Sawyer started the dishwasher, drying her hands on a dishcloth. The doorbell chimed and she laid the cloth down on the counter before going to the door. Her stomach sank at seeing Vida, Colton, Ice and Jackal.
She knew it was bad news when she saw their faces. Crossing her arms over her chest, she walked to the middle of her living room floor. She heard Kaden coming down the steps and turned to see him with an expression of worry on his face. He knew what they were going to tell her. She could see it in his face. Kaden came to her, standing behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist.
“Just tell me,” Sawyer ordered. Staring at Vida’s face, it was obvious she had been crying.
“Digger escaped,” Vida said gently, aware of how upset Sawyer was going to be that the man who had kidnapped her and dozens of other women had gotten away.
“How?” Sawyer asked in disbelief.
Ice explained, “They were in the State’s Attorney office. Digger had agreed to disclose the whereabouts of his houses, even tell where the women he had sold were at. He went to the bathroom before they started, and he managed to get away. Walked out the fucking front door. Both guards were killed. He had help.”
“Oh, my God.” Sawyer started crying.
Not only didn’t they know where those poor women were, but he was on the loose where he could continue somewhere else, kidnapping even more women.
“At least he doesn’t know about Callie.” Sawyer’s relief was cut short as Ice burst her bubble.
“He knows. When they checked his cell, they found information on Penni: where she lived, college, her half-brother. Digger had a complete dossier on her. The best we can figure out, he’s known since his arrest from the date on the file. We think he recognized Callie’s resemblance to King when he was in Penni’s hotel room.”
“We have to warn Callie,” Sawyer said.
“There’s more,” Jackal broke into the conversation. “Rip, who was keeping an eye on Callie, has disappeared. He was supposed to check in last night. He hasn’t. We will get our brother back.” His menace-filled eyes showed the shadows of death.
Vida turned into Colton’s chest.
“We can talk to Callie. They’ll let him go.” Vida tried to sound positive.
Ice took command. “This is what we’re going to do. We’re going to Treepoint to ask for a meet with The Last Riders and set everything straight. You can give the heads-up to Callie, offer to bring her back here under our protection. Digger won’t touch her if we make a claim on her. If they give our man back, then we’ll all be cool and leave in peace. If our brother is dead, then it’s another matter. The brothers are on the way here. If you’re going, get ready to ride.”
Sawyer went upstairs to pack. She looked up when she saw Vida standing in the doorway.
“It’s going to be okay, isn’t it?” Her friend wanted reassurance.
“Pray, Vida. Pray hard. That’s what I’m doing.”
*
Jackal went to the door.
“Where are you going?” Ice asked, stopping him.
“I’ll keep about twenty minutes behind you,” Jackal told him with silent meaning in his eyes. “I’m going to get us some insurance.”
Ice nodded his head, giving the okay.
They were ready to leave in thirty.
Kaden was riding his bike beside Colton’s. Sawyer and Vida looked at each other, holding their husbands tight.
Kaden had called Alec; he was going to follow behind them in the Escalade. When the women needed breaks from the bikes, they could ride with him. They were going to drive straight through to Treepoint.
Ice held up his arm in front of over eighty bikers. They heard his voice in the back. “Predators, we ride.”
*
Monday
Lily rushed to unlock the church store. She was late because she had stopped at Shade’s office on the way to work, keeping her promise from Friday night. She almost spilt her coffee when she unlocked the door.
Carefully closing it behind her, she walked to the counter, putting her purse underneath.
Pastor Dean came in with a smile. “I called Shade to see if you were sick. You’re never late. He hung up on me.”
Lily turned red. “I’m sorry I’m late. I was…” Lily didn’t know what to say. She certainly didn’t want to tell the truth, but she didn’t want to lie either.
“Busy?” Pastor Dean’s grin widened.
“Busy.” Lily nodded her head. “I’m sorry about Shade. He’s a rude man. I’ll have a talk with him.”
“You do that, Lily. If anyone can straighten him out, you can.” Lily’s doubtful look had him laughing. “Lily, you brighten my day, which is a good thing since I’m doing the church accounts this morning. I’ll be in my office if you need me.”
“All right,” Lily responded, looking over the paperwork on the bikes that Train was donating.
When the door opened, Lily smiled as a customer came in; a tall, broad-shouldered man with jet black hair.
Her smile began to fade as he came closer to the counter.
“Hello, Callie. Remember me?”
*
Shade was sitting at his desk when the first call came.
“You have something of mine and I want it back.”
“And would this be Ice or Jackal?” Shade replied.