Page 45 of Hounds Ascend
I sigh. Scott is still standing next to Cass, quiet as a church mouse. He appears to be contemplating something. Is he worried about the outcome of the war? Because if he’s worried, then I’m definitely worried. If he’s having second thoughts about it then…I shake my head in attempt to clear the negative thoughts that cloud my mind.
No, everything is going to be fine. That’s why backup is on the way.
Reassuring myself, I take a slow, deep breath in and release it.
“Speaking of…” Scott says as the sound of pipes wracking in the front caught their attention.
We all three look outside to find the Highway Sinners pulling in, ten deep. We walk outside to greet them as they step off theirbikes. Micah and Raven are first, with a few others behind them. I realize then that it isn’t just Highway Sinners, but Tattered Saints also. I recognize almost all of these faces from the benefit.
Cass shakes hands with each one of them, thanking them for coming as does Scott while I pull Raven into a hug. I’m happy to see her and if shit goes awry, I’m glad Raven is on my side. She has more than proven herself to me when she drove me home the other day when Mindy got into her wreck.
“Where’s your car?” Raven whispers, looking around the driveway.
“I don’t have it. Probably by design, too.” I huff and roll my eyes, wondering how we will get out of here if we need to.
“Damn.”
“Since we don’t have anything better to do for the time being, want to come see the new house?” I ask, excited to show it off to someone.
“Yes! It’s so pretty from out here, I can only imagine what it looks like inside!” Raven’s excitement makes me laugh and it feels good to have a distraction from the terror going on.
I take Raven on a tour of the house while the guys stand outside and talk. They’re probably discussing who’s going to do what when shit comes down to the wire. It still makes me uneasy to think about them going after the Moccasins. I wonder why Asher would let these things continue to go on, knowing the outcome when he didn’t seem to be the type of person to hurt people to get what he wanted.
“Ilovethis bed!” Raven’s exclamation and her running andjumping across the bed steals me out of my head and makes me laugh at her.
“I know. It’s perfect and so comfy. Not to mention from there you can see outside into the pool and you can see if anyone is coming into the room.”
“I didn’t even notice the pool!”
Raven walks to the glass doors and peers outside. The sun has just set and the sky is still a beautiful array of pinks and oranges, the colors reflecting off the water. I’m still amazed that this place is mine to call home.
A vibrating sound pulls my attention toward the bed. My phone is ringing. I snatch it and pick it up. Mindy’s calling.
“Hey love!”
“Hey!” Mindy’s cheerful voice makes me smile.
“I’m sorry I didn’t call to check on you today. It’s been a day, for sure. We moved our things into the house and the Highway Sinners and Tattered Saints just showed up.”
“Oh, it’s okay. I know how things go. Linc talked the hospital into releasing me, so it looks like I get to see your place sooner rather than later!”
“That’s great news!” I shout, jumping up and down with excitement. Raven looks at me with a tilted head.
“Mindy’s getting released from the hospital,” I whisper, holding the phone away from my mouth.
“I know! I can’t wait to get out of here and eat some damn real food!”
“When are you getting out?”
“As soon as they bring me the papers to sign! I’ll see you in a few hours, I just wanted to call and let you know I was coming to see you and getting out of this hell hole.”
“Alright. I love you. See you soon.”
“Love you!”
I press the red button and slip it into my pocket, making sure the ringer is on loud in case Mindy needs anything between now and when she arrives.
Raven is walking around the master bedroom, looking around in the same awe that I had when I’d first seen it.
