Page 183 of Outlaws of Tulsa

Koyn goes over the logistics with the Little Rock Royal Bastards leading their men, Jameson and Rage, while I skim my gaze over to Animal. Koyn must trust this dude to leave his ol’ lady and baby girl in his care. Animal is a crazy sonofabitch, though, and he gave his word to Koyn he’d protect them with his life.

The fact that Koyn is putting trust in someone, after what happened to his first wife and daughter, in order to save my woman shows just what a good brother he is. It’s something I’ll never forget and will always be grateful for.

“We got eyes inside?” Rage asks, cracking his neck and thrumming with pent-up energy to kill some motherfuckers.

Bermuda nods, holding up his phone. “Once we isolated where they’re at, we were able to ping the cell phones in the area and then hack in. The heavy hitters are there—Collins or Press, Vidal, and Night Giant. Some idiot who works for them keeps pulling out his phone, which gives us a glimpse of what’s going on. They’ve got a shit ton of guys in there, though, and there are victims in there we have to look out for.”

“We’re going to war, boys,” I say, earning their attention. “Let’s strap up and take down these assholes.”

“And make it hurt,” Koyn adds in. “Make it really fucking hurt.”

Stormy

Hours have passed since Dragon and I made our video, but my body continues to tremble. After that horrific event, they took us all back to our room. Calla clung to Cove the moment we got inside, but he won’t look me in the eye. I can see the guilt on his young face. If I knew how to erase it, I would. I’m his big sister and I’ll always choose to stand in front of him and Calla. Always. Just like I had to protect them from the dogs who ripped our mother apart to now. I’ll keep on doing it too.

Dragon’s intense green eyes haven’t quit boring into me. I thought I’d fear him after what happened, but I’m feeling thankful. Had he not gone through with what he did with me the way he did, there’s no telling what those monsters would have made him do or someone else for that matter. It bought my siblings temporary safety too. The cut on my face hurts like a motherfucker, though.

“I’m going to be okay,” I whisper, meeting Dragon’s stare. “I promise.”

“They’ll all pay,” he vows. “Especially him.”

I shiver at the thought of Dragon getting caught in Night Giant’s grip again. He seems more like the Dragon I know and less like Night Giant’s plaything, but I don’t know for how long. All I can do is focus on my escape plan.

Ping!

Another nail flies out, hitting the bed frame. Dragon scoops it up, sliding this one between two fingers as well. He has six nails now to complete his creepy-ass Wolverine claw thing he has going on. I’m glad he’s figured out a weapon and left me with the pocketknife, though I’m finding it more useful as a tool.

I’ve pulled out enough nails on one of the plywood pieces that we might be able to yank it off the wall together and give us access to the window. I grab onto one edge of the plywood and groan when it wiggles but doesn’t give. Too many nails to loosen and voices can be heard approaching.

“They’re coming,” Dragon warns, rising to his feet, hiding his hands behind his back.

I swivel around, keeping my weapon hidden, as the locks begin to disengage. One masked man stands near the door once it’s opened whereas the other one prowls in with a mission.

The twins.

My brother bravely stands in front of our sister like he’s a match against this large man. The determination in Cove’s eyes has me flying into action. Without hesitation, I launch myself on the back of the man, driving the pocketknife blade into his neck. He growls, trying to shake me off, but the blood gushing out over my hand tells me I aimed well. I’m tossed back onto the mattress and barely roll out of the way as the guy slumps beside me. I can hear Dragon scuffling with the other guy until a thud signifies the end. Thankfully, Dragon is the one left standing and he’s taken the man’s gun.

Unfortunately the guy I’ve mortally wounded doesn’t seem to have a weapon, so I take my knife back and motion for my siblings and the others to follow close behind. Dragon peeks out the door and into the hallway. First left and then right. He curses under his breath as he starts right. I peek to the left, frustrated to see what appears to be an exit to the outside barricaded withboards. It’d take too much precious time to try and get out that door. We have to find another way.

I remember going through a series of hallways to get to the cage and camera room. We need to avoid that place like the plague considering most of the men have been clustered there. Dragon stops at a four-way hallway intersection and peers left and right once again. He starts right but then loud sirens go off.

“Fuck,” Dragon snaps. “They know we’ve escaped. Hurry. Go that way.” He gestures left.

I rush in that direction, careful to be quiet as my siblings follow after me. There’s a door at the far end that doesn’t seem to be barricaded. I just hope we don’t come face to face with a bunch of goons when we open it.

Rat-a-tat-tat-tat!

Gunshots resound outside, loud and plentiful, making my heart leap for a moment. Maybe they’re here. Maybe Copper found us. A sob claws at my throat, but I swallow it, once again fixated on the escape route. I’m about to run for it when one of the hotel room doors opens and a big guy snags my brother, dragging him into the room with him.

“No!” I hiss, starting for him as the door gets shoved in my face.

A bare foot kicks the door hard beside me and then Dragon muscles his way inside, once again crazed with violence. The guy with my brother in his grip holds a knife out like he’s a match for Dragon. Dragon easily grabs the man’s hand, twists, and the snapping of his wrist is followed by a howl of pain. Dragon keeps his grip around the guy’s hand and forces the blade up into his chin. The guy gurgles as he slumps to the floor. Dragon yanks the knife out and tosses it to me before finishing the guy off with a hard stomp to his windpipe.

“Are you okay?” I ask my brother, whose face is pale.

Dragon growls. “He’s been stabbed.”

Oh my God.

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