Chapter Eleven
Roark
Yells and screams reached Roark as Charli gasped.
“What the hell?” He then turned to her as she scrambled to fasten her shorts he’d undone. “Do you have your phone on you?”
“Yes.” She retrieved it from her back pocket.
“Call 9-1-1. Someone else may be on it, but just in case. Stay here wh—”
“Like hell. I’m coming with you.”
“Charli,” he growled.
“Roark, I can help. I don’t need to be coddled.”
He didn’t have time to argue, so he grabbed her hand. They took off running toward the first fire that luckily didn’t hit a thing. Roark stomped it out and heard glass crunch beneath his boot.
“Fuck.” He looked up to see several more fires close by, and as he took a step in that direction, another fireball came hurling over the wall, narrowly missing him and Charli.
“Son of a bitch!” After stomping out that one as well, he ran toward another that hit a shed.
Luckily, there was a hose attached to the spigot, and within moments, he had the fire out.
More voices sounded off around him as others scrambled to battle the fires.
Roark saw Konstance rounding up the kids and getting them into the clubhouse.
Kadon was getting the dogs to follow, but had to pick up Tidbit, who was freaking out.
Whoever the fuck was throwing Molotov cocktails over their walls couldn’t reach that building.
And whoever the fuck they were, were dead.
“Roark!”
He spun to see Griff running toward him.
“Motley and Jax got guys securing the perimeter. They took a vehicle to see who the fuck is out there.”
“Is that wise?” Charli asked.
“Not to worry, they can handle themselves, and they’re armed. Tech is checking the security feed.”
“I called 9-1-1,” she said.
Griff nodded. “So did others, and I called Lutrell personally. He’s on his way.”
“Let’s make sure everyone’s okay and all the fires are out,” Roark said. “Fuckers were throwing cocktails. I smashed a mason jar putting one out.”
“Really like to know who the hell has a vendetta against us now.”
“I hope we find out soon, so we can put a stop to it.”
“I’m going to the clubhouse to check on Konstance and the kids,” Charli said.
“I’ll find you soon.” Roark kissed her forehead before she ran off. Luckily, the lights were still on around the compound, so their power hadn’t been compromised.
“Glenda was with Konstance,” Griff said. “All the kids were accounted for.”
Roark nodded and asked, “Where’s Dad and Bradley?”
“Owen was with Monte and Cruz at the gate. Took two hits at the front, but no one got hurt. Bradley went with Stacks and Stew to the far side of the compound.”
“Brazen fuckers.”
“Dead fuckers,” Griff muttered.
“My thoughts exactly.”
As they walked through the area, it appeared all the fires were out, so Roark and Griff headed to the front gate. Just as they reached it, all went black. He could hear faint cries from the direction of the clubhouse
“Goddammit,” Roark muttered.
The guys either pulled out flashlights or turned on their flashlight app. Another moment later, the back-up generator kicked in, and the lights came back on.
“Go,” Griff said. “Go check on Charli and the others. We’ve got things secured here. I’ll call Idaho Power.”
Roark spun and ran back toward the clubhouse, and as he got closer, he heard more cries and shouts. Then shots.
“Fuck!” He increased his speed, not seeing anyone outside the front of the building.
That meant shots were fired from inside.
He burst through the door to see his mom and Konstance standing with the kids who were huddled in a group, crying.
When he looked around for Charli, not seeing her, he faced Konstance again. “Where is she?”
She pointed to the back of the clubhouse. “A man took her! I don’t know who he was!”
“Anyone hurt?”
“No, no, we’re fine,” his mom said. “The man shot at the ceiling, threatened us if Charli didn’t go with him.”
“Was he alone.”
“Yes,” Konstance answered. “I’m so sorry, Roark, I—”
“Hey, shh, there’s nothing you could’ve done about an armed man. You all stay put, I’ll send someone over. Bradley’s checking out the far side of the compound. Dad’s at the front gate.” He looked at Kaydence and Kadon. “Help keep the kids calm. You’ll be fine.”
They nodded, and Roark sprinted down the hallway toward the back of the clubhouse.
He pulled out his phone to call Griff. “Get someone to the clubhouse. Everyone’s fine, but Charli’s been taken by a single, armed male.
Get the perimeter sealed. I don’t know how this fucker thinks he’ll get away.
I’m going after them.” He hung up before more could be said.
Roark didn’t have his weapon on him, so he veered off to the arms room and grabbed two handguns and extra magazines. Then he ran. As he reached the back door, Tech was sprawled out on the floor.
“Ah, shit.”
Roark kneeled down and checked for a pulse, finding one. He then noticed blood coming from a wound at his temple.
“Tech, wake up.” He gently jostled him, but the man was out cold. Roark quickly gave Griff another update before pocketing his phone and taking off after his woman.
He burst through the back door, scanning the area. When he heard Charli yell in anger, he bolted in that direction.
“You slimy, chickenshit bastard! Throwing firebombs into a party with children! Then you threaten them with a gun!”
“Shut the fuck up, bitch, and keep moving!”
“Fuck you, Todd!”
“So, you figured it out.”
“Not tough when you’re still the same fuckwad toad now as when you were a kid.”
Jesus, Charli, stop pushing him, Roark thought.
Just as that thought went through his head, he watched Todd backhand Charli which had her stumbling.
Roark’s blood boiled. But his badass woman remained on her feet and surprised the shit out of that dickhead when her leg came up between his legs.
Todd doubled over, and Charli took that opportunity to raise her leg again, slamming her knee into his face.
The man howled in pain as he fell to his ass and his gun tumbled to the ground.
He held his nose that gushed with blood.
Charli tried another attack, but Todd had enough in him to catch hold of her foot and twist, causing her to fall onto her side with a grunt.
Like a bull with a flag waving in his face, Roark saw red. He roared as he launched himself toward the fucker who dared to touch his woman.
Taken by surprise, Todd’s eyes widened as he let go of Charli.
While she rolled, Todd scrambled for his gun, but Roark was faster, kicking it aside.
He then put his boot in Todd’s face, watching as his head snapped back and more blood sprayed from his mouth.
But Roark wasn’t done. Todd received kicks to his gut followed by punches to his already wounded head.
Roark would’ve kept going until the man was dead, but Charli shouted his name.
He spun to look at her, his breath heaving in and out. She favored her right leg and her clothes were dirty. He could see the red mark on her cheek which made his anger skyrocket again, and he would’ve turned to deliver more justice to the prick if not for Charli.
“He’s done, Roark. He can’t hurt us anymore.”
She took a step toward him, limping, and Roark quickly closed the distance between them. He held her tightly to his chest as she clung to him.
“Fucking hell, baby,” he murmured.
“I’m okay, I’m okay,” she whispered reassuringly.
He pulled back to look at her beautiful face. “You’re more than okay. You’re incredible. But don’t ever scare me like that again.”
“What? Get kidnapped by a crazed fucker then not take his shit and bust him in the balls?”
Roark couldn’t contain his laughter. “Yeah, that.” He captured her mouth and kissed her soundly, leaving no doubt about his feelings for her.
They parted when others appeared, asking if they were okay.
Roark looked at his brother then at Sheriff Lutrell who was cuffing Todd. Griff and Motley were there as well.
“Yeah, we’re good,” he said to Bradley. “Everyone else good? How’s Tech?”
“Getting checked out,” his brother assured him.
“He thought he could surprise and disarm Todd when he came out of the security room but took a blow and received a concussion. He’s back at the clubhouse.
Also caught two others who were aiding that shithead at the northwest corner.
Had a fucking ladder at the wall. Don’t know how they thought they’d get away with this.
Everything’s on video.” He looked over at Todd. “Bastard.”
“Slimy chickenshit bastard fuckwad toad, to be precise,” Roark said, earning a sputtering laugh from Charli.
“That’s right,” she said.
“Come on,” Roark said as he scooped her up into his arms. “Let’s get you looked at.”
“Roark, I can walk.”
“You were limping, so, no, you won’t be walking until you’re checked out.”
Lutrell handed Todd over to one of his deputies as the entire group walked toward the clubhouse.
While the deputy took the handcuffed Todd to the vehicle, Lutrell remained with Roark’s group.
When they entered the clubhouse, Roark noticed Konstance and her kids sitting on the couch.
As soon as she saw Bradley, she was on her feet and running into his arms. Roark smiled at Charli when they heard Bradley assuring Konstance that he was fine before asking about the kids.
Roark’s parents approached him and Charli, asking about her and what they could do to help.
“A bag of ice, a glass of water, and some anti-inflammatories. Please.”
“On it,” they both said, causing Charli to giggle.
“Thank you, handsome savior,” she said.
“You’re welcome, sassy.”
Roark placed Charli down on one of the couches then kneeled to gently palpate her knee. It was slightly swollen, and when he tested the joint, it moved without concern.
“Are you in pain?”
Charli shook her head. “It’s tender but not really painful. I’m sure it’ll be fine in a few days.”
“Probably, but you’ll get it checked tomorrow.”
“Roark, tomorrow is Sunday, and I’m not going to the ER for a sprained knee.”
“No, you won’t be going to the hospital, you’ll be seeing our on-call physician. He’s got a clinic in Twin and won’t mind accommodating us.”
She raised a brow. “Is that so? You don’t have to bother the man on his day off. It can wait until Monday.”
Roark took a hold of her chin and held her gaze. “Did you forget when I said I’d take care of you as long as I can?
“No, but—”
“No but. You’re getting checked out.” Roark then looked up at Sheriff Lutrell. “Can you take statements now, or do you want us in tomorrow?”
“If now works for you, it works for me. Sounds like you’ll have your hands full, er, your schedule full tomorrow.”
Roark grinned when Charli gave Lutrell the evil eye regardless of the fact he was a man of the law.
It was well after midnight when Roark got Charli back to his cabin.
Statements had been given, the damage had been minimal, and everyone was accounted for with no injuries other than Tech.
It’d be tomorrow before they processed Todd and the others, getting statements from them about their fucking motives.
It made Roark curious as hell as to why he tried to kidnap Charli.
Payback from twenty years ago? Or did he have other nefarious intentions?
Didn’t matter now because the prick was behind bars, and Charli was safe with Roark.
“Want a shower?” he asked Charli.
“Yes, please, even if it’s a quick one. I want to wash that creep’s touch off of me.”
Roark barely contained his growl thinking about that fucker touching her. But he helped her into the shower and stood by while she wrapped up her hair and washed. When done, he toweled her off and walked her into the room to get a t-shirt and shorts.
“Let’s ice your knee once more then we get some sleep. Too early to take more pills.”
“I’ll take more next time I’m up.”
Charli hadn’t even lasted ten more minutes before she was asleep, the adrenaline from the evening wearing off, resulting in a crash. Roark hoped she’d sleep without interruption.
He tossed the ice pack in the sink then returned to the bed, holding Charli protectively through the night.