Wild Heart (The Wild Heart Series)

by Culbreth, Jennifer

  “I get that. I don’t mean any harm. If I didn’t want to help, or if I had intended anything else, your yard would be swarming with officers right now,” Cash eyed over the table at him.

  The two men sized each other up, Charon clearly winning in the realm of intimidation. Cash got anxious as he took in the man that sat across from him, silent and brooding before he spoke, releasing the tension from the room. “Last night we sent about twenty guys to the warehouse in an effort to neutralize the situation. However, we’re clearly outnumbered and in an effort to not lose any of my men, we’re gonna need some back-up. Gonna need to bring the pain, officer. You up to that?”

  “I think we can handle that.” Cash smiled.

  “Good, these guys get brutal.” Doc pulled a diagram of the warehouse out and place it on the table between them. “There are three main entrances into the building. They’re all sealed and bolted shut. We have surveillance here,” he pointed to the outer walls of the building, “Here and here.”

  “Ok, how many of these assholes do we think are surrounding the building?” Cash asked, forming a plan in his head.

  “We can make visual contact with thirty. Though the surrounding exterior of the building is primarily wooded,” Doc answered. “I’m fairly certain that there are more within the woods, we just can’t see them.”

  “Ok, I know of at least one other officer who’d be willing to come with us, and a handful of guys who I could probably call in a favor to.” Cash looked across the table at Charon and Doc, “I assume these men are all heavily armed?”

  Charon didn’t verbally answer as he pulled the side of his leather cut back exposing the holster with his pistol underneath. Doc only nodded as he patted his chest.

  “Ok, let me make some calls.” Cash said grabbing his cell and pulling up Johnathon’s number and hitting dial.

  “Sup’ man?” Johnathon answered.

  “You out at the still?” Cash asked.

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “Johnny, I’m not worried about taking you to jail. I have known about that old moonshine still for thirty years. I need to call in a favor. A big favor.”

  “A favor that goes boom?” Johnny’s voice was filled with excitement. Well at least one’s on board.

  “Yeah, you still got those explosives we used for fishing over at Mr. Baxley’s lake?” Cash asked, eyeing over at the two men who were looking at him with amusement across the table.

  “You know it. Where you want me to meet you?” Johnny asked.

  “Meet me at Old Farm Road in thirty.”

  “Ten-four.”

  “Let me go grab the officer sheet from my truck,” Cash said as he rose and made his way out the door followed by Charon and Doc.

  As he made his way back into the room he looked over and caught a glimpse of Ani, a freckled face little boy in her arms. She looked happy, genuinely happy. He smiled over at her, all of this time he had been worried that she’d get her heart broken. This wasn’t the kind of group that was for the weak hearted. Even though Ani wasn’t weak, she was pure and loving, more than anyone he’d ever met before and he didn’t want her to get swallowed whole by the life that this group led. He watched as she turned to him, blushing shyly before rushing back toward the dining room. He laughed to himself before holding the list up.

  “Ok, I think I can pull Taylor, he’s a crazy bastard.” Cash ran his finger down the list.

  “Carla Williams is on our payroll,” Doc looked over at him.

  Cash contemplated that for a moment, he didn’t like the thought that his officers were on the payroll of an outlaw motorcycle club, but it wasn’t any worse than what he was doing at this moment and he’d be damned if he let the smile on Ani’s face fade. Even if it was all to help the man who had stolen her from him; as long as he took care of her that was all Cash could ever ask for. He just wanted her to be happy, his own feelings could be bottled up and ignored.

  Ani

  Ani came out of the dining area, holding the hand of Starla’s youngest son, Charlie. She made her way toward the kitchen to refill his bowl of scrambled eggs as Charon, Doc, and Cash came out from the chapel. He walked swiftly toward the door and out to the yard. She wasn’t sure if he was running for the hills, but when he came back in with a list, she knew he had agreed to help them.

  Doc made his way across the room to her, “Ani, I just talked to Knox. Everyone is ok. Let all the ladies know for me will ya?”

  “Sure, Doc.” She scooped out a large spoonful of eggs into Charlie’s bowl before picking him up. “Doc, we’re gonna to have to make a grocery run. We aren’t going to last until lunch at the rate these boys are eating.” She smiled over at Charlie who was shoveling the eggs into his mouth.

  “Ok, let’s get the sheriff set up and ready to go and then we will run to the grocery store.” Doc patted the boy on the head and they made their way back toward the dining room. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Cash eyeing her, smiling slightly at the sight of her holding Charlie. She blushed awkwardly, turning and walking swiftly into the room out of his view.

  “Someone loves their Aunt Ani don’t they?” Starla said grinning up at them. “You know, we are going to have to come up with a better name for you. Aunt Ani seems too…”

  “Wizard of Oz?” Kate laughed, joined by the rest of the ladies at the table.

  “What about Aunt Yaya?” Ani smiled over at Charlie who was grinning with a mouthful of eggs. “Starla, Doc and I are going to head to the grocery store after Charon and Cash leave. You think you can help me make a list?”

  “Of course.” She smiled over at Ani as she took a seat across from her. “When you gonna have some of your own?”

  “What?” Ani looked up at her in shock. “Oh no. Knox and I have plenty of time for that if it ever happens.”

  “Don’t get me wrong, you can borrow my boys anytime you want to,” Starla giggled as she plastered a layer of jelly onto a piece of toast for Jameson Jr., “But you’d be an amazing mom.”

  “One day,” Ani hugged Charlie tighter, kissing him lightly on his head. She sat imagining a small version of her and Knox. A little girl with his steel gray eyes, her complexion, and dark hair; or a little boy with the same chubby cheeks Knox had as a baby. She pondered on the thought for a moment, but let it pass. With everything that was going on, the last thing she needed to be worrying about was babies.

  After breakfast was finished, Lulu and Kate made their way into the kitchen to clean as Ani made her way upstairs to change. She threw on some black pants and a white t-shirt, grabbing her black leather jacket. She made her way downstairs and met Doc, grabbing the list from Starla they made their way out to the yard. Ani walked toward her truck first only to be stopped by Doc.

  “They know your truck, dear,” he nodded over at an old Chevy pick-up. “We can take this.”

  “Ok.” For a second she’d let herself forget that there was a threat out there. She saw her dad in the garage and made her way over to him. “Daddy, Doc and I are running to the store. You want anything?”

  “Some zebra cakes please,” he said looking up at her from the other side of the work bench. In one hand was a small engine part and in the other a wire brush.

  She giggled as she watched him working intently to clean the rust and dirt off the part. She hadn’t seen him this active in a long time, “Ok, daddy.” She leaned over and kissed him on the temple. “We will be back shortly. Love you.”

  “Love you too, Ani bug.” He didn’t look up from the part but the warmness in his voice was reflected across his face.

  Doc and Ani pulled up to the grocery store, she pulled a ball cap over her pony tail and slid on a pair of dark sunglasses in an effort to disguise herself. Now that she was in public, she felt as though there was a threat lurking behind every corner. Doc followed her into the store, scanning patrons as they walked into the store. They filled two carts with groceries and beer and made their way to the check-out line.


  “Doc, I’m sorry, but I have got to run to the restroom.” She danced slightly in front of him in an effort to hold it. “I shouldn’t have had a pot of coffee with breakfast.” She smiled apologetically at him.

  Doc laughed slightly at her childish dance, “Ok, but you need to be quick. Don’t go outside without me.”

  “I won’t,” she called out as she rushed from the check-out line toward the bathroom in the corner of the store.

  She made her way in, checking under the stalls before she went in. She’d be in and out before anyone could even notice her. As she finished and made her way over to the sink, she froze as an elderly woman made her way into the restroom. Ani eyed her briefly before dismissing the feeling for paranoia. She reached over and grabbed a hand towel, wiping her hands dry before tossing it toward the trash can a few feet from her. The towel bounced off the rim, to the other side, and then hit the floor.

  “Damn.” She joked to herself as she reached down to pick up the napkin and before she knew what had happened, blackness encompassed her.

  knox

  “What the fuck is the word?” Knox’s voice reflected the irritation that was now eating away at him. Every attempt they had made to get out of the warehouse had failed.

  They had been stuck in this damn warehouse long enough. He wanted to get out and go see Ani. Though being stuck in here, he was able to think about the fact that they needed to move some of their gun supply to a more readily accessible place. It didn’t matter how many AK’s or assault rifles they had, when they only had a handful of guys to shoot them. He was trying to keep this from being a bloodbath. He had done everything in his power to respect the people in this town and even though his club and his own life were being threatened, he knew they could come up with a solution that didn’t involve shallow unmarked graves.

  “We got back-up coming. They’re on their way now,” Rage said into the phone.

  “What do you mean back-up?”

  “Ani called the cop,” Rage said quickly, as is he was ripping off a Band-Aid. The quicker the less pain right?

  “You fuckin’ kiddin’ me, brother?” Knox’s voice was loud as he shouted into the phone. He didn’t know this fucker and damn sure couldn’t trust him. No matter how much Ani trusted, he didn’t know this man from a stranger.

  “No, but listen, he’s good. Got some of his buddies coming to help, don’t worry, Prez. We’ll get you outta there.”

  “What’s your plan?” Knox asked. “There’s about thirty head of these fuckers camped outside the front door. I know there has to be at least ten more in the woods.”

  “We’re gonna come in with a boom and hopefully they’ll get the point,” Rage answered. “Boys are here. See you in a few Prez.”

  “Aye, bring the chaos, brother. Don’t hold back.” Knox hung up the phone. What the fuck did he mean by a boom?

  He whistled out to the men in the warehouse, summoning them to the front door. He ignored the ringing of his phone as he explained to them what they were going to do. Just as they made their way toward the door of the warehouse, they heard a loud echoing boom. Forceful enough to rattle the doors of the building. Knox glanced up at the security camera to see the dust and dirt settling back down to the ground. Just as he went to leave out the front door he saw two large pick-ups pull into the yard, each with men in the back of the truck with guns. Shots rang out in every direction as the headlight of the Bronco shattered. It swerved deliberately and smacked directly into the first of the Renegades’ motorcycle that was parked in front of the warehouse, sending a handful of them sliding across the ground. The men went fleeing in every direction as the lights of the Bronco came on along with the siren. Before the remaining Renegades could react, they were surrounded and outnumbered.

  As the chaos outside quieted he heard an unfamiliar voice shouting out from one of the pick-ups, “Hey, motherfuckers, I’m home!” Knox wondered who the man was as another shout resounded from the other side of the door. “Come here, let me hear you squeal!”

  Knox came out of the warehouse, looking up and seeing Rage in the back of the large white F-250. Gun in hand and a stick of dynamite in the other, grinning from ear to ear. Crazy fucker. Knox looked around at the Renegades, searching for one in particular. “Where’s Chief?” Knox shouted at one of the men who was still trying to collect his thoughts after the blast

  “He hauled ass. Took off when these assholes came up,” the man clutched at the large cut down the side of his arm.

  The anger rushing through his body was beginning to take over. Knox reached down and grabbed the man by his collar and shoved him forcefully against the side of the warehouse. He pulled his pistol from the back of his pants and stuck it hard against the man’s temple. “Where the fuck did he go?” Knox shouted. He could feel someone coming up behind him and turned, pointing his gun at them. The cop stood a few feet behind him, his arms raised in surrender.

  “Hey, man, don’t shoot,” Cash held his arms up showing he didn’t have a weapon. “I know you’re angry, but I can’t allow you to shoot anyone today.”

  “Didn’t ask for your permission,” Knox said, holding the throat of the Renegade.

  “Yeah, I know. But I can only turn my head for so many things. I can’t overlook you killing someone,” Cash explained.

  Knox turned back to the Renegade, “What’s your name?”

  “Smith,” the man choked out.

  “Where the fuck is Chief?” Knox shouted once more. The man stood silent, unwilling to speak. Knox shoved his gun against the man’s hand, pulling it up to the side of the building and pointing it directly into the palm of the man’s hand. “If you ever want to ride another motorcycle, you’ll tell me where Chief is. If not I’ll blow your hand into a thousand fuckin’ pieces. You’ll never be able to grip a throttle again.” Knox threatened.

  The man grimaced as Knox drew down tighter on his neck. His face was now a vibrant shade of purple as he finally spit out, “Outside of Gatlinburg; off Highway seventy-three.”

  Knox stood, holding the trigger of his pistol and debating upon whether he should pull it or not. He looked into the man’s eyes, hoping that he could see any hint of a lie, but there was none. “Rage, see to it that these men find their way home,” Knox pulled his pistol down from the man’s hand.

  He turned back toward the cop; so this was the man who’d been after Ani’s heart. The man who’d once owned it but let it go. He sized him up, trying to get an idea of what kind of man he was. Expected him to be bigger. “You must be the cop.”

  “Yeah, name’s Cash,” he held his hand out to Knox.

  Knox shook his hand, “Knox.”

  “Yeah, I’ve heard a lot about you,” Cash eyed over at him.

  Knox turned toward Jameson just as a large bald man came up next to them. This fucker looked about as crazy as they came. He held out the hand that wasn’t holding a mason jar to Knox, “Name’s Johnny. Glad we could help you and your boys here. Looks like you have yourself a bit of a pest problem.” Johnny booted toward the last Renegade that was picking his motorcycle up in an attempt to leave.

  “Looks like it. I take it those were your fireworks?” Knox asked.

  “Oh yeah. Handy little bastards. Been makin’ ‘em since I was about five.” He took a big swig from the mason jar. “I brought the refreshments.” He held the jar out for Knox.

  He took a big sip of the clear liquid, it was smooth but still had a spicy bite to it as it rolled down his throat. “Well, I appreciate it. Wasn’t sure how to handle those bastards. Guess I’m gonna have to get some better security up here now.”

  “I tell you what, I gotta still about a mile up the road,” he glanced over at Cash before turning his back to him and whispering over to Knox. “Can’t let that fucker know. Might take my shit.” He glanced back over his shoulder to Cash. “Anyway, I gotta still about a mile up the road. Boys and I are havin’ a hell of a time getting’ to it now since the roads got washed out. Don’t know wha
t you got in this big ol’ buildin’, don’t want to. But if you’d let me put my still down there by your creek,” he pointed back behind the warehouse, “I’ll keep an eye out on the place for you.”

  Knox could see a future endeavor forming, but it would be up to the club to vote on it. “I’m sure we could come to an arrangement, let me take it to vote and I’ll let you know.” Knox patted the back of the man’s large shoulder. “I doubt they’ll pass it up after your help today. Thank you, brother.”

  “No problem, man. Always wanted to drive a motorcycle, too much moonshine and my ol’ ladies fried chicken to fit on one now,” Johnny chuckled as he made his way back toward his truck. “Load up, boys. We got some cannin’ to finish.”

  Knox watched as a handful of men jumped up in the cab and bed of the truck, and it took off down the road. Cash came up next to him, “I guess my good deeds are done for the day. If you have any more problems let me know.” Cash tipped the brim of his hat at Knox and headed toward his truck.

  “Knox!” Jameson yelled to him.

  “What, brother?” Knox looked over at him, the look on Jameson’s face caused his stomach to drop. Something was wrong.

  “It’s Ani,” Jameson came running over to him. “Hey, cop. You might wanna come over here.”

  Knox locked eyes on Cash as he came walking back toward the men. “What’s wrong, Jameson?” Knox asked cautiously.

  “Ani’s been taken,” Jameson’s voice was shaky as he dropped the phone from his ear.

  chapter sixteen

  retaliation

  Ani’s head throbbed as she blinked her eyes open. She couldn’t see from the bag wrapped around her head, but she could tell she was on the floor. She could feel the grit of the concrete scraping against her stomach as she squirmed. She attempted to pull her hands in front of her but they were tightly bound behind her back. She didn’t know what was happening, but the helpless feeling was beginning to wash over her. She choked for breath as she struggled to free her hands. She managed to squirm a few inches across the floor, now able to see a stream of fading light past the semi-transparent material over her face.