Chapter 14 – Mason
MASON
We’re all sitting in the common room at the clubhouse checking in. “We found three more Devils in town. They’ve been staying at a motel in the next town over, in Crestview. It’s a shithole,” Ghost announces to the room.
“Naturally. That’s where one would find shit, in a shithole,” Hawk says sarcastically.
“There are three of them checked in together. They left this morning. Austin has been tailing them,” Pres says. “Torch is one of them. As of this morning, they were heading back into town. I haven’t heard from Austin since he got on the road, but he’ll check in when they stop off somewhere.”
Declan’s phone rings. “When? We’re coming. Don’t call the cops yet. We’re coming.” He hangs up the phone, and we’re all on our feet. “Wyatt just saw the Devils pulling up outside the salon. Colt is out front, but he’s on his own against the three of them.”
Gabe shouts for everyone, “Arm up and roll. Now.”
We tear out of the clubhouse yard and onto the road. It takes less than ten minutes to get into town. A record for me, but I’m running on adrenaline and the need to get to my girls.
When we pull in, Gabe signals for us to spread out.
Colt’s body is on the ground outside the salon.
He’s pretty beat up, but his chest is still heaving so I know he’s breathing.
“Austin, get Colt inside somewhere,” Gabe instructs.
Declan fires off a shot, taking out the asshole standing guard outside.
Then all hell breaks loose. There are bullets flying and glass shattering.
People are clearing off the streets into the other shops for cover.
Mack and Caleb take the back alley, heading for the rear entrance.
The rest of us advance through the front.
I hear what sounds like Ever screaming, and a man’s voice shouting, but I can’t make out any words that are being said.
I’m on a mission to find Ever and Kaylie. My brothers will take care of the rest.
The noise settles, and the sound of my brothers calling out “Clear” one by one reassures me this is over, but when I see Ever curled up under her desk whimpering in fear, I’m ready to start shooting all over again.
“Ever. Baby. It’s me.” I reach in to grab her hand, but she recoils and screams at my touch.
I try again. “Sprite! It’s me. It’s Mason.
Open your eyes, baby. You’re safe.” It takes what feels like several minutes for Ever to finally see me, and when she does, she jumps into my arms, damn near knocking me over.
I catch her and hold her to me, searching her face.
Her cheek is swollen. There’s a small cut near her eye, blood runs down her face, and a bruise forming at her temple. Ever sobs in my arms. Then, as if she’s just remembered something, jumps off me and up on her feet.
“Kaylie!” she shouts, running for the back room.
“Kaylie! Sweetheart where are you?” Ever starts digging through a pile of boxes, opening and closing cabinet doors until she gets to the linen closet.
She throws open the door, but there’s nothing in there but more boxes and cleaning supplies and a tall, freestanding laundry bag full of dirty towels waiting to be loaded into the washer.
“Where would she go, Mason?” Ever asks through her tears. I scour the closet, looking for any hint of where Kaylie may have gone. Thinking she may have gone out the back door and into Mrs. Baker’s shop, I’m about to tell Ever when I see the laundry bag move slightly.
“Ever,” I whisper, and her eyes pop to mine. I nod my head toward the laundry bag, and her eyes widen. I let her go and follow behind her, watching as she pulls towels off the top of the pile. When she reaches the last one, Kaylie’s big blue eyes are staring back at her.
“I stayed hidden like you said.” Then Kaylie bursts into tears. Everly scoops her out of the bag with her bear and holds her tight to her chest, kissing Kaylie’s head.
“You did so good, baby. You were such a smart, brave little girl. I’m so proud of you.” Everly goes on and on, praising Kaylie as she tries to calm her breathing while I rub my hand up and down Kaylie’s back, trying to soothe her.
“You said to hide until you came to find me.” Kaylie directs her words at me. I kiss her head and smile.
“I did. And you picked a great spot to hide, Squirt. We almost didn’t see you,” I praise. “You girls ready to go? Pres will have the guys clean up and talk to the police. If they want to talk to you, they can meet us out at the clubhouse. I need to get you two someplace safe and away from here.”
Everly doesn’t hesitate. “Let’s go.”
Ever sits in the back seat with Kaylie, stroking her hair and watching her closely.
It’s almost as if she can’t believe Kaylie is okay.
Outside of being scared and being left to hide for so long alone, Kaylie seems to be fine.
I’m sure we’ll know for sure if she has nightmares or anything going forward.
When we pull into the clubhouse, we’re greeted by Linzie and Liz first. They meet us in the lot near my truck. Liz reaches for Kaylie, holding her close to her chest.
“Come child. Let’s get you some hot chocolate and a snack inside.
What do you say?” Liz coasts over the fact we were just shot at or involved in any mayhem.
She simply turns on that grandmotherly charm and caters to the little girl who needs attention and distraction. Kaylie looks at me and then at Ever.
“Go ahead, baby. Get a snack with Miss Liz and I’ll come find you in the kitchen. I just need to freshen up first,” Ever explains, and Kaylie, although slightly hesitant, does as she’s told. Kaylie takes a few steps, releases Liz’s hand and runs to me. I catch her easily, lifting her into my arms.
“Remember what you promised,” Kaylie whispers, looking as serious as can be.
“Of course. You have my word. I never break it.” Kaylie nods, kisses my cheek, then squirms to get down. I release her onto her feet and watch as she retakes Liz’s hand and goes inside.
“You think she knows what happened at the salon today?” Ever asks, her voice trembling.
I take her hand in mine. “No, baby. I think she did what she was told and hid herself out of the way. If she heard anything, I don’t think she would know what it was.
And the guys were good about keeping her from seeing the mess when we escorted you both out the back.
She’ll be fine, Ever. She has us to help her if she’s not. ”
Ever looks up at me, her eyes searching mine. Whatever she finds staring back at her must be enough because she nods, then walks toward the clubhouse. We’re about to step through the double doors when three blacked-out SUVs come pulling into the yard, and I know immediately who they belong to.
Shit.
I get Ever inside and seat her beside Kaylie, kissing them both. “Whatever happens, stay here until I get you.” Ever’s eyes widen, but I see the moment she understands.
Gabe isn’t pleased to see Vincenzo in the clubhouse.
Santiago and Matto have entered along with a small woman who is standing very close to Matteo with her head down.
She looks frail, has long dark hair, and a slender body.
She doesn’t look directly at anyone, but her head is on a swivel, like she expects someone to jump out at her.
Matteo reaches for her chin, lifting it with two fingers. When her eyes meet his, he shakes his head slowly. “You do not hide yourself, Piccola Tesoro. You are safe here. With me. Understood?”
She’s soft-spoken, but I hear her reply, “Yes. I’m sorry.”
“No need for apologies.” Matteo kisses her forehead.
“You will learn not to cower from any man. You are a queen. Men will bow to you.” She brushes her hair behind her ear.
Her cheeks are pink and her smile faint, but she straightens her spine at his words and earns herself a smile and nod of approval.
We all watch in awe. All except Hawk, who tries to cut past Gabe to reach his sister. Gabe’s arm shoots out, stopping him when he notices how quickly Matteo pushes Shea behind him in a protective measure. Matteo shakes his head at Hawk.
“She will see you on her own terms and not before. This is merely to allow her closure. Nothing more,” Matteo says matter-of-factly. Hawk looks at his sister, but she drops her head once more.
“Mr. Wright,” Vincenzo turns his attention to me. “We need to talk.” I lean my forehead against Ever’s and whisper, “Please don’t hate me when this is over.”
“The fuck is going on here?” Pres asks, standing between me and the mobster trio.
“Ah, Gabriel. It’s good to see you. I’ve come to speak with Mr. Wright. He and I have business to discuss,” Vincenzo drawls.
Gabe crosses his arms over his chest and raises his brow. “What business could you possibly have with Mason that I don’t know about?” His glare moves to me.
“You didn’t tell him.” It’s not a question. “Well, it seems you have someone in your basement that belongs to me. I fulfilled my end of our little contract and Mr. Wright now needs to fulfill his.”
“What contract? And who do you think is in my basement?” Gabe’s getting madder by the second.
“Pres, I got this. I, uh, made a deal with Vincenzo. I asked for his help when Ever shut me and the club out. I asked him to have some of his men keep watch over Everly and Kaylie, and in return I promised to hand over Torch to him and his men.”
“Torch isn’t in my basement,” Pres says, shrugging. “Maybe you should try the local sheriff's station.”
“The police don’t have him.” Vincenzo looks at me with a smirk that tells me I’m about to be in a shit ton of trouble. “They don’t even know about the mess that took place at Mrs. Wright’s salon. They were called away on an anonymous tip about a burning building at the edge of town.”
“What burning building?” Gabe’s phone chimes, and I watch as he reads the screen, then snaps his eyes to a still smirking Parisi.