Chapter Twelve
A nthony and Luke had no choice but to stay by Lash. He still hadn’t given him a gun, and that pissed him off. They were all moving close to the property, and so far, they only saw two guards. The club had the house surrounded.
He recognized the patch on each leather jacket, telling him he hadn’t annihilated the Monster Dogs MC. This pissed him off.
His cell phone started to buzz in his jacket, but he ignored it and stayed focused on the men and the danger up ahead.
“I can see two men,” Lash said.
“They will be slim, with how many we took care of back at the clubhouse,” Luke said.
“Why don’t you let Luke go? Anthony said. “We don’t know if his father has even been able to get here, and if they shoot at him, we know more Monster Dogs are here, including his dad.”
“Fuck you, Anthony.”
“It’s actually a really good idea.” His father agreed and turned his smirk onto Luke.
“Smiling makes you look like a serial killer.”
“Daisy loves my smile.” Just thinking about Daisy was enough to make him ache, but he had the strangest feeling, and he couldn’t help but rub at his chest. His cell phone kept buzzing but he ignored it.
“You need to get their attention,” Lash said. “Ask to speak to your dad.”
“I’m not going out there without a gun. If my dad is here, then he’s told them all that I’m a traitor and they will shoot me in the head. Trust me, I know how it works at the Dogs. There is no trial. There is no evidence, or fucking jury. They shoot traitors in the head, without asking questions.”
“And you wonder why your club never grew.”
“Oh, it grew, but I don’t think it was out of any sense of loyalty,” Luke said.
“I’ve got you covered. The guys have you covered. We’re not going to let you die today. If you want to be part of the Skulls, then you’ve got to learn to trust me and the club to have your back. That is how it works.”
Anthony saw the doubt in Luke’s eyes. With what he knew about the club, and the scars on Luke’s body, he had a feeling he wasn’t very trusting of anyone.
“Fine. Fine. I’ll do it.”
Following Lash and Luke, they made their way to the front of the house. They crouched down for several minutes and he saw Luke was trying to get his shit together. Anthony got it. He was about to face two guards, both with guns, and if they were aware he was a traitor, they were going to shoot him in the head.
He trusted his father and knew it wouldn’t come to that. Luke stepped out of the bushes and held his hands up in the air.
“Hey, guys,” Luke said. “I don’t suppose any of you have seen my dad?”
They held their guns tight, and Anthony saw their trigger fingers going. “Shoot, Dad,” he said.
Lash had already started to shoot and he took out both guys, shooting at their legs.
They stood up from their covered position, and Anthony felt like a spare fucking part. On the other side, he watched as Hardy and several of the guys stood.
His father had only hit the legs on both guys, so they were still alive. Moving in closer, Anthony didn’t wait as he picked up one of the guns and then moved to the other guard, picking up another gun. He looked toward Luke, and after a slight hesitation, he held it out for him to take.
Luke took it, and then Lash moved in closer.
“You want to tell me if your leader is here?” Lash asked.
“Fuck you.”
“Wrong answer.” Lash shot the first guard in the head. He moved toward the second man. “Now, do you want to die as quickly as he did, or would you like your death to be slow?”
“He’s gone. He’s gone. He’s gone. He came and ... he took the money, and he told us to hold the girls until the security came.”
“Security?” Lash asked.
“They’re the guys that come and take the girls from them,” Luke said. “All the club did was hold them until they were ready to take them. Then, when it’s time for auction, they’re moved to where they need to be.”
“Your dad is going to kill you,” he said.
Lash killed him with a single shot to the head.
“What if he had more—”
“He didn’t,” Lash said. “Once I made the first shot, more would have come out of the woodwork. Trust me. You guys are like vultures.”
“Thanks,” Luke said.
“Hey,” Lash said. “You don’t get a right to be offended. You swore loyalty to my son, and in doing so, that means you swore loyalty to me, and in doing that, you are now starting out as a Skull. You got it?”
“Yes, sir,” Luke said.
Anthony glanced at Luke and he saw the smile. It wasn’t a horrible smile, but it looked like he was relieved.
“Right, let’s get these girls and get out,” Lash said.
With that, they made their way into the house, taking their time. There were no lights on, and it was dark. Anthony held his gun tight to his body and looked around, waiting. There was no sound, but the stench inside the house was terrible. The house was decaying. Wallpaper fell from the walls, and black mold covered the walls. There were damp patches everywhere and missing floorboards. He was pretty sure he saw rat droppings as well.
And then he heard the sniffles, the silence, and the movement, the slight shuffling. They rounded the corner and locked behind cages had to be close to thirty girls, no women. They all looked too young. The smell was disgusting, and Anthony had a strong constitution.
“Holy shit,” Luke said.
Anthony glanced toward him.
“I knew, I mean, I knew what they were capable of, but I hadn’t seen ... I mean, this is...” He didn’t finish.
“Real,” Anthony said.
Luke nodded. “Yeah, this is fucking real.”
Lash was already calling it in to the Billionaires. Once he ended the call, he approached the cages.
“Right, I am going to open this cage and you are all free. This is not a joke. There are people on their way, and they want to get you home. They want to take care of you. They do not want to hurt you.”
None of the girls talked.
Lash broke the lock off the cage door, and then opened it, taking a step back. Not a single girl moved.
Anthony watched them, and it was like the doorway was a trap. They were all terrified, and he didn’t know how to get them to move. None of them would leave.
“We can’t leave,” one of them said.
Anthony turned toward the sound and the flashlight was shone in her direction, to which she winced.
“The door is open, you can come out.”
There was a whimper.
The one that had spoken stood and moved toward the door. “The last time one of us tried to escape, they made an example of her.”
Anthony had a feeling he didn’t want to hear about it.
“I’m not going to make an example of any of you,” Lash said. “You’re safe now, but once help arrives, you will see. No one is going to hurt you now.”
“First, they beat her until something snapped—a bone, we think. She wouldn’t stop screaming. She just wanted to get home to her mommy. Then they raped her, one by one, five men, one after the other, until they were bored. After that, she could barely breathe, but they all pissed on her, like she was nothing. Then, they started to cut her, piece by piece, and she was still alive. Then teeth extraction. They tortured her for hours, then shot her in the head. They made us all watch.” Tears fell down the girl’s face. She held onto the door, and Anthony watched as she tried to fight that fear. Her foot was poised right at the doorway.
“They’re not going to hurt you anymore,” Anthony said. “They’re gone, and we’re not going to let them. We’re not like them. We’re here to help you.”
The girl looked at him and took a step, then another step. He held out his hand, and much to his surprise, she threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around him, and sobbed. The girls in the cage watched. They stared at him with fear.
Anthony looked toward his dad. There were only two people in the world he hugged—his woman and his mother. He didn’t want anyone else’s touch, but in that moment, he knew he didn’t have a choice. She trusted him, and he placed a hand at her back and held her as she sobbed. All of the girls had been hurt and traumatized.
This is why his father did what he did. It was why he didn’t take out the Monster Dogs when he had the chance.
Helping these girls was more important than settling a score, and he understood that now.
****
D aisy sat up in bed and smiled at a shocked Tabitha and Miles. The nurses and doctors had already rushed in to check on her. The first few moments of waking up had been a little crazy, fun, and scary as well, but she got through it. They all got through it.
“Hey,” she said, smiling at Tabitha and turning that smile to Miles.
“You have no fucking idea how happy I am to see you,” Miles said, getting to his feet. She was shocked as he cupped her face. “Don’t ever do that to us again. You got that?” He kissed her forehead and then hugged her tightly.
She let out a little gasp but sighed. “It’s not like I meant to do it.”
His hug was unexpected.
Tabitha looked close to sobbing as well. “I didn’t know what to think and I am a terrible friend. I didn’t come to you right away, and I feel awful.”
“Shut up,” Daisy said.
She had to be careful, because even though she was awake, she was still healing. The doctors had checked on her stitches, and everything was looking good, but she had to be careful. She was not allowed to leave the hospital yet, which she didn’t like because all she wanted to do was go home.
“I’ll call Lacey,” Miles said.
Daisy watched as he left and then turned back to Tabitha. “Are you okay?”
“I should be the one asking you that question. Daniella stabbed you.”
She glanced down at her body and frowned. “Yeah, that part is a little fuzzy.” She frowned. “Do you know where Anthony is?”
“They had to take care of some business. He and Luke.”
“Luke? Your brother Luke?”
“No, Monster Dogs Luke.”
“Oh,” Daisy said. “Good. Good. That means Lash knows he pledged his loyalty to Anthony and the Skulls. This is all good news. He was there with us every step of the way.”
Tabitha got to her feet and started to pace. “Are you insane?”
“No.” She shook her head.
“How come you didn’t say anything?”
“Tabitha, come on, you don’t expect me to tell you everything that is going on at the club. We’re best friends and there is a lot I can tell you, but not about club business. You know this.”
“There it goes again. The club always getting in the way.”
Daisy sighed. “Don’t be that way, and come on, you can’t be upset about this. I’m in the hospital and I am still getting better. You heard the doctor. I am awake but I am not fixed.” She rolled her eyes. “And club business is exactly that. Club.”
“But what you and the guys did was not on club orders. You know that, Daisy. You could have told me.”
“And risk you telling anyone else? I couldn’t,” Daisy said.
“The guys have lost all their patches.”
“I figured we would.”
“And you’re not bothered by that?” Tabitha asked.
“We’ll earn them back. Will you stop stressing?”
Daisy looked toward her best friend. She had missed her. They would always be best friends, but it still wouldn’t change the fact they were now part of different clubs, and the rules changed. Just like Lexie and Eva were best friends, they didn’t share everything. Clubs came first.
Miles entered the room. “Your mom and dad are on their way.”
Daisy smiled. She had missed them.
“So, what was it like to be in a coma?” Miles asked, moving to sit on the bed.
“I don’t know. It’s strange because I don’t really remember. It’s kind of a blur.” She frowned. “I think someone told me I wasn’t supposed to be here. I don’t know. I can’t remember. What I do remember is Daniella stabbing me, the fucking bitch.” She gritted her teeth. She hadn’t been prepared and if it wasn’t for Luke, Daisy knew she would have died for sure. Daniella intended to kill her.
“She’s gone,” Miles said.
This made her sigh in relief.
“So, what’s going on?”
“Let’s see, all our patches were taken. Dad won’t have anything to do with me. The whole club knows you and Anthony got married in Vegas. Also, Ned sends his love. He wanted to come and see you, but figuring he helped us in our little mission, he is not making a trip to Fort Wills for a while.”
Daisy laughed. She adored Ned Walker. The guy didn’t like change all that much, but he had a good heart. He just wasn’t always a good man.
“Constance and I argued. She’s pissed that I helped fund her college experience. That didn’t go well. Whizz was pissed at Anthony, and for a time, they couldn’t be in the same room. Anthony is pissed at my sister, because he doesn’t consider her as good a friend, and everyone—and I mean everyone —has been worried about you.”
“There was no reason to be worried,” Daisy said.
“They all were because you are one of us, whether you like it or not.”
She looked at her friends and it was then she felt the ring on her finger. Putting her hand to her chest, she couldn’t help but smile.
“Yeah, and I’m pissed about that. You got married and didn’t tell me. How is that club stuff?”
“We were in Vegas. Anthony was meeting Ned, and it just kind of happened. We knew we didn’t want a big ceremony, and this was perfect for us.”
Tabitha sighed. “I find this unacceptable. I consider myself the reason you two are together. I knew Anthony loved you even when you didn’t believe me.”
Daisy looked toward her friend. “Anthony and I have been together since we were sixteen years old.” That was when she had killed her father.
“What? But you didn’t date until much later,” Tabitha said.
“We’d been dating, but we hadn’t gone on an official date. Neither of us wanted to. We kind of liked it just the two of us, but we knew you wouldn’t ... stop.”
Tabitha’s mouth opened and closed. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Well, you had Simon and the distance thing. Not to mention Lexie’s cancer diagnosis and everything since then. There was never a good time to tell you. We’ve also been living together for quite some time.” There was no reason to lie.
Miles chuckled. “I should have known you and him were a couple. He was never into any of the chicks throughout high school. It was always you, and then he just seemed different, and that was because you guys were together. Damn, you two are good.”
“It wasn’t even meant to be a secret. Honestly, it just kind of happened that way.” She shrugged and then winced. Leaning back on the bed, she dropped her hands down.
“Is there anything else I should know?” Tabitha asked. “Do you have any children?”
“No, we don’t have kids.” They had a pregnancy scare, but that turned out to be nothing, and she wasn’t going to tell them about that.
“Wow,” Tabitha said. “You and Anthony ... your love story is even better than mine and Simon’s.”
“I’m not competing.”
“I know,” Tabitha said with a laugh.
It was good to tell them the truth.
Within thirty minutes, Lacey and Whizz arrived.
Her mother came to her, wrapping her arms around her, and as she did so, Daisy knew she was trying to be careful. Whizz was next, pulling her into his arms and kissing her on top of the head.
“You fucking scared me. Don’t you ever go pulling a stunt like that again. Do you hear me?”
She heard them all loud and clear.
Daisy had gotten a bad feeling about that night. She didn’t even know why, but it had felt wrong. Maybe it was because everything went right.
No one felt any guilt about what they were doing. This was for what happened to Tabitha in high school, this was for all of them. It was payback but done right.
She had known something was wrong. The first two guys she had recognized were not the regular guards she had seen patrolling the clubhouse. Still, she hadn’t said anything.
They had all been ready.
She was shocked that even Constance, Blaise, John, and Damien were happy to kill as well. They all had a score to settle. It shouldn’t have been so easy for them.
The moment they got inside, that had changed. Pulling out of her memory, she looked between her mother and father, and she was just so happy to be alive.
“Thank you,” she said, talking to both of them.
She didn’t know if she had ever thanked them for taking her in, adopting her, and looking after her. For being there for her when she needed it.
“Oh, honey, you don’t need to thank us, not at all,” Lacey said, putting an arm around her and pulling her in close. “We love you. You know this. We will always love you.”
She loved her parents so much.
****
R achel walked into the room and Daisy sat up in bed. Rachel immediately went to her. Tabitha and Miles had come out so that Rachel, Constance, and Blaise could come see her.
“You scared me,” Rachel said. “You don’t get to scare me like that.”
Daisy let out a chuckle. “I’m so sorry. The next time I’m at death’s door, I’ll tell them it is unacceptable because Rachel cannot stand it.”
“You better,” Rachel said and stepped back.
Constance hugged her. “You know, we were all scared there for a minute. We figured we would have to deal with Anthony without you.”
“Yeah, and we all know that would be a losing battle,” Blaise said.
“Anthony is not that bad.”
“He is not that bad, providing he has you. He is easier to deal with if he knows he has you.” Blaise pulled back from the hug he had given her.
She looked between her friends. She loved all of them. “It will be all right. Nothing bad happened.”
Rachel and Constance looked close to tears.
“What is it?” she asked them, starting to worry.
“We really did think we were going to lose you,” Rachel said. “Everyone has been so worried.”
Daisy looked down as Rachel grabbed one of her hands. Constance grabbed the other, and Blaise even reached out and grabbed her leg.
“This is really sweet, guys. Honestly, it is, but you’re all kind of scaring me now.”
“None of us considered the possibility that we wouldn’t make it,” Blaise said.
This surprised her. “What?” She looked between all three of them. “You guys are crazy. I even told you there was a chance we might not make it.”
Blaise shrugged and Rachel laughed.
“Just because you gave us the warning didn’t mean we actually heard it.”
Daisy couldn’t believe she was hearing this. “You guys do realize that it is a risk, right? Being with the Skulls, this life, comes with a risk of not making it out alive.”
“We know that,” Blaise said. “I just ... you’re one of the good ones. You shouldn’t have gotten hurt. We failed you.”
“No one failed anyone. I went in there knowing there was a chance there would be a cost. A big one. I ... it’s fine. I’m fine and I am alive. We all made it out.” She tried to reassure them all.
Rachel gripped her hand tightly. This was not good, and she knew she was going to have to talk to Anthony.
After they left, John, Damien, and Tate came to her. She got visit after visit, after visit, until finally Lacey and Whizz came to her room and said there would be no more for the night.
She was tired, so tired, and she kept looking at the door, hoping Anthony would step through. He was the person she wanted to see.
Her parents were not wrong, though, she was so tired, she slowly closed her eyes. She would just rest them for a while, and when Anthony was there, she would be ready for him.