There was a knock on the door and Tango and Rebel filed in.
“They’re on their way. What now?”
“I need to know how many men you’ve got circling your club,” Limit said.
Ox glanced at him, but he didn't question him.
Limit was the enforcer for a reason. He used to be a Marine sniper, but after too many years in the dark depths of war, he’d opted for another type of brotherhood.
The Seven Deadlies.
“Last we counted, there were ten. The Silver Bullets aren't a huge club, as we all know. That’s why this whole turf war is getting a little ridiculous. Axel didn't take them seriously. He warned them that if they didn't back off, he’d obliterate their entire crew, but they’re relentless.”
Fury shook his dark head.
“What about his sister, Ashley?”
Tango scoffed.
“Stubborn bitch wouldn’t leave. They've been fighting about it for weeks, but Axel couldn't get her to agree to stay elsewhere. They’re bringing her now.”
Ox nodded.
“Rider, any news?”
He nodded.
“Looks like Esme’s phone is here, but both Axel and Prettyboy’s phones are pinging from the same spot. Hold on, I’m mapping out the coordinates so I can get an arial view of wherever the fuck they are,” He said.
“Well, the Silver Bullets have a couple of their own smaller warehouses tucked back by their clubhouse. Maybe they took them there?,” Slayer offered.
Everyone looked at him.
“What?”
“Nothing, that ain’t a bad idea. Boss, I’m gonna go get the artillery ready. If we’re doing this, we’re doing it organized. I want everyone strapping double and I’m gonna make sure my rifle is ready.”
Ox couldn't help but smile.
“I was hoping you’d say that.”
The sound of bikes rumbling outside had Ox gesturing towards the lot.
“Slayer, Green, open the gates. Let the rest of their crew in.”
“Boss, I got them. Slayer was right, they’re holed up in some warehouse. I can’t get any real time footage because there’s no available cameras for me to hack out there, but I think Limit is right. We need to be organized.”
Ox had no doubts about that. He knew the Silver Bullets weren't the sharpest crayons in the box, but Andy had a reputation for being trigger happy. Up until now that hadn't been a problem for the Seven Deadlies- the Silver Bullets usually stayed out of their way.
“Men, listen closely. They have our friend and our family in there. I want Rayna and Ashely kept here with a couple of my men and couple of Axel’s. This could all be a big distraciton, and we can’t afford to lose anyone on either end,” He said as he tied his hair into a knot at the nape of his neck.
“What about Laura? Should we call her and get her here just in case?”
Ox felt his throat constrict at the question.
I want her safe, too.
“Yes. Tell her we’re going into lockdown and we need her here. I’ll pay her double for her time until this is all over,” Ox said as he stood.
“Limit, Fury, Rider, You’re with me. Green, you and Slayer stay behind.”
Green opened his mouth to argue, but Ox shook his head.
“I need you two here. Don’t argue.”
Green clamped his mouth shut before he nodded solemnly.
“You got it.”
“Green, this isn’t a punishment. I don’t trust anyone else to stay here and man the fort.”
His green eyes met Ox’s and suddenly, he smiled.
“Alright, Ox. I get it.”
Ox nodded, his hands gesturing for everyone else to follow.
“To the armory. I want everyone packin’ as much heat as they can stand. We have no idea if they’ve got help or not.”
“I’ve got their location singled out and I can send you a detailed route to take thats the quickest and quietest,” Rider called.
“Do it! Send it to Limit, too. I want him leading this expedition.”
Rider didn't say another word but Ox felt his phone vibrate in his pocket, signaling Rider had done as he said he would.
“Ox! Is everything okay?”
Rayna’s voice made him sigh heavily before he turned to face her.
“We’re in lock down. You're not to leave the clubhouse, don’t even step outside. The Silver Bullets have Axel, Prettyboy, and Esme. We’ve gotta rescue them.”
She looked around, but Fury wasn’t in sight.
“He’s getting things ready. Green and Slayer will stay behind with you. Don’t worry, Rayna. Just keep Axel’s sister, Ashley, company.”
Rayna nodded eagerly, but he could tell she was close to losing it.
“Do you want me to handle this?,” She asked softly.
Ox’s mouth expanded in a smile he hadn't expected when he pulled her into his arms.
“No, sweetheart. Club business is club business, and this don’t concern you. I appreciate the offer, but I’m not unleashing killer Rayna on ‘em. You sit this one out, okay?”
She returned his hug before they were interrupted by arguing.
“Get your hands off of me, you behemoth!”
Ox caught sight of Slayer reaching for Ashley. He rolled his eyes and whistled loud enough for Slayer to stop moving altogether.
“Keep your hands off of her, Slayer. She can handle herself,” Ox said.
“Thank you!,” Ashley called.
Ox watched as Ashley sent Slayer a glare, but he only smirked at Ashely.
“You’ll be beggin’ to feel my hands on you, baby.”
She rolled her eyes at him, but Ox could tell that she wanted to smile.
“Promise me Fury will come home to me,” Rayna whispered.
Ox looked down into her blue eyes and pressed his mouth to her forehead.
“He’ll come back, baby. Don’t worry.”
Rayna snorted, and he knew she’d be up all night worrying, but Ox didn't look at this little mission
as more than a very annoying bump in the road. He couldn't tell Rayna that though because at any point, their mission could get complicated and on the off chance that something bad did happen, he didn't want that to hurt her even more.
“Fury will be fine. Esme and Prettyboy will be fine. Axel’s one tough fucker, he can make it through anything. What I need is for you to keep it together and make sure Ashely doesn’t lose it, because trust me, she can and will if the need assails her.”
Rayna nodded.
“Okay, I can do that.”
Ox turned towards Ashely, who was drinking at the bar, her shoulders tense.
“Ashley. We have their location. We’re gonna go get ‘em back, okay?”
She glanced up at him, but he knew nothing he said could make her feel better. Axel was all she had left.
“Alright.”
Rayna seemed to understand that Ashely was going through the same hell she was about to go through, so she hurried to join her at the bar.
“Hey, baby. You like tequila?,” Rayna asked.
And another one bites the dust!
Ox had no doubt Rayna would be the den mother for any and all women who passed through their clubhouse. Shaking his head, he headed towards the armory where he could hear the Lone Rangers and his crew talking.
“So, we got any idea how we're gonna run this?,” Pierce asked.
Peirce was the Lone Rangers's accountant, but Ox also knew he’d done some time in the slammer for Axel years back. He was a black-haired blue-eyed monstrosity that was as quiet as Limit usually was.
“I’ll head in first and get to the roof. If I can get to the roof unseen, I can take out as many of those fuckers as I can before I call you guys in.”
“We’re not letting you lead the calvary alone,” Ox argued.
“Fine, send Fury with me. Either way, I need up on that roof. From the arial view I saw there was a skylight, I could probably use that to my own advantage too.”
“Boss, they been gone a while. What if something happened to ‘em?”
Ox hated that someone had to ask that question out loud, but it was a possibility. Anything was possible.
Anything.
“We’ll burn that bridge when come to it. For now, let’s finish formulating a plan so we can bring our family home.”
Chapter 26
Esme’s head was pounding from a hard knock Andy had given her earlier.
When they'd first arrived her and Prettyboy had been promptly separated, something that had her freaking out and pleading with Andy- he’d only laughed as he dragged Prettyboy away from her, his green eyes conveying his love for her.
She hadn't had much time to study her surroundings but if the metal shelving and damp smell of mold were any indication, she was in some old warehouse that they probably used for shipments. It was dark for the most part and nobody answered her cries no matter how loudly she screamed.
She’d been alone for what felt like hours before some burly man with only half of his teeth had dragged her into the center of the warehouse and tied her to a chair.
She kicked and fought against his hold, even lost a shoe in the process, but he didn't let up. No, he’d slammed her into the seat so hard she bit her bottom lip and tasted blood.
Andy was in the room with her, his dark eyes watching her every move.
“What is this about?,” She finally asked.
He was smoking a cigarette as he neared her, his dark hair falling down around his shoulders.
“You were Wilder’s old lady.”
Esme nodded.
“Now you’re Prettyboy’s old lady?”
Again, she nodded.
He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.
“Axel’s a stubborn bastard, but you already know that. Seems the only way I could get him to see me was if I told him I had you,” Andy said.
Esme’s eyes widened and Andy laughed.
“Yeah, I bet he's got a real hard on for you, huh? Who wouldn’t though, you’re fuckin’ delicious,” Andy said.
Esme kicked at him when he trailed his fingers along the inside of her thigh. His fingers gripped her flesh tightly, hard enough to bruise.
“Don’t tempt me, little girl. Fightin’ only makes me want it more,” He hissed.
“Fuck you!”
Andy grinned, his cigarette poised in the air above her head.
“I wouldn't mind it, but maybe I’ll make your old man watch?”
Esme’s eyes widened as Prettyboy was dragged into the room bound and gagged, his eyebrow bloody and his face covered in a thin sheen of sweat. His hair was still tied up, but there were loose strands stuck to his cheeks as he fought against the man tying him to a chair directly across from her.
“Let him go! I’ll give you whatever you want, just let him go!,” Esme cried desperately.
Andy clicked his teeth together as he shook his head.
“No can do, sweet cheeks. You two are a package deal, I’m afraid. Tasha told me I’d find you two together. At first I was only after Axel’s club, but if I can take Ox’s too- then I guess I will,” Andy said easily.
Tasha?
The fucking whore from the clubhouse?
“Tasha…?”
“You remember her, don’t you? Icy blonde with the sweetest ass this side of Tennessee?”
Esme could only nod through her shock, but her eyes were glued to Prettyboy who was sitting silently, glaring at Andy.
“Well, when Ox threw her out of the clubhouse on your behalf, she found us. Her and I hit it off, see? She’s my old lady.”
Esme choked out a laugh, but she couldn't help herself.
“You made a whore your old lady?,” She asked incredulously.
Andy backhanded her before she could get a response but she took that as a definite yes when blood oozed from between her teeth.
She didn't cry out, but Prettyboy did fight against his restraints.
She shook her head at him because she didn't want him drawing attention to himself.
“Watch your fuckin’ mouth, Esmeralda Quinn. I have another surprise for you.”
The sound of another chair being dragged towards the center of the room caught her attention, and then she gasped.
No.
“Don’t you do a fuckin’ thing they say,” Axel demanded angrily as he too was bound to a chair.
It took two men to tie him down, and he still fought hard. He fought hard until Andy pulled his gun out and aimed it at Esme.
She was getting really tired of seeing the fucking barrel of his gun aimed between her eyes, but she didn't say a word.
“Why drag them into this? You know Ox will kill all of you for doing this,” Axel said, his breathing labored.
“Ox and his club don't concern me. This is the only way I could get your attention, Axel. You refused to do business with us, and now you’ll have to pay the consequences.”
“This is not how shit gets done, asshole. You know that, I know that.”
“Maybe its time for a change, then?”
Axel looked at Esme and opened his mouth to speak, but Andy snapped his fingers and someone they all hated came into view…Tasha.
And, she was smiling.
That smug bitch. She’ll be the first one to go-
“Well, well! Look what we have here,” She snapped as she yanked on Prettyboy’s hair.
“Get your hands off of him!”
Esme’s demanding voice echoed throughout the warehouse.
“Don’t get your panties in a twist, bitch. I don’t want him.”
“See, we had no idea that Esme meant so much to you, Axel. Tasha came to me and told me she overheard you telling her that you love her. So I thought, why not use her as a pawn to get you where I want you?”
Axel snarled under his breath.
“You’re not gettin’ shit from me, and when the rest of my club gets here, I’m gonna paint this warehouse with your blood,” Axel promised.
Andy shrugged, as if he hadn't a care in the world.
“Maybe you will, maybe you won’t. But, maybe they won’t get here in time for all of you to make it out of here alive,” Andy quipped.
Esme’s eyes found Prettyboy watching her, and she yearned to tell him it was okay.
That she loved him.
She mouthed the words in fact, hoping he understood.
All of them were abruptly distracted by the bright red rod in Andy’s hand as he neared Esme with it.
“I’ll give you to the count of three to agree to my terms, Axel. After that, your lady love is going to feel the end of my cattle prod.”
Axel’s amber eyes met hers.
“One.”
Esme shook her head, told Axel no-
“Two.”
“Don’t agree! Don’t give in, Axel, I can take it-”
“Fine, I’ll do it. I’ll do what you want!”
Andy grinned manically.
“Figures. Shoulda known the downfall of the great Axel would be none other than pussy. Too bad she didn't let you get a taste. Or did she?”
Esme grimaced when Andy came towards her with the cattle prod.
She meant what she’d said- she could take it. She had to. She had to be strong.
“You said you wouldn't hurt her!”
“No, I said I’d give you until the count of three to agree to my terms. You agreed. It’s past the count of three.”
Andy didn't hesitate to press the prod against the bare skin of her side, and it hurt.
Keep it together, stay strong, think like Rayna-
Andy kept the prod against her skin until sh
e gave in and screamed, screamed loud enough to make Tasha laugh and Prettyboy yell against the cloth stuffed in his mouth. It stung like a motherfucker, ached, made her want to hurt Andy.
As soon as he pulled it away she almost wept with relief. Until he pressed it against the very thigh he’d touched with his dirty hands only a few minutes ago.
She screamed again, this time without remorse, because it hurt like hell!
Axel was cursing at the man holding him down, and he swore that Andy would see his end. But, Esme was doubtful.
As she closed her eyes and let her head fall back against the chair she was in, Andy chuckled.
She wasn't sure any of them would see the outside world again.
It was obvious that Andy didn't just want Axel’s cooperation. He was out for revenge, but Esme didn't know why.
“Why are you doing this?,” She cried.
Tasha came into view and she lifted Esme’s head up by the roots of her hair.
“Because he wants to! Because the only way to make a point with you fuckers is to be brutal.”
What does that have to do with me?!
"I didn't even do anything!"
"Oh, please! You came into town and suddenly every man was ready to do your bidding, including Frankenstein over here!"
"What the fuck do you have against him? Huh? Sounds to me like you're jealous," Esme argued.
"Once upon a time he was one sexy piece, but now? Now he looks like ground beef, and I deserve better than that! I ain't jealous of shit, but I deserved better than you gettin' me thrown out on my ass! I had a good thing going!"
Esme started to laugh again, mostly because she had no idea what the hell she was supposed to say to that.
“What the fuck is so funny?,” Tasha demanded.
“You’re a whore, baby. We aren’t your family, and our clubhouse wasn’t your home!,” Esme said as she laughed through her tears.
Tasha reared back and smacked Esme right in the mouth.
“You better watch that tongue, or I’ll let my old man cut it out.”
“Didn’t Rayna threaten the same thing? I bet if she ever sees you again after this, she’ll do it herself. She don’t need her old man to handle her business!”
Tasha opened her mouth to argue with her, but Andy stopped her with an open-mouthed kiss.
Envy (Seven Deadlies MC Book 1) Page 17