Page 77 of Havoc

For the first time, the guy’s face paled and he looked a little sick to his stomach. “Most people who are abducted die within the first twenty-four hours of being taken.”

Celt hit him on the back of his head. “My cousin just told ya that we won’t kill ya if yer feckin’ helpful. Seriously, we’re not the feckin’ killing type if we can get out of it.”

I spoke up, “We’re after your boss. You give us Slater, and we cut you loose.”

He let out a shaky breath and nodded. “I get what you’re laying down, but that old man is smart in ways that you and I aren’t. Really smart men have tried to take him down and they all wound up dead.”

Storm’s face lit up. “Finally, a worthy adversary.” When Celt jerked his chin from the front door, Storm’s expression cleared and he said, “Mission accomplished. We got what we came for. Now, let’s get the fuck outta here.”

I jerked our prisoner along behind me and we stepped out of the small building. Our van was waiting about twenty feet away. Breaker was driving and Grit jumped out to open the side door for us. “Everything went according to plan, I see.”

Storm frowned, “Yeah. Thank fuck for that. I sure as fuck was not in the mood for a shootout today.”

Storm pulled the door closed and locked it behind us. “Did the prospects get our bikes?”

Grit gave him a lopsided grin. “You know that they did, boss. Anytime they can ride a brother’s bike it makes their fuckin’ day.”

We settled into the van, Storm suspicious as always. And Celt pulled a rifle over his lap.

“You okay, Celt?” I asked as casually as possible.

He replied gruffly, “Of course I’m feckin’ okay. Why would ye even ask a question like that?” When I glanced down at the rifle in his lap, he explained, “Ain’t shot my rifle in yonks. Just hoping some moron pops his head up so I can practice a little.”

I laughed at Celt’s shenanigans, because I was fairly sure he was just joking.

Storm reached out and slammed his hand into his cousin’s shoulder. “You never know what’s gonna pop off when we’re transporting a prisoner. Better to be safe than sorry. Now, let’s get back to the clubhouse.”

Truth be told, we didn’t talk much on the drive back. We were all in our little bubbles and didn’t want to be chatty in front of our hostage. This had been a good day in terms of gathering intel and capturing their information guy. I planned to squeeze him until he agreed to help us nail Slater and his old man down.

My mind wandered to Riley and her afternoon appointment. Glancing at my watch, I remembered her appointment was at three and it was half past now. That meant she was well into her meeting. I pulled out my phone, and the prospects had notified me when they left the shelter and when they arrived at the restaurant.

Just as I was putting my phone away, it buzzed. It was Riley, so I opened the text she sent to me. Her message instantly made my good mood plummet.

Riley: I need you.

I swiped the message open, already feeling my heart hammering in my chest. I typed out a response.

Me: Talk to me. What’s going on?

Riley: I’m meeting Slater. He has Maritza. He says he’ll let her go if I meet him for a conversation. Public place. I’ll text the address next.

Me: Don’t do this. I don’t want you anywhere near this asshole.

Riley: Me either, but he has my friend. I don’t trust him. I want you there.

My heart was actually aching in my chest. I was starting to think we’d seriously underestimated how much of a loose cannon Slater was. I didn’t need to use my imagination to figure out what that bastard intended to do with her if he got his hands on her.

And now he had her best friend in his clutches. No wonder Riley was desperate to get to her. My Riley knew the kind of danger she was walking into, and she would do it no matter what I said. That’s just who she was—loyal, stubborn, and courageous. Nothing I could say would dissuade her from trying to help her friend. My one and only course of action was to go there in person and support her the best way I could. There was no way in hell that I’d leave her to her own devices with that out-of-control asshole. I swiped to reply, hands tight.

Me: I’m on my way. Don’t meet him until you see me.

She didn’t answer right away. My phone buzzed again.

Riley: I have to go in first. He’s watching.

Riley: But I’ll stall. I just need to know you’re close.

Riley: Please, Havoc. I’m at Seafood by the Sea, downtown.

---