Page 56 of Journey

Crow does that, and we all crowd around the screen. We discuss several different plans of attack until we settle on the one that will result in less danger to ‘the good guys’.

“While you, Ghost, and Poker grab Stone,” Crow says to me. “We’ll be here, ready to ride out as soon as we have a location.”

“And you’ve got Shuffle and his boys on call, right?” Poker asks.

“Yeah. They’re on standby, waiting for my call.”

“Okay.” I nod, finally feeling like I might be able to salvage this day afterall. “We ride out in five. Grab all the weapons you can, and meet me out front,” I order Poker and Ghost.

Exactly five minutes later, we’re pulling away from the clubhouse. Bloodlust fuels me, the drive to get to Wren as powerful a motivator as I’ve ever experienced.

CHAPTER 28

WREN

With any luck, Wren will be able to walk outta here fairly unscathed.

“What is her problem?”

I shrink into the corner of the room, making myself as small as I can. The couch is missing so it’s not the best hiding spot anymore, but the men who brought me here are blocking my path to the stairs. Otherwise, I’d run to my room and hide in my closet.

“According to Stone, her fuckin’ brain’s broke.”

I try to tune them out as they talk about a guy named Stone. The name sounds familiar, but I don’t know from where.

I can’t believe Journey let them take me.

A phone rings, and the man who’s in charge answers it. His voice is muffled as he walks into the kitchen, so I slowly turn my head to take in the guy standing near the front door.

“You sure are pretty,” one of them says as he kneels in front of me. When he tries to touch my face, I slap his hand and instantly regret it when he slaps me back. “Seems you’re not as broke as your daddy said. But I can fix that.”

He stands to unbuckle his belt, but before he can shove his pants down, he’s hit from behind.

“Ouch,” he cries. “What the fuck was that for, Jester?”

“Slime, you heard Stone. She’s not to be harmed.”

“Fuck Stone. What’s he gonna do from his cell?”

“Kurt’s breaking him out today, dumbass. That’s why we’re doing all this.”

“Yeah, whatever. Stone’s been behind bars since the club’s inception, and we’ve heard it all before. I’ll believe he’s gettin’ out when I see him out. And I thought this was gonna be more fun,” the guy who slapped me complains. “Instead, all we’ve got are stupid rules to follow.”

“And rules will keep us alive, Slime. Or do you wanna end up like the others? Because mark my words, Stone’ll make that happen if she’s not in one piece when he gets here.” He glances at me and scowls. “Take her upstairs. I’m tired of lookin’ at her.”

Before any of them can grab me, I lunge to my feet and run past them and up the steps. I wait for their dirty hands to grab me, but they don’t, and I can only assume that it’s because I’m going where they want me anyway.

When I reach my bedroom, I slam the door closed and race to my closet. None of my toys are here, and neither is any of my furniture, but it doesn’t matter. As long as the closet door still closes and the hidden latch my mommy installed for me still works, I’ll be safe.

I crawl into the small space, turning to press my back to the wall. There’s still some sunshine coming through the curtainless windows of my room, so I search for the hidden latch before I close the door. When I come up empty, tears spring to my eyes.

Did Daddy find the latch and take it away?

It’s gonna be okay, Annie.

Kirby’s voice soothes me. I wish he could be here with me. At least then, we could play a game or something to take my mind off of the men downstairs.

You don’t need Kirby.

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