by Sara Dailey
I’d convinced myself days ago that if Crescent Hills had hurt anyone they’d been holding hostage, they would have made a public showing of it. Nathaniel got off on instilling fear in others, and surely he wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to show us just how much power he had over us all. Yeah, they would be fine. Worried…scared maybe, but alive.
As if somehow sensing the anxiety pouring off of me, Gavin wrapped an arm around me and pulled me close. “It’s all going to work out, Cami. No worries, okay?”
I nodded my head and offered a weak smile just as we pulled up to the lodge. With no time to hesitate, we were in the lodge and down to the jail before my mind had time to register any of it.
All I could see were my parents standing before me, my mother with tears in her eyes and my father’s arms reaching out for me. I may have resented the hell out of them for smothering me to death for the last seventeen years, but none of it mattered in that moment. I loved them and had never been more relieved in all of my life to see them.
“Dad! Mom! Thank God,” I cried as I fell into my father’s arms. I reached out for my mom as well, and Dad pulled her into our embrace.
Grabbing my face in her hands, my mother ask, “Baby, are you okay? We’ve been so worried.”
Nodding my head, I assured her, “I’m fine. Really. I’m just so glad you’re okay.” I looked around the small room, watching as Luke, Aiden, and Alli all reunited with their parents. “I’m just so glad all of you are okay.”
Then my attention shifted to Cade. He stood there witnessing it all with a cold, distant look in his eyes, and my heart sank for the loss he had suffered from all of this. Not only was his father dead, but his mother betrayed him in the worst of ways. Her hate for her husband allowed her to turn her back on her only son. Cade could deny it until the day he died, but it was killing him inside.
Thankfully, Alli finally noticed and reached out for him, but it seemed it was too little, too late. With murderous rage in his eyes, Cade practically roared, “Let’s get on with this. We can celebrate once this is over.”
Cade began handing out ammo and weapons to each of us as he explained, “We need to break up into three groups. One will take down Nathaniel’s place, one will go to Clayton’s, and I’ll be heading to Brian’s. I have a score to settle with that man.”
Phillip’s head popped up, and he looked around at the group of us. It was clear he had something to say to his new alpha and was weighing his options of how best to go about broaching the subject. He laid down his weapon and placed his hand on Cade’s back. “Son, first let me say that I have all the respect in the world for you and your plan. This is your mission, and I’m here to follow orders, but I think it would be in all of our best interests if we did what we could to keep our emotions out of this. For the safety of everyone—”
“What the hell are you saying, Phillip? That I can’t lead this pack without my emotions getting in the way? Are you fucking kidding me right now?”
“Just hear me out, Cade, and if you disagree, we’ll do it your way. Everyone’s emotions are running high right now, mine included. We have mates here, parents that were just reunited with their children, and a whole lot of hate for the people who did this to us. I just think we may want to be smart about who we group up and who storms whose house.”
Cade was about to interrupt again when Luke cut in. “I think he’s right, Cade. As much as I want to slaughter Drew right now for what he did to Scarlett, we need to be thinking with our heads right now, and I know I can’t do that when every fiber of my being is shouting at me to take off right now, shift, and rip Drew to sheds. Trust me when I tell you, I’m struggling with this too, man.”
Cade nodded his head at his new second in command and then turned to Phillip. “So what are you suggesting?”
“First, we separate the mates. I know you want to keep them close, but we need you all completely focused, and you can’t do that with one eye on your mate.” My gut immediately twisted as his words registered. But then again, Gavin wasn’t my mate. Maybe we wouldn’t be separated.
Addressing the group as a whole, Phillip continued, “Second, I think Cade should lead the group to Nathaniel’s. Naturally, he should be the one to take down the alpha, and it would probably be best if he stayed away from his mother and Brian during this. Gavin should keep his distance from his father as well, so he should be with the group that goes to Clayton’s. Unfortunately, that leaves Luke heading up the group going to Brian’s.” Phillip turned to his son and asked, “Do you think you can handle it?”
Pulling Scarlett against him, as if he needed the support, Luke simply nodded.
Cade took over from there and split us all into three groups. When it was all said and done, Gavin and I were separated after all. After plenty of kisses between mates, hugs between children and parents, and countless calls of “Be careful” or “Good luck” amongst friends, we moved into our groups.
Standing with Luke, our leader, and Allison, Sammy, and Vince, I looked over at Gavin and offered him my most reassuring smile. I wasn’t so sure it was convincing, but I tried anyway. With a smile and a wink, Gavin appeared more confident than ever. He never ceased to amaze me. The guy was gearing up to invade the most dangerous area, the home that housed all of the off-duty guards on the estate, and he didn’t even flinch. But when I looked over at the guys standing with him, Aiden, Phillip, Dane, Jake, Logan, and Nick, I knew his crew would do whatever it took to take back our pack.
The last group, led by our new alpha, was the first to leave. Cade opened the door and Gage, Scarlett, Ryder, and Shari followed. It was time. With one last look at my parents, who were staying behind to guard the lodge, I took my leave, praying luck would be on our side.
CHAPTER 50
Gavin
Armed with only a tranquilizer gun and my were-senses, I followed Aiden and his team into the darkness. I was assigned to go with Luke’s dad and some guys that I had just met. Although Jake, Dane, Logan, and Nick all seemed like good guys, I felt like an outsider among them.
It probably didn’t help that my father was public enemy number two around here, or that Cami personally threatened each one of them that they’d have to answer to her if anything happened to me. They assured her that I would be fine but then each shot me a grin that said that they now had all they needed on me to make my life hell from here on out. If tonight went as planned, and we are all safe in the morning, I had a bad feeling that I would be the brunt of many jokes for weeks to come, maybe even longer.
Our mission: go to the house where the guards were staying, take them down—all of them—and bring Clayton in alive and conscious for questioning. I didn’t like being separated from Cami, but I was kind of glad she wasn’t here for this. The seven of us were up against all of the off-duty guards, guards that had real weapons—not tranq guns. If any mission had the chance of going very wrong, it was ours. There were at least twenty guards inside that one house. I had just met these guys, and I was already putting my life in their hands and vice versa.
We moved fast at first, keeping to the shadows and moving one at a time. We took turns watching each other’s backs as we moved from tree to tree. It didn’t take long for the house to come into view. Phillip signaled for us to stop and gather around.
“We need to split up now,” Phillip said, nodding to Aiden for him to take over.
Aiden didn’t miss a step. “Jake, you and Logan go around and enter through the back door.” Jake and Logan nodded before leaving the group. We all watched as they disappeared around the side of the house. “Phillip and I will go in first through the front door. I want Gavin to take the far side of the house,” Aiden said and then looked right at me. “Stay at the front. Watch for guys trying to escape out the windows. When you see me, Phillip, and Dane make it all the way inside, you come in through the front.” I nodded in understanding.
I stood there and listened as he told Nick to do the exact same thing on the other side of the house, except
he was supposed to enter through the back door.
“Shouldn’t one of us, at least, have a real gun?” Dane asked. Surprisingly, I was relieved that he asked because I know I was thinking the same thing. Aiden looked to Phillip, who answered, “I have my gun.” He pulled back his jacket, revealing a very real handgun holstered around his chest. “I don’t want to have to use it though. Most of those men inside are not much older than any of you and are just following orders. Cade made it very clear that there are to be as few casualties as possible, and remember, we are not cold-blooded killers. We will, however, do what we have to do to protect our pack,” Phillip said as he concealed his weapon once more.
Aiden told us all to take our positions, so I cautiously made my way through the trees to the far side of the house. I found a spot between two large pines. From where I was, I couldn’t be seen from any direction except directly behind me. I saw Aiden, Phillip, and Dane take their positions on the front porch and watched as Phillip raised his hand. With his fingers, he counted: three…two…one.
Things happened so fast after that. Phillip opened the door, and Aiden went in shooting. Aiden was followed inside by Dane, and then Phillip. I could hear the shots fired and the commotion from where I was in the trees. I waited like I was supposed to, but it took every ounce of restraint that I had. No one tried to escape out of the windows, but I did see a guy try to climb down the balcony. I waited until he was almost all the way down before I shot him.
A wave of panic and guilt swept through me when I realized the guy I shot was a buddy. His name was Trey. We had grown up together, and he wasn’t a bad guy. Phillip was right; he was just following orders. Trey had a girl back home and a baby on the way. Having a baby at nineteen was hard enough without having to deal with this crazy shit. Suddenly, I was very thankful that Cade wasn’t as cold and ruthless as my father and Nathaniel. If he were, I would have just killed a friend.
Shaking the thought away, I hurried inside to catch up with the others. I stopped in my tracks as soon as I stepped into the main room. Bodies lay everywhere. There must have been ten guys lying unconscious on the floor. I could feel the bile in my stomach rising up to my throat. I knew in my mind that every single one of these guys, all of whom I had known my whole life, would be okay. I knew that they weren’t dead, but they looked it. They really did look dead.
I could hear Aiden yelling in the other room and shots still going off upstairs. I ran into the room where Aiden was, and he looked to have everything under control, so I went back to help whoever was upstairs. I’d only made it up the first few steps before I saw him. Clayton. He was standing in the hallway eyeing the balcony, which was being searched by Jake, who was apparently occupying Clayton’s chosen route of escape.
Jake’s back was to Clayton, but Clayton’s back was to me, so I continued up the stairs as quietly as possible. I was sure I could reach Clayton before he made a move, but like the heartless assassin that he was, Clayton raised his gun and pointed it right at Jake’s back. He was going to shoot Jake in the back like a coward. Without a second thought, I raised my own gun and fired, hitting Clayton right in the back of his neck. Immediately, his gun dropped to the floor.
Hearing the shot, Jake turned around and saw what had happened. I knew in that moment, by the way Jake looked at me, that I had just made a friend for life.
We were supposed to bring him back awake, but to hell with that. He would be a lot easier to transport this way anyway. Logan came around the corner and told us that the upstairs was clear. Together, Jake and I dragged Clayton down the stairs.
By the time we got downstairs, Aiden, Phillip, Dane, and Nick were all busy moving the unconscious men into the living room and tying their hands and feet together with zip ties.
“Cade said awake,” Aiden said, pointing to the limp body of Clayton, “but I like him better that way.” We all kind of laughed. It wasn’t that funny, but it did lighten the mood tremendously. Our mission was a success. It was amazing how much the element of surprise could help you out.
After all the Crescent Hills guards were tied up, Aiden told Logan and Nick to stay at the house. Phillip assured them that we would send reinforcements as soon as we were back at the lodge. Jake and I carried Clayton to one of the trucks parked outside and threw him not so gently into the bed. Aiden and Phillip climbed in the front, while Jake, Dane, and myself jumped into the back. Just an hour or so ago, I had felt like an outsider. After that mission, whether or not I belonged was no longer an issue. This was where I was meant to be.
CHAPTER 51
Kendall
I was lying in bed with my eyes wide open when I heard them enter the house. While I had no idea who comprised “they,” I knew someone was coming, that it had only been a matter of time. While the anticipation had been killing me, my body still jerked at the sound of the front door opening.
I’d had it all planned out in my head. I’d leave Drew sleeping and quietly surrender, pledging to help Red Ridge take back their pack in any way I could. Screw loyalty. Drew had never been loyal a day in his life, and I was by no means putting my life on the line for him or his pack. And that was exactly what it was. His pack.
Looking over at Drew, I said a silent prayer that Gavin was among the intruders and then slipped out of bed, ready to face whatever destiny had in store for me.
But as soon as my fingers touched the doorknob, pure terror struck. What the hell was I thinking? What if it was Cade down there? He’d be less likely to take pity on me than the Devil himself. After what I did to Allison, I’d be lucky if he didn’t kill me on the spot. Who was I kidding? Did I really think they’d just take me back?
I turned back around and looked at Drew, contemplating whether or not to make a break for it alone or to take him with me. In the end, my fear of doing this alone won out, and I rushed over to the bed. “Drew, wake the fuck up!” I whispered as I shook him relentlessly. “Someone’s here! I think it’s Red Ridge. We have to get out of here! Now!”
I grabbed a pair of sweats for myself and threw a pair of pants at him just as he shot up in bed. “What? What’s going on?”
In seconds, we were both partially dressed, and I grabbed his keys off the dresser. “They’re here! And if we don’t get the hell out of here now, we won’t be going anywhere! Not alive, anyway.”
I rushed over to the window and opened it as wide as it would go. Never had I lived anywhere that I didn’t have an escape route, and little did Drew know that I’d picked this room for a reason. With an awning over the porch just below us, it wasn’t a far jump. I might get a twisted ankle along the way, but it wouldn’t be fatal. “Come on! This is the only way.”
“You want to jump out of a second-story window? Are you freaking insane?”
I turned back to the man I obviously should have just left sleeping, and replied, “You do whatever the fuck you want. I’m out of here.” And with that, I made the first jump. I landed on the awning with ease, but the jump to the ground would be a bit trickier.
Just as I was about to go for it, Drew landed beside me. “You know this would be a whole hell of a lot easier as wolves.”
I huffed and replied, “No shit, Sherlock. But then we wouldn’t be able to drive out of here. And if we did, we’d be naked. Not really up for that in January. You really do think I’m an idiot, don’t you?”
Without waiting for him to respond, I leapt to the ground. This time I didn’t stick my landing. Instead, I fell to the side and took quite the tumble. Thankfully, nothing was broken, sprained, twisted, or otherwise. Of course, Drew had no problems with his landing. Bastard!
With our bodies practically plastered to the side of the house, we made our way toward the driveway, and as luck would have it, no one was outside. We made a mad dash to his car and got in, careful not to slam the car doors. “Leave the headlights off until we’re out of here,” I said as he turned on the ignition.
“No shit, Sherlock,” he mocked as he backed out the driveway. “You think
you’re so damn brilliant, Kendall! You’re not the only one with a brain, you know.”
“Oh really! Is that so? Well, try this on for size, Mr. Brainiac. I’m guessing you nor anyone else in your oh-so-brilliant pack had any clue that Cade and the rest of his crew were still alive, did you? Because I did, and I’m gonna go out on a limb here and guess that’s who’s in your house right now, most likely taking your alpha hostage.”
Slamming on his breaks, right there in the middle of the main road, Drew roared, “What? You knew they were alive and didn’t bother saying anything? What the fuck, Kendall?”
I turned toward him, gifting him with my wickedest grin, and said, “Well, all you had to do was ask.”
CHAPTER 52
Cami
With Luke as our fearless leader, Allison, Sammy, Vince, and I headed straight to the Walkers’. Thankfully, only Brian and Noel were there, but we all knew Brian put the D in dangerous, not to mention the S in scary and P in psycho, so needless to say we proceeded with extreme caution.
As we approached the door, Luke whispered, “Remember, if at all possible, Cade wants his mother awake. Let me handle Brian, and you all take care of Noel. Get her restrained, and do your best not to shoot her, but if all else fails, do what you have to do. Cade will just have to wait if you have to tranq her.”
We all nodded as Luke gently slid Cade’s key in the lock. We all visibly cringed listening to him turn the knob and push open the door. The entire house was dark and eerily silent as we entered one by one. Luke signaled Sammy to make a search of the downstairs while the rest of us headed up.