Damaged and the Outlaw (Damaged #4)

“What’s taking Bailey so long?” Sawyer asked, sitting in the booth next to her mom.

“She’s at Hampton, choosing her classes for next semester. She’ll be here soon.”

After deciding I wanted pink nails with little stars, I thought about Vaughn who was off doing whatever his job entailed when he wasn’t hanging with the guys. I was still daydreaming when Jodi’s cell rang followed by Tawny’s. Farah’s was next then Maddy’s. Before I had a chance to worry, Jodi bolted from her chair and locked the front doors. I heard Maddy gasp while Tawny pulled out a gun.

“We’re locking things down until someone comes,” Jodi explained to the freaked out manicurists.

“What’s happening?” I asked Farah.

“Cooper wants us to go to his parents’ house. Someone attacked Bailey and the club is shutting the town down until they find the guy.”

“What should I do?” Lark asked, looking so young that I immediately hugged her.

“Everyone is going to my house where we’ll be safe,” Jodi said, examining the quiet street outside. “You’re family and the Johanssons stick together against their enemies.”

For the next ten minutes, Jodi and Tawny guarded the front while I hugged Lark and caressed her head. Farah moved to a couch where she played Internet games with Sawyer and Maddy.

Once a few guys from the club showed up, they escorted us to the Johansson property. Only then, did we learn Bailey was already at the house. Even wanting answers about who attacked her and whether Vaughn was safe, we could only wait.





Chapter Twenty Six – Vaughn


Raven planned to spend the morning with the girls, so I looked for houses in a few recently built neighborhoods. Big plans awaited us and I wanted to start our new life as soon as possible. Unfortunately, my enemies chose to derail my dreams again.

The call from Cooper was short and angry. Assholes attacked us in Ellsberg. We needed to meet up at Whiskey Kirk’s. The women were safe. The last part of his message was what kept me from blowing off his orders and looking for Raven.

Instead of checking on my woman, I arrived at a packed Whiskey Kirk’s. Inside, I found the guys armed up and restless.

“What the hell happened?” I asked Judd who was wearing his enforcer face.

“Looks like the Devils are in town. I don’t know the details because Cooper’s keeping shit close to the vest. He’s talking with Tucker and Kirk now.”

Glancing around at the angry club guys, I knew something big went down. The specifics didn’t matter. Someone came into Reaper territory to stir up shit.

“Is Tawny okay?” I asked in a barely veiled attempt to find out about Raven.

“They moved all the girls to the Johansson house especially after what happened to Bailey.”

“Shit, man. Tell me what you know.”

Judd glanced around. “Bailey was on her way to the salon to meet the girls when some fucker ran her off the road. He tried to move on her car, but she took a shot at him. He shot back. Then, that asshole deputy with the stupid name showed up with his lights and sirens. The asshole shooting at Bailey ran for it. I don’t know who the guy was, but the Devils tried to grab Kirk’s kid. It goes without saying the streets will bleed red soon.”

Once the door to the backroom opened, Tucker gestured for me and Judd along with Kirk’s top guys. The rest of the club wanted answers, but they would have to wait.

Cooper’s face was a mask of rage. His pop looked calm enough, but the guy had years of practice at hiding his feelings. When Cooper was too angry to speak, Tucker explained.

“Saint called from Tucson and said the clean up couldn’t be completed because Caleb wasn’t in town. The other guys were dealt with including Lloyd, but Caleb’s neighbors claimed he’d gone hunting a few days earlier. The Devils are in a fucking rage, but they’ve got no leader. Saint said the rumor is a Mexican gang is looking to take over the Devils’ territory. Vaughn’s old crew has got bigger shit to worry about than us.”

“Who tried to grab Bailey?” Judd asked.

The muscles in Kirk’s jaw twitched then he shrugged. “Wasn’t Caleb. Probably one of his guys. Saint said the fucker took a few buddies hunting with him.”

Realizing the timeline, I sighed. “Once their shitty hitman got killed, they sent Caleb to do me. Now, he’s heard about his dad and lost his fucking mind.”

“Bailey’s okay though?” asked one of Kirk’s guys.

Nodding, Kirk suddenly looked directly at me and every muscle in my body tensed.

“Raven?” I asked.

“No, she was with Jodi and the girls. They’re fine, but while the fucker tried to grab Bailey, his buddies were over at Cooper’s future office. They grabbed Harlow, her sister, and shot Raven’s brother.”

“Is Dylan dead?”

“No, but only because Tad pulled a gun. Caleb didn’t have time to finish the job. He did get the girls though and sent us a message saying he’d kill them if we didn’t hand you over.”