“No!” Roger screams, rushing off. And the man can move, because before I know it, he’s halfway down the block and already crossing the street.
“Want me to follow him?” the other man asks. I glance toward him, but he’s in the shadows so I can only make out the shape of him or any distinguishing features.
“Nah, I’ll catch him some other time,” my savior says. Then he turns to me. “You alright, ma’am?”
“Ah, yeah, I’m okay,” I say carefully, trying to make him out. The street light illuminates the side of his face, showing off dark brown hair, blue eyes, and a cropped beard, but other than that, nothing else. He’s a couple of inches taller than me, and my unease rises as I look at him. This isn’t a man you mess with. He’s a dangerous man and one I should do well to avoid. “Thank you for stepping in,” I add when he continues to watch me. There’s nothing hostile in his gaze; just curiosity and concern. I don’t know about the other man, but I can feel his eyes boring into me as well.
“Sounds like you were holding on just fine,” the man in front of me says, and I see the corner of his mouth quirk up inamusement. “Do you have far to go? Can we walk you home?” Then he steps more into the light, almost as if he’s finally starting to realize that I can’t see him well.
He’s wearing a cut belonging to the Devil’s Soldiers MC.
I have to fight to keep myself from reacting. This was who Hulk mentioned. They belong to the same club that the other two did, Shadow and Viper, from the store the other night. Why am I seeing so many of them when I’ve rarely seen or talked to them in the entire time I’ve lived in this city? Are they following me? Do they know about what’s going on?
Or does my mother owe them money too?
My mind is racing, but I force myself to give him a polite smile and reply, “I’m fine, but thank you. I only have to walk a couple more blocks.”
“Are you sure?” the man behind me asks, and I stiffen, turning to see him stepping out of the shadows and into the light to stand beside his friend. He’s also wearing a Devil’s Soldiers MC cut, with the road name Bowie on his. He’s the opposite in looks to his friend, with an almost shaved head, a shaved face, and green eyes that look at me like he’s trying to figure out a puzzle. He’s as menacing and dangerous as his friend, but he gives me a soft smile, like he’s trying to make himself seem less threatening. “We’re good guys, promise. We just want to make sure no one bothers you again. This time of night, all the creeps and muggers seem to like to come out.”
“I’m sure. I’m used to dealing with them at the hospital anyway,” I tell him with a shrug. “But thank you.” I also don’t want them knowing where I live, especially if they’re working with Vlad, or my mother is in debt to them.
“If you’re sure,” Frost says slowly, but doesn’t press. Bowie remains silent.
I wait until I’m a little further ahead, and I glance over my shoulder to see them both still standing there, talking quietly,but they’ve moved back to the shadows, away from the light, like they don’t want to be easily spotted. Neither of them is looking my way, but I still feel like they’re acutely aware of me and where I am. I just have one block to go before I can round the corner and be out of sight.
When I’m finally out of their sight, I run the rest of the way home. I don’t care about my feet. I need to make sure Sawyer and Isla are safe. This whole situation is going to do my head in.
When I finally get there, both of them are fast asleep, but in my room. Isla in the closet on a makeshift bed that she constructed, and Sawyer below the window, a pillow under his back and another under his head. My heart breaks, and I have to fight back the anger that makes me want to scream.
I hate my mother for doing this. For causing this. I hate myself for going along with it. I hate Vlad and his men for everything they’ve done, for the fear they cause.
It needs to stop. I need to find a way to get them out and end this once and for all. I’m not a violent person normally, but when it comes to my family, I’ll do whatever I have to. No matter the cost.
CHAPTER NINE
BULLET
Alliances are about to fall apart.
Arsonand the rest of the Misfits pile into the room, grim and angry looks on their faces. A common theme since Cobra came back all beat up. Any other time, I might be sympathetic, but right now, I’m barely managing to contain my rage. I’ve done it enough over the years that it’s second nature now. Instead, the minute the door is shut, I bang my gavel and call Church to order.
“Report,” I bark, looking around the room.
“There is no sign of Hulk or where they took him,” Frost announces grimly. “Bowie and I searched the area he was taken, and the roads around. The tracks end once they hit the main road, and then there are two sets, one going left and one going right.”
“Probably a diversion technique,” Bowie adds. “And it worked. Going left means it’s back to the city, and to the right is coming back toward us. We did both directions and haven’tfound any signs. We also used some of the coordinates that Thea decoded to see if we might be able to find someone we could nab or follow to where they might be, but nothing. All spots were empty. Even the product looks to be moved.”
“They’re on to us and they’re not taking any chances,” Shadow muses gravely. “Vlad knows it’s only a matter of time before we figure out all the locations, and also close in on his.”
“Where is he going to take it if he’s only using the places that were in those journals?” Twigs asks with a frown.
“Hopefully out of our city,” Timber replies. “The issue is going to be if he’s found new spots that Dagger and Bull didn’t have in those journals. Maybe ones that Dmitri was using.”
“Dmitri used businesses so it’s possible they might be moving them to whatever new business they’re planning on using,” Torque points out. “Maybe we should look into checking the ones we know about. Cryos, could you see if they set up any new businesses in the city that might sound about right?”
“I can look at any that have been in the last six months,” Cryos agrees, already typing away. “More than likely they’re going to use a shell company but we’re catching on to the way they do things now, so it might not be as hard.”
“Do it,” I say with a nod. “The faster we get this figured out the faster we get Hulk back home.” I look at Sniper. “How is Thea doing with the journals?”
