Page 23 of Reaper Razed

“Bran, Tank, Priest, Blade, I need Dozer and Steel taking to my place, straight to the bathroom and stripping. They need scrubbing. They're covered in tear gas. Then put them to bed and keep an eye on them. They do not leave the apartment till I get back. Dane and Ares, can you take Dice to his room and do the same?” I turn to head back in the vehicle.

Ares asks, “What the fuck’s going on, Ray? Who are these people?”

“Ares, I love you, Brother, but can we do this later? Much later? I’ve got people I need to secure in my office. And I need my boys taken care of.”

“Sure!” He isn’t happy about it, but we don’t have time to go at it right now.

Placing my hand on his arm, I give him a tight smile, and he nods.

I jump in, and we head up to the office, driving into the barn and securing the doors. We get out, open the back and drag the targets out of the van. I head over to the rusty panel on the wall, lifting it to reveal the retinal scanner beneath. There’s a clunk and a whirring sound as a hay bale moves, revealing the stairs. We drag the targets down the stairs, dropping them at the bottom.

The lights flicker on automatically. White King looks around the room, whistling, “Nice set-up you’ve got here, Black Queen. This is gonna do just fine! Where do you want them?”

“Just one in each cell and shackle them to the wall. I’ll get what I need out of them.”

White Knight and White King drag the targets into the cells, locking the doors behind them and heading back up to the armoured vehicle. “I’ll let you know when I find anything. But right now, I’m gonna check on Steel.”

The guys pile into the armoured vehicle, and I jump on the side, hanging on as they drive down towards the clubhouse with Hades running along beside us. Slowing down as they drive towards Ares, who’s stood between the garage and the clubhouse, I jump off as they accelerate away and out onto the road.

“Well, that was excessively dramatic!” Ares still doesn’t look impressed. “What’s the situation, Ray? You’re gonna need to give me something.”

“I will, just not right now, Ares. I need to check on the guys, and then I need to get to work finding out what the fuck’s going on. I’ve got two guys in my ‘office’ waiting on a chat when they regain consciousness. Until then, I can’t really tell you anything!”

I head towards the apartment to check on Steel and clean myself and Hades up before heading over to visit with our friends.

“Ray?” Ares stops me. His voice is off. He doesn't sound right.

I turn and cock a brow at him. “What’s up, Ares? You’re worrying me with your tone!”

He casts his eyes down, then back up to meet mine. “Who’s side are you on, Ray?”

Turning and stepping back towards him, I put my arm on his. “What are you really asking me, Ares?” I glance around. We're alone. There’s not a soul in sight. “Talk to me!”

“Are you with us, or is taking you in gonna come back and bite me in the ass? Bite us in the ass? I’m asking, Ray, are you gonna rip my best friend’s heart out?”

I sigh. “I think we need to talk, and we will. I’ll tell you what I can. Can you give me forty-eight hours? That’s all I ask. Believe in me till then. I will have answers for you by then. But I love Steel. I love you, I love you all! I’m not gonna do anything to hurt any of you. You’re my family!”

He nods as he pulls me into his arms and hugs me like he loves me back! “Why the fuck are you… spicy? …What the fuck is that? Jesus, I can taste it… Ugh, why are my eyes stinging?”

I laugh as I pull back. “Sorry, tear gas!”

“Do I want to know?”

“Maybe some other time. Now go shower and get those clothes off, or you’ll be sorry.” I wink and walk away.

Stalking into the apartment, there’s no one around, so I head straight into the bathroom, strip off in the shower, and start scrubbing Hades down. The door creaks open, and Bran walks in. “Hey, you good?” He steps in and closes the door.

“How is he? How are they?”

“They’re all good. All decontaminated and asleep, they stirred quite a bit and mumbled but didn’t fully come back around. Should be out for about another half hour, give or take, so I’ll ask again, you good?”

“Yeah!” I breathe out. “I am now. Thanks, Bran… ya know, for everything!”

“Love ya, Sis.” He opens the door, “I’ll grab you some clothes.”

“Bran, I love you too. Make them work clothes. I'm heading up to the office to get this shit squared away and figured out. Ares has given me forty-eight hours before he wants answers.” Bran nods and leaves the room.

After scrubbing us both clean, I head out to the kitchen, grab Hades some steak and chicken and drop it in his bowl. “Stand down, Hades. Good boy. Eat and sleep, pup. You did good today!”

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