Devil's Advocate: Vlad (The Bedlam Horde MC Book 1)

by Sarah Zolton Arthur

  Duke cuts in. “Right. Whatcha need from us?” he asks.

  “The plan is, the Horde brothers here in this room are going to be responsible for getting as many of the men loyal to Rage out to this property.” Sarge drops a finger onto the paper spread out on the table. “It’s out of the way, secluded yet open enough for us to get the drop on the men without us taking too many hits and no chance for innocent bystanders to take a hit.”

  The room falls eerily quiet.

  “We know it’s a lot to ask.” I take the lead back. “But we need enough manpower to overtake them or else Rage’ll keep coming. But we know you all have women and families, so it’s up to you whether or not to get involved.”

  Scotch reaches to grab the schematics. “Ya helped Frankie and my wee lasses when ya didn’t have to.”

  “Same,” Crass says, joining in the conversation for the first time. “You helped keep Brighton safe and I wouldn’t have her now if you didn’t.”

  “Ditto.” Blood looked pointedly at me. “You went above and beyond looking out for our women and got yourself shot in the process. Any man takes a bullet to protect Hannah automatically becomes my brother—wear the same cut or not.”

  I get similar responses from the rest of the men, concluding with Duke saying, “Doc’d kick my ass she thought I let yers swing—and once this shit’s done, she wants ya at our place fer dinner.”

  Sarge practically busts a gut laughing until I throw an elbow to his side to get him to shut the hell up. That’s when the rest of the men in the room join in.

  Yeah, right… Okay. “Then let’s get this done.”

  For the rest of the time we’re there, we spend it hashing out a plan of attack. It’s going down the end of the week.

  On Wednesday I buy a used beater car from a private seller two counties away, one that can be easily junked once the mission is over.

  Late Thursday night, after production shut down at the drug house, Sarge and I drive the beater to the property adjacent to the farm and hoof it over to the old barn turned meth lab, avoiding the cameras thanks to Sarge’s good eyes on the monitor. Our destination, we’re not headed for the inside of the barn, but the pole outside, the pole that feeds all the electricity to the barn from the breaker box attached to it.

  From there, it’s as easy as installing this little device that’ll allow us to remotely cut the power to the property and jam the camera feeds. Hero got it for us from a site he knows off the internet. I sure as fuck hope it works. Though I’ve got no cause to doubt him, he’s smart. Brilliantly smart. The kind of smart that makes me glad we’re finally on the same side. Knowing he has a pregnant wife, he doesn’t need Rage’s bullshit touching his life any longer than it has to.

  That done, Sarge and I hightail it out of there, back to the beater, and head for the compound.

  Friday. D-day. My brothers and I spend the day sending the brothers we believe to be loyal to us away on “club business” because too many men on the ground could get us detected and ruin the whole plan or get us killed, but we don’t want them around to be called into action to help out at the farm when we hit go-time.

  First thing, we had one of the Lords call as a representative of Mr. Edwards about a huge payday for the Horde if they could get enough product ready in the time frame given. Mr. Edwards is a tiny man with a huge presence in sales and distribution. We’ve done business with him before. Everyone knows he gives tight timelines to test production eagerness and compliance. It’s one of his many means of control, which is how we knew it would work. Rage is so fucking predictable.

  Every available man got the callout to head to the farm. Me and my brothers hang back, preparing in a different way as the clubhouse empties out. About an hour before sunset, the six of us take off, weighed down with weapons and ammo. Duke and his men’ll bring the rest. We couldn’t be sure who was or wasn’t looking over our shoulders, which means nothing out of the ordinary passed through the doors of this building. No unusual internet searches. Nothing.

  As bikes have been coming and going all day, the rumble of our Harleys becomes nothing more than background noise, allowing us to pass by without any trouble. Once we hit the adjacent property, it’s a waiting game. Waiting for the Lords. Waiting for night to fall. Waiting to live or die.

  When Duke and the other men arrive it’s in the old white van and several SUVs. It’s not only his lieutenants; he’s called up most of the club and these brothers have come ready to fight.

  Time ticks away. Finally, the final wisps of daylight get eaten by the dark. Blood and Hero hand out night vision goggles. Guns locked and loaded, we lower our goggles and creep to the edge of the property.

  Sarge and Sneak, one of Duke’s lieutenants, make a perimeter check in order for us to know exactly what we’re working with. Silently, we move closer to the barn, but not close enough to set off the motion detectors that would flood the area with light. On the count of three, Hero uses the remote to simultaneously cut the lights and jam the camera feed.

  As soon as we hear the commotion… we attack.

  4

  Nicola

  A week before the attack on the Horde…

  There’s a knock on the hotel room door. It’s ‘shave and a haircut,’ which means I’m sure it’s Hannah and Blood, but Mad Man and Steph go wired. He has Steph take the spot to conceal her behind the door when it opens while sending Greer and me to hide out in the tub. I don’t have a gun and I don’t want one. Hiding in the bathtub, I’m perfectly happy to oblige.

  Once we have the bathroom door locked and we’re lying down to go unseen should someone kick in the door, we wait. Only thirty seconds pass until we’re met with the voices of our friends. Blood and Hannah made it. They’re here to take us on the next leg of our journey, so relieved, I let out a long, slow breath, fighting back the wetness in my eyes.

  Poor Greer whimpers. She’s still scared. She has every right to be with what she went through. “It’s okay, sweetie. Those are more of the good guys. We’re going to be safe. Do you trust me?”

  She shakes her head in the positive but still refuses to speak. Another knock on the door, this time on the bathroom door, and I hear my friend.

  “Nic?” Hannah calls through. “We’re here.”

  “Come on. Let’s go greet our visitors,” I say to Greer as I push up out of the tub then hold my hand out to help her up. She takes it, staying behind me as I open the door.

  “Oh my god, Nic, I was so scared when you called.” Hannah leans in to hug me with all the warmth and relief of a good friend. And god, she looks every bit as beautiful as the last time we were together, though the long, wavy, honey-blonde hair that she normally kept in a ponytail is today piled in a messy bun on the crown of her head. Probably because of the heat. She’s certainly managed to keep her dancer’s body, and by that, I mean exotic. She’s retired from it now, but had showed me some moves one time. The way she worked a pole, it was like watching Cirque du Soleil with all her acrobatics. Much better times.

  “You were scared?” I give her a tighter squeeze. “They were gone, Han,” I whisper. “Dead or gone. Now I don’t know what to do. How do I get them back?”

  “We’re putting men on it. Clubs closer to here are wading in. For now, we got you.”

  I reach behind me to grab Greer’s hand and pull her around to stand next to me and Hannah. “Han…” I hold Greer’s hand up, giving it a gentle shake. “This is Greer. She came to us after you and Carmen left. Celeste knew her. Oh, god—someone needs to call Celeste so she doesn’t try to go back to the safe—”

  She cuts me off. “Already done. I did it on the way. She’s back home in Virginia.”

  My eyes tell her thank you. She and I have that bond allowing us to communicate without words. “How’s she doing?” I ask.

  “You know, trying best she can. It’s hard to go back to regular life. It was even hard for me and I had Blood. Imagine what it must be like without someone at your side you can turn to when t
he shadows start to creep in.”

  “Yeah,” I deadpan. “I can only imagine.”

  She looks sad. “I’m sorry—”

  “Nope.” I stop her right there. “Nothing for you to be sorry about. We all have different paths. Yours is the path of an old lady in a motorcycle club. Mine is underground, helping women escape the life. I’m good with it.”

  “I’d offer you one, but I’m afraid all the best brothers are already taken.”

  She and I chuckle softly. “It’s cool. I sort of wish I were a lesbian. Women I like. Women I trust. It’s just unfortunate that I’m not attracted to them. Sometimes the nights get cold, if you know what I mean.” Then I end with a wink.

  We giggle again until stopped by a rap on the door. “You ladies planning on taking up house in the john or are you coming out?” Blood. Okay. I have to see him. He’s an exception. He and Blue.

  Then I hear Blue’s voice too. “I need my Nic fix. Get out here, girl.”

  “It’s okay,” I say to Greer, who’s begun to shake from the voices of strange men. “These guys are good. They won’t hurt you. I trust them with my life.” Then I look to Hannah. “Go ahead and open it.”

  She pulls the door open and we’re met by two too-freaking-hot-for-their-own-good bikers. Blood, tall and strong with his head full of strawberry blonde hair and his panty-dropping smile, draws me into a big hug. I notice he’s added a few more tattoos to his arms since the last time I’d seen him. One looks like a little wedding chapel with the Vegas skyline behind it. He and Hannah married there right before she was taken by Escalante for the last time. The other is a headstone with his Lords brother Carver’s name and death date on it. They lost him in a gun battle when they were trying to take on Escalante or something like that. He didn’t talk about it much when they’d been at the safehouse with me in Texas. It was still too fresh and caused he and Hannah too much pain, so I didn’t push.

  “Missed you, girl,” says Blood. “Circumstances suck, but I’m glad to see you alive and healthy.”

  I snicker. No truer words. “Missed you, too Blood.”

  “Hey, quit bogarting the woman. I need my Nic fix, too.” Blue shoves Blood’s shoulder, forcing him to let go and step out of the way. As he hugs me, I notice he has the same headstone tattoo as Blood. I wonder if all the brothers had the same ink put on their skin. He leans in to whisper in my ear. “Car wanted to come, but she tripped helping load the van and twisted the shit out of her ankle.”

  And he came here instead of taking care of his woman? I pulled back to glare at him.

  “Don’t give me that look. She told me if I didn’t get my ass out here, she’d snip off my balls when I’m sleeping. I like my balls exactly where they are, so I’m here.” That’s our Carmen. I shake my head at him, laughing and feeling better than I have in a while. Then I feel a strong pang of guilt over feeling better when so many of our girls are missing, and I pull away.

  “Well, I’m glad you’re here. Mad Man and Steph have been wonderful, but two days stuck with our shiny, happy attitudes, I’m sure they’re looking forward to getting home.” Then realizing my faux pas, I twist in order for him to get a better look at Greer. “And this is Greer. She’s a Virgo, likes long walks on the beach and the prospect of getting as far away from Texas as humanly possible.”

  Blue snickers, and surprise, surprise, Greer actually cracks a smile—the first emotion other than fear or exhaustion I’ve seen in days. Exactly what I was hoping for.

  “I hate to break up this little reunion,” Mad Man says, cutting in, “but it’s dark, so a good time to get you girls outta here without too many people seein’ your faces.”

  Agreed. “You’re so right.” I turn to my poor, still-traumatized Greer. “You ready for this, sweetie? Next step in a new life?”

  She nods. I’m proud of her. Despite all she’s been through, she holds her head up and nods.

  “Okay,” Blood says. “We got Han’s Jeep. Blue’ll sit up front with me, you three women in the back. Less chance for anyone to see your faces.”

  “Got it.”

  Before we exit the room, even though they’ll be following behind us, I hug Mad Man. “Thank you for dropping everything and coming for us. I’ll never be able to repay that kindness.”

  “No repayment necessary. It was an honor to be called up, what with it being such a delicate situation. We got men searching. Ears to the ground. We’re gonna find your girls.”

  That causes a gasp I never meant to give and I squeeze him tighter. There are good men in the world. Three stand in the room with us, living proof of that. Sometimes, it’s hard to get myself to believe it, but in this moment, I do. When I let go, I turn to Steph next. “Thank you, too. I never want there to be another time where we don’t know each other. After two days, I consider you a friend, and be warned, my friendship—that shit’s like herpes; it stays with you forever.” The laugh she pops out is infectious, making everyone else laugh as well. Yes, even Greer smiles again.

  I blink several times in hopes of dissuading the darn tears rimming my eyes from falling. It only slightly works and my cheeks get a little dewy in the process. Whatever. It’s an emotional night for us and anyone who doesn’t like it can suck salt.

  “You’re ordering your tears to suck salt, aren’t you?” Blue asks as he steps in close to snag an arm around my waist.

  Close. So close. His question only serves to make me laugh more and cry harder. He’d spent months at the safehouse with us, arranging protection and the safe transport for many of our girls. He and Carmen were my partners in crime. We got close in a way that if anyone ever asks if we’re related, because we really do look similar enough to be siblings, I’ll absolutely answer that he’s my brother and mean it.

  “Something like that,” I answer.

  It’s time for us to move now and as bittersweet and our parting is for me, I’m glad to be going. Blood takes the lead, Hannah behind him. Greer and I are flanked by Blue and Steph, with Mad Man bringing up the rear. Every one of them is packing heat—even Hannah. She’s turned into somewhat of a badass mama since her time with us. Let’s face it. She was badass during her time with us, but living with bikers has compounded that exponentially.

  Blood checks the hallway, letting a handsy, kissy couple that actually look about five seconds from dropping to the carpet and making a baby in the middle of the floor pass and make it to their room. They’re inside with the door shut before he moves us out, taking us down to the emergency exit rather than risking the elevator. They’ve parked the Jeep right outside the side door, where we exit only after Blood hits the key fob to unlock the door.

  With no more time for goodbyes because we can’t hang around outside, they shuffle us to the backseat. I get in first and slide to the opposite door. Greer goes next, taking the middle seat, followed by Hannah.

  Blue takes the front passenger side and Blood drives. We wave only once to Mad Man and Steph and then they’re only visible through the rear window.

  “Best get comfortable, ladies,” Blood says. “We got a long ride ahead of us.” He’s not wrong. I looked up the driving directions on Steph’s phone after they made initial contact once we made it safely inside the hotel room that first day. I wanted to know how long it would take them to reach us. We’re in for a twelve-hour car-a-thon.

  As it’s night, Greer and I settle back, leaning against one another, and I know I drift off to sleep. When I wake again, I’m met by bright orangie sunlight streaming inside my window. No wonder I woke up. Once my eyes adjust enough to get a bearing on where we are, I see Blood outside, leaning against the vehicle, pumping gas, with Blue outside standing close enough to talk.

  Stretching my legs might be nice. And maybe a potty break. I’m not super hip on using a gas station john, but if you’re able to turn your nose up at restrooms, then you really don’t have to go that badly. I’m not turning my nose up.

  I crack the door and step out, stretching the kinks out from my legs and
arms. Both men turn their heads to look at me. “Need something, Nic?” Blue asks.

  “Little girls’ room. And I hate to do this, but I’m sterved. Can someone spot me some change so I can grab some chips or something?”

  “I’ll take you,” Blue offers. “Sterved…” He chuckles. “Missed that. They have a tasty array of breakfast sandwiches inside, FYI. It’s a clean, little place.”

  That’s good to know. Once I catch his eye, we both crack a smile and say, “Donuts and orange juice, baby!” So stupid, I roll my eyes. It was our thing back when he stayed with us.

  “Car’s gonna be pissed she missed out. We have to send her selfies of us stuffing our faces.”

  I laugh, because really, who could help themselves in this situation? Blood shakes his head at the pair of us. “You guys are idiots, you know that, right?”

  “But you love us,” I tease.

  “Go get your food. I’ll wake Han and send her in,” he says as he turns away from us to do exactly what he said he’d do and wake Han.

  Blue was absolutely right. It’s a clean store with a pristinely clean restroom. I had to be the first to use it that morning. After washing my hands, I join him out by the heated display. Tasty array of sandwiches is right—they’ve got a version from what looks like every fast food chain in the nation. I pick out an egg and cheese croissant and grab a fluffy egg, sausage, and cheese biscuit for Greer. Hannah wraps her arms around my neck from behind, kissing my cheek.

  “Good of you to join us, babe,” I say to her, happily holding up the sandwiches for her to see.

  “Blood sent me in with cash. He says to buy what we need.” Well, if he insists. I pick up two maple pancake, egg, cheese, and bacon sandwiches for me and Greer as well.

  Then Blue shouts over to us, “Get your tush over here. They’ve got fresh donuts.”

  “Donuts!” I shout back, throwing my fingers up in devil’s horns.