Chapter Three
Dagger
The twisted son of a bitch who’d taken everything from me stood on the other side of my club’s gates, eyeballing me, wearing a self-satisfied expression.
My stare fixated on his smug face, and my fingers twitched to reach inside my cut, slip my shiny new FN 510 out, and shoot Robert Henderson smack bang between the eyes. Except with witnesses, it couldn’t happen. Not yet, at least.
As I studied him, I thought about all the evil he’d spread and all the years I’d staggered through life without the one woman who settled my soul. So many emotions coursed through my veins that I couldn’t get a handle on them. I was dazed and overwhelmed by what he’d done. There’d been no time to process everything Elise had told me, but it didn’t stop me from vowing that, one day soon, I’d make him pay, and it would be in blood.
Eventually, I pulled my glare away from him to take in the line of slick, commando foot soldiers standing outside my club’s gates. He’d no doubt bought their services with his dirty child trafficking cash.
The majority of them were ex-military—it was obvious by the way they held themselves, even down to how they walked. Many mercenary groups and private armies existed in the US; hell, most of ‘em had tried to recruit me over the years, but I’d had my fill of that shit in Kuwait, and I had morals about who I protected and why.
Another black GMC pulled up outside the gates, and I watched as more commandos got out. There must’ve been thirty of them altogether, but there were more of us, and every one of my men had been hand-picked for my club, so these fuckers were no match.
They were about to learn the hell they’d raise when they messed with a Demon.
“Sheriff’s on his way with his deputies, Stone,” Henderson called over. “Hand my wife and Brett Stafford over like I asked, and I’ll tell him not to arrest you.”
One side of my mouth hitched. “Try it, fucknut. See what happens.”
Footsteps sounded from behind me. I glanced around to see my boys and Abe sauntering toward me without a care in the world. They were cool, calm, and collected, and their no-fucks attitude almost made me chuckle.
The second Henderson and his goons pulled up, the parking lot began to fill with Demons coming to my defense. My men were prepared to go to war for me without a second thought. I grinned at the sight of them out in force, all lined up behind me, waiting for their orders.
Slowly, I turned back to Henderson. “You can kiss my lily-white ass, ya fuckin’ pervert. I know what you did. I know everything . Also, know you beat the shit out of your wife, and not for the first time. Elise asked me for protection,” a slow grin spread across my face,” and I’m afraid Stafford’s a bit tied up at the moment.”
Abe barked a laugh.
My stare flicked toward the soldier who appeared to be giving the orders. He stood next to his boss, crossing his arms across his broad chest, eyes never leaving my face.
I jutted my chin toward him. “You get kicked out of the military or somethin’? Didn’t they want your weak ass?”
He cocked his head questioningly.
“Just wondering what the fuck goes on in your twisted mind. What kind of man would happily take money from a shithead human trafficker who hurts defenseless women and assaults little girls and boys?” I goaded. “I figure Uncle Sam didn’t want ya, and this is your version of a ‘throwin’ your toys outta the pram’ kinda tantrum. He’s goin’ down, and mark my words, I’ll do everythin to ensure you go down with him.”
His eyes narrowed, but I didn’t miss the flash of emotion behind them.
My mouth twist into a knowing smirk. Maybe the mayor’s commandos were in the dark about his ‘business’ dealings.
Oopsies.
“That’s slanderous, Stone,” Henderson bit out.
“Is it?” I challenged. “So your wife’s cracked ribs and dislocated bones weren’t inflicted by you? Tell me, did she fall down the stairs? Walk into a door?” I shook my head in disgust. “You weak ass piece of shit.”
“Nothin’ more disgusting in this world than a man who abuses women and children,” Abe snarled from behind me. “Except maybe for the heartless pricks who protect them,” he added pointedly.
Commando guy’s stare hit his boots.
“Get the fuck outta here, Henderson,” Cash ordered, chin jerking toward the line of men. “And take your asswipe buddies with ya. You’re not gettin’ what you came for.”
Distant flashing blue lights caught my eye, and my head swiveled toward the dark blue Chevy Impala trundling up the road toward us.
“At last,” Henderson crowed. “The sheriff.”
I planted my feet apart and folded my arms across my chest. “Oh look, here comes Dumber.”
My boys snickered as the Impala pulled to a stop outside the gates. The sheriff’s door flew open and he got out, turning toward the hut where Billy sat.
“Let me in, son,” he requested firmly.
My prospect shrugged nonchalantly. “Sorry. The button broke.”
“Stop playin’ the fool,” the sheriff bit out. “I’ll throw you in County if those gates ain’t open in the next twenty seconds.”
“Not kiddin’ ya, Sheriff,” Billy threw back, tone filled with humor. “The button’s gotten stuck. Can’t open shit.”
Muted laughter rose up around me as my men reacted to Billy’s blatant lie. I couldn’t help my lips twitching at the sheriff’s reddening face.
“Open the gates, or I’ll be takin’ every one of you the station. This shit will earn you time in County,” he spluttered.
“Why you here, Sheriff?” I called out.
“You’ve been accused of holding Elise Henderson against her will,” he stated. “The mayor here’s worried about his wife. Open the gates, John. We’ll come in and get this issue resolved in no time.”
“You gotta warrant?” I asked.
His eyes slid to Henderson, then back to me. “Was hoping I wouldn’t need one.”
I folded my arms across my chest, unmoving, “Elise is here of her own free will. She’s seeking sanctuary from her husband. She won’t talk to him without legal counsel present.” One corner of my mouth hitched. “Elise has appointed a lawyer.”
Henderson’s eyes narrowed angrily, and he ground out, “ She’s my wife. ”
“Maybe you shouldn’t use her as a punching bag then,” I retorted.
The sheriff’s mouth twisted. “Now come on, John, I’m sure it’s just a marital tiff.” He jerked his chin toward Billy. “Tell your boy to open the gates so we can come in and talk like gentlemen.”
My stare went toward the hut. “Billy,” I called.
“Yeah, boss?”
“That button stays broken,” I ordered.
Cash snorted.
“Got it, boss.” Billy chuckled.
My eyes caught the sheriff’s. “You’re not comin’ in. No warrant means no entry. You’re crazy if you think I’m gonna bend over and let you fuck me up the ass. You may be on Henderson’s payroll and police this town according to his say-so, but this is my property, and when you’re on my turf, I do the ass fuckin’. Your boss has no say in what happens here.”
The sheriff’s face began to turn purple at my accusations. “I’m on the town’s payroll, not the mayor’s,” he blustered.
“Potato potahto,” I responded drolly. “Now you know my position. I suggest you all turn around, get back in your fancy vehicles, and fuck off. Elise’s lawyer will be in touch.”
“We’re not leaving until you hand my wife and my assistant over,” Henderson argued, turning to the sheriff and staring at him pointedly.
The sheriff pulled his shoulders back. “I have to insist, John. If you don’t let us in, things could get nasty.” He glanced at the commando standing behind Henderson. “Just hand Elise and Stafford over, and we’ll be on our way.”
“You threatening me?” I grated out.
“Just a friendly warning,” he assured me, the color on his face heightening. “We don’t want trouble, but unless you bring Elise out, I’ll have no choice but to allow these men to use force.”
“Nothin’ we can’t handle,” Cash declared from behind me. “We protect what’s ours.”
“She’s my wife ,” Henderson spat again, his glare falling on me. “She’s always been mine. I’m not going to just give her up.”
My expression darkened, and I stared him dead in the eye. “That’s just it, Robert, you’re wrong. She was never yours. All those years, you lied, cheated, and manipulated, but through it all, she still belonged to me. It must be a head-fuck to realize that even after everythin’ you did to smash us apart, she was still mine. Is that the reason you beat her? ‘Cause you couldn’t stand the fact that even after the horrific shit you did to get her, you could never force her to love you back?”
Henderson’s face twisted painfully as my words hit a big ol’ nerve.
“You’re more fucked up than I ever imagined,” I declared. “I know exactly how deep your psychopathic tendencies dig. You’re no man, Henderson, you’re a damned parasite. Bert would be ashamed of you.”
Henderson’s face contorted. Slowly, he turned to the commando and gave him a nod.
Everything seemed to happen in slow motion. The soldiers went for their weapons, but I knew there was no way my men would allow anyone to get the jump on us.
The flashes of sunlight on metal almost blinded me as my hand went into my cut, and I whipped out my FN 510.
A barrage of clicking filled the air as the men on both sides clicked their safety buttons off and took aim until all our weapons pointed at each other.
My heart began to race, but I breathed through it and aimed directly between Henderson’s eyes. The air whipped hard around my ears, whispering to me. My heart calmed, the adrenaline in my veins making the world around me shrink inward to a small point of tunnel vision that only existed down the barrel of my gun.
“I want every weapon pointed at Henderson’s head,” I ordered the men at my six. “If any fucker shoots me, take him out first and take him out fast.”
The mayor visibly paled as my brothers shouted their agreements.
“Come on, boys,” the sheriff murmured placatingly. “There’s no need for all this nonsense. Just get Elise and Stafford, and we’ll be on our way. Nobody needs to get hurt.”
“You’ll have to shoot me dead along with every Speed Demon in this parking lot to get to her,” I vowed. “Elise is under my protection.”
“It can be arranged,” Henderson spat.
“The second I go down, you go down, too,” I said, warning lacing my tone. “I’ll die here and now to keep Elise away from you, and you’ll be comin’ with me. Don’t fuckin’ test me, asshole, or I’ll see ya in hell.”
The mayor opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out. Instead, his eyes fell over my shoulder, and his expression relaxed as a smirk spread across his face.
She was there.
Fuck.
I closed my eyes frustratedly, my heart plummeting.
“Elise. At last,” the mayor crowed, throwing me a victorious look. “Come on. Time to come home.”
I glanced over my shoulder, and my heart sank further.
Atlas and Colt helped Elise limp slowly toward us wearing a sweater and track pants. I sucked in a painful breath at the sight of her house shoes. Fuck. Why didn’t Atlas take the damned time to make her put somethin’ warmer on?
My duchess held onto Atlas and Colt for dear life as they helped her walk, and sight of those fuckin’ house shoes sliced through me again. She’d come out here to fight our corner so beaten up that she couldn’t even get dressed.
“Christ, Elise. Go back inside,” I ordered gently.
Her chin jutted proudly, and I remembered all the times over the years I’d watched her carry out that same move, knowing she was about to do precisely what the fuck she wanted, usually while paying me no heed.
“Atlas,” I grated out. “Get her ass back to the clubhouse, or you’ll find yourself without a damned patch.”
My SAA’s eyes bored into mine as he approached. Then he said something that stopped me in my tracks.
“For God’s sake, let her speak.”
His words were a blow to my gut. After everything Elise had told me earlier that day, it hit me that I was reverting to type. She’d been without a voice for so many damned years, and it shamed me that I was a part of that and, in a way, was even still facilitating it.
Every cell cried out for me to protect her, but my common sense told me that whatever I did would be too little and way too late. She’d come this far all by herself, and she deserved my trust. If anybody tried anything, I’d still be by her side. Hell, I’d take a bullet for her without a second thought.
She’d be okay. I’d make sure of it.
I dipped my chin to meet Elise’s eyes. “You sure ‘bout this?”
She gave me a slight nod.
Her nerves were evident, but underneath them, I sensed her steely determination. Elise was confident in what she was doing, and if anyone deserved to bring Henderson down a peg, it was her.
I stepped aside.
“Elise, darling,” Henderson murmured. “I’m so relieved you’re alright.” His eyes flicked toward me and hardened. “The sheriff will arrest Stone and take him to the station. He won’t get away with taking you against your will.”
I had to refrain from rolling my eyes at the fake concern in his tone.
“You’ve gone too far this time, Stone. We’ll be pressing charges.” Henderson jerked his chin at Elise. “Look at you, dear, bruised and battered. He’s a monster, and I won’t rest until he’s behind bars.”
Elise took a step toward the fence, and her gaze went toward the sheriff. “Doctor Green has completed a report on my injuries, which I’ll ask her to send to you for evidence.”
The look of victory gleamed brighter from the mayor’s eyes.
“I do want to press charges,” Elise added. “But they’re against my husband .”
The mayor's face froze.
“I’ll happily make a statement, but I won’t be going anywhere with him .” She nodded toward Henderson, whose stare hardened.
“Elise,” he drawled, lip pulling into a sneer. “Stop this and come home.”
“No, Robert,” Elise retorted, tone icy. “Tell Lenora to pack my belongings and arrange for delivery. Actually, no, don’t bother. You can burn it all. Anything you’ve come into contact with will be tainted with your filth. I want a divorce, Robert. My lawyer is working on the details and will contact you in due course.”
My chest burned with pride.
Henderson had spent years trying to beat her down and make her cower. It was a testament to Elise’s spirit that he hadn’t succeeded.
The mayor’s face twisted furiously. “Don’t be ridiculous,” he snarled. “Get in the car. Now.”
Elise let out a brittle laugh. “Fuck off, Robert, and take your low-rate, second-hand tough guys with you.”
My eyebrows shot up at Elise’s words.
Abe chuckled quietly.
Colt folded his arms across his chest.
A spot of red stained Henderson’s cheeks, and he bit out, “You need to think about what and who you’re risking, Elise.”
My hackles went up at the underlying threat in his words.
The fucker was talking about Sophie. He was still trying to use our daughter to control Leesy, except little did he know he had zero leverage anymore.
Fucking fool.
“You’re losing your mind, Robert,” Elise snapped. “Threatening me in front of witnesses.”
My head snapped back around just in time to see her pop a hip and jam a hand to it.
“Sheriff,” she repeated louder, sweeping a hand toward her bruised face. “I just informed you that my husband left these marks on me. I expect you to cuff him and take him down the station. Dr. Green will be forwarding proof of my injuries and a medical report detailing them.”
The sheriff winced. “Elise,” he said quietly. “Why don’t you come with us and talk? There’s no need to do this publicly. We can get this nonsense worked out.”
“ For the third time, Sheriff ,” she bit out slowly. “I would like to make a formal complaint against my husband for beating me.”
The sheriff threw Henderson a nervous look before swiping a hand down his face.
Colt slid a hand into his inside pocket and pulled out his badge, holding it up. “You gonna take Mrs. Henderson’s complaint seriously?”
Sheriff paled, glancing nervously at the mayor as the realization struck him that he was suddenly caught between the proverbial rock and hard place. His cheeks burned, and his stare hit his boots, no doubt because he recognized he had no choice. He either fucked over his boss or risked his badge.
“I’m sorry, Robert,” he murmured. “Gonna have to ask you to accompany me down the station.”
The nerves in my gut settled.
“You don’t want to do this,” Henderson warned.
“Please, Robert,” the sheriff implored. “Just come down the station. I’ll take your statement, then you’ll be released.” His eyes slid toward Colt and back toward the mayor again. “Call off your men.”
Henderson glowered for a full minute before jerking his head at his minion.
The commando raised his hand in a silent order for his men to drop their guns.
Clicks filled the air as the commandos’ safeties went on, and they lowered their weapons.
Every Demon kept their weapons raised. There was no way I’d give the order for my boys to retreat. Our firepower was gonna stay pointed at these assholes until they left. My hand held steady as I kept my barrel pointed at Henderson’s men. “Good choice, Sheriff,” I said, voice steady.
The mayor’s glare slid to Elise, and he rasped, “That was very stupid, wife . You forget I’ve got something of yours in my possession that I’ve taken excellent care of up to now. That’s about to change.”
I watched, fascinated, as Leesy’s face blanked, and she walked toward the gate, Atlas and Colt still crowding her back. She approached her husband with her head high and proud. “Do your worst,” she hissed. “You can’t manipulate me anymore.”
Henderson’s eyebrows snapped together, and he looked at her with suspicion.
Elise leaned forward to get closer to the fuckwad, and she quietly murmured something directly into his face. “Fuck off, Robert.”
My chest loosened.
Even after all these years, my girl still had a will of steel. She didn’t need my help. All I had to do was stand back and enjoy the show.
The mayor’s eyes widened slightly, taking in Leesy’s confident stance. He remained silent and studied her, his stare flicking over her determined expression as he tried to work out what the fuck had changed.
“I’m divorcing you on the grounds of spousal abuse and infidelity,” Elise clipped out. “I won’t rest until your name is mud and every person in this town sees you for the pariah you are. You’re an evil, narcissistic, sad little man, Robert, and I won’t give up until the authorities lock you up and throw away the key for your sick, deviant behavior. You see, your biggest mistake was thinking you had me over a barrel, darling . While you believed you’d maneuvered me exactly where you wanted me, I was making my own moves. You should never underestimate a woman, Robert; we always come back fighting.” A slow smile spread across her face, and she flicked her gaze down him and up again before scraping out her final blow, “Make the most of your freedom, dear husband , because, by the time I’ve finished getting my payback for everything you stole from me, you won’t be enjoying it for very much longer.” Her stare flicked to the sheriff, and she lifted one eyebrow mockingly. “Well?”
He visibly gulped. “I’m sorry, Robert, but I’ll have to take you down the station. I’m certain we can sort everythin’ to everybody’s satisfaction.” His hand rested on Henderson’s arm, and he turned and guided him toward the cop car, glancing at us over his shoulder. “I’ll be back later,” he threw out. “And I expect to gain access.”
“Come back with a deputy, and you can come in,” I confirmed loudly. “But if you bring Mayor Asshole and his band of merry fuckwits, the gate’ll stay closed. The Speed Demons are giving Elise Henderson safe haven. You respect that fact or get gone.”
“The photographs and report will be emailed to you within minutes,” Colt called out to the sheriff as he helped Henderson into the back of the car. “There’ll be enough evidence to charge him, so you see to that, or I’ll be bringing up your conduct with Internal Affairs.”
The sound of car doors slamming filled the air as the commandos began to pile back inside their vehicles. We kept our weapons trained on them until their engines started, and all the SUVs, one by one, began to slowly pull away. The sheriff’s car took the rear position, and it trundled back down the road toward town.
My hand went to the back of my neck to rub there tension there.
The echo of safeties clicking back on filled the ether, and the men lowered their weapons, their shoulders slumping with relief as they shot me chin lifts and began to disperse.
“What the fuck was that?” Cash demanded, sliding his Glock back inside his cut.
“Impending war,” Abe replied, his mouth setting into a thin line as his eyes caught mine.
My gut hardened at the resignation in Abe’s voice, and I turned to him. “Church meet in one hour. Call the men with families. Give them the choice to lock their women and kids down either at home or here.”
“Gotcha,” he muttered, turning and stalking toward the clubhouse, pulling his cell out as he went.
“Cash, Bowie, Breaker,” I called. “We need a family pow-wow. Gotta lot to fill you in on. Best we get Freya on FaceTime, too. My office in ten minutes,” I ordered just as my hand shot out, grabbing Elise’s elbow. “We need to talk.”
“Don’t fuckin’ think so,” Atlas scraped out, sliding a hand across Elise’s shoulders and pulling away from me. “Promised my Stitch I’d take Elise’s back. You’ve got club shit to sort.”
My head reared back. “What the fuck, brother?”
Atlas’s brow lifted. “My mother-in-law, so my responsibility. You wanna speak to her, you do it when you’ve cooled down, and you do it with respect. I’m takin’ her back like I promised my ol’ lady I would. Gives you time to sort club business and calm your fuckin’ tits. If I deem it acceptable, and Elise agrees, I may allow you to have a little talk with her later.” A slow grin spread across his face. “We’ll have to see how chatty she feels.”
Raising a hand, I jabbed a finger in Atlas’s chest. “Need I remind you that your ol’ lady is my daughter?”
His white teeth gleamed through his beard. “I got there first. She may be your daughter, but I’m her ol’ man and husband. Her pink slip was transferred over to me at the Little Chapel of Love in Vegas just over a year ago. I call the shots.”
Elise tipped her head back and gazed up at Atlas. “Did you just refer to my daughter as your possession?”
He grinned down at her. “Yip. Same as I’m hers and Belle’s.”
Elise’s lips stretched into a smile, and she beamed up at him. “Oh, I love that for her.”
Atlas smiled back at her. “How ya feelin’?” he asked gently.
“Honestly? Like my knees are about to give way,” she replied softly. “My ribs are aching like a bitch.”
“I’ll get you inside to rest.” Atlas braced, taking Elise’s weight as he turned her for the clubhouse, calling, “Later,” as he slowly helped my woman across the lot with Colt.
My eyes glued to Elise’s swinging ass as she walked away, and I yelled, “Elise!”
She craned her neck, her green eyes hitting mine.
“We’re gonna talk about shit,” I vowed. “I’ll give you today to get your bearings, but you can't hide forever.”
Atlas tugged her away. He was in protective asshole mode, which meant I’d be lucky to get close enough to Elise to say hi. It looked like I’d have a battle on my hands.
Fuck.
My boys crowded around me.
“You’re gonna have trouble with him,” Cash muttered.
I raised my hand to my beard and rubbed it. “No doubt. You know how territorial he gets. Elise and me gotta hash our shit out. He can’t whisk her away every time I get too close.”
Kit grinned. “She gave Henderson what for.”
“She always was lippy in the best of ways,” I muttered.
“You getting’ in there again?” Bowie asked.
“I haven’t forgotten her in thirty years. We weren’t together physically, but that was just geography.”
Abe waggled his eyebrows knowingly. “Think our SAA will have somethin’ to say about that.”
“Atlas is the least of our worries,” Kit cut in. “We’ve got the dirty local law enforcement on our asses, a town mayor who’s involved in God only knows what, and a rival MC with links to the same dirty shit as said mayor.”
Bowie rested a hand on my shoulder before muttering the same words I’d been thinking since Elise turned up at my club, battered and bruised.
“I think we can safely assume that shit’s about to get real.”