Page 20 of Fear

Chapter 9

The convoy to the safehouse was tense, every rider on high alert. The women had been packed into black SUVs, their bikes and the club’s usual roaring procession swapped for something more discreet. The Wolverines didn’t take chances when it came to their women.

Goliath, Hunter, Fang, and King rode ahead, their eyes scanning the dark road for any signs of trouble. Behind them, the SUVs moved in formation, flanked by Rip, Diesel, and a few other brothers. Every man’s finger was close to a trigger, ready for a fight.

The safehouse was buried deep in the mountains, an old lodge fortified over the years for emergencies just like this. Steel-reinforced doors, bulletproof glass, an underground storage bunker stocked with supplies, and enough weapons to arm a small militia.

The men moved quickly, securing the perimeter, checking exits, and setting up defences. Cameras were already in place, their feeds monitored from inside. Dash and the prospects spread out, making sure every inch of the property was covered.

“This place is locked down,” Dash assured them. “No one gets in unless we let them.”

Hunter exhaled, scanning the treeline. "We’ve got the cameras up, perimeters covered, and the armoury fully stocked. But we all know that’s not the real problem."

Fang snorted. "Yeah. The problem is making sure these women don’t get any bright ideas."

Hunter crossed his arms. "They’re not stupid, but they’re stubborn as hell. We tell them to stay put, and half of them will be looking for a way to help."

Dash chuckled darkly. "Yeah? And what do you think Dakota’s gonna do if she thinks you’re in trouble? Sit back and knit?"

Fang scowled. "Mystique would gut me in my sleep if I suggested it."

Goliath, silent until now, finally spoke. “We don’t give them a reason to worry. We keep this fight away from them. That’s the only way we make sure they don’t do something reckless.”

Hunter nodded. "That means constant check-ins. We feed them information—just enough to keep them from panicking, but not enough to make them want to act."

King glanced at Dash. "And you. You're in charge here. You and the prospects keep the women from getting any damn ideas. If one of them even thinks about sneaking out, you shut it down."

Dash smirked. "No offense, King, but you ever tried to tell a pissed-off ol’ lady what to do?"

King sighed. "That’s why you are keeping all the prospects. Good luck."

When it came time for the men to leave, tension thickened in the air. Fang stood in front of Mystique, arms crossed as she glared at him. “You come back to me, or I swear I’ll drag your ass out of hell myself.”

He smirked, but there was a hardness in his gaze. “Not planning on dying today, woman.” He brushed a rough knuckle down her cheek before turning away, his body taut with restraint.

Hunter pulled Dakota into a lingering kiss, his large hands cradling her belly, his forehead pressing against hers. “You take care of her,” he whispered to their unborn child, before stepping back and leaving her standing there with unshed tears in her eyes.

Goliath’s arms caged Sofia against him, his grip bruising as he stared down at her. “You stay here and you make sure you stay safe. No matter what.”

Sofia swallowed hard. “And what about you?”

His golden eyes burned into hers. “I will come back to you. Always.” He kissed her, slow and deep, before stepping away.

King was the last to speak. His gaze swept over the gathered women and prospects, his expression hard. “Listen up. Our women are your priority. If anyone gets past us and makes it to this place, you don’t hesitate. You end them. This isn’t just a babysitting job. This is war. Got it?”

The prospects nodded, their postures stiff with determination. Dash exhaled, rolling his shoulders before following the other men to their Harleys. He clapped Fang on the back, then nodded at Blue. "You don’t have to worry, I’ll keep them safe, all of them."

King met his gaze, his expression unreadable before he gave a firm nod. "I know you will."

Dash watched as the men swung their legs over their bikes, their engines roaring to life one by one. He stayed back, waiting until the last of them disappeared down the road before turning back toward the lodge.

What he didn’t expect was the sight of every single woman standing there, watching him.

Fuck, he wanted to turn and make a run for it. Dakota had her arms crossed; brows raised. Siena looked like she was already debating whether to cause trouble. Sofia and Alaska stood close together, both looking far from convinced about their situation. Mystique, Dawn and Onix looked ready to start a fight.

Dash sighed, dragging a hand down his face. “What?”

"So," Dakota drawled, tapping her fingers against her arm, "you’re our babysitter?”

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