4. Chapter Four
Chapter Four
W illa walked into the clubhouse with Cruise holding her hand. She’d met the women and men of the MC last night and they were working on a plan to find the captain. After the meeting, Cruise had taken her to the house they were staying in.
Although she’d slept in his arms, they hadn’t had sex. He’d kissed her senseless and then told her he wanted her awake the first time they came together. He’d seen her exhaustion and put her health ahead of himself. If she hadn’t already been in love with the man, that would have cemented it.
Instead, he’d settled her on his shoulder and ran his fingers through her hair until she’d fallen asleep. This morning, he’d informed her they were to meet and have breakfast at the clubhouse. He’d shooed her into the bathroom to shower and he’d showered in the guest bathroom. When she’d inquired why, he said he wanted hours not minutes the first time they were together.
In the interest of keeping her presence hidden, Cruise had driven them over on an ATV on trails through the compound. He’d pointed out the Bail Bonds gym run by Winnie, the garage for the Bail Bonds run by Jesse and the garage closer to the MC which Cruise was a part of running. He’d parked their ATV then they’d walked between some houses and by what appeared to be an orchard to come in the back of the clubhouse.
The smell wafting from the kitchen had Willa’s stomach growling.
Cruise laughed. “Don’t worry. You’ll never grow hungry here. In fact, I’ve had to add some extra miles to my workouts because of the food but it’s worth it.”
Regina was in the kitchen, pulling pans from the oven. “Good Morning! I hope you slept well, Willa, knowing you were safe. Food’s ready. We just need it on the table.”
“I did. I’m sure I was snoring within minutes.”
Cruise laughed, “Brave Heart, you don’t snore. You do cute little heavy breaths.”
Cruise grabbed hot pads and so did she to help carry food to the large table. Although the seating area was large, Willa marveled at the homey atmosphere. Each of these people had made her feel welcome from her first steps on the compound.
Once they were all settled and tucking into the food, Willa fought a moan at the taste of the French toast and crispy bacon. Neither she nor her dad had been great cooks. They’d survived on sandwiches, takeout and cereal. She’d be joining Cruise on his workouts because this food was something worth working out for. After almost everyone was finished, War stood.
“Everyone who wants to be involved in helping Willa with her problem, head to council.”
Willa watched as everyone headed in. Cruise grasped her hand, tugged her up and into his arms. “Let’s go, Brave Heart. Time to go on offense.”
Willa followed him into the room. She was still trying to put faces with names. Beth, Remi and Sarah were in the room along with Regina.
“Scoop, Sarah, which one of you want to update.”
Sarah nodded at Scoop. He popped up a map on a screen she hadn’t noticed in the corner.
“It seems captain followed you to our Texas Chapter but wasn’t able to get close. Bootstrap had suspected that would happen. He had two prospects hiding outside the compound. When your stalker fell asleep in his car, one of the prospects tagged his car with a tracker. His route indicates he’s headed here.”
“I don’t want…” Cruise squeezed her hand and shook his head.
“This is what we wanted. War and Remi knew when they had you stop in Texas he’d probably figure out where you were headed. He’s coming to our home turf and he won’t know what hit him.”
“Willa, Cruise is correct. We need him to come here so we can make sure he can’t bother you anymore. We have a couple plans depending on his approach. I think the best plan is to keep Willa hidden and safe. We’ll take him and then decide what we’ll do with him next.”
“We’ve also found some disturbing items that lead us to believe you weren’t the only woman he abused, Willa.”
Willa didn’t know if she should feel relief that she wasn’t the only one or guilt that she hadn’t done more. Cruise was nodding at War’s plan but Willa didn’t want to stay on the sidelines. Beth and Remi were looking at her. When War turned to ask Bear a question, Remi mouthed Do you want to help take him down?
Did she want to help take him down? He’d terrorized her that last month on base and especially those last four days. Whenever he’d been in her nightmares, she was always helpless. Maybe helping to take him down would exorcise those demons and give her peace, knowing he couldn’t hurt her anymore.
She had always considered herself strong until he’d ripped her power from her and made her feel helpless and small. The short time she’d been around Remi and her sisters, she’d realized they were fierce. She wanted to be fierce again.
She nodded her head at Remi. Beth smiled and shot her a thumbs up. Besides finding Cruise, she’d found women she knew could become good friends, something she had never had before.
“Okay, Scoop keep us updated. Warn us when he’s about two hours out. That should be plenty of time for us to get ready.”
As they all stood to leave, Remi tilted her head to follow them out of the room.
“Willa, I have a car that has to be done today. I hate to leave you so soon but you’re safe here.”
Willa loved that Cruise didn’t want to leave her alone after they’d found each other.
Before Willa could answer, Beth walked over and slid her arm through Willa’s.
“That is perfect timing Cruise, I need some help with some of the Christmas decorations. Would you like to hang out with me, Willa?”
Willa fought a smile. Cruise patted Beth’s shoulder, dropped a kiss on Willa’s lips and mumbled thanks to Beth as he walked out the door. Cruise never realized Beth might have an ulterior motive.
“Hey, all, I’m taking Willa with me to the snowplow barn to pull some decorations.”
“Oh, hey, I’ll join you. Sarah, do you want to help too?”
Suddenly, all the women were going with her and Beth to the snowplow barn and Willa was fine with that. Maybe helping with decorations would keep her mind of the captain coming closer. She followed behind Beth and wondered how they would take care of the captain.
Although Beth had said they were taking Willa to the snow plow barn, they had gotten on an ATV and drove around the property. Beth had spent about twenty minutes familiarizing Willa with the property and the safety features. When Willa had questioned Beth about sharing so much with a stranger, Beth had chuckled and explained she knew Willa would be staying. Cruise had claimed her and Willa hadn’t objected. Beth had given her one of their watches with the security features and gone over the codes the women had for their security company part of the bail bonds.
Beth had stopped them behind the bail bond’s gym and they’d made their way inside. Willa enjoyed working out and could see this might be a place she’d spend a lot of time. She admired the clean areas and large space for not only the treadmills and weights but also the two large rings where hand to hand could be practiced.
Following Beth into the office, they found Winnie growling at the computer. “Ugh, I’m so tired of this stupid program we have to input all the data in. Hi Willa, sorry. Low sleep with little kids and a new program has me ready to scream. I’ve got pastries and coffee we can have in the break room.”
Willa didn’t know if it was her place but she loved working with data and numbers. Sure, flying was her first love but she couldn’t fly twenty-four seven.
“I’m kind of a data nerd so I’m happy to help any way I can.”
Winnie stared at her, then reached to hug her. “I will pay you in whatever you want - money, books, food or anything if you’d help me out a little.”
“Hey, what if I want Willa to work with me?” Beth questioned.
“Listen, you already grabbed Rose and Ellie to help you. Quit taking all the new women. We have other businesses that need help.”
“La, la, la, I can’t hear you.”
Willa giggled at Beth’s antics, holding her hands over her ears. How they could make her smile after the fear she’d been experiencing was a mystery?
“Get your butts in here. He’s three hours out and we need to hash this out. My husband may be President of the MC but he should know we’re not going to stand by and just let the menfolk handle it.”
Willa found herself sitting with the Franks’ sisters, Regina and the other women she’d met. They’d set up a mini command center in the breakroom with white boards, a large computer screen and multiple scenarios. These women didn’t mess around. They had a contingency for everything. Willa swallowed and held back tears. Cruise had welcomed her and she’d known she could make a home with him but these women. They’d shown her they had her back but also pulled her in as part of their group.
“Hey, it’s okay. We won’t let him hurt you,” Remi’s words and the pat on her shoulder had her shaking her head.
“She’s not scared she’ll get hurt. She’s happy about being a part of the awesomeness of us. She’s experiencing Code Rachel for the first time,” Willa nodded at Beth. Beth had gotten it perfectly.
Willa basked in the presence of these women. When Beth had explained Code Rachel was the code they could send to each other when emotional backup was needed, she’d never dreamed she’d be experiencing it.
“Seriously! How do you know this stuff?” Sarah groused and scowled at Beth.
“Surveillance. I notice everything and I’m not constantly in the state of when can I be alone with my man?”
Willa giggled.
“You’ve got to admit my man, Bear has got it going on. When he gives me that little smirk, it’s all I can do to form a sentence sometimes. Besides, you try having all my kids and dogs blocking any and all alone time. See how much you daydream then.”
“Ladies, I think with what is planned, we should grab some lunch then meet back here. I have lunch waiting at the clubhouse.”
“Perfect, Regina. I need to pick up something I think will be helpful later. Jesse worked on something for us. We’ll meet you all back here. T-minus two hours. Let’s be back here in one.”
Willa wanted to be Remi with her authoritative and matter of fact manner. Everyone nodded and Willa followed Beth out to lunch though she wasn’t sure she could eat.
The women all seemed confident that their plans were perfect but Willa worried she’d freeze when faced with the captain. Could she do this?
Beth held open the door, waiting on her. “Willa, relax. This time, you’re not alone. Trust me. He won’t know what hit him.”