Page 52 of Hounds Ascend
“Where’s Ryan?” I ask, looking around the patio toward the house.
“I don’t know.” Raven turns her head sideways, looking at me first then around.
“Something’s up. Did y’all see anyone standing outside when we came out here?” I stand up, fully on guard now. At least as on guard as I can be, since I’m high as fuck on that good ass weed Carrie had. If I would’ve known shit was going to get sketchy, I wouldn’t have gotten stoned.
“No, I didn’t see anyone anywhere. I don’t even remember the last time Iheardsomeone other than us.” Carrie’s brows are knitted tightly, concern etched on her face.
“Where the hell are the guys?” Lucy is now standing, followed by Raven and Carrie. They’re all looking around, semi-panicked. I dig into my pocket and pull a cigarette out, not feelingasstoned as I was a few minutes ago.
I light it and enjoy it as much as I can because I know that whatever happens in the next few minutes is not going to be relaxing in the least.
“We need to get inside, quietly. And turn some of these damn lights out.” Raven flips the light switch for the outside lights off and I make a mental note to ask her how in the hell she knew that damn switch was there. I didn’t even know that switch was there, and it was my house.
I see Raven’s hand slide beneath her shirt, knowing she’s grabbing the piece she’d shown me earlier. Pistol in hand, Raven leads the way inside while we trail behind her quietly. We creep inside through the same door we’d come out of. Once we’re all safely back inside, Mindy, Carrie, and Lucy sit on the bed while Raven and I make our way through the bedroom and into the small hallway on high alert.
I hear chatter coming from the kitchen, men’s voices. Then, the sound of a gun wracking has the hairs on the back of my neck standing straight up. Raven’s frigid stance says that she isn’t feeling very welcome at the moment, either. Nonetheless, we continue moving throughout the house, sneaking behind the staircase and around the other side to a vantage point where we can see into the kitchen. As we near the sound of the chatter, my stomach does a somersault.
Around the bar, Ryan, Linc, Gater, Digger, Brock and three other guys are gathered. Guns galore are spread out on the counter. I exhale a breath of relief and tap Raven’s shoulder, signaling that everything is okay. I walk past a confused Raveninto the kitchen.
“Hey guys,” I chirp, approaching the bar. I stare at the array of guns on my counter. There is everything from nine millimeters to full on assault weapons. I can only assume that the duffle bag at Gater’s feet is filled with more, too.
“Hey, Lil,” Linc says as the rest of the guys fall back into their conversation, Ryan merely standing by and listening.
“Y’all scared the shit out of us. I thought y’all were supposed to be posted at every damn entrance, since there’s only four of ‘em.” Lilly eyes him curiously, but it was Brock that speaks up.
“We were, then you ladies were getting loaded and Gater showed up. So, we came in here, leaving you out there to enjoy your high. Y’all were in your own little world, anyway. You didn’t even notice me standing at the corner of the house when you went outside your bedroom door.”
My face reddens as his words sink in. We were oblivious and paranoid for no reason. Had we been paying closer attention we would’ve noticed Brock standing there and probably wouldn’t have been so freaked out.
“Oh…I guess that’s a good point. What the hell are you doing here, anyway? And why’d you bring enough guns for the first infantry?” I ask Gater.
He looks up from the gun he was showing Digger. “I brought them for the guys in case they needed them. Shit’s getting crazy with those Moccasins.”
“You need to give Cass a call. Straighten that shit out,” Brock says, his tone flat as he spoke directly to Gater. Whatever is goingon, there seems to be confusion and tension. I hope for Gater’s sake that he got it straight because Cass isn’t in the best mood with all the bullshit going on, I’d hate to see Cass get his hands on Gater ‘cause it wouldn’t be pretty.
“I’m about to walk outside and do that now. I realized my actions didn’t reflect well on me, considering the war that we’re in the midst of.” Gater exits the kitchen and I hear the front door shut behind him.
Raven is still standing quietly behind me. “You wanna let Carrie, Lucy, and Mindy know that everything’s okay?” I whisper over my shoulder.
“Yeah,” Raven turns on her heel and disappears toward the bedroom.
I’ve gotten a feel for Brock and how he is lately, and I feel like he will be more open with me than any of the other guys, mostly because he’s older and more laid back. Oh, and he’s had a patch for the last God knows how many years. I make my way closer to where he stands, a few feet away from everyone else who’s admiring the calvary of weapons, deep in conversation about the better caliber gun.
“Anyone ever tell ya you worry too much?” Brock asks.
I sigh. “Every day. I can’t help it. I had this gut feeling and it hasn’t gone away. It feels like something is wrong.”
“Baby girl, that’s ‘cause itis. The man you love is leading the damn cavalry into war. I don’t know how much more wrong it can get than that.”
“I guess you’re right.” I smile halfheartedly. That isn’tanything to smile about. If anything, it made me want to scream. Rip my hair out. Riptheirhair out. Something. Instead, I’m stuck here while people are out there likely dying for their club. At least their deaths would be honorable.
Brock wraps an arm around me, pulling me into his side. I lean into him, finding comfort in the father-like man standing next to me.
“It’s all gonna work out. Don’t you worry.” He pats my upper arm where his hand lay in a reassuring gesture.
If only it were that easy…
Chapter Eleven
