Page 39 of Bruiser's Reckoning

Motherfucker.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

BRUISER

“We need to go,” I snarl, shoving the phone back in my pocket and slashing a glare at Gwyneth’s father. If I lose my sister, this shit is on him. I’ll kill him along with anyone else that gets in my way.

“Brother, we got to assume this wasn’t just sent to us,” Hammer says far too calmly.

“Oh, I’m willing to bet it was sent to the women as well,” I snarl and stomp to my bike. I struggle to lock down the rage wanting to take over. I need my head right now. Also don’t need my brothers to lock my ass up to keep me under control.

“I want half of you going to the clubhouse, secure the women and kids. Lock them together in one of the rooms, and don’t let them out. The rest of you, we’re going to Bruiser’s sister’s house,” Hammer yells.

My phone buzzes, this time alerting me to a phone call. I pull it out as I straddle my bike and find it’s my woman calling. I take a deep breath to calm my ass down and answer. “You get the same text as me?”

“Come get me, Bruiser. Trade me for them. Give him what he wants. Don’t let there be more bloodshed, please, just give me over to him.”

I close my eyes, clenching the phone in my hand tight enough, I’m surprised I don’t break the damn thing. “Not happening, Princess. We’ll get them safe.”

“And you’ll shed more blood. The simplest thing to do is give me over. Let him have me. Save them, and then later you can save me,” Gwyneth says softly, her breath hitching. “If you don’t come get me, and give me over, I’ll go myself. I’ll run. I swear I will.”

“Don’t you dare think about it,” I snarl and look at Hammer. “You do that, and I swear when I get my hands on you, you won’t walk for a week.”

Hammer meets my gaze, and I tell him what she said.

He nods, grimacing. “Hate to say it, but she’s got a damn point. Save them, then we save her.”

I clench my teeth together, not liking this one bit.

“Brother, we can get her back,” Dagger remarks. “Remember, your woman can take care of herself. She’ll protect herself until we can get to her.”

“It’s not ideal,” Malice adds, nodding. “But it would get your sister and the kids out of harm’s way.”

“Y’all realize you’re talking about sacrificing my woman, right?” I sneer, my lip curling in disgust that they would even agree with Gwyneth on this.

“You know I’m right, Bruiser. Save them. I’ll do what I have to do to protect myself until you can get to me,” Gwyneth utters in my ear.

I let out a harsh breath and grind my teeth. “Fine, but swear to fuck, you get even one damn bruise, woman, and I’m tying you to my bed.”

“Come get me.” She disconnects, and those words scream in my head.

I’m sacrificing my woman in order to save my sister and her kids.

Fuck. Fuck. Motherfucking fuck.

“I called the number that the text came from while waiting on you,” Gwyneth mutters as soon as I pull her in my arms, crushing her to me.

“The fuck did you do that for, Gwyneth,” I snap, not letting her go.

“Because I don’t want him to keep your sister or those kids longer than they have to endure this nightmare,” she answers, pressing her hands against my chest. “He said that he would be here within an hour to handle the trade.”

Fucking hell.

“That fucker is coming here?” Hammer snarls.

Gwyneth twists in my arms and nods. “Yes. That was an hour ago. He said it would ensure that you all wouldn’t follow after him. Said there would be eyes on the place to ensure you don’t.” She pauses, takes a breath, and looks at me once again. “He said that if you follow, he’ll have all the women here taken and the kids killed. He hadn’t forgotten about Willow, but he’s willing to long as I go, and no one comes for me.”

“Fuckin’ hell,” I growl and pull her tight once again. The thought of letting her do this is killing me. “I can’t let you go, Princess.”

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