Chapter Ten #2
“Hang around Meg enough and you’ll be sick of it within a month,” Clarity said. “She watches it at least once a week, when Cinder doesn’t have action movies on with shit blowing up every few minutes.”
“Must be a guy thing,” Darby said. “Renegade is the same way. It’s either those or horror movies.”
“I don’t mind horror,” I said. “I prefer the ghostly variety, though, and not icky like Hostel. That one just grosses me out.”
“Agreed,” Darby said. “I’ll leave the room if Renegade puts on something like that.”
We all went into the living room and found a place to sit while Clarity got the movie going. For the first time in… well, too far back for me to remember, it felt like I had friends. I might have only met these ladies tonight, but already I could see myself forming a friendship with them.
The Cartel might come knocking, but I refused to sit here and cower, worrying about what might happen. I’d enjoy my time with the ladies and have faith Charming would figure everything out. And if my brother didn’t get his ass here to lend a hand, I’d never speak to him again.
* * *
Charming
Reinforcements arrived steadily throughout the night and into the morning.
We got everyone settled and up to speed.
By lunch, Dakota had met all the old ladies from my club, and I’d introduced her to our visiting allies.
I kept an eye on her as she mingled with everyone.
Her cheeks had more color, and I noticed her eyes were brighter.
Until then, I hadn’t realized how much of a toll it taken on her being locked up for months.
I curled an arm around her waist, preparing to part ways.
Anatoly and I would remain hidden inside the clubhouse.
We already had everyone else stationed throughout the compound.
Rebel’s friend Nick had stopped by and agreed to help watch the other women.
We’d divided them, and the children, into two homes.
Half were with Clarity and the others were at Phantom’s.
Nick had gone to Phantom’s house, and Sam was with Clarity.
Hunter had asked for gate duty, even knowing he’d be knocked out by the Bratva guys.
I’d asked them to go easy on him while still making it look real.
“Remember, we’ll be close by,” I murmured before kissing her. “You’re my brave, beautiful wife. I love you, Dakota.”
Her eyes went wide. Yeah, probably not the best timing.
“You love me?” she asked.
I nodded. “Yep. Known it for a while now. Just… I guess I worried it was too soon to say anything. I won’t let anyone hurt you or our baby. Trust me?”
“With my life,” she said.
“Start cleaning this mess and try to look relaxed, or at least not like you’re waiting to be attacked. We want their guard down when they enter the building.”
“Got it,” she said. “And, Charming? I love you too.”
I winked before I disappeared down the hall.
I’d already heard her say it once, even though I’d kept walking at the time.
As much as I’d wanted to stay, I’d had things to do that day.
Anatoly hid in one of the bedrooms while I took the hall bathroom.
The lights were out in this section to give us better cover.
My muscles tensed and my hand gripped my knife.
I knew Anatoly had a gun, but he’d said he would use his suppressor.
These men were coming for my family. A gun was too impersonal for the task at hand.
It didn’t take long for things to start heating up.
I heard the Cartel coming through the gates.
They were trying to be quiet, but I knew everything about this damn compound, including all the usual sounds.
A group of men entering, when all mine were accounted for, wasn’t something I couldn’t not hear.
Muffled voices sounded close to the gate.
I heard a brief shout, more voices, then a dragging sound.
It meant one of Anatoly’s men was dragging Hunter behind the clubhouse, exactly as planned.
We’d agreed they’d leave him near the back in the shadows.
If Hunter came to, he’d join the fight. But if he didn’t, I hoped his current placement would keep him hidden and alive.
Gunfire went off. I tensed at what sounded like a small arsenal being unloaded on my club. As badly as I wanted to jump into the fray, I couldn’t. It would leave my wife vulnerable and would ruin the plan. I heart shouts, more gunfire, and a lot of cursing.
The doors at the front of the clubhouse slammed open and Dakota screamed. I smiled, knowing it was nearly time.
More gunshots outside the clubhouse had me grinding my teeth. Especially when I heard Havoc yell out. Something told me he’d just been hit. The fact he was cussing meant he was alive. These fuckers were pissing me off.
Anatoly slipped past me, heading for the main room. I listened as he spoke with the Cartel guys. I opened the door a little farther so I could hear every word.
“Do you think I’m going to let you leave with her when I’m still empty-handed?” Anatoly asked. “Nyet. We need her to flush out her husband. The Bratva has unfinished business with Romeo Strayer.”
“If he’s outside with his club, he’s likely dead. My men are armed to the teeth,” someone said.
I hoped like fucking hell he was wrong. I didn’t want to lose anyone over this.
Death happened. It couldn’t be avoided, and the Reaper would come for all of us sooner or later.
But I’d be damned if the bastard came for me tonight.
Not when I had a baby on the way, and a wife who needed me.
One I adored, regardless of how little time we’d known one another.
“Let me go!” Dakota demanded. I heard her struggling and hoped she didn’t sell it so hard she ended up getting hurt.
The crack of a hand against flesh had me grinding my teeth together.
Whoever had just struck my wife was going to suffer.
No one touched my woman! My hand tightened on my knife, and I shifted slightly, ready to rush in there the moment Dakota had been removed from the Cartel’s clutches.
We had a plan. I only hoped it didn’t get fucked all to hell.
“I need the woman,” Anatoly said. “Until her husband is begging at my feet, she’s my leverage. Perhaps your men could search for Strayer to speed things up?”
“We aren’t your lap dogs,” one of them said.
“And yet, who found Strayer and his wife? That would be my men and not yours. You might have gotten us in the right vicinity, but no one else could locate them. You owe me.”
“Fine.” I heard Dakota gasp and fought the urge to rush out and check on her. I knew Anatoly would keep her safe, or at least alive. He couldn’t tip his hand or we’d all die.
A cry from outside the window nearest me made bile rise up in my throat.
“Motherfuckers killed Cobra,” Scratch yelled. I knew it was not only a way to tell the club, but he wanted to make sure I knew too. Goddamnit!
“Philly’s gone too,” Samurai called out.
I squeezed my eyes shut and pushed the pain down. These men had been willing to risk their lives to keep Dakota safe, but hearing they were gone gutted me. It was my job to keep everyone alive and I’d failed.
I heard footsteps moving toward the front of the clubhouse and the soft pop pop of Anatoly’s gun.
Coming out of hiding, I made my way into the main room.
It seemed my friend had taken out two of four men.
I hadn’t counted on there being so many coming for my wife.
Oh, I knew they’d send a lot of men. I just hadn’t realized more than one or two would be the ones to try and take her.
I’d thought they’d busy themselves with my club outside.
It attested to how badly they wanted to fuck over Specter.
“We had a deal!” one of the Cartel men shouted.
“And I’m breaking it.” Anatoly smiled. “Gentleman, I believe the lady’s husband would like a word with the two of you. But be warned. Keep it a fair fight, or I’ll end your lives as easily as I did the other two.”
Anatoly backed up, putting Dakota between him and the wall. I gave him a nod and advanced on the two men who’d thought to hurt my wife.
“Did you think I’d let you come for what’s mine without there being any repercussions?” I asked. “You assholes thought to hurt my wife, and have been out there trying to slaughter my men. Why did you think you’d walk away from that?”
The one who appeared to be in charge lifted his chin and stared down his nose at me.
“Why the Bratva wants you is beyond me. You’re nothing but a filthy biker.
It’s your misfortune to be married to the girl.
Her brother owes us a debt. Since he’s unwilling to handle it himself, we’ll take her instead. ”
“Wrong,” I said. “I’m more than a biker. I was born into the Bratva. I had blood on my hands before I was old enough to grow hair on my chin.”
I twirled the knife in my hand, making sure he saw it.
His gaze flicked to my hand and back to my face.
The smirk gracing his lips unnerved me. Only because it meant the slimy bastard was up to something.
He reached into his jacket and before he had a chance to clear a weapon, I threw the knife, embedding the blade in his chest. The fucker’s eyes went wide and blood trickled from his mouth.
He gasped and stumbled a few steps before going down.
I watched as he choked on his own blood, the light fading from his eyes.
The other Cartel man rushed me. Without a weapon left, I had no choice but to fight with my hands.
I swung with a right hook and nailed him in the eye.
He snarled and advanced again, swiping at me with a blade I hadn’t noticed.
He managed to slash my upper arm before I landed a jab to his ribs and another to his stomach.