Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 74575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
To discover that we’d been breached was alarming.
It was even more alarming to discover how we were breached. Bruton had used drones to drop incendiary devices throughout our compound. The devices were filled with thermite—a powder that creates a brief burst of heat and high temperature, but the flame is short-lived.
It was a smart move.
The drop was quick and effective, and it made a hell of an impression. It had us all scrambling. We had no idea what was coming next, and that had us all on edge. We were doing what we could to put out the fires when Cotton called Two Bit and Diesel over. “Go in and gather the others in the family room. Have them wait there until we figure out what the hell is going on.”
“You got it.”
They both headed inside, and I was about to go over and help Stitch and Rooster with Clutch’s SUV when I heard my phone chime with a message. My entire body tensed as I reached into my back pocket and pulled out my phone. I looked down at the screen, and my blood ran cold when I read:
Unknown Caller:
Let him go.
Or the next drop will be on the clubhouse, and I will burn it to the ground.
I immediately turned to Cotton and showed him the message. Needless to say, he wasn’t pleased. “Fuck this guy.”
Noting his anger, Maverick and Guardrail came over to see what was up. Cotton held up my phone, and as soon as he saw it, Maverick scoffed, “I say let him go. Hell, he’s no good to us anyway.”
“He’s right,” Guardrail agreed. “The kid doesn’t know a damn thing. No sense in keeping him here.”
“But what kind of message does that send.” The vein in Cotton’s neck pulsed as he growled, “I don’t want this motherfucker thinking he can play us.”
“I get that, but damn, Prez.” Maverick sounded torn as he told him, “Our hands are tied on this one.”
“Goddamn it. This motherfucker is gonna pay for this shit.” Cotton shook his head and sighed. He lowered his head, thought for a moment, then inhaled a breath and said, “Let him go, but I want a tracking device on him—one that Bruton won’t be able to find. That way, we can get the kid back if we need him.”
“Shouldn’t be a problem. Big and I can take care of it,” I assured him. “Just need a few minutes to get it set up.”
“Get it done.”
I nodded, then followed Big inside. When we got to the office, Big took one of the smaller trackers from our safe and said, “This should do it.”
It wasn’t much bigger than a pen head and could easily be hidden anywhere. “Yeah, I should think so.” He handed it to me, and I started prepping it. Once it was ready, I handed it back to him and said, “It’s all set.”
“Good. Let’s get it to Cotton.”
By the time we got to the playroom, Stitch and Wrath had Ben cleaned up, but he still looked like hell. He was black and blue, and his eyes were swollen like he’d been in a boxing match and lost. They were in the process of giving him some clean clothes when Big walked into the room and grabbed his shoes, secretly slipping the tracker into the bottom sole. Once it was secure, he tossed them on the floor next to Ben’s feet.
We all watched as he bent down to get them and groaned. The guy was in bad shape, which led Big to ask, “You think he’s up to driving?”
“He’s gonna have to be.” Cotton gave him a once over and grimaced as he reached over and placed his palm on Ben’s forehead, forcing his head back so he could get a better look. “Maverick can drive him into town. From there, he’s on his own.”
“I’ll be fine. I can make it.”
“We’ll see soon enough.”
“You should consider yourself lucky. Most folks don’t leave here breathing. Best do what you can to steer clear because if there’s a next time, you won’t be so lucky.”
“Don’t have to worry about that. I have no intention of crossing paths with you guys again.”
“For your sake, I hope you don’t.”
Ben put on his shoes, then followed Stitch and Cotton out to the parking lot. Ben was about to get into his car when Cotton stepped over to him and grabbed him by the shirt collar. He pulled him close as he growled, “Tell your grandfather I’m coming for him.”
“I still don’t understand what’s going on with all this. Why do…”
“Just tell him.”
Ben nodded, then got in the car. As soon as Maverick started the car, Cotton leaned down to the window and ordered, “Get him to the town square. He can get home on his own from there.”
Maverick nodded, then drove through the gate and Two Bit followed close behind. As soon as they were out of sight, we headed back into the clubhouse. We gathered in the conference room and had just sat down when Cotton turned to me and ordered, “Message him back. Tell him we’ve released the kid.”