Page 10 of October's Ride with Atlas

“Thunder will be your point of contact. Right now, I’m leaving to try to lure Savage Bones away from the clubhouse. With the women and children here, we don’t need them anywhere near this place. I could use a few guys on rotation to stake out around my cabin. We are hoping to lure Savage Bones there.” I say.

What we will do when I get my hands on Malice is another story.

“Of course. You will want Laser for sure. He is a world-class sniper, and is military trained,” Pappy says.

“Perfect. We have to go, but you and your men let us know if you need anything. Make sure to check out the Mercantile in town. Ask for Ruby and tell her you are here helping us, and she will spoil you guys rotten,” I say on my way out.

Before we leave, I go to the main room to check on everyone.

“While I’m gone, Thunder is in charge here at the Clubhouse,” I announce to the few people in the room.

“Well, you be safe because we can’t wait for you to meet the newest rider in a few months,” Luna says as she places her hand over her belly. Ford smiles and sets his hand on top of hers.

“You guys are pregnant? Congrats!” I’m genuinely happy for them and pull Luna into a side hug before hugging Ford.

With so many new couples, I know babies will be filling up the clubhouse in no time.

“What do you need? I know this isn’t the most comfortable place, but whatever you need, you let us know, and we will make sure you have it. Ford, make sure Luna makes it to her doctorvisits, but take a few guys with you when you go. We can’t be too careful right now,” I tell him.

“Thanks, man. Go get you and your girl safe. We have plenty of time to plan. Before our little one gets here, we want this town done with Savage Bones,” Ford says.

I turn to Bex, who is watching everything with an unreadable expression on her face.

“Do you need anything before we go? It’ll be a few days before we can do a supply restock,” I tell her.

“No, I’m okay,” she says softly.

I wish I could read her mind, but I can pick her brain when we are safe at my cabin.

Wasting no time getting to my truck, I pause because there is no getting in easily with us cuffed together.

“Can I trust you to get into the truck if I uncuff you?” I ask her.

Her nod is slow, but I can see the defiant look in her eye.

“Crank, stand at this door, and don’t let her out,” I say as Bex gets in the truck.

I round the truck, get in the driver’s side fast, and head out.

“My dad never let me see where he was taking me, saying the hideouts needed to be kept secret,” she whispers.

“I’m hoping you will realize we aren’t like your dad. I’m taking you to my cabin because I want you to know where it is. Also, I want you to know where the clubhouse is located. If you ever need to get to safety, you need to know,” I tell her, saying a prayer that she will understand sooner rather than later that I am not like her father and we are the good guys.

She doesn't say anything, but continues to watch the road go by. I’m taking the public way that is also the long way circling through town. The more people that see me leaving the clubhouse, the better.

With any luck, someone from Savage Bones will see, and they will leave the clubhouse alone, knowing that I am not there. Once we get to the cabin, I know several of my guys are in the woods. Even though I can't see them, I trust that they're there.

“I'll come get the door for you,” I tell Bex as I step out of the truck.

Using the key fob, I lock all the doors behind me, and I'm glad I thought of it because she instantly tries to open her door. I rush around to her side of the truck just as she is getting the truck unlocked. She opens the door slamming it against my arm.

A searing pain shoots up my arm, but I never take my eyes off of her as she tries to make a run back down the driveway. The gravel under her feet causes her to slip and fall to her knees.

Her legs will be all scraped up because she's worn holes through her jeans. She turns over and just sits down, defeat written all over her face. Squatting down in front of her so I'm almost at eye level with her, I say, “I really hope sometime soon you'll learn to trust me. I don't want to have to keep you under lock and key. In order to give you your freedom, it means not going back to your dad. If you really stop and think about it, you'll realize how much of your freedom he took from you.”

She doesn't make eye contact with me, not that I can blame her.

“Come on, let’s get you cleaned up.” I take her hand to help her up and lead her inside to the bathroom.

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