Chapter 18
The hours had flown by on one hand and dragged on the other.
The amount of stuff we got organized and in place between everyone at the compound had been incredible.
The sleeping situations were all in perfect order.
The supplies for extended stays, if needed, were brought in.
Cooking had been happening for a few hours.
Lakelyn had corralled the three remaining sluts and had them hard at work helping her.
I told her to keep an eye on Bailey. I had no idea if she knew something had happened with her cousin.
If Lakelyn saw anything suspicious, she was to tell one of us.
I didn’t know if the other slut was involved with Mera’s scheme or not, but I wasn’t taking chances.
Lakelyn knew to go nowhere without someone with her, meaning me, a brother, or a prospect.
There were to be no walks outside. I wasn’t taking a risk with her again.
Drax had just alerted us that a group of bikers was at the gate. They wore our colors, so he was told to let them in. We gathered outside to greet them. I made sure Lakelyn was at my side and that her brother was close by.
When they came roaring into the compound, I counted the bikes.
I was surprised. Even though I told Lakelyn to prepare for up to ten, I figured Scythe would send a handful, and I didn’t expect him to come himself.
Ten bikes came riding up to a stop in front of the clubhouse.
Scythe and his VP, Mountain, were in the lead.
As they removed their goggles, I cataloged who came.
They didn’t waste time getting off their bikes and over to where I stood with my officers.
The regular members were gathered slightly behind and off to the sides of us.
Drax walked up from the gate, and Knife was standing with him.
It was always good, though a little nerve-racking, to meet with other chapters.
Scythe smiled and held out his hand. “It’s good to see you, brother,” he said.
As I took it, he yanked me close to give me a back-pounding hug.
I expected it. As I returned it and his greeting, I heard the others calling out their hails and welcomes.
When I finally got loose, I turned and held out my hand to my woman.
Her soft hand slid into mine. I gently squeezed to reassure her, then brought her forward.
Scythe was eyeing her, and the others with him grew quiet as she became the focus of attention.
I put an arm around her and hugged her to my side. I smiled at her. Lakelyn returned it.
“Scythe, thank you and your men for coming. I’d like to introduce you to Lakelyn Barbeau, my old lady. And this is her brother, River. Though not entirely, they’re a part of why you’re here.”
Scythe offered his hand to Lakelyn first. “It’s an honor to meet you and your brother. When Tyrant told me he had an old lady, I thought he was lying, though that wasn’t like him. He doesn’t joke. Be honest with me. You’re not his, are you?”
She laughed. “He wasn’t joking. I am his. He claimed me, and I can’t say I’m upset about it.”
“And you actually like this surly old bear?” Mountain asked in astonishment.
She squeezed my side, gazed up at me, and gave me a smile that made me automatically smile back. “I more than like him. I love him.”
This remark made all my men cheer loudly and tease the other Kings. When they quieted, Scythe shook his head and replied.
“I can’t believe it. Have you told any of the others yet? Have they met her?”
“I did let a few know the other night. They’re looking forward to meeting Lakelyn and River to welcome them to the Kings’ family.”
“They do? Who? You didn’t tell me that,” she gasped.
“I was waiting to surprise you. Alright, River, get up here closer. I’m gonna let Scythe introduce you and your sister to his crew. They’re uncouth and more barbaric than us, so you’ve been warned.”
Scythe snorted as his men preened as if I complimented them. Yeah, they weren’t right in the head.
“As if any King is tame. This guy is Mountain, our VP, and next to him is Twister, our secretary. Then you have Phantom, our SAA, and Scarecrow, our enforcer. This one is Hound, our treasurer, Lasso, our tail gunner, and Hayride, our road captain. These last two are Virus, our tech, and Moonshine. We left Charon, Sasquatch, and Country back home to hold things together. Welcome to the family. We’re here to help however we can,” Scythe introduced.
“Welcome and thank you all for doing this. I don’t want anyone to get hurt from either chapter, and the more of you there are, the better.
Now, why don’t we go inside? We have your rooms ready, and drinks are available.
In half an hour, a very late dinner will be served if you’re hungry.
Make yourselves at home, and if you need anything, let us know,” Lakelyn graciously said.
She waved toward the door. As we began to move that way, Scythe came up on the opposite side of me from Lakelyn. “You sure got yourself a looker, and she seems sweet as hell. Never saw you with an old lady, but I gotta say, good fucking job. You’re a lucky fucker, just like I am.”
I grinned as I told him, “I didn’t think I would get one either. I know I’m damn lucky, and I’m not about to lose her.”
“I wouldn’t either, and we’re here to ensure that doesn’t happen.” His slap on my back comforted me.
???
It was eleven o’clock at night. We fed and watered our guests.
A session of sanctuary was held to get everyone up to speed on the latest plan.
We’d taken the information on the possible location and had Crypto research it.
He came up with blueprints of the building as of the last known renovation.
I didn’t ask how. We studied those and, assuming it was the place, we determined who would go where.
The desire to wait and hit it tomorrow night was there due to the time, but I didn’t want to wait.
Plus, we were wired, and they might be less alert, which was why we had brought Rémi to the clubhouse and into my office with Scythe to make the call.
I handed Rémi the phone. If he tried to warn them, I’d take out my gun and shoot him in the head.
I didn’t need to tell him that. He was seated in front of my desk, though I leaned on it, and Scythe was behind Rémi.
He input the phone number. He had it on speaker so we could hear. It was picked up after only two rings.
“Where the fuck have you been, Rémi?” Jean-Baptiste’s impatient voice snapped as soon as he answered.
“I’m sorry for the delay, sir. It took much longer than anticipated.
The woman, Mera, couldn’t lure the other one out as she expected.
Her chance just came not long ago. We have the one you want,” he told Jean-Baptiste calmly and without emotion.
I figured it was how you’d have to be if you worked for someone you hated and feared.
“I don’t care for excuses. You should know that by now, Rémi.
Excuses won’t keep that family of yours safe, will they?
” Jean-Baptiste asked silkily. The threat was evident in his tone, without the need for words.
My fist clenched, and I saw Rémi’s did as well.
Confirmation that he had told the truth about the threat to his family.
“No, sir, it won’t. We’re back on schedule. Where would you like us to bring her, or do you want us to hang onto her until morning?”
“Hell no, I’m not waiting until morning! I’ve waited too long as it is to get my hands on that bitch. She’s caused me nothing but trouble. I want to start her training immediately. She’ll learn who her master is and not to displease me. We do this tonight. Do they know she’s gone?”
“Not yet, but that could change at any time. It would probably be best to secure her wherever you want her taken as soon as possible.”
“Where’s Henri?” Jean-Baptiste asked.
“She’s being a bit unruly, so he’s keeping her quiet. I found a place where I could talk without interruption. Do you want me to see if he can talk?”
I stiffened, but he was mouthing, It’s alright.
“No, just keep an eye on him. You know how he is with the women. She’s not to be touched,” his boss growled.
“I can see them from where I’m at, sir. He’s behaving. Where would you like us to bring her?”
“Take her to the building off Park Avenue, there in Turmoil. You know the one. Wait for us. We’ll be there as soon as we can. Père and I are finishing up an important dinner engagement. We’ll be there as soon as we can get away from these fools.”
“We’ll see you there, sir.”
“You’d better. Don’t let anything happen to her, or your family will pay the price along with you,” Jean-Baptiste promised.
“I won’t.”
“Good. Au revoir, goodbye,” Jean-Baptiste said briskly before hanging up.
Rémi sagged and closed his eyes. I gave him a moment to compose himself. When he opened his eyes, he stared hard at me. “They’ll be safe?”
“Moonshine and Jury have them in our safe house. No one knows they’re there. You spoke to them. They’re fine,” I reminded him.
We’d sent those two earlier to round up his family and take them to safety until this was resolved. Rémi had to speak to them to convince the women to believe our guys were there to help, not someone the Jacquots sent. He was just reaffirming. I would do the same in his shoes.
“Okay, you heard him. They picked the one I thought they would. Since they live in Kearney, I don’t think they have as many places or the reach here that they have there—another reason to take what you have.
We should get there ASAP. It shouldn’t take long at this time of night, but you never know,” Rémi said.
“Let’s go,” I stated.
It was a fast transition. Everyone was loaded and ready to go before we made the call. With the location confirmed, all I had to do was pass it along and kiss my woman one more time. She held me tightly.
“Killian, please be careful,” she whispered.