Page 21 of Saving Her

“I’m weak.”

“Bullshit. You’re the strongest woman I know. You always have been. How many times have you brought me to my knees? Never doubt who you are, Nicole.”

“I thought I’d never get to see you or our kids again,” I whisper as I move my head to bury it into his neck. He doesn’t answer that. He just squeezes me tighter. The car stops and I frown. “What are we doing? We need to get far away from?—”

“Bringing you to a safe place first. We’ve got to go handle these assholes while we can. I can’t take the chance of them getting their hands on you again.”

The car door opens, and I look up to see King holding it. Dragon slides us out and I make him let me down. My legs are shaky, but I ignore it. I force myself to turn to King and I hug him. “I’m sorry,” I murmur quietly.

He stiffens in my hold, but after a minute or two, he awkwardly puts an arm around me and pats my back. “You don’t?—”

I shake my head, not letting him finish. “I should have given you the benefit of a doubt. You saved my son’s life. Now, you put your life on the line to save me and Gabby. Our family owes you, King, and I hope you will let us be a part of your life,” I whisper as I move away from him.

“We’ll talk once I get her settled,” Dragon says, looking at King. King shrugs, but he manages to smile slightly at me.

When I turn, I feel Dragon’s hand at the small of my back. I lean against him. My sons come up and hug me. They don’t say anything, they just begin walking. I follow them. I understand they’re in a hurry to get me inside somewhere. It’s smart. I know they think the Feral Kings will follow us here. It wouldn’t surprise me. I don’t exactly want to be out in the open, either. I can see Skull is still carrying Gabby. They’re in front of my boys. I’m worried about her, but I’m going to wait until we’re alone to ask her any of the questions that are bombarding my brain. I’m truly fearful for her.

They lead us inside a beautiful shopping area that’s set up a little like a village. There are souvenir shops, shops with taffy and candy, and different homemade items like blankets, woodwork, and hand-blown glass. There’s chainsaw artwork and paintings. Alongside these, are several eateries and things of that nature. I don’t look closely. I’m too intent on getting to where Dragon assures me I’ll be safe.

We finally come to a mill. It’s beautiful—the trim-work and posts in crisp white, while the house itself is a cheerful yellow. I don’t get time to admire it. We’re hustled inside and lead down a hallway, with old wooden floors that show their age lovingly, yet shine at the same time. From there, we’re led to a hidden panel that opens. My eyes go wide with the realization. I’ve always had a dream to visit Scotland. I’d like to peruse old castles, discover their secret passages, and breathe in their history. For years, I've been trying to convince Dragon to do it with me. Going without him just won’t mean the same. I shake my head, realizing that I’m almost in shock. It’s the only reason that I’m thinking of inane crap that has no meaning at a time like this.

We’re carefully directed down some stairs that take us to a basement type area. There’s limited lighting, so Dragon keeps hold of me the entire time. Once we get to the bottom of the stairs, there are at least fifteen cots set up along the far wall. On the opposite side is a large kitchen area with two refrigerators, a commercial grade stove, dishwasher, and freezer. It’s a little strange because it’s all in a line. It’s made to maximize space only. There is a sink by the dishwasher with cabinets above it and below. There are two extremely large cabinets that I could only guess are serving as pantries. Along the back wall, there is a gorgeous pool table and then throughout the room there are different types of seating and two large screen televisions. It appears the one on my far left is set up for video gaming because there are two men using it now. The one on my far right has theater seating, so I’m guessing that one is used for watching movies.

“What is this place?” Dom asks.

“We use it for a shelter when people in town are having a hard time or need protection. We bring them here. Sometimes, the guys need a break from the club and hang out here instead. Quite a few come if we have severe weather. It’s a community set up. We take care of our own. This town, the people here, we’re their shield. We take the job seriously,” the man who has been showing us the way, responds. The back of his cut reads Saint’s Outlaws. Now that he’s turned around, I see the patch he’s wearing proclaims his name as Hangman. “Blade wanted a safe place for everyone to be when needed. So, the boys and I have worked hard to make it happen.”

“He’s doing all that while serving time?” King questions.

Hangman’s face shows that he doesn’t like the question, but he just nods. “He’s trying to make sure we have everything in place when we ride against the FKMC. We just mistakenly thought we’d have more time. Blade’s not due for release until next year.”

“We’ll get his revenge for him tonight. I want every one of those motherfuckers dead tonight.”

“Blade asks that you leave Eyeball for him. He realizes why you want your retribution, but Eyeball took everything from him. He wants to be the one to get vengeance for his brother and for the years he’s had to rot in prison.”

“I know Eyeball ordered my woman to be picked up. I can’t let him live.”

“I’m not so sure he’s the one calling the shots here,” King speaks up.

“What do you mean?” Dragon asks.

I follow King’s gaze as it moves over to the corner where Gabby is crying and refusing to let go of Skull. I swallow, a horrible, bitter feeling welling up inside my gut. “You think it was that last man,” I whisper. “Lucky.”

King tears his attention from Gabby and nods. “I do, but I think that’s a conversation we all need to have alone,” he says, looking at Dragon and Hangman.

“Our men are at your club. I ordered Breaker to send a few men from Skull’s crew and our own to stay here. We can go to your club and meet with our allies there and talk,” Dragon interjects.

“F-F-Ford will be here soon. He’s having Grunt and a few of D-D-Dad’s men take our women and go into lockdown mode at the Savage compound. It will be easier to protect,” Thomas adds.

“Is that smart?” Hangman asks. “Might be better here, where we have more firepower.”

“I’m not bringing them closer to these fucking idiots. My men will be able to protect them if worse comes to worst,” Dragon responds.

“Dragon,” I gasp. “What about Kayden?”

“Her, Chains, and the baby are staying out of the country for another week. They’re safer there, Mama.”

I nod, because I’m relieved. Finding out my family is all safe at the moment, however, lets exhaustion completely claim me. I go limp next to Dragon. He immediately picks me up. “Fuck, Mama, are you okay?”

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