The sun was beautiful shining down and giving us some serious heat for the day. While I hadn’t seen Micah, I was thoroughly enjoying watching everyone around the courtyard.
Remy was over with Blaze playing on the swing set. Her Grandma was pushing her very softly on the swing, the kind with built-in back support. Remy was only two, after all.
Blaze was treating Remy like breakable glass. It warmed me to have my daughter get this from Blaze.
The swing would come forward, and Blaze would pretend to reach out and tickle her. Remy laughed so loudly, and it was a beautiful sound.
Blaze made funny faces at Remy, and my little girl would try to make them back.
It was time for Remy to know that this was her family. While she just found out about her ‘daddy’, she needed to know her grandparents as well. I was looking forward to telling her, which would be very soon.
Micah and I hadn’t talked about how we’d tell Remy, and I wanted to hear his opinions before launching in. We were a team now, and while different, it was a beautiful thing.
Music was playing outside, not loud, but it could still be heard. With all the people gathered around it was uplifting. Fun. I didn’t worry about anyone getting to Remy, my sister, or myself. We were protected. Safe. That was all I wanted for my family. Safety and happiness.
And that was the best feeling ever. It took a lot for me to feel fully safe and with these men and women, I did.
“Alright. Let’s go get lunch sorted.” Austyn called out, getting our attention. Cooking. I’d never been an ace at it, but I’d been learning so much from these women. Not saying that whenever I tried on my own I wouldn’t burn it. I was more used to the boxed mac n’ cheese. These ladies made it from scratch, and it was damn good. It had three different kinds of cheese. Cheddar, parmesan, and Velveeta. Cheese made everything better. One day I’d make it on my own just to give it a shot.
Some of the women moved from their spots with their men, while others didn’t. I didn’t understand that dynamic, but I didn’t ask. It didn’t affect me so why would I meddle in someone else’s business. Learning the intricacies of club life was on the to-do list, but it didn’t need to happen this very moment.
I hopped off the picnic table and brushed my butt, unknowing if there was dirt on it. This action was more of a habit than anything.
A loud whistle came from the other end of the courtyard, and I turned swiftly to it. Cruz stood there, arm up in the air, and waving for someone to come. Did he want me? I was a bit confused until he called out, “Brothers.”
While I wanted to breathe out a sigh of relief, I couldn’t. It had been hours since I’d seen Micah, and it wasn’t as if I expected him to check in or anything, but it would have been nice to know that he was okay.
With all the brothers now meeting, I had this worry in the pit of my gut just hoping that whatever called them together had nothing to do with me, Remy, or my sister.
Turning back around to make my way into the clubhouse, my phone rang, and I pulled it out of the back pocket of my jeans seeing ‘Sis Calling’ on the screen.
I answered with a, “You need to come to the clubhouse and help with the food,” in greeting.
“Cyrus.” My real name came out, scared and broken. My back went instantly straight at her tone, and I made my way to where we were staying, thinking that would be where I would find Katie and see what was happening. She didn’t call me Cyrus, so something had to be wrong.
“What’s wrong?” I barked a bit harsh into the phone.
I ran, threw open the door to the large building, and made it to the flight of stairs, but when she spoke again I stilled in my tracks.
Her voice trembled. “I need…” Katie’s voice was ripped away, and I cried out her name several times.
Then I heard it. A tone that was very vague in my memory banks, but one thing was for certain—he was from our past. A past I wanted dead and buried. One I’d thought we wouldn’t ever have in our lives again.
And no it wasn’t my father, but someone from our home.
“Cyrus. I’m gonna make this simple.” A scream could be heard in the background, followed by a cry out in pain. Katie. Damn him. He was hurting her. My sister. “Come to 7732 Bryer. You tell your boyfriend,” he spat the word, “and I’ll fuck good old Sybil with a glass bottle. You tell anyone else, and I’ll kill her after. Don’t test me.”
My blood ran cold as shivers cascaded up and down my arms. This wasn’t happening. How the hell did Katie even get out of the clubhouse? Why was she with him? How did he get his hands on her? Those were all questions for later because of his next words.
“You have ten minutes to get here and it takes twelve, from where you are. Yeah, bitch. I know where you are. Better hurry. One second late and playtime begins.”
Anger took over the fear. “Don’t touch her,” I growled low running, reaching my room, and grabbing the keys to my car.
“Oh, I’m just getting started, Cyrus. Better get here.” Katie screamed again, and the line went dead.
Turning on a heel, I raced down the stairs. One thing I wasn’t was a fool. He might have said not to get in contact with Micah, but fuck that. Both Katie and I would be better with backup. My palms were sweaty, and I almost dropped the damn phone. Anger and fear wrapped into one as I fumbled with my phone.
I dialed Micah’s number, taking the steps several at a time. On the fourth ring, I was out the door. It continued ringing and after the tenth, I hung up. It wasn’t like him not to have his phone near him let alone not to have the voicemail pick up.
Even knowing he was down in the basement, I didn’t have time to go down there and find him. The clock was ticking, and I’d already wasted precious time making my way to get my keys. There was no time to alert anyone.
Shit, shit, shit!
Hopping in the car, I turned on the ignition and made my way out of the parking lot. The large gate was open, allowing a large truck to come inside for a delivery. I took it as a blessing and pressed down the peddle, taking the opening. Punching the address into my phone, I got the directions.
The area wasn’t far away, but I had no idea what the fastest route to it would be. And I needed fast. The faster the better. Gas pedal down, I followed the directions.
After the first few turns, I knew where I was going, therefore I picked up my phone and tried to call Micah again.
“Shit!” I yelled out into the car. My gut twisted and turned as I dialed Ryker’s number, getting the same damn response as Micah. They must be together.
That damn basement needed better reception. I tried them both again, hoping and getting nowhere. My driving was a bit erratic as I tried to beat the clock.
My turn was only moments away, and I had exactly fifty-nine seconds to get there. With trembling hands, I dialed Austyn.
“Where are you?” she answered, and I felt as though I could breathe again.
“A man from back at my parents has Katie, and I’m on my way there.” I gave her the address. “Micah’s not answering his phone, and neither is Ryker. I need you to tell them where I am.”
“Don’t go in there!” she warned, and I heard the other end of the phone rustling around.
“He told me he’d hurt Katie, and that can’t happen.” There was a bunch of commotion in the background. “Put your phone on mute. I’ll keep it on,” I said, stuffing the phone in my back pocket. Please, send help.”
It was a mayday. I had nowhere else to turn. But my instincts had gotten me this far. My gut told me Micah and Ravage would somehow find me and my sister. I just had to hold onto faith in them and my abilities I’d learned over the years.
The navigation told me that I’d reached my destination, and my mouth went dry. The old building was three floors and very run down. Windows were missing and others shattered out completely. There was graffiti on the blocked walls, but nothing I could make sense of.
With everything I am, I wanted to listen to Austyn and not go in. I wanted to wait for Micah, but nothing could happen to Katie. She’d saved me when I was alone and risking everything. I would not let her be hurt or left alone in this. She would not die at the hands of this man because I didn’t show up on time.
Nothing could happen to my sister.
I wished I’d given Remy just one more hug and kiss before I'd left. Wished I could’ve told Micah that I loved him. Wished that everything I’d worked so hard for wasn’t a big clusterfuck.
Twenty-seven seconds. My heart leapt from my chest, and I exited the car and raced to the front door, finding it locked. Even yanking on it didn’t loosen its grasp. A scream from Katie came through the walls, and I ran like hell to find another way in.
Time was ticking by so damn fast. With every step another moment was lost. I just needed a few more seconds to find a way inside. Seeing a double door up ahead, I darted and pumped my body as hard as it would go. My breaths were ragged, and my adrenaline was off the charts. I pulled hard on one of the doors. It was unlocked, making me lose my footing and stumble a bit on the way in. Why I expected it to be locked was a mistake that cost me. Just how much, I wouldn’t know until later.
Katie was across the room strapped to a rickety chair as she yelled, “Ensley, watch….”
Then everything went black.