by Harley Wylde
Sweat slicked our skin, and I’d have loved nothing more than to lie here with her for hours. I rolled to my side, holding her close. I’d never imagined having someone in my life that I’d love as much as I loved her. It was insane, since we were strangers.
“We need more time,” she murmured, running her fingers through my beard. “That wasn’t nearly enough.”
“I know, baby. I know.” My lips brushed hers. “When this is over, we’ll take some time for ourselves. Just you, me, and Ember. But the nights will be just for you and me.”
“Be safe, Blake. Please. I don’t think I can do this without you.”
I ran my fingers through her hair, then cupped her cheek. “I’m not going anywhere, baby. I’ll put an end to those bastards, make sure you’re safe, but I will do my best to still be standing when it’s over.”
“You better. I love you, Blake.”
“Love you too, baby girl. So fucking much.”
She curled her hands around my biceps and held on tight. “Can you stay just a little longer?”
“The sooner I put an end to this, the faster I can come get you. Be brave for me, Phoebe. Remember, you’re the queen around here. Don’t hide in this room crying. Get out there, make friends, and don’t let anyone steamroll you.”
“All right.”
I kissed her again, wishing I didn’t have to leave her. After I got dressed, I pulled her to me, holding her and just breathing her in. Before I could talk myself out of lingering, I let her go and went back upstairs. Morgan, one of the newer Prospects, gave me a nod. Looked like he’d been selected to watch the women and kids while we got things in order.
As I cleared the barn, I released the thoughts of Phoebe and Ember, focusing on the task at hand. If we were letting those fuckers into the compound, I wanted to be armed to the teeth. While I always kept a knife on me, it wouldn’t be enough. I rode my bike to the house and raided the hidden compartment in my closet. With a little one in the house, I’d need to make my weapons more secure. Maybe a retinal scanner, or at least a lock that required a code.
I grabbed a 9mm, two extra full clips, and another knife. I didn’t care that I smelled like Phoebe and sex. My brothers could give me shit over it if they wanted. When all this was over, I’d mark my body with her name, make sure she knew how damn serious I was about having a life with her. She had a property cut, but I’d have loved to get her inked. I just hated to ask it of her after all she’d been through with the Sadistic Saints.
After securing the house, I decided to do a sweep of the compound. If we avoided the south corner, except for the scheduled patrols, something would seem off. Assuming they were even watching us. There was a prickle along my skin telling me they were nearby. I didn’t think the Sadistic Saints were necessarily smart, but they hadn’t stayed alive this long by being stupid either. They were pathetic, but people with nothing to lose could be dangerous. I rode down the streets, leaning into the curves, and letting the wind in my hair calm my soul. It was only a matter of time before those fuckers made their move, but I needed to keep a cool head.
I circled the back of the property, not far from the barn where the bunker lay hidden underneath. The south corner had seemed undisturbed when I’d passed it. Just because we’d laid a trap didn’t mean they would take the bait, but I sure the fuck hoped they did. Shadows moved along the fence line and I slowed my Harley. The shapes were low to the ground, but it was clear some men were already inside the property. I only saw four, and I doubted the Sadistic Saints had sent so few men. If Phoebe was right, when Deuce fell, his VP had probably stepped up. I remembered what that fucker had said when he’d walked into her room at their clubhouse. He wasn’t going to give up easily.
Just one problem. They were too damn close to my woman. How the hell had they gotten into the compound and slunk this far into the property without anyone noticing? Hell, the stretch of fence we’d left unguarded hadn’t even looked disturbed. Even if we’d left that area open, they’d still have needed to cut the fencing. They were either more talented than I’d given them credit for, or I’d missed something when I drove by.
They stopped, hunkered low. I eased my bike forward, taking the curve around the side of the barn. I pulled off farther down the road and cut the engine, then stuck to the shadows as I crept back to the barn. I gripped the handle of my knife, pulling it free of its sheath, and stuck close to the front of the structure. I didn’t know if Morgan was still outside, or if someone had let him inside. With my back pressed to the wood, I listened for even so much as a rustle of leaves or the crunch of grass.
I heard the heavy tread of several men and braced myself. Their shadows moved along the ground. I knew the moment they saw my bike because they came to a halt. Dropping to my knees, I waited. If they rounded the corner, they wouldn’t expect me to be low to the ground and would likely aim their weapons at chest level. I was counting on it. The first man crept along the wall of the barn. Idiot didn’t even stop to see if someone was lying in wait. The moment he cleared the side of the barn, I attacked, driving the knife upward into his gut. As he staggered, I yanked the blade free and jabbed him in the ribs three times, then sliced his throat. The body fell to the ground and I lifted my gaze.
The other three wearing Sadistic Saints cuts seemed stupefied. What the fuck? These bastards had snuck in undetected? How? They didn’t seem to be the brightest. Or seasoned for that matter. Had they never been in any sort of combat situation?
“Problem, boys?” I asked.
One of them blinked and his jaw dropped, then snapped shut. Jesus. These guys really were dumb. Had Leviathan sent the weakest of their club for this mission? If that was the case, how badly could he want Phoebe? He had to know these men would fail. Unless that was the point. Motherfucker. These bastards were a decoy, and I’d fallen for it.
I pulled my gun from the small of my back and sent a round into each of their chests. Too fucking easy. There was no damn way the Sadistic Saints had only sent these four men. They were a damn joke. As much as I wanted to check on Phoebe, I didn’t dare. If anyone watched, they would see the barn held something of interest. I needed them to avoid this place.
Getting on my Harley, I started her up, then pulled out my phone. I dialed Titan, wondering if there had been a breach elsewhere. He picked up on the fourth ring.
“Where the hell are you?” the Pres asked by way of greeting.
“Back of the compound. Found four Sadistic Saints, but… Pres, there’s something off. These guys were too easy to put down. Hell, they looked like scared kids. Something’s off about all this. Not to mention, they were too stupid to pull off sneaking this far into the compound on their own.”
“Agreed,” Titan said. “Come to the clubhouse. I think we need to dig a little deeper.”
“On my way.”
I ended the call and got back on the road. The clubhouse wasn’t much farther, less than a mile down the twisting path that ran through the compound when I heard the explosion. I revved the engine and pushed my bike, going fast as I dared. Smoke rose in the air and a feeling of dread filled me. I only hoped I wasn’t too late.
Chapter Eight
Phoebe
The Prospect kept twitching, at first just his fingers, then I noticed him pacing and muttering to himself. I didn’t claim to be an excerpt on behavior, but he seemed off. Not just anxious over the current circumstances. More like something else was going on. I glanced around, wondering if anyone else noticed. The others were watching TV or talking. Despite what Kraken had said, I still felt like an outsider.
What had they called this guy? Morgan?
I wondered how long he’d been with the club. It was obvious they trusted him, since he’d been left down here with us. I couldn’t shake the feeling something bad was about to happen, and this guy was tied to it. Being around Deuce’s club, I’d learned to watch for signs of impending doom -- usually mine. This guy’s presence had everything inside me screaming I should run.
I edged closer to Mara, hoping I could speak to her without drawing attention to myself. She’d decided to make everyone food and stood at the counter, chopping vegetables. I turned my back to Morgan and lowered my voice.
“We may have trouble,” I said.
The knife paused a moment before she resumed cutting. “What’s that?”
“The Prospect. He seems twitchy. I think something’s up.”
“Your man wouldn’t have put him down here with you if he’d thought the guy was trouble,” she said. Nothing I hadn’t considered myself. “Sure you aren’t making more out of this than there is?”
“It’s a feeling I have. I learned to trust my instincts when I lived with the Sadistic Saints. It kept me alive. Kept Ember alive, for that matter.”
“If there is something wrong, we’re all sitting ducks,” she said. “We just need to have faith in our men. They’ll protect us like they always do.”
I wished I had her faith. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust Kraken, or the others. But I knew the men they were up against. Deuce’s crew didn’t play by the rules. They were underhanded, dirty, and got off on pain and suffering. I knew Kraken had killed Deuce, but could he take on the entire club? Leviathan was even worse. The VP would come for me. If anyone did, it would be him.
Somewhere above, there was a loud boom that made the very walls vibrate around us. My eyes went wide as I watched Morgan. His gaze flew to the steel door, and I knew he was anticipating something, but was it because of the noise upstairs, or something else?
Morgan’s phone rang and he answered, talking low at first, then louder. “I can’t! I don’t have access. Only patched members can get in here. It takes a damn retina scan.”
He muttered something else, then hung up the phone. My gut clenched and bile rose in my throat. He was working with the Sadistic Saints. I had no doubts to that, but I didn’t understand why. What was in it for him? Kraken’s men were so much better than Deuce’s crew. Why would anyone want to be with those assholes? Unless they were holding something over his head. I wouldn’t put it past them. We still needed to find MaryAnne, assuming they still had her.
The two teen boys were alert, casting glances toward Morgan and the door every few minutes. It seemed they’d overheard. Even though they were the size of full-grown men, I hoped they didn’t try to do anything heroic. If someone did breach the bunker, I didn’t want any of these people dying.
It felt like hours passed, but I knew it hadn’t been very long. Booted steps sounded outside the metal door, and when it opened I knew my hell was just beginning. Two of the Sadistic Saints came in, tossing aside a set of eyes that I really didn’t want to contemplate. I pressed back against the counter, wishing there was a way to run, to get Ember and just disappear.
I caught the gaze of the boys and shook my head, letting them know not to interfere. It was my hope they’d take me and leave everyone else. These women hadn’t done anything to deserve this. Neither had I, but at least I’d survived it before. Kraken had called me the queen, and I was going to take that to heart. Sometimes a queen had to sacrifice herself to save her people.
Morgan pointed my way. My heart slammed against my ribs and I heard Ember crying. I didn’t dare look her way. I knew Jordan had her and would protect her at all costs. If they had to take me, then at least my daughter would be safe. Kraken would take care of her.
The men advanced on me. I lashed out with my fists and kicked at them, but the bastards only laughed at me.
“Look, our favorite little toy grew a backbone,” Pitch said with a grin. “It will be fun breaking you all over again. How many of us can you take at once? I’ve forgotten.”
I closed my eyes and fought not to pass out. They meant to reenact my first night with them. I’d survived it once, but I didn’t know if I could do it again.
Screwball grabbed his crotch. “We’re gonna fuck you so good. Make you scream. Make you bleed.”
I saw Jordan moving closer, and I held a hand out to her. I didn’t need anyone else getting hurt. These bastards wanted me, and they wouldn’t stop until they had me. I wasn’t special. Not to them. They got off on the pain they caused. I’d been their favorite punching bag, their favorite little victim. Kraken had shown me what life should be like, that good men still existed. I only hoped he’d be able to move on when I was gone. There was no way they’d let me live this time.
I turned my head, holding Jordan’s gaze. “Tell Kraken I’m sorry. Tell him…”
I shook my head and went with the Sadistic Saints. Fighting wouldn’t get me anywhere. They dragged me up the stairs and outside the barn. Pitch tossed me over his shoulder and made a run for the tree line. They stuck to the shadows, moving swiftly through the compound. In the dark recesses of the compound, Screwball peeled back the fence. Pitch ducked through with me, and Screwball followed. A truck waited nearby. They tossed me into the backseat before getting in and taking off.
I’m so sorry, Kraken. I love you.
I pressed my hand to the window and watched the Hades Abyss compound get smaller and smaller. The truck hit the open highway and picked up speed, heading back to hell. It wasn’t long before the sound of motorcycles filled the air and several Sadistic Saints zipped past us, with a few hanging back. The club Treasurer, Brimstone, winked at me as he flew by. I really hated these men.
“Running off like that was stupid,” Pitch said. “Your ass is owned by our club.”
“I’m not anyone’s property,” I said. “Not with the Sadistic Saints. I belong to Kraken.”
Pitch turned to glare at me. “You’d be wise to never mention that fucker again. He killed Deuce. Carved him up. Left him on the bar for us to find.”
“He was only protecting me,” I said.
“Look how that turned out. Now we get to punish you. Not only for running off, but for your man killing our Pres. Shouldn’t have done it, Phoebe. You’re club pussy. You know your damn place. On your back with your legs spread.”
I swallowed hard, fighting the urge to cry. I knew what was coming. It wouldn’t be pretty. Would hurt a hell of a lot. They wouldn’t go easy on me. Still, I loved the time I’d spent with Kraken, and I hoped he wouldn’t come for me. It would be a suicide mission. I didn’t know if Morgan had stayed behind. If he had, would he hurt the others? He wouldn’t want to risk the women telling the Hades Abyss what happened.
The miles passed and eventually, we pulled up to the Sadistic Saints’ clubhouse. Pitch got out and yanked me from the backseat. I stumbled as he dragged me into the clubhouse and threw me on the sticky floor. The few who’d remained behind crowded around. Looking in their eyes, I saw evil. If these men had souls, they’d been burned away long ago.
“Strip her,” Brimstone said.
“What about Leviathan?” one of the men asked. “He’ll want to have some fun with her.”
Brimstone shook his head. “He’ll get here when he can. This is all we’ve got right now. Everyone else is teaching those sorry bastards a lesson. Time to get the party going.”
Pitch reached down and started cutting my clothes off with a sharp blade. The smile he gave me set a chill inside me, bone deep. He flipped the knife in his hand a few times, then grabbed a fistful of my hair. “I think you need a reminder of who you are. Every time you look in the mirror, you’ll remember.”
He sliced down my cheek, and I screamed out. The way he laughed, I knew it’s what he’d wanted. My pain. Humiliation. He ran the blade down my other cheek, then went back to the first. I felt the blood drip down my face. Pitch shifted and looked at the others.
“Hold her.”
Hands closed around my arms and legs, someone pressed their weight down on my shoulders. I
couldn’t see through my tears, didn’t know who was surrounding me. The blade dug into my chest. Blackness rolled across my vision. Pitch took his time, carving me up like a piece of meat. My blood soaked the floor and gathered in my hair.
I felt the jab of a needle in my arm, then bliss. No, no, no.
“That’s it. Good girl, Phoebe,” Brimstone crooned. “Toss her in her room. We’ll give the others a little time to get here. Then we’ll teach the bitch a lesson she’ll never forget.”
Someone lifted me, carried me down the hall, then threw me onto a mattress. I floated, a haze settling over me where time had no meaning. I was vaguely aware of raised voices. I rolled to my side, knowing I needed to clean up. The last thing I wanted was infection to set in. Assuming I survived this, anyway. If I didn’t, then it wouldn’t matter. I managed to get to my feet and staggered my way into the bathroom.
The sight of my face horrified me, but it was the word he’d etched into my chest that nearly broke me. Whore. The cuts were deep enough I knew they’d scar, especially since I couldn’t properly treat them. Despite the burn from the soap, I cleaned my wounds best I could, even though I tumbled to the floor multiple times. The drugs coursing through my veins made me feel like I’d walked into one of those funhouse tunnels, with everything spinning around me.
I rubbed ointment into the wounds before collapsing on the floor. The darkness crept in, until I tumbled into nothingness, my last thoughts of Kraken and my sweet Ember.
Chapter Nine
Kraken
When I reached the clubhouse, chaos rained down on the Hades Abyss. The Sadistic Saints had blown the gate off the hinges and poured through. One of our Prospects, Robert, lay dead near the gate. Cowboy had taken a bullet through the shoulder and another to his side.
My brothers were scattered, bleeding from various wounds, and Leviathan stood in the center of all, a grin spreading across his face like it was fucking Christmas. I got off my bike and threw myself into the mix, stabbing and shooting anyone in a Sadistic Saints cut. I took down four of them before an arm came around my throat and someone lifted me off my feet.