“We’ll unpack that shit later,” Brewer said as he pulled up beside me. “In the meantime, you’re missing details.”
“Like what?” I asked heatedly.
“Like the fact that one of their guys is missing,” Grave said as he stopped behind me.
I turned around to look at him before the Black Hornets pulled up behind me. And my eyes clocked every single one of them. I nodded my head, making sure I counted out five men, including Dean.
But I only counted four.
“Where the fuck’s Jace?” I asked.
Dean kicked down his stand and turned off his bike as well.
“Don’t you worry about that. What’s the plan?” Dean asked.
“Oh, hell no,” I said as I turned off my bike as well. “You’re going to tell me where the hell that tall ass son of a bitch went to right now, or you go no further.”
“With no due respect whatsoever, I’m sure as hell not going to let some scrawny-ass motherfucker dictate what I will or won’t do with my daughter since she was captured in your presence!”
“Scrawny-ass what now?” I asked.
I shoved Dean’s chest, forcing him to stumble backwards.
“Diesel! Cut it the fuck out!” Knox exclaimed.
“Where the hell is your man!?” I exclaimed. “You tell me right now or your tires are fucking done for, Dean!”
“What? You gonna slash them like some punk-ass twenty year old?” he asked. “Go ahead! You still won’t get to my daughter without me.”
“So that’s what this is about? Claiming territory? Possessions!? Brynn isn’t a possession, Dean! She’s a woman. And I love her!”
Everyone around me paused as Dean’s jaw gaped open.
“And rest assured that every single one of these fuckers is going to be slaughtered by my own hands if they lay a finger on Brynn. But if you assholes keep stopping me at every goddamn turn, then she is going to get hurt and it’ll be on all of your heads!”
I panted, my chest heaving as my fists clenched at my sides. I was tired of this game. I didn’t know what the fuck everyone expected of me, but I wasn’t delaying this journey any longer. Night time had set on us. An entire fucking day had passed. We knew were Brynn was. I knew where she was! And it was like my men didn’t care.
After all I’d done for them.
“We can’t go in there guns blazing,” Brewer said as he stepped up. “We don’t know the layout of the warehouse, or how many Black Saddles are there, or where they’re keeping Brynn.”
“That’s all we’re trying to say,” Knox said.
“Then you’re doing a shitty fucking job of spitting it the fuck out,” I said with a growl.
“I saw that recklessness in your eyes,” Dean said. “So, I sent Jace out to get our backup plan while we rolled up on the Black Saddles at their lodge.”
“You what now?” I asked.
And before anyone else could get a word in edgewise, a truck sounded in the distance. I turned and looked behind me to find something akin to a moving truck cruising down the road for us. And the tall asshole in the front seat looked mighty familiar. I looked over at Dean who stood there with a grin on his face, and all of his guys seemed more excited than ever.
What the fuck was going on?
“There’s a reason you reached out to us,” Dean said.
“They’re helping. Not hindering, Diesel,” Knox said.
“You guys knew about this and didn’t tell me?” I asked.
“In our defense, you were a little preoccupied with running the damn show,” Grave said with a grin.
“I know you love my daughter,” Dean said. “But she’s my daughter. And she’s gone. You guys know how to run shit through the right hands and clean money through the right channels, but me and my men? We protect. We save. We sneak in during the night under duress with hidden circumstances and we get the job done. That’s what we do. So, let us do what we do so everyone gets what they fuckin’ want, okay?”
The truck pulled up to us and Jace hopped out with a positively beaming smile on his cheeks. Dean’s men strode over to the back of the truck and threw open the backdoor before cheering and slapping hands. My men and I walked over to peer inside and what we saw tugged grins across our cheeks. Disguises of every shape, color, and form along with weapons I’d never seen pass through our channels.
Ever.
“Oh shit,” Grave said. “That’s what I’m talking about.”
“Hell yeah,” Knox said as he got up into the back of the truck. “What’s the outfit for the mission, guys?”
“Black and camo,” Dean said. “We all ride in the back of the truck, sneak up from behind, and infiltrate without a fucking sound. That’s how we do missions like this when there are so many unknown variables.”
“Can I shoot someone?” Grave asked.
He grabbed a massive automatic gun off the mount and tried it on for size.
“Once we have Brynn safe, you can mow them down for all I care,” Dean said.
“Grave’s in heaven,” Brewer said with a grin.
“Dean,” I said.
The old man looked at me from the back of the trailer before I reached in and hoisted myself up.
“My men have no idea how to move in silence,” I said.
“Which is why you assholes will be bringing up the rear. I’ll take my guys in first to case the joint, and we’ll all be wearing these.”
He held up what looked like a wireless earpiece and I shook my head.
“And here I thought you guys were old school,” I said.
“Compared to that shit you pulled in your lodge, this is old school. I’m impressed, by the way. That was a hell of a trick your guy pulled.”
“Thanks!” Rock exclaimed. “Coming into the age of technology doesn’t suck as much shit as people think.”
We all shared a chuckle before we began getting ready. We all took our bikes and stashed them in an abandoned house on the edge of the road before getting into the back of the truck. And as Jace pulled off down the road towards our final destination, we all got changed. All black, some camouflage, and stacked to the nines with guns and ammunition. Dean got us fitted for the wireless communication devices so everyone could keep in contact, then one the Black Hornets ran us through the plan.
“Jace is going to sit with the truck, and he has explicit orders to pull away the second Brynn’s in back. No matter who’s back there with her, once her feet touch this floor, the truck’s gone,” he said. “Me and my other three men will work our way through the back entrance and you’ll hear us talking. Clearing corners, whispering numbers, things like that. It’s all tactical to make sure we don’t lose someone, so don’t worry about it. All you need to focus on is the layout I’m gonna be murmuring to you guys through your earpieces.”
“Got it,” I said.
You guys don’t make a move until gunfire rains down. Once the shootout begins--because you know there will be one--you guys can come charging in. You’ve got flashlights on all those guns you have. Use them. Clear your corners and don’t go into a room without shining a light in it first. You’re no good to any of us dead.”
“I hear that,” Grave said.
“This truck’s pretty loud. Aren’t they gonna hear us coming’?” Knox asked.
“You think we haven’t fixed up this truck the way we need it?” Dean asked. “Jace!”
“What?”
“Hit it,” he said.
What I’d come to know as the dull roar of the truck silenced immediately. I had to pay attention to the movement of the tires simply to remind myself that the truck was still moving. I looked up at Dean and I watched a grin crawl across his features.
“What the fuck?” Brewer asked. “How the hell did you do that? What are you muting?”
“Trade secret,” Dean said. “If I told you, I’d have to kill you.”
“Or recruit you,” Rock said with a grin.
“Not for sale,” Brewer said. “But I’
m going to figure it out.”
“Good luck,” one of Dean’s men said.
The truck rolled silently along the road, and I knew the second we had come upon the warehouse. The tires slowed and the truck began to turn, almost as if it was venturing around the perimeter of the property. I stood there, bracing myself and ready for the plan of action.
Then, Jace’s voice came alive in my ear.
“Warehouse has two levels. Windows on upper floor, none on lower.”
“You guys hear that?” Dean asked.
“Yep,” we all said.
“Looks like the entire metal casing sits on a solid cement foundation. Nowhere to hide the truck, though. No trees or anything. Just the shadow of the building cast by the moonlight,” Jace said.
“Is there a back exit in that shadowed area?” I asked.
“Looks like it.”
“That’s our best bet for cover,” Dean said. “Park us there, Jace. We’ll take it from here.”
“Roger that,” he said. “And another thing, the windows on the second floor go all the way around the outside.”
“What does that mean?” I asked.
Dean looked up at me with a stern glare as his eyes widened.
“It means the entire building is built around one open cavernous space,” he said.
“Which means we’ll be digging through corridors to get to that main room. Which is probably where Brynn is,” I said.
“Shit,” Grave said. “You guys better be quiet then. Because if they hear us coming--”
“We won’t get to her in time,” Dean said.
I felt the truck come to a slow stop before all of us drew in a deep breath. Nothing but the sound of silence and the nighttime of Redding could be heard before the backdoor slowly inched open. Jace appeared with a stern look as Dean and his men silently made their way off the truck. Then, Dean turned to me and held out his hand.
“When you hear the guns, you come running,” he said.
“Got it,” I said as we inched our way out of the truck. “We’ll stay back.”
Then, I watched as Jace picked the lock on the back door before ushering his club into the building, their footsteps silent and their guns at the ready.
Chapter 20
Brynn
I wiped at my tears. There was no one who would get me out of this situation except for myself. I needed to buck the hell up, put on my big girl panties, and find a way out of this place. I wiped at my face and stood to my feet, dusting the dirt off my body. Then, I trained my ears on the sounds around me. And there was nothing. No laughter. No anger. No voices.
It was as if life itself had completely ceased to exist.
I grabbed my stick and walked out of the room. Turning down the hallway, I walked farther into the darkened abyss. I walked until I could no longer see the hands at my sides. I walked until I could no longer tell the difference between where my body stopped and the darkness began. It was as if I had stepped into another world. An entirely new dimension devoid of all light whatsoever.
I felt trapped, and I didn’t like that feeling.
I ran into the wall and I hissed at the pain. My nose hurt and my toes curled in anger and frustration. I drew in a deep breath as I listened out. Had I disturbed someone? Alerted them to my presence? I figured I would at least hear them whenever they went to check on their fallen comrade I’d pummeled earlier. Was I so far away that I couldn’t hear them?
How big was this damn place?
I looked around me, but there was nothing. No light, no stars, no moon. No Diesel. My back fell against the wall and I stood there, contemplating my next move. I could stay there until morning. Or at least until The Black Saddles came searching for me. But if I made myself a sitting duck, they would surely find me and kill me.
No, I had to keep going. There was no other way.
I went to push off the wall but found myself falling backwards. I tumbled to my ass while the stick I gripped went spilling out of my hand. I screamed out, fearful that I was about to fall into the arms of someone that wanted to hurt me. Or tumble down a flight of steps that would alert my station. Or fall onto something that would pierce me and kill me on the spot.
But none of that happened.
I did, however, find myself in the encasement of another stairwell.
I moved my feet just before the door slammed closed. Great. If they didn’t know where I was, they sure as hell knew now. I looked up and around me to try and get my bearings as I felt around for that stick. A nail jammed into the palm of my hand and I bit down onto my tongue to keep from crying out.
At least that thing hadn’t gone tumbling down the steps.
I dragged myself off the floor and figured the only way to get out of this place was to go down. Being on the second floor hid me, but if my goal was to run away from this place I had to find an exit. I steadied my way down the stairs, drawing on every single lesson my father and his club ever taught me. I kept my ears trained on every sound and minimized my footballs. I kept a tight grip on my weapon, but I didn’t lock my elbow in case I needed to react quickly.
I walked down two flights of stairs before coming face to face with another door, but I paused. Where did this door lead to? I didn’t see any exit signs, so it obviously wasn’t outside. What if this dumped me right by the guys? Or worse, into their damn room? I pressed my ear to the door and heard the faintest sound of anger. The first sound I’d heard since finding my way upstairs.
“Where the fuck is she!?”
“Wake up, Fang. Wake up.”
“Fuck, is he dead?”
“Find that bitch, and when you do? Put a bullet between her eyes.”
Panic filled my veins as I eased the door open. Their sounds grew, but not by much. I looked around the dimly lit space to try and find myself a way out, and grew discouraged when I didn’t find one. What the hell was this place? Why the fuck didn’t it have exits?
“You, with me,” Rex said. “The rest of you, circle around. We’re cornering that bitch.”
I slipped through the door and into the first room. I searched around for a vent or a window. Or a hatch leading down into the sewer line. Anything I could think of to crawl through and get out of this building. It was only a matter of time before they made their way upstairs. If I went all the way to the roof, they’d only corner me. Throw me off. Something like that. And dying today wasn’t an option.
I had a man to marry.
I darted in and out of rooms as their voices grew closer. My hands shook and the grip on my weapon loosened. I needed a window. Any window. Some sort of fucking exit I could utilize. But as each room passed, I grew more and more distraught. More and more desperate.
No wonder this damn place had been abandoned. No one could get out of it.
“In here!”
The voice was so close it gave me pause. I held my breath and tucked myself into a darkened corner. I heard footsteps rumbling past as shadows ran. But one of the bodies stopped. I held my breath as deeply as I could and squeezed the stick in my hand. I wasn’t below killing them. I wasn’t below beating my way out of this place. I watched one of the guys stick his head into the room, his features shrouded in darkness. He looked straight at me, and I knew I was done. I knew I’d have to kill this man and drag him into the room in order to get myself out.
“Bones! She in there?” someone called out.
“No,” the man said as he stepped back into the hallway. “Nothing but some fucking dust in this room. But no window, either.”
“Good. Then she hasn’t gotten far,” Rex said.
I waited until their footsteps receded, then I let out the breath I was holding. I panted, my lungs screaming for oxygen. I tiptoed my way out of the room and dashed down the hallway, running as quietly as I could. I heard another set of footsteps running up the stretch I was on, so I ducked into a room. I managed to wiggle my way behind the door as they ran past, seemingly not paying attention to my dusty footprints on the floor.
<
br /> Then, something caught my eye.
A sliver of light?
My eyes followed the illumination and when my sight fell upon it, my heart leapt for joy. The smallest window, almost like a window in a basement, carved into the metal structure of the building. I raced to it and stood on my tiptoes, trying to see if I could hoist myself out of it. I dropped the stick and worked the window, trying to get it open. To slide it over or up. To pull it back or push it forward. I didn’t want to break it. I didn’t want to risk being heard.
But it seemed as if the window was locked.
“Shit,” I said with a whisper. “Of course, it is.”
I looked around for anything I could use to pry it open, assuming it was meant to open. But the only thing I had in my hand was my nail-pierced stick. I did find a box, however, so I scooted it over and stood on it. Now that I was eye-level with the window, I could study it.
But my eyes locked onto what was beyond it.
The yard of the warehouse was shadowed, but the object looked familiar. Very familiar. My soul surged with excitement as I watched it come to a stop against the building. That was my father’s truck. Better yet, that was Jace’s truck.
Holy shit, they had found me.
I watched Jace walk around to the back and throw the door open, then one by one, the guys jumped out. My father was among them and tears sprang to my eyes. Oh my gosh, they really had found me. A smile crossed my cheeks as I hung onto the windowsill, watching as more men continued to pile out of the back. They slid to the ground and stayed as silent as they could, and once my eyes fell onto him tears of happiness rushed down my cheeks.
Diesel.
He had come for me.
Chapter 21
Diesel
“No lights.”
“Roger that.”
“Four turn left. Give me a count off.”
“Yep.”
“Yeah.”
“Uh huh.”
“Right.”
“Good. Stick to the left, climb the right side. Stay with the shadows. It’s dark in here. No lights. Dead end at the end of the hallway that takes a left.”
Diesel (Dead Souls MC Book 5) Page 12