect her as well.”
Marah smiled and laid a hand on his chest. “We have no doubt you and your men will protect us just like you always have. We’ll get through this too. But right now, we have to look after these children.”
Breed’s phone pinged and when he looked at the message, he saw it was from Monster.
Monster had gone to watch over Joey. He growled at the incoming message. Looking over at Kizzy, he told her, “Monster is coming in along with your cousin and your grandfather’s attorney.”
Kizzy frowned. “Why would he be with both of them?”
“I have no clue baby, but I don’t think we want him to know you’re here just yet,” Breed told her. “Maybe you should stay out of sight until we know what’s going on.”
Kizzy nodded. “Ok, I’ll be in the kitchen working on dinner then.” Looking over at Marah she said, “Maybe you should bring the kids in through the back hallway? I don’t want my cousin to know about them either.”
Marah nodded.
Breed sighed hard. “We’ll get him to a room where we can question him as soon as he gets here.”
Kizzy looked over at him with worry on her face.
Breed didn’t like the fearful look in her eyes.
Greer sat in the chair beside the bed for a long time watching her sleep. He couldn’t for the life of him understand what was going on but as soon as he saw Shyla, he knew she was his. His heart actually stopped beating for a span of time.
He watched her carefully. What he was looking for he didn’t know but in that little while he memorized her face. Cowboy had given him an update on her condition and he said she would be fine. Sleep was what she needed the most right now and Greer was determined she would get some.
He looked over at the other bed and Rosie. She was sleeping better too.
Cowboy was washing his hands at the sink and seemed distracted.
Greer got up and went over to talk to him. “Are they going to be okay?” he asked in a low voice.
Cowboy nodded and pursed his lips. “There’s a special place in hell for men like Blade. Men are supposed to use the strength God gave them to shelter and protect women and kids, not beat the hell out of them.”
“We both know what kind of man Blade is,” Greer reminded him. “He’s a fucking coward, not a real man.”
“Don’t you worry about him right now, worry about what Breed is going to do next,” Cowboy warned. “He isn’t going to let this slide and you know it. He’s going to go after Blade with both barrels.”
“I know but first he’s going to make sure these girls are safe.”
“Not only the girls, the tribe and the MC too.” Cowboy nodded.
Greer’s phone pinged and he looked at the message from Breed. Looking up at Cowboy, he grinned. “We’re getting company. Kizzy’s cousin and the old man’s attorney.”
Cowboy snorted and began drying his hands. “You go deal with that. I got two ladies to watch over.”
Greer nodded as he held out his hands and cracked his knuckles. “Gladly.” He looked back at Shyla and then at Cowboy. “Take care of my girl doc.”
Cowboy raised an eyebrow at the My Girl part but he only nodded. “I will.” When Greer left the room, Cowboy glanced over at Shyla again and chuckled. “I wonder if she knows she belongs to him? Might get very interesting around here soon.”
Monster pulled the car to a stop just outside the compound. He looked over at the man beside him.
Matt looked back. “This is your club I take it?”
Monster nodded. “This is where we call home.”
Both men heard grumbling and mumbling coming from the backseat. They turned their heads and glanced back.
Joey was mumbling at them both. His hands and feet were tied and he’d been gagged. After they got to the Tennessee border, Monster stopped the vehicle and put a blindfold on him, as he didn’t want Joey to be able to tell Blade where they were located. Their compound wasn’t known by anyone not living here. One of his eyes was swollen shut from the punch he took when he tried to bluff his way past Monster at Matt’s house.
When Monster showed up and told Joey to put his peashooter down, he tried to bluff his way out but Monster noticed the dumb kid had the safety still on. He marched forward and backhanded him.
Joey went down, throwing the weapon away from himself but wasn’t smart enough to stay down.
Monster put him down a second time. “You get up again punk and I’ll lay you out cold.” Monster snarled.
Joey wasn’t dumb enough to get up again.
At Monster’s command, Matt got some duct tape and they secured his arms and legs. When Monster retrieved the gun Joey pulled on Matt, he looked it over and snorted. Looking over at Joey he commented, “When you pick up a gun, you’d better be prepared to use it. It’s not a toy or a plaything and should never be used to b
luff your way through a situation. If you shoot someone and they die, you’re a murderer even if it was by accident. You still killed someone. Now I know some people just don’t give a shit and murder doesn’t really bother them and those people are damn fools.”
“It’s foolish to be a man and shoot someone?” Joey snarled.
“You think it’s a sign of being a man to be able to shoot someone?” Monster asked.
At Joey’s nod, Monster threw back his head and laughed out loud. “You really are a moron aren’t you? It takes more of a man not to pick up a gun, you dipshit. Hand to hand puts two men at equal odds.” He looked down at the weapon in his hand. “This will kill a man but it would take more than one bullet to put a man down for good. This is a sissy’s weapon, only good for one thing and that’s to piss off a real man. Besides, if you pick up a weapon, you’d better be prepared to use it. You fucking left the safety on and this gun ain’t even loaded.” Monster threw the useless weapon at him.
Joey screamed like a damn girl when the cold metal hit him in the chest.
Monster then turned to Matt. “Are you Brian William’s attorney?”
Matt nodded. “Yes, I am, why?”
“My President would like to talk to you.”
Matt looked the other man in the eyes and said, “I will not be able to tell him much in the way of confidential business, so I really don’t know if speaking to me is possible.”
Monster shook his head. “We aren’t after William’s business secrets. But he does need to talk to you.”
“Very well.” Matt nodded.
“We have another problem here counselor.” Monster stood there and crossed his arms. “I was asked to bring you both with me but I need your consent, as we don’t live here in Alabama. We have to cross state lines and I’m not after a kidnapping charge.”
Matt smiled at his statement. “It isn’t considered kidnapping if we give you consent now is it?”