Chapter 28 Raven
I stand outside the clubhouse with my arms wrapped around myself, watching the line of motorcycles pull away into the night.
Headlights cut through the darkness one after another, engines rumbling hard enough to shake the door behind me.
The men are all on their bikes, while Jinx and Izzy are tucked safely away in the SUVs.
Cole is driving Jinx while Izzy rides shotgun with Axel.
Carver’s eyes find mine before he pulls on his helmet.
Then they’re gone. I step back inside, and the first thing I notice is how quiet it is.
The women murmur amongst themselves. I’m not paying attention.
My thoughts are on Jinx and Izzy. I know they're both tough, but Tony and his friends are predators. Who knows what they’ll do once they’re cornered?
The common room is quieter than usual without the men. Most of the Old Ladies linger nearby, nursing drinks or pretending to watch television. Nobody’s really paying attention. We’re all waiting.
Lenora sits on the couch flipping through a magazine she hasn’t turned a page of in ten minutes.
Tally sits next to her, rubbing her protruding belly.
It’s still just a small bump, but it’s noticeable.
Min paces near the front door, and I have to admit that I’m surprised she didn’t go with the men.
Then I realize that she likely remained behind so the women would have protection.
Laser is behind the bar, while Simon guards the gate, but Min adds an extra layer of protection.
Maestro strolls into the room carrying a laptop under one arm. His expression is grim.
“What’s wrong?” Min asks.
Maestro sets the laptop on the table and opens it. “I finally tracked down the stepmother of the Filby kids.”
That gets my full attention immediately.
“Their mother was Sandy Filby,” he continues. “She died five years ago. Their father, Mark Filby, remarried about a year later.” He glances at the screen. “Then Mark died last year.”
“And the kids got stuck with the stepmother from hell?” Caitlin asks.
“Something like that.” Maestro leans back in his chair. “Her name is Nancy Filby. Long history of drug abuse. Multiple arrests for prostitution and drug dealing.”
A chill creeps down my spine.
“She’s also been trying to gain access to the trust funds Mark set up for the children,” Maestro says.
“She’s made several attempts. Each one denied.
The trust is under the control of the lawyer who drew up the papers.
The trust is pretty straightforward. Each kid can tap into the fund to pay for college, but they don’t gain full control until they reach twenty-one. ”
“What happens if one dies?” I ask.
Maestro nods at my question. “The money is split between the survivors. If none of the kids survive, then Nancy gets it all.”
“What an idiot,” Min spits. “Didn’t he realize that he was setting his kids up to be murdered?”
Maestro shakes his head. “I don’t know. He married her. He probably thought she was a good woman.”
Caitlin glances around the room. “We need to get those kids away from Nancy permanently.”
Min crosses her arms. “You think CPS will listen?”
“They’ll listen to me,” Caitlin says firmly. “I have contacts through Crossroads.”
Athena looks up from the recliner, a tablet balanced on her knee. “It’s Sunday. That’s gonna make things harder. Most offices are closed.”
Caitlin grimaces. “Yeah, but emergencies don’t exactly care what day it is.”
“I can call my father; he’ll help,” Evie says.
She sees my confused frown and explains.
“He’s a judge. He can expedite the paperwork.
I can give him a call and tell him what we’re dealing with.
The kids are with Jackson and his wife. They should be safe for today.
Dad can start on the paperwork today so that we can contact CPS in the morning. ”
Relief flashes across Caitlin’s face so quickly it almost hurts to see. “That could work.”
“It will work,” Evie says with complete confidence as she searches her contacts.
Caitlin does the same on her phone.
“Hey, Denise, it’s Caitlin.” Her voice softens slightly. “Sorry to bother you on a Sunday.”
I can only hear Caitlin’s side of the conversation, but the tension in her shoulders slowly eases as she listens.
“We have a situation that we’re trying to get ahead of. You know about the case of the Filby kids? That’s right. Four kids. Two boys. Two girls. Their legal guardian is Nancy Filby. She’s the children’s stepmother.”
Pause.
“We’ve just learned some troubling information about Nancy Filby.” Caitlin passes along the information Maestro dug up. “We’re worried that the stepmother may want to harm the children to gain access to their money.”
“The children are safe right now,” Caitlin continues. “They’re under the care of Jackson and Marcia Donner.”
Another pause follows while Denise speaks.
“They’re stable, fed, and protected,” Caitlin says firmly.
“We want to start proceedings to strip Nancy of her parental rights. CPS should not return those kids to her care. Judge Buchanan is processing the paperwork. I’m hoping that you can handle things from your end first thing tomorrow morning? ”
Across the room, Evie paces slowly while speaking into her own phone.
“Yes, Dad, I know it’s Sunday,” she says. “But these children are in danger.”
Caitlin glances toward her before focusing back on her call.
“I understand procedure,” she says into the phone. “I’m asking you to help me cut through it.”
Evie suddenly stops pacing. “Really?” Relief floods her face. “Thank you.”
She ends the call and grins.
“My father said he’ll sign off on whatever CPS needs,” she announces. “Emergency placement, temporary custody, all of it.”
Caitlin exhales hard, like she’s been holding her breath for the last ten minutes. She quickly relays the information to Denise.
I watch her nod several times before finally ending the call.
“Well?” Min asks immediately.
A slow smile spreads across Caitlin’s face.
“CPS is onboard.”
The clubhouse door slams open hard enough to rattle the walls.
I jerk upright from the couch just as Jackson stumbles inside with Marcus close behind him. One look at Jackson’s face sends a ball of dread into my gut. His skin is pale beneath the scruff on his jaw, and panic burns in his eyes so fiercely it steals the air from the room.
“Mia’s gone.”
The words hit like a gunshot.
“What?” Caitlin breathes.
Jackson drags both hands through his hair, pacing in tight circles like he’s seconds away from losing his mind completely. “Nancy took her. We were getting ice cream. One second she was standing next to Marcus, and then Nancy grabbed her and shoved her into a car.”
Marcus looks wrecked. His eyes are red and wide with terror. “She came outta nowhere.”
Athena stands immediately. “Did you call the police?”
Jackson shakes his head hard. “Not yet. I came here first.” His voice cracks. “I thought the guys would help me get her back.”
The silence that follows is brutal.
Because the men aren’t here.
They’re gone. They’re out handling Tony Martin.
Jackson looks around the room like he’s only now realizing it. Despair crashes across his face so fast it physically hurts to watch.
“Oh God,” he whispers.
“No.” Min stands so abruptly her chair scrapes across the floor. “Absolutely not.”
Every woman in the room turns toward her.
“We’re getting Mia back,” she says.
Ashlyn steps forward immediately. “Damn right we are.”
Tanya nods once, sharp and deadly. “Where do you think she took her? Back to the house?”
Jackson stares at them in disbelief. “I’m not asking you to do this.”
“Tough,” Min snaps. “You came here for help. You got it.”
Caitlin moves into action instantly. “Evie, Tally, you two stay here.”
Evie opens her mouth to argue, but Caitlin cuts her off with one look.
“You’re both pregnant. End of discussion.”
Tally sighs but nods reluctantly, one hand drifting protectively over her stomach.
My heart pounds so hard it feels painful as I push away from the couch.
“I’m getting my gear.”
I don’t wait for permission.
I sprint upstairs two steps at a time and slam into Carver’s bedroom. My hands shake as I yank open the duffel bag to retrieve my weapons. The taser, pepper spray, and folding knife all go into my pockets.
Then I reach for the metal container containing vials of the poison. I consider leaving it behind, but I slip it into the waistband of my jeans. I may need it. The Trial isn’t just for men. Sometimes women are just as guilty.
The women are gathered near the bar when I return. Min is taking control effortlessly, assigning weapons while Jackson argues weakly in the background.
“You shouldn’t be risking yourselves for this,” he says hoarsely. “Nancy’s dangerous.”
“So are we,” Tanya replies coldly.
Jackson looks torn. Every instinct in him is screaming not to let the women walk into danger, but fear for Mia is destroying him from the inside out.
Marcus suddenly steps forward, fists clenched at his sides.
“We have to go,” he says.
Everyone goes quiet.
Marcus swallows hard. “Nancy plans to sell Mia.”
The words suck every bit of oxygen from the room.
Jackson closes his eyes as if the statement physically wounds him.
“She used to talk about it when she was high,” Marcus continues, voice trembling. “Said pretty little girls were worth money. I know she already has a buyer ready. I think that’s why she made her move.”
Rage explodes inside me so violently that my vision blurs.
Min nods at me. “Then we don’t have time to waste.”
And just like that, our rescue team moves toward the door like a pack of wolves going to war.