Time to call in more reinforcements.
The phone rings.
“Problem?”
“How fast can you get here with everyone?”
“Already on the way. We’ll be there soon.”
“Good. We’ll talk trades after. Just get here fast.”
“Done.”
We’ll need every hand before this is over. I’ll call in any favor if it keeps us alive and out of the dirt beside Hammer, Timber, Titan, and Carson. I just have to trust this call won’t betray us like the last.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
AVERY
What the fuck?
I don’t knowwhat the hell is going on, but neither Crypt nor Theo is telling me anything. Crypt is standing like a statue at the window, barely moving, his gaze intense on whatever he’s trying to see out the window.
When I heard the shouts and gunshots, I shoved the kids into the bathroom, terrified and trying to plan a way to get the hell out. Fear gripped me tight by the throat, and it didn’t ease even when Crypt came running in, telling me everything was under control and to let them out. When I demanded to know what was going on, all I got was Theo barking orders at Thea, who was running by, to get up to watch over Rose.
Why the hell are there two guards on us and only Thea on Rose? None of this is making sense. Where is Hulk? Why isn’t he up here?
He’s handling whatever the hell is going on down there, dumbass.
I ignore the voice in my head. I have to put some of this anger and terror somewhere, and it’s turning on him. I could get mad at Crypt, but I have a feeling that it’s futile, so I bite it back. Barely.
There are pounding steps outside the room, and I turn quickly when the door suddenly opens. Hulk appears in the doorway, his face tight and grim. I look at him quickly, assessing, but I don’t see any blood or indications that he’s been hurt. Thank God. Wait, then that means someone else is. His eyes look at me, and he holds out his hand. “We need you, angel,” he rasps. “Theo and Crypt will stay with the kids.”
“Don’t even think of trying to leave this room,” I warn them. “I’ll be back.”
“Sure, just leave the kids in the dark like always,” Isla snipes bitterly.
I don’t have time to deal with her attitude. I open my mouth to snap at her, but Hulk says simply, “Look, I know this is hard, but until we know one hundred percent that you are safe, then we are going to protect you. I’ll be with your sister, so she’s safe. Crypt and Theo are former Special Forces and the Army. You are in safe hands, okay? I’ll explain as soon as I can.”
Then he takes my hand and pulls me out. I glance behind me quickly and see Sawyer and Isla exchanging a look, but I don’t hear any arguing, so they must have decided to take Hulk at his word.
Or they’re silently plotting on how to get out of there, but Crypt and Theo will handle it. I hope. If not, I’ll have their balls.
Hulk and I run down the hall, and he leads me down to the med bay. When I walk in, I stop in my tracks at the sight in front of me. Three dead bodies and five living men sitting in chairs along the wall. The tension, grief, resentment, and anger in the room are thick. Medic is working on the man in the first chair, and I recognize him as Angel.
Wait a damn fucking minute. I look again at the five men and see their cuts. Heaven’s Misfits. I glance back at the bodies, and my heart clenches when I realize that all three of them are wearing the Devil’s Soldiers MC cuts. My gaze cuts sharply to Hulk, and I see the pain now, but it’s hidden behind a blank expression, simmering just under the surface.
I look from Hulk to Bullet, who stands in front of the three bodies of his friends—no, brothers -- a look on his face that is full of guilt, pain, and determination. Beside him stands Sniper, who looks like he’s ready to rage and tear the room apart, but is managing to keep himself together somehow. King, Torque, Cryos, and one of the Prospects are in the corner, all of them with varying expressions. Kaleb looks like he’s barely holding himself together, but he’s putting on a brave face.
“Avery, I need you to help me get them all bandaged up,” Medic says, not looking around, sensing I’m standing here.
I look at Hulk, and he gives me a quick nod. “We’ll explain as soon as they’re patched up,” he promises me. “You’re safe, angel. I’m right here with you.”
“If you’d feel better, we can tie our hands,” Angel offers, looking at me. There’s regret, maybe even remorse, in his eyes. “I’ve never laid a hand on a woman in anger or anything of the like in my life. None of us has. What Arson and Silver did is unforgiveable and I don’t fly with that shit. I’m sorry I couldn’t have prevented it.”
I just grab the items I need and walk toward them. This is one of those moments I need to trust my gut, and I need to trust that Hulk has my back. He crowds behind me once I stand in front of the guy with the road name Dozer, pulling on my gloves. Dozer adjusts himself, sitting on his hands in what I take to be a gesture to show he’s not a threat. That remains to be seen.
I get to work on cleaning and stitching them all up while Medic sets Angel’s nose, who lets out a sharp curse at the snapping sound. “Fucker,” Angel gasps.
