Page 24 of Reaper's Rage

“I don’t think it’s them.” Smoke adds. “Unless they’re letting white guys join.” He hits a few keys and we see the outside of Diablo Security. Two black SUVs pull up and four men jump out, two out of each. They move in military formation as they line up. In perfect synch, they raise their assault rifles and let loose. The men are wearing black cargo pants, black knitted long-sleeve shirts, and heavy boots. Each is also wearing a ski mask that covers their heads, face and neck. I don’t see how Smoke knows they're white until I get a look at their hands. They’re wearing gloves, but you can still see their wrists. Their pale wrists.

“They’re trained. Could be military or para-military.” Scar suggests.

“Not gang members.” I add.

“So who the hell sent these guys to shoot up our businesses?” Dante asks. “You said the cops arrived shortly after we all left?” He asks Chaos.

“Within minutes. Hell, I just sent Simon out to stand guard with Izzy in case they coordinated the attacks to leave the clubhouse unprotected.” Chaos says.

“Any info on who called in the kidnapping?” Dante asks Shield.

“Five separate men called it in. Reported seeing, and I quote, a pretty young white girl getting kidnapped by a black man wearing a Demon Dawgs kutte. They each gave the same time and the same description of Ashlyn and Reaper. I have a buddy at the station pulling the id’s of these witnesses.” Shield says.

“This has to be related to the guy who tried to buy Ashlyn from Renee.” I say and Dante nods.

“No doubt. Whoever he is, he has money and connections. Fuck. We need to leave tomorrow, but I don’t want to leave the clubhouse short-handed.”

“Acid’s still in town.” Chaos says. “He’s spending time with his daughter, Sophie. He could stay here.”

“You trust him?” Dante asks.

“Not as far as I can throw him. But I know he hates human traffickers as much as we do, so if we need him to help protect against this asshole, Acid will come through.”

“I can get the Nomads to come here.” Grimm suggests. “They’re in Yuma cleaning up the mess the Devil’s Disciples left when we obliterated them. They could be here before you leave in the morning.”

“Good. Yeah. Get them here and let them know what’s going on.” Dante says. “They can help find out who’s behind this attack. They still have connections in San Diego, and they can travel incognito if they need to.”

“Dante.” I say, drawing his attention. “Maybe Ashlyn and I should go with you to Vegas. Getting Ashlyn out of town would keep her safe and it might make these guys leave the club alone. She’d be safer at the clubhouse in Vegas. We’d be away from this asshole and his resources.”

“That’s not a bad idea.” Chaos says. “Odds are this guy has eyes on the clubhouse. At least enough to see us coming and going. We can take him by surprise. Leaving in a large group and taking Ashlyn with us.”

“What if he follows you?” Flame asks and I’m not surprised he’s against the idea.

“It’s a five and half hour drive. We can outrun one of their SUVs and we’ll have our own SUV with us.” Chaos replies. “I think it’s a good plan. Plus, it will be interesting to see how far he can reach. Might give us a better idea of who the fuck he is. Is Puma ok with you bringing trouble to his doorstep?”

I shrug. “Wouldn’t be the first time. I went to him when I left the Spades. He knew it was a possibility that the gang would come for me. If he knows Ashlyn is in danger and we need his help, he’ll give it.”

A knock on the door draws our attention. Tally pokes her head in and speaks to Dante. “Ashlyn and her mom are back. You want her to come in here?”

“We’ll come out there.” Dante says. “I think everyone needs to know what’s happening.”

Dante ends Church, and we file out. Dante tells Grimm to get in touch with the Nomads. I make a note to call Puma and let him know we’re coming. I just need to get Ashlyn to agree.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN: ASHLYN

All I really want to do right now is take a shower and wash the police station cooties off of me. I don’t know what makes me feel dirtier; the guys wearing handcuffs leering at me or the guys carrying handcuffs looking at me like I’m trash. But before I can make a beeline to Reaper’s room, Tally waylays me. She explains that Dante and the other want to talk with me. Watching her walk down to where they hold their meetings, I’m not sure if I should follow her or wait here. I decide to wait. I don’t really want to go into their Chapel, I’ve had enough of conference rooms.

Tally returns with the men following behind her. Reaper comes to me and gathers me in his arms. I finally feel safe again. Kissing my temple, he pulls me onto his lap as he takes a seat. The rest of the men sit scattered around the room, but they’re all looking at me and waiting.

“What happened?” Dante asks.

I glance around the room and swallow down my nerves. Anger is the primary expression on everyone’s faces and even though I know they aren’t aiming that anger at me, the oppressive feeling in the room still make me nervous.

“You know the cops came to the clubhouse with some crazy idea that Reaper kidnapped me and that you were holding me against my will?” I start, watching everyone nod. “I told them I was here freely. They wouldn’t take my word for it. Even with mom backing me up. They wanted me to answer questions off club property, so I agreed to go to the station, but only if Axel drove. I didn’t want to go in their car.”

“Good choice.” Reaper whispers into my ear as he hugs me close. His approval and support bolster my courage.

“They tried to separate me from mom but neither of us agreed so they took us into an interrogation room together.” I continue, reaching out to grab my mom’s hand. “They asked me again if I was certain you hadn’t kidnapped me, and I assured them I drove to the clubhouse in my car. That’s when they told me they had several witnesses claiming they saw a man take me against my will.”

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