Hound

by KJ Dahlen

  Sara gasped.

  “Yes and those places are cruel...” Bones couldn’t seem to finish.

  “He was tortured most likely,” Deke continued. “Then somehow he got pulled out of there. By the Devils we think but he was very definetly a changed man.”

  Sara felt another tear run down her cheek. “S-so you think this made him a killer?”

  Bones, Deke and Wiley nodded.

  One of the other men spoke up, “He has direct ties to the cartel. They are some bad people.”

  Sara stared at him. “And you are?”

  “Oh, sorry. I’m Chance Morgan and this is my brother, Bowie. We are just here to help.”

  She glanced around at all of them. “But why come back and do this almost 4 years later?”

  They all remained silent.

  “You said you had an inheritance,” Deke broke the quiet.

  Her head shot up. “Yes, but the lawyers looked for a whole year and never found him. So when the legal time was up. I got it all. But I don’t think he ever even knew gramps had passed or about the inheritance.”

  “And you never saw him again or heard from him?”

  “No. I already told you all this.” She sat up in her chair. “But I did get a birthday card from him a year ago. I forgot about that. But it just had his signature and he said he loved me on it?”

  Judge’s phone rang. He grabbed it and got up, heading to the kitchen. Then he halted. “WHAT?” He listened then turned around and stared at Hound. “Okay...I-is he—” He listened some more as his face paled. “We are leaving now.” He swiped his phone.

  Everyone in the room stared at him.

  “What is it?” Hound looked like a statue as he asked his face hard as stone.

  “Dad has been hurt.”

  The men all stood from their chairs.

  “How?” Deke asked.

  “There was an explosion.”

  “What?” Hound wanted to know. “Where?”

  “At our offices,” Judge said as he grabbed his keys.

  Everyone else moved out of the dining room as if there was a fire in the house with all of them running to the door.

  Hound grabbed Sara’s hand and tugged her out and to the front of the house.

  The men were all standing in the driveway instead of getting on their bikes as Hound halted.

  Sara almost ran into him, so she looked around him.

  In red paint on the driveway were four words written in large letters.

  THE MOORES WILL DIE.

  “What the fuck?” Hound yelled.

  The men all looked confused too.

  “Oh, god!” Sara cried. “This is my fault!”

  Hound grabbed her up. “Shhh, Sara. It might not be anything to do with you.”

  “Oh, really?” she asked as she looked over at Bones. “Coincidence?” She shook her head.

  Bones shook his head too, as he looked upset. All the men did.

  Hound sighed and tugged her to his bike. “One disaster at a time. We have cameras and we will find out who this is.”

  They all got onto their cycles.

  When they all started up and Sara was sitting behind Hound she jumped at the roar. Would she ever get used to that noise? She laid her head on Hound’s shoulder. She just knew this was because of her and what if Black Jack died? Hound would never want to look at her face again.

  Hound knew he was riding too fast but he was so panicked. What if... he shook bad thoughts away and he wondered if anyone had called Molly. She must have went to visit Cricket and Dusty, she often went over there as Dusty was her grandson and she adored him.

  They all pulled in at the hospital and parked their bikes.

  Judge was already off his before the engine could even power down all the way.

  Hound called to Sara, “Get off babe. I need to dismount.”

  Sara seemed out of it but she slowly got down.

  Deke got off his ride and raised his hands At the men gathered. “We will scare the straights men. if we all haul in there. Dad and Gator with me.” He looked over at Wiley, Chance and Bowie. “You all need to go and find out who did this. Wiley, go back to the Moore’s and look at the tapes. You know where that room is.”

  Wiley nodded.

  “Chance and Bowie get over to the Moore’s offices and see what the cops are saying.”

  The men all started up their bikes and rode out.

  Hound heard it all but he was already heading to the ER right behind Judge.

  Gambler was there behind the glass.

  They rushed in through the sliding doors.

  Hound stopped as he got a look at his brother.

  He was covered in ashes and his face was smeared with black and blood.

  “Fuck,” Judge muttered as he stepped to Gambler.

  “Man, it was horrible.” His brother started.

  “What happened?” Deke stepped up.

  “I was out with the trucks and was about to leave to the site when the building imploded.

  Hound’s chest went tight.

  “While dad was inside?” Judge asked with panic in his voice.

  Gambler turned and nodded at him. “I went in looking for him.

  “And?” Hound growled.

  “And he was lucky as he was under that metal desk we bought him. You know the one he hated and wanted a wooden one?”

  “Yes, yes and was he okay?” Judge looked furious.

  “Yes, he was conscious but his leg was...It looked mangled.” Tears glittered in Gambler’s eyes.

  “Where is he?” a voice shouted from the sliding doors.

  They all turned to see Molly barreling in with Cricket and Raine.

  Gambler went over to them. “They haven’t told me anything Ma.”

  She raised her shoulders and glared at the reception desk.

  Hound almost felt sorry for the poor woman sitting there, she was about to meet a very upset, very angry Molly Moore.

  Molly bustled over there and the group followed her.

  “My husband, Daniel Moore. I need to see him.”

  The woman stared at her, then looked down at her PC. She typed the name in.

  “He was just brought in here 20 minutes ago,” Gambler informed her.

  Her head rose up. “Oh well, he hasn’t been admitted yet then.”

  “Where is he?” Molly asked with gritted teeth.

  The woman shook her head. “I will go check as we don’t know here.” She looked over at the nest desk area. “Glenda, take my place.”

  Glenda got up slowly and grabbed her phone then a pen.

  “Move it woman!” Molly shouted at her.

  The woman and Glenda stopped and stared at her.

  Hound stepped forward. “Listen, my mom is upset and well, she will get worse if we do not find out soon. So, just...Please?” He knew his mom and she would tear this place apart if they did not do what she needed.

  The women nodded.

  The receptionist took off down the hall. She pressed a code into the pad then the doors opened.

  Molly looked fit to be tied as she marched down that same hall faster than a woman half her age could probably move and went in right behind her.

  “Ma’am you can’t—”

  “Don’t tell me nuthin.’ Show me where he is and NOW!” Molly shouted.

  The doors slid closed.

  Sara stared at this scene then looked up at Hound.

  He shrugged. “I tried to give them a heads up.” He turned her toward the waiting area. “Let’s sit.”

  They joined Deke, Gator and Raine.

  Cricket was pacing.

  “Sweetness, you need to sit down,” Raine said to her.

  Cricket stopped as she kept looking to where Molly went but then did as he’d said.

  Hound tugged Sara closer. “Um, Cricket is Raines wife. Cricket, this is Sara...my wife.” He actually felt natural saying it, though it sure as hell was new.

  Cricket stood and took her hand. “Raine told me
what has happened and I am so sorry. Molly is already so fond of you too.”

  Sara blinked her eyes “B-but why? I mean no one knows me and I might be to blame.”

  Cricket paused and looked over at Hound.

  He let out a sigh. “She thinks Dad was hurt because of whoever is after her.”

  Cricket grabbed her hands with both of hers. “Listen, it doesn’t matter. We don’t know yet and even if it is, you did nothing wrong, sweetie.”

  Hound felt proud of his sis n law. But he knew her history. It wasn’t pretty and if anyone could understand, it would be her. He nodded at her and moved Sara over. Sitting her down next to him, he took her hand.

  Sara stared down at the handholding. “Duggan?” she whispered.

  Leaning in, he asked, “What?”

  “You don’t h-hate me?”

  He stared at her. “No, why would I?”

  She shook her head.

  He caressed her cheek. “I don’t think I could ever hate you. So stop worrying.”

  Deke’s phone rang and Raine’s and Judge’s.

  They all stood and swiped their phones.

  Hound wondered why they would all ring at the same time. His nervousness just tripled. It couldn’t be good.

  Deke listened for a long moment. Then replied, “Ok. Let me know if you find anything else.” He swiped his phone.

  Judge swiped his closed too. “I have to go down there. They won’t tell Chance and Bowie anything. But dammit, I can’t leave here.”

  Deke shook his head. “You have to wait and see how your dad is. It can wait.” He swiped his phone to make another call.

  Hound felt out of it completely as he did not know what Deke knew but he would have to wait.”

  Raine came back over. “That was a buddy of mine at the Fire Department. You know the guy I pulled out of that wrecked car a few months back. He says it was definitely arson at the bakery.”

  “Yeah, it was,” Bones groused from his seat. “But now we know for sure.”

  Deke came back over. “Wiley said the graffiti was left by a tall man wearing a ski mask. No id so far.”

  “Well, shit...” Bones muttered.

  A commotion broke out down the hall.

  “You have no right!” Molly shouted. “Let go of me!”

  Two male attendants were escorting her out of the door. They had their hands gripped on her arms.

  Hound, Raine, Judge and Gambler all got up and rushed over.

  “Take your hands off her,” Hound growled as Judge and Gambler stepped up to the men.

  “Do it or lose your fucking limbs,” Gambler seethed.

  The attendants looked at them and their eyes widened as they let go and stepped back.

  The lady from the desk rushed up. “They had orders from the doctor. Don’t fight here please?”

  The Moore brothers were all set to pounce on the men that had manhandled their mother.

  “Come on, Moores!” Cricket stepped close to the group of angry men. “If you all get thrown in jail, where does that leave your parents?”

  Hound knew she was right but if he ever saw these fucking men on the street, they would regret the meeting for a long damn time. He gathered his mom close and moved her over to the waiting area. “Did you find anything out, Ma?”

  Nodding, tears filled her eyes. “His leg. They are in surgery now.”

  Hound sat his mother down in a chair.

  Cricket was there immediately and took Molly’s hand.

  Hound felt like tearing the whole room apart. His dad in surgery, his mom in bad shape. He looked over at a pale looking Sara as tears rolled down her cheeks. And a wife who was utterly devastated and guilt ridden. He wanted to punch something. Anything.

  Chapter Ten

  Sara decided to stop feeling sorry for herself and try to be supportive to Hound and the Moores. She sat up straighter in her seat and patted Hound’s hand. He looked so angry. She knew it wasn’t at her, but she didn’t know how to make it lessen.

  They waited for another hour. The guys drinking coffee and talking in low tons. She wondered what that was about. But then again, they had the right to talk, but why did she feel like something more was happening. Hell, how could more happen? Her house gutted, her shop burned to the ground, the Moore’s construction company bombed, the graffiti in the driveway.

  Hound handed her an orange juice saying it would pep her up.

  Mostly he paced. He couldn’t seem to sit still as they all waited for news. Every minute felt like an hour.

  “Moore family?” a voice called from the hallway.

  Molly got up and hurried over.

  The rest of them followed.

  It was a doctor in scrubs. “Are you all family?” he asked doubtfully.

  They all nodded.

  Sara then nodded too. She was and she intended to act like a member instead of being another problem for them.

  “Well, Mr. Moore made it through surgery. He lost a lot of blood as whatever hit his leg nicked an artery. Someone applied a tourniquet and it slowed the bleeding, so they saved his life.” He paused. “I haven’t seen the ambulance itinerary but they couldn’t have done more to save him than that. It was pivotal.”

  Gambler nodded. “We all know first aid. I did it before I transported him here in the truck.”

  The doctor looked surprised. “Yes, that may well be but it was the best dressing I’ve seen for a non-medical person. Anyway, he will be fine. He may have to have physical therapy but we will see how it heals. He’s a strong man for his age and that helped too.”

  The family all seemed to heave a sigh of relief.

  “Although...”

  They all stared at him.

  “What doctor? What?” Molly asked as fear crept into her expression again.

  “He woke up in post op sooner than we expected and has been yelling. He even threw a bed pan across the room.”

  They all grinned at him.

  He blinked at them.

  “Oh, yes!” Hound raised his fist and pumped it.

  The doctor still stared as though they were all aliens or something.

  Molly was laughing even as tears fell from her eyes. “That is great news.”

  “It is?” the doctor looked entirely lost.

  “It means he’s okay, Doc,” Judge supplied.

  The doctor shook his head at this. “Two of you can go in to see him. But only two tonight. He is still in ICU, but that should change as soon as his blood supply is replenished sufficiently.

  Molly stepped forward.

  The doctor looked at the rest of them.

  “Gambler should go in,” Hound suggested.

  They all nodded.

  Gambler had already washed up in the restroom but his clothes were still dirty from being inside the bombed offices.

  The doctor nodded at his worried look. “We have paper overscrubs you will have to wear while in that area.” He turned and walked down the hall with Molly and Gambler following.

  Hound let out a huge breath and placed an arm around Sara’s shoulder.

  She looked up at him. “I’m so glad.”

  “Me too Sassy, me too.”

  She smiled. “So that is what you’re going to call me now?”

  He leaned down to whisper to her ear, “When in public, but I am thinking of a name for private use.”

  Goosebumps broke out along her arms at his hot breath in her ear and the promise in his words.

  “Ok, Moores and...” Deke paused as Sara and Hound turned toward him. “...family, we are going to have all of you escorted everywhere you go by the Sin’s.”

  Sara was confused. “What?”

  “Protection, 24/7 wherever you are. Extra men at the Moore’s house and at all the other homes.” He raised a dark brow. “No one better give me any lip about it either.”

  The men all let out disgusted sighs but said nothing.

  Sara was kind of in awe. Deke was a formidable person, but all the other men were just a
s intense and some were even larger than he was. Yet, when he stated something it stuck and no one argued even though they did not looked pleased, they still nodded and went along. So, this was what they meant by him being president. They really did do what he said. Amazing.

  She never knew this about MCs. Her brother used to talk about motorcycles clubs when she was younger but she never knew they had like their own way of governing. At the thought of her brother, she paused as sadness filled her. She still didn’t believe he would do those things to the house and burn her shop down. It didn’t matter what had happened to him. She now remembered that birthday card he’d sent. It had said, I’m sorry Sassy. I love you.

  “Also...” Deke spoke again. “Sara... we got confirmation on your brother.”

  “Confirmation? What do you mean?”

  “Not here.” He looked around. “We will be meeting later at the house again. It’s already been a tiring day, but we have a video.”

  Sara blinked. “Of?”

  He shook his head.

  “Okay, Come on Sassy, let’s head home and they will be along.” Hound took her hand.

  “What about your dad?” she asked.

  “I’ll be here and send Gambler home when he comes out,” Judge offered.

  “Yeah and I will come back after I take Cricket home,” Raine spoke up.

  “Well, all the escorts are outside, so don’t freak out when you are followed.” Bones smiled. “Most of them you now, but some not so well.”

  “Yeah. Don’t be shooting at my men.” Deke shook his head. “Come on, I will show you your appointed shadows.”

  “Shadows?” Sara asked as they went out to the parking lot.

  “It means they follow but aren’t always seen,” Hound explained.

  When they got to their bikes there were at least six men there.

  “These are the men you will not see too closely,” Deke told them.

  “These six will go in shifts,” Bones explained.

  Sara stared at them. They were just as large as the rest of the men she met today and yesterday.

  “So, Hound and Raine—“

  Raine’s phone rang. He nodded at Deke respectfully and swiped the screen.

  “Cricket,” Deke continued as he stared at her. “If you catch sight of them—“

  “What?” Raine spoke loudly as he gripped his phone.