Page 47 of Cheshire

“Cheshire…” Jo’s voice, small and wrecked, broke through the red haze.

I turned, and there she was. Her eyes filled with terror and pain. But alive. She took a hesitant step toward me, her arms open, seeking solace or maybe giving it.

“None of this is on you,” I said as I pulled her into an embrace, feeling her tremble. “Glad you’re safe. Eliza did what she had to do. I just wish like hell I’d realized what Holmes was up to and stopped it from happening.”

She clung to me, her grip saying what words couldn’t. Over the top of her head, my eyes locked with Hatter’s. No need for words between us either. He saw the storm in my gaze.

I’m bringing her back. No matter what it takes.

The phone in my pocket vibrated. I pulled it out, Absolem’s name flashing on the screen. What the fuck? Wasn’t he here? Now that I thought about it, I hadn’t seen him.

“Talk to me,” I said when I accepted the call.

“Got something,” Absolem’s voice was steady, but I caught the undercurrent of urgency. “Wasn’t easy. Had to pull strings, twist arms. Come to my room.”

I hung up and walked quickly down the hall to Absolem’s door. It was already open, and I stepped inside. He sat at his table with his laptop out, and a bunch of paper strewn everywhere.

“Location, Red,” I said, using his given name. “Give it to me straight.”

“Remember the warehouse you went to? He’s at another one. Opposite side of town. Actually, outside of the town limits. It’s heavily guarded. From what camera footage I could access, it looks like Holmes’ boys are crawling all over it.” I glanced over the papers on his table, trying to piece everything together.

“Risks?” I asked, though I already knew. When I went after Eliza, I’d be putting my life on the line.

“Big. It’s tight there. But we can do it.”

“Underland doesn’t back down. And Eliza is one of our own now. We’re getting her back.”

Absolem followed me to the main room. We filled in Hatter and the others, and everyone agreed we had to go after Eliza. Hatter handed Jo off to Mock. He helped us prepare everything we’d need as the clubhouse became a hive of activity. Brothers loading guns with methodical precision, strapping knives to their belts or thighs. Hatter’s gaze met mine -- grim and resolute.

“We’re going to war for one of our own.” I looked around the room at my brothers, knowing I could count on them.

Mock tossed me a shotgun, his face grim. “We got your back, Cheshire.”

“Make sure you come back with her,” Hatter added, his usual calm shattered by the sharp edge of concern.

“Nothing’s stopping us. Tonight, Eliza comes home. Or we don’t come back at all.”

Knave checked his pistols, the clicks joining the symphony of preparation. Rabbit slipped a knife into his boot. My brothers, ready to ride into hell with me.

“It’s time to bring her home.”

The night air bit at my skin as our bikes growled to life. We filed out of the compound in a single line, our headlights cutting through the darkness as we rode through the streets, shadows slipping past sleeping houses, the only sounds the low rumble of our engines. My heart hammered against my chest, each beat a drum rallying me to fight, to save her. I heard an engine coming up behind us and glanced over my shoulder, seeing Hatter approach. I gave him a nod as he pulled up next to me. It looked like Jo had convinced him to join us.

The warehouse loomed ahead, ominous and still. Too quiet. I killed the engine, the sudden silence screaming in my ears. We dismounted, moving together. Absolem had said this place was heavily guarded, so where was everyone?

“Perimeter,” I whispered. March nodded and slipped away, his frame melting into the shadows.

I felt it then -- the coil of tension before the storm, the edge of something deadly. It was more than just dark. It was the abyss staring back, hungry and cold. We were on its doorstep.

“Cheshire,” Hatter’s voice came low and urgent. “Time.”

“Right.” My fingers tightened on the grip of my gun. It was now or never. “Knave, you’re with me. Rabbit, flank left. Mock, keep watch.”

“Got it,” they murmured, positions taken.

Eliza, I’m coming for you. Just hold on a little longer.

“Move in. Quiet,” I said, but my gut screamed for speed, for action. My body thrummed with the need to burst through the door, to tear down anything between me and Eliza.

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