Page 19 of October's Ride with Atlas

It’s obvious by the hurt in his eyes, that information hits Sheriff Cade hard. It’s been him and Addy for so long, and I know in his head he’s doing all this to protect her, but his family is going to grow, and he won’t be a part of it.

“Don’t you dare go soft on me, Cade. If you don’t get my daughter back, I can make sure both your daughter and that baby don’t get to see another day. Tit for tat and all that,” Malice says.

When Malice says that, I immediately know that right there is where all the power is. If Malice loses his daughter, then Cade will lose his, not that he has her anymore.

Cade steps forward and reaches for his handcuffs just as Hades and Persephone step out of the treeline behind Savage Bones. They sit and watch what is going on, and I swear they have big smiles on their faces.

“Don’t make this any harder than it needs to be, Atlas,” Cade says confidently, but his eyes beg me to cooperate.

“You know we can protect Addy. The only ass you are saving is yourself,” I say low enough for only him to hear, and that makes him pause. At the same time, the front door to the cabin swings open.

“No, he didn’t kidnap me. I’m here willingly,” Bex says, rushing to my side.

Everyone freezes, but now that Savage Bones has eyes on Bex, bullets will start flying, and a stray one could hit her. I can’t let that happen.

“So, he didn’t sneak into the Savage Bones cabin and steal you away in the dark of night?” Cade asks.

“You mean Shane’s cabin where Savage Bones is illegally squatting? Yeah, we filed a report on that too,” Six says.

Turning to Bex, I say words I never thought I’d hear myself say come out of my mouth.

“I only want you to be happy, Bex. I love you, and it would kill me, but if you want to go back to your dad, I will let you,” I say, tucking the hair behind her ear that has fallen in front of her face.

“No, I love you too. I want to stay here,” she says louder, almost in a panic.

I pull her into my arms, trying to comfort her.

“That’s nice, but she’s coming with me whether she wants to or not,” Malice says, and then all hell breaks loose.

“Is that a moose?” Six yells, causing Meat to turn and look at the woods. He stumbles when he sees Hades and Persephone running toward them. It’s enough distraction that Six is able to tackle Meat.

Hades and Persephone take on Eightball and Venom before Thunder and Lightning make it over to them.

Scar tries to get Bex back into the cabin safely, but Malice pulls a gun.

“There is no way in hell I’m letting my daughter anywhere near the likes of you!” Malice yells.

When I jump in front of Bex, everything happens all at once. I hear the gun go off and feel a searing pain in my side. There is a blood-curdling scream as a second gun goes off, and I hit the ground.

“Atlas, no!” Bex yells, and everything comes back into focus.

“Here, I got him,” Cade says. He takes whatever it is Bear is offering him and presses it to my side.

“Ohhh,” I groan as pain shoots down my side and sirens fill the air.

“Damn, I didn’t even call this in yet,” Cade says.

“I wasn’t kidding about calling the State and the Feds. They are just a little late,” Thunder says.

“Saving Atlas doesn’t undo everything you have done, but we will ask them to go easy,” Lightning says.

“What?” I ask, trying to keep up.

“Don’t talk. Save your energy. Malice shot you, but Cade here killed him. Meat is dead as well, but Eightball and Venom got away saying we will all pay and yada yada,” Thunder says.

“Bex?” I search for her, and she leans over me from the other side.

“I’m right here. Save your energy because leaving me now isn’t an option,” she says.

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