Page 151 of Lesson In Faith

Permanently roofed, the proposed structure could be left open, shielded with mosquito netting, or fitted with solid panels during the worst of the winter months. The groundskeeping staff would need training to learn how to correctly swap out the walls, and there was some debate as to how to keep the walkways warm.

When Merrick’s cell buzzed with a message, he ignored it. Mack and Liam had come up with the bright idea for a Master’s messenger group, citing it as another way to get that familial feeling within the team, with the added benefit of keeping nosy, unruly subs from eavesdropping. All damn morning they’d been throwing around suggestions for a bachelor party.

Not that he didn’t appreciate the gesture but honestly?

He just wanted to marry his girl without the social traditions and fuss.

“Solar panels won’t work if they’re covered in snow,” Merrick pointed out. “A long period of overcast or severe weather and they’d be useless. Hooking them up to batteries to store energy could work, but I’d advise doing some calculations. Heating the entire stretch—”

His cell began to ring, vibrating manically on the table. The screen lit up with Grit’s name, just as Eli’s phone began to chime, followed by Evander’s.

What the hell?

Exchanging a concerned glance with his bosses, Merrick answered as he rose from the table and paced away. He heard them take their own calls as he asked, “Problem?”

“Someone called the main desk fifteen minutes ago, requesting to be put through to Tamsyn Drake.”

Blood running cold, Merrick clenched his teeth. “Did he leave a name?”

“Not a he. Jeanette says it was a woman. As per club rules, she refused to confirm or deny whether anyone by that name was here; the woman hung up.” Grit’s tone was flat and serious. “Five minutes later, a man called, demanding to be put through to Tamsyn. Even gave a physical description. He claimed there was a family emergency and he needed to speak with her urgently. Got real nasty with Jeanette, shook her up with threats.”

“Did she confirm?”

“She says she didn’t, not with words, but he intimidated her enough her tone might have.”

“They know she’s here.”

“Yeah. We’ve picked up movement around the perimeter, through the forest and on the road at the end of the drive. Archie’s tracing the calls as best she can, but I’m betting if she locates the phones, they’re going to be right here on our doorstep. Intimidation seems to be Drake’s favored tactic; he wants us to react.”

He needed to get to Tamsyn and make sure she was safe.

“Violet’s locking Tamsyn down in the cabin. Jasper’s assigned two members of Alpha team to sit on them. Mack’s speaking with Elias about implementing a shelter in place protocol.” Fingers clacked manically on a keyboard. “Shit is going down today, my friend. The cameras have picked up at least a dozen armed dickheads in camo gear, and they’ve blocked the drive with SUVs.”

“No one in or out,” Merrick murmured, trying to think instead of reacting. “Drake wants a showdown. A show of force. He thinks if he holds us hostage, we’ll just hand Tamsyn over without a qualm.”

Grit chuckled. “Well, we are just a bunch of kinksters running around in assless chaps and nipple clamps, right? Jackass doesn’t know his daughter found safety in the one place where intimidation doesn’t work.”

“You’re sure she’s safe?”

“I spoke to Violet myself. Apparently Tamsyn had a tantrum over some exercises and shut herself in the bathroom. Vi was going to check all the windows and lock the doors. Brett and Tank will be there any minute.”

Nodding to himself, Merrick took a calming breath. Violet could be a tigress when threatened; between her and the two mercs, Tamsyn would be out of harm’s way until this was over. “All right. So, what’s the plan?”

“Sit tight and let us do our jobs. The rest of Alpha team is moving into position in the woods. They’ve got the green light, maximum force. Once we have Jedidiah’s presence confirmed, Beta team is going to move in on the underground compound in the mountains. It appears he’s utilized the majority of his security force to surround us, so the rescue mission should be relatively bloodless.”

Good. The less trauma for those poor souls, the better. After what they’d already suffered through, they didn’t need a shower of bullets through the haze of smoke bombs to add to their PTSD.

He hoped they stayed strong. They were almost free of their hell.

“Tabitha?” Merrick queried, praying he wasn’t touching a sore spot.

“Suited and booted, doing what she does best.” Pride filled Grit’s voice without a trace of fear for his woman throwing herself headlong into danger. “She’s been dying to get her hands dirty with these fuckers for weeks. They’ll be dead before they see her coming.”

“Spoken like a man in love.”

“I love her exactly the way she is, even though I hate the way she was made. Truth is, if she’d been raised differently, if she’d been loved and given a normal childhood, a normal life, I still would’ve found her. Someway, somehow, she’d still be mine. I just roll with the punches and love her regardless.”

That was true commitment. A soulmate connection.

---