Bare (Diamondback MC 3)

“Clearly, you’ve been watching too much television if you’ve got it all figured out,” she jokes. Monroe isn’t wrong though. There’s nothing better after working all day than to turn on the television and getting lost in someone else’s world. Truth be told, if it weren’t for this situation being so out of the blue, I probably would have tackled Tony to the floor, gouged out his eyes with my fingers, and had Monroe fleeing. I couldn’t though, not with the ominous tone and the shivers Scar induced while he held us at gunpoint in the van, licking his lips in the vulgarest way possible.

“You never know. My obsession with TV might just pay off,” I tease. Henley starts to move, and I know the best thing for her is to sleep as much as possible. So, I rock her as if we were back in Ruger’s house, comfortable in our surroundings instead of sitting in a dingy room on a concrete floor.

Thirteen

Ruger

“Shovel, Ruger, get in here,” Crank calls over to us as we enter the main clubhouse.

“What’s up?” Shovel asks. I’m on edge with the tone he’s using, the urgency, and cracking his knuckles while the club phone sits off the hook and on the bar top.

“Just got a call from Bennett. He’s with the girls and on the phone. I’ve already called Razor and the others. They’ve re-routed to where he’s at. I’m thinkin’ you’ll wanna hear what he has to say and then head out too.” Thank fuckin’ God.

Christ, my thoughts go to what Sadie and Monroe must be going through, how my woman is handling it. Shit, I feel like we just got through one hurdle and now life is throwing another one. This time, it could make or break us.

“Thanks. Sit tight. I don’t want you doing anything until you have backup.” Shovel hangs up the phone.

“Load your gear. We’re going in with the van since the others are already on their way. I know you wanna get to Sadie quick, but we may need fire power with what Bennett has scoped out. Fuckin’ cocksuckers.” He slams his fist down on the bar top. I move to my room in the club, blocking out the noise that’s surrounding me of men talking, Shovel finding Persephone, saying his goodbyes. We don’t tell the women a lot when it comes to club business, preferring to keep them in the dark. It’s more for their benefit than ours. It’s not every day we have the cops banging on our doors, but the day they do, what they don’t know, they can’t say, and it’s easier on everyone.

“Ruger.” Raven’s voice interrupts me opening up the built-in wall safe I have in the room. Sadie knows I have one in here and at our house. All she ever said was, “Glad it’s put away.” I never tell her there’s always one within arm’s reach but well away from anywhere Henley could grab it.

“Yeah?” I turn away from throwing extra ammo into my canvas bag.

“Sadie may have had a bumpy start with the club because of her past, but she’s strong. So incredibly strong. I just want you to know, whatever comes of this, we’re all here for her and Henley.” Raven, who’s usually full of spunk and energy, looks like she’s more than ready to kick some ass and take names, and I know if Razor had let her, she would have been on the back of his bike, gun in hand and shooting her way until she found who took what was ours.

“Thank you. And fuck, yeah. She’s had a tough life. Hopin’ like hell this doesn’t break her.” I run my hand through my hair, trying to keep myself together and not lose my cool. “If you and Persephone get a chance, see if Crank will take you to my house. Henley’s going to need a few things, and so will Sadie. Not thinkin’ she’ll want to be wearing my clothes or have Henley without her blanket.” I close up my safe, ready to get this fucking show on the road.

“Yeah, but she’s got a strength even I’m not sure I have. Sadie will shock you, and don’t worry, we already have a list going. You just make sure everyone comes home safe and sound.” Raven’s words are intended for more than the girls who are being held, ready for ransom, exchange, or fuckin’ walking in like the outlaws we are and shooting things to shit.

“Always.” I walk by her, squeezing her shoulder. Right now, I need to put my mind on other things, like how this is going to work and what Shovel’s game plan is.

“Ready?” Shovel asks as I walk back into the main living area.

“Yep.” I watch as Persephone lifts on her toes, kissing him, and it burns in my gut that if things go bad, there are a whole lot of lasts that are not gonna sit well with me.