Page 28 of Prospect
"Yes. I believe he wanted to scare me into kicking Luna out of New Hope House. Pike knows about you guys. I think he assumes Luna is under The King's protection as well."
Jake interjects. "The prick was bankin' on roughin' you up would be enough for us to send the girl packin'. If we send her on her way that makes their job of snatching her up easier."
Sofia looks from me to Jake then to Logan. "I'm not turning my back on Luna."
My girl is so damn brave. I knew that's what she'd say. I'd say by the look on Jake's face he knew as well. Stepping in front of the sofa where Luna and Sofia sit, Jake crouches down to eye level. He cocks his head to the side waiting for Luna to look at him. When her scared eyes finally meet his, he speaks slowly to allow Luna to read his lips. "You mean somethin' to Sofia, so that means you mean somethin' to the club. You are under The King's protection." Jake turns his attention to Sofia. "Tell us everything she knows about Savage Outlaw."
Roughly an hour later Luna and Sofia have finished relaying every piece of information Luna knows about her ex, his brother and their club. Jake didn't waste any time getting on his phone and ordering Grey and Blake over here. He's ordered Sofia, Emma and Luna to stay at the clubhouse until we can get a better handle on the situation. The club is not willing to take any risks, especially now that we know we are dealing with another MC. Hearing the rumble of two Harleys outside Jake turns to me and Logan. "Let's go. Church in thirty. Grey and Blake are going to help Sofia and the other two women pack."
Standing Sofia makes her way over to me. I wrap my arms around her. "You holding up okay, baby?"
"I'm doing okay, Sam. I need to stay strong for Luna. She knows we have been ordered to stay at the clubhouse and that scares her. It will take some time, but she'll soon see The Kings are nothing like her ex."
I kiss her lips. "I want you to be strong for a little while longer; then tonight I want you to let it all go while I hold you."
Sofia takes a deep breath. "Deal."
I kiss her one last time. "When you get to the clubhouse, I want you to unpack in my room."
She smiles. "Okay."
When we are about half a mile from the compound, I spot Gabriel, Reid, and Quinn in my side mirror riding up behind us. Letting off the throttle, I allow them to take their place in the formation behind Jake and Logan. A short ride later we pull through the compound gates parking outside the clubhouse. Not a word is spoken as we follow Jake inside and to the room church is held. Getting down to business Jake slams the gavel. "You've been made aware of the fact Sofia was attacked at work this afternoon." The atmosphere in the room turns deadly at the news. "The piece of shit that roughed her up made it clear his message was for Luna, the young woman staying at New Hope House." Jake pauses before he delivers the next blow knowing it's about to set shit off. "It's lookin' like Luna has gotten herself mixed up with an MC—Savage Outlaw. More specifically their Prez. She witnessed some shit not meant for her eyes. Because of this, some pussy known as Rex beat her from an inch of her life, dumped her body out in the middle of nowhere, leaving her for dead. The problem for his club is Luna didn't die and is now the only witness to a murder he's currently sittin' in jail for. Now I didn't ask for the details on what she saw because it's not of any relevance to us, so for right now, our only focus is on finding the club's VP Pike who happens to be Rex's brother. He's the one who got to Sofia."
"Fuck, Prez. Was she his old lady?" Quinn asks.
"No. Luna said she hadn't been seein' Rex for very long and she knew he was in an MC but was never brought into the fold. She had no clue her man was into some heavy shit."
"I've never heard of this club," Logan adds. "What about you, Prez? Got any idea who were about to tangle with?"
"Not really. No more than a few whispers here and there over the years. Not enough to give me an opinion on what kind of men they are, but seeing how they have no qualms putting their hands on a woman, that says all I need to know about them," Jake grinds out.
"Sam, you didn't see nothin' while you were waitin' outside Sofia's work?" Quinn questions and I shake my head.
"No. Not a damn thing. Nobody matching Sofia's description walked into The Pier."
"I got the security feed," Reid breaks in. "You are not going to believe this shit, Prez," Reid clicks on his keyboard and a video pops up on the TV in the corner of the room. "Sam was right. The fucker didn't slip past him. Sam never saw him because the pussy broke in before the restaurant opened." Fuck. Reid is right. We all watch as Pike breaks in through the back exit by the dumpster. Next, Reid brings up the footage of the inside of the restaurant. He fast forwards the video and stops on the part where we watch Sofia walk into the restroom. Several seconds later Pike slips in. Reid pauses the video. There are no cameras in the bathroom, but we know what went down behind those doors. I want to put my hands around the fucker's neck and squeeze the life out of him. I now understand what it's like to love someone so fiercely you'd kill for them.
"Prospect!" Jake barks so loud his voice vibrates off the walls of the room. His expression says he's been calling my name but I've been too inside my own head to hear him.
"Sorry, sir."
Jake gives me a pointed look. "There is not one brother sittin' at this table that hasn't been in your shoes, Sam. Each one of us knows what it's like to see our woman hurt; to witness evil creep in and try to destroy what's most important to us. We've also been in a situation where we've felt helpless and blamed ourselves for not protecting them when they needed us. But at the end of the day, you gotta suck it up and come to terms with that shit. The club is depending on you to keep a level head. Your brothers depend on you to have their back. And know in return they will have yours." Jake pauses a moment, letting his words sink in. He's right. No matter what situation I'm faced with, I need to keep myself in control and my head clear. When Jake sees the clarity in my eyes he nods and continues. "Today was not your fault. I would not have let you be the one to watch over Sofia had I not believed in your ability to do so." Jake points to the TV on the wall. "That asshole snuck in hours before opening and slipped out the moment you went in to check on Sofia. He calculated his moves, and knew how not to get caught."
"What's our next move?" this coming from Reid.
"I want you to find out everything you can on this Savage Outlaw MC. I want to know about their Prez and the charges against him as well and when his next court date is. Luna mentioned she wasn't sure she was going to go back home to testify against him. With Rex's men after her, I don't see her riskin' her life to take the stand. But I got a plan brewin' to solve that problem. I'll clue you all in once I've ironed out my execution." Next Jake turns his attention to Gabriel. "I want you and Sam to hit the streets. Scour the area around where Sofia works, talk to the locals, find out if they've seen anyone wearin' a cut not belonging to The Kings. Also head on out to Charlie's and ask him if he's seen anything."
"What are we doin' about Sofia and the ladies stayin' at New Hope House?" Quinn asks.
"Blake and Grey are bringin' them here. I want them watched around the clock. I won't be puttin' the club on lockdown just yet. Right now, the only threat has been to Sofia and Luna. If things escalate further, we'll bring our women and children in. Make sure you tell your old ladies to stay vigilant. I also want all of you on the road as much as possible. Drive around and make your presence known. You know the drill, now get it done." Jake slams the gavel.
Striding out of church, I follow Gabriel outside to our bikes. Straddling his bike, Gabriel lights a cigarette. "Let's hit up Charlie's first."
Once the two of us hit Main Street, we ride side by side in the direction of Polson's local bar. Flying toward us in the opposite direction are two men on bikes. Gabriel and I look at each other, and I know he's made the same assessment as me. Both men are wearing cuts. When Gabriel reaches into his cut retrieving his gun, I follow his lead and do the same. He motions down giving me the signal he's planning to take out their tires. With a lift of my chin, I acknowledge his plan of attack. With my heart pumping and my adrenalin racing through my veins, I raise my pistol. I let thoughts of Sofia and her bruised face run through my head as I pull the trigger. Mine and Gabriel's shots ring out and effectively take out both bikes. The sound of screeching metal fills the air around us as both bikes skid across the asphalt before landing in the ditch on the side of the road. Rolling up to the wreckage, Gabriel and I climb off our bikes with our pistol's still drawn as we approach the two misfortunate assholes whose day is about to get a whole lot worse. One guy appears to be unconscious as the other tries to pick himself up off the ground. Striding toward him, I kick, landing a solid blow to the side of his head with my steel toe boot, knocking him out. Gabriel grunts and nods as he brings his phone to his ear. "Hey, Prez. Need a cage. We're about two miles out from Charlie's."
"What now?" I ask.
Gabriel grins. "Now we get to have some fun."
