“You shouldn’t poke the bear, Tessa.” Cara’s lips twitched, glad to see her friend beginning to enjoy herself.
“I know. It’s just, well...I can’t help it.”
The teasing and banter continued on the ride back to Wrath’s and while they unloaded the groceries. Rock had been with them all day, making certain no one followed or approached the women as they ran their errands for tomorrow’s party.
When Wrath arrived close to seven Saturday night, Rock was more than ready to head out, meet some of the men at Robbie’s, and down a few beers.
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay for dinner? Cara makes terrific spaghetti sauce.” Wrath walked outside with Rock, needing to speak with him in private.
“I’m more than ready to have you take over. I’ll be here for the party tomorrow.” Reaching his bike, Rock speared a hard look at Wrath. “What do you have to tell me?”
Letting out a breath steeped in fury and frustration, Wrath explained the admiral’s plan and what he’d be forced to do. Rock rewarded him with a stream of expletives.
“That just isn’t right, man. Grayson must know what went on between you and Glory. There has to be someone else who can provide additional intelligence support.”
“Not someone who can also accomplish what the admiral wants.”
Rock massaged the back of his neck. “The reason for the plan makes sense. It’s the person chosen to pull it off that stinks. You don’t need her anywhere near you or Cara. Glory is a cancer that should be cut from your life forever, Caid.”
At the use of his given name, Wrath grasped the depth of his friend’s disgust. Most times, even at their homes, the men stuck with their club monikers.
“I’ve gotten Grayson’s word. Once this mission is over and Cara is safe, Glory will be pulled and never sent our way again.”
Rock’s gaze narrowed. “Do you believe him?”
Wrath’s mouth twisted into a grim line. “Do I have a choice?”
“Do we ever?” Rock climbed onto his bike, gave him a mock salute, then rode away.
Turning toward the front of his house, Wrath let out a resigned breath. Because of his duty, the life he never intended to leave, he stood a good chance of losing Cara.
Throat thickening, chest squeezing painfully, he thought of the last few weeks, all the time they’d spent together. On leaden legs, he headed inside, knowing he was about to lose the best part of his life.
Wrath watched Cara from across the yard, laughing at something Wrangler said, then shoving his arm. He couldn’t remember a time in the last week he’d seen her so relaxed and happy. The knowledge he might never see her this way again sliced through him.
He and the men had spent an hour in his study, talking of alternative operational plans, arguing, and finally agreeing on their next steps. They had to shut down the Blood and neutralize the local chapter of the Devils. It wouldn’t be long before other outlaw clubs took their place. But for a while, the danger to his men and the community would end.
With a plan in place, everyone seemed content to gorge themselves on the excellent food Cara and Tessa set before them. Moving next to her, Wrath settled an arm over Cara’s shoulders.
“Thanks, sweetheart. You and Tessa have done a great job.” Ignoring those watching, he kissed her, long and deep, feeling her tremble before straightening. “I’ll thank you better when we’re alone.”
Her reply died on her lips when conversation ceased, everyone’s attention focused on a lone figure sweeping across the yard, heading straight toward Wrath. Without warning, Glory stepped to within a few inches of his chest, wrapped her arms around his neck, and drew him down for a kiss.
Stunned, Wrath didn’t react right away. By the time he grasped Glory’s waist and set her aside, everyone present witnessed the display. Without hesitating, she slipped her arm through his.
“I’m sorry, darling. My appointment went longer than intended.” Glory cast an amused look at Cara, holding out her hand. “Hello. I’m Glory Levitt, Caid’s fiancée.”
Mouth opening, Cara struggled to reply. A hesitant look at Wrath, the pain on his face, confirmed what the woman said. Glancing around at the others, who stared between the three, not one looked shocked. A soft, strangled noise burst from her throat before she hurried away.
Taking Glory by her arms, his grip bit into her. “Sonofabitch.” He blew out a harsh breath. “When this assignment is over, and it will be over, I never want to see you again.” Dropping his hands, he chased after Cara, paying no attention to Glory’s pleading voice. Stopping at the entrance to his bedroom, Wrath stared as Cara stuffed clothing into a bag, swiping at tears, mumbling about her own stupidity.
Stalking to her, he placed his hands on hers, stilling her actions. “This is not what you think.”
Tearing her hands from his, she stormed to the closet, pulling the rest of her clothes from hangers. Returning to the bed, she shoved Wrath aside, stuffing her belongings into the bag and closing it.
He gripped her shoulders. “You aren’t leaving until I’ve had a chance to explain.”
Placing her hands on his chest, she pushed him away. “I’m not staying another second in this house. Maybe I’ll be able to listen to what you have to say in a few weeks or months.”
Nostrils flaring, he gripped Cara’s hand, ignoring her attempts to pull free as he dragged her from the room.
“Let go of me!”
“We’re getting on my bike and riding far enough away so you’ll have no choice but to let me explain.”
Still attempting to gain her freedom, her face twisted in anger. “I’m not going anywhere with you. Not now, not ever again. I’m sure your fiancée would be more than happy to get on the back of your bike.”
Stopping next to his motorcycle, he turned to face her, not loosening his hold. “First of all, Glory is not my fiancée. Second, you are absolutely going with me. When I’m finished, if you still want to leave, I’ll take you wherever you want to go.”
Closing her eyes, she willed herself to rein in the tears, ignore the pain ripping through her. Raising her head, she met his unyielding gaze. “You promise to let me leave?”
Sucking in a breath, he nodded, feeling his life spiraling out of control. “If that’s what you want, yes.”
Cara stepped next to the bike. Sending him an expression which left no doubt of her low opinion of him, she lifted her chin. “Let’s get this over with.”
Chapter Sixteen
Cara kept several inches between them, allowing the tears to fall. They’d been riding for over an hour, the afternoon sun beating down on them. Before leaving, he’d handed her a jacket, helmet, and gloves, then climbed on in front of her. A few minutes later, they took the winding mountain road out of town.
She wanted to know where they were going, but wouldn’t ask. All Cara wanted was to listen to his excuse for lying about having a fiancée. Afterward, he’d return her to the house where she’d grab her belongings and leave.
A low rumble sounded behind them, signaling the approach of other bikes. Feeling Wrath tense, she shifted to look over her shoulder, fear gripping her. She leaned forward to shout against his ear.
“They aren’t the Brethren, Wrath.”
Accelerating, he yelled back. “I know.”
Arms tightening around him, she could feel her heart pound painfully in her chest. She’d never met a better rider than Wrath. If anyone could get them away from those following, he could.
Then her hope disappeared.
Up ahead, another group of riders headed straight for them. They were riding into a trap. Reaching into the pocket of her jeans, she struggled to pull out the phone, relieved when it came free. Selecting a name, she called Wrangler.
“Are you with Wrath, Cara?” Wrangler asked.
“Yes, but we’re about to be overtaken by another gang. I don’t know which one.”
“Where are you?”
She shouted the location.
“Good. I c
an track Wrath on GPS. Stay strong, Cara. We’re coming for you.”
Shoving the phone back into her pocket, she leaned forward. “Wrangler’s coming for us.” Seeing his quick nod, she rested her head against his back and waited.
Wrath’s wrists and ankles were tied to a chair in the middle of the room, surrounded by a brutal looking group of Night Devils. He recognized three from information Raider discovered and intel from Grayson. His gaze locked on the large man bending over Cara.
“You finally decided to show your face, Poison. Word is you’re too cowardly to do any of your own dirty work.” A satisfied grin crossed Wrath’s face when the president whirled around, stalking toward him. A hard blow across his face elicited a scream from Cara and a stream of blood to drip from his mouth. “That your best shot, old man?”
Another vicious blow landed on Wrath’s jaw, snapping his head backward.
Crossing his arms, Poison glared down at him. “You think your taunts bother me?”
“By your actions, I’d say they do.”
Another blow landed against the left side of his face, blood seeping from a cut to his brow.
Ignoring the pain, Wrath leaned to his left, seeing Cara tied the same way as him, her chair about ten feet way. Pride flooded him. Instead of someone shaken and scared, he saw a woman full of anger and determination.
He knew at least thirty minutes had passed since she’d made the call to Wrangler. The same as Wrath and Ethan, his youngest brother knew this area of the valley better than Liberty Lake. They’d grown up on their parents’ horse ranch less than five miles away. All he and Cara had to do was hold on long enough for his men to find them.
“I suppose you’re going to tell me why you feel the need for this misplaced show of strength.”
A cruel look twisted Poison’s face before he bent down to within inches of Wrath. “It’s simple. The Blood are our enemy. You made the wrong decision to associate with them. In another life, we might have been friends. Unfortunately, that is no longer an option. We will take off the head of the snake, and the rest of your men will fall with ease.”
Straightening, Poison swiveled, pacing back to Cara. “She is a very beautiful woman.” He reached out, tracing a line down her cheek and neck, stopping at the swell of her breasts. “I think she will be a very good choice for Mario.” He glanced toward a man to Wrath’s left. “What do you say, Mario. Would you like to have her?”
A sneer crossed the man’s face before he moved to Cara. His dark eyes fastened on hers before his gaze skimmed down her body, a smile of appreciation forming.
“Fuck yes. The bitch would be good, Poison. For a time.”
When Poison’s attention returned to Wrath, his brows furrowed at the bored expression on his face. “You have no problem with Mario taking her?”
“Why should I? She means nothing to me. The woman is a club whore. Nothing of any value. You’re welcome to her.”
Anger flashed across Poison’s face. “You are a fucking liar.”
Wrath shook his head, feeling his face begin to swell from the beating. “No. This is not my woman. You’ve mistaken her for my old lady, who is safe where you can’t find her.” He ignored the way Cara flinched at his words.
“So you say,” Poison snorted.
Wrath shrugged. “It’s the truth. I don’t care what you do to her.” His gut twisted on the lie, bile rising in his throat at the hungry look on Mario’s face. He could only pray his men would find them before any real harm came to Cara. It didn’t mean Wrath wouldn’t kill every Devil he could get his hands on for scaring his woman. And Mario would be the first to go.
“We shall see if you are telling the truth.” Poison shifted toward Mario. “She is yours.”
Fierce rage clawed through Wrath when Mario retrieved a hunting knife from a scabbard at his waist. Waving it in a menacing fashion in front of Cara’s face, he placed the cold metal against her cheek.
“Will you be a good girl for me, or will I get the pleasure of cutting you?”
Cara jerked at Mario’s words, her pleading gaze searching Wrath’s implacable features. Seeing nothing to show he cared at all about her plight, tears formed in her eyes. Closing them, she turned her face away from the threatening man before her.
Fear gripped her when she felt the knife move down her jaw to her neck. Instead of cutting her, he sliced her bindings. Gripping her arm so hard she winced, Mario hauled her up to stand in the center of the room.
From his place a few feet away, Wrath watched helplessly as the knife made a clean cut down her shirt. Hot fury rushed through him. Unable to sit still any longer, he bucked in the chair.
A hearty laugh reached him. “I thought you didn’t care what happened to this woman.” Amused, Poison watched Wrath’s look of rage.
Looking down at the fabric hanging open to reveal her lace bra, Cara bent over, rushing forward to crash into Mario’s soft middle. The wind whooshed from his lungs. Staggering, Mario straightened, his red face heated in a crazed expression.
Gripping the knife, the tip pointing straight ahead, he stalked toward her. Cara stumbled backward, a scream stalling in her throat when gunfire sounded from outside.
“Get down, Cara!” Wrath rocked his chair back and forth, forcing it to tip over a split second before the door burst open.
Wrangler crouched low, picking off Devils as if in a carnival booth. Rock and Gunner, two of their best shooters, were right behind him, taking out others.
Pulling out knives, they made their way to Wrath as the remaining Devils rushed through the back door. Reaching down, Wrangler cut through the ties.
“Find Cara.” Wrath nodded to the empty spot where she’d been standing a minute before. “The Devils must’ve taken her.”
Grabbing the gun Wrangler offered, they moved to the back door, checking before rushing outside. What Wrath saw had his blood running cold. Marco held a gun to Cara’s head.
“Let her go, Marco.” Wrath and the others stood behind a series of water drums, their weapons aimed at the man’s head. “She isn’t going to save you.”
His men kept their positions, waiting for an opportunity as Marco dragged her back toward his bike. Using Cara as a shield, he threw a leg over the seat, starting the machine as a series of bullets flew toward the Brethren, keeping them stuck behind the water drums.
Wrath’s gut clenched at the fear on her face when Marco throttled forward, tightening his grip on her hair. Dragging Cara alongside the bike for several feet, he let her go, racing away while the remaining Devils kept the Brethren pinned in place.
“Stay down, Cara.” Wrath moved from behind the drums, firing at the retreating bikes. One skidded out of control, the rider flying over the handlebars. Another lowsided, the bike’s owner pinned underneath, unable to free his gun.
“We want him alive,” Wrath ordered, hurrying to Cara’s side, his gaze moving quickly over her. “Are you all right? Were you shot?”
Blinking several times, she stared into his eyes, the scene with Glory returning. Shifting away, Cara stood, legs shaking. Looking everywhere except at Wrath, her gaze landed on Wrangler. He stood with Rock, Ghost, and a few more of the Brethren who’d joined them in the back, staring down at the injured Devil trapped under his bike.
Approaching him on unsteady legs, Cara chanced a quick glance behind her to see Wrath a few feet behind. Even as his deep gray eyes bored into her, he made no attempt to stop her. Any hope she still harbored drained out of her.
“Wrangler?”
Walking to her, he placed an arm around her shoulders to steady her. “What do you need, sweetheart?”
“I know you’re busy, but would it be possible for me to ride with you back to Wrath’s?”
He shot a look at Wrath, grimacing when his brother gave a terse nod. “Sure, Cara. The boys can take care of this. Let’s get going.”
Doing her best to shove aside the ball of pain in her chest, she followed Wrangler to his bike. Climbing behind him, she forced
herself not to look back. She couldn’t bear to see the relief on Wrath’s face. Her entire body ached, but those pains were nothing compared to the despair in her heart.
Helping her off the bike, Wrangler stopped her attempt to hurry inside. “It’s not what you think, Cara.”
A disgusted look passed across her face. “What part of what I’m thinking isn’t accurate?”
Placing fisted hands on his hips, Wrangler glanced away before his gaze returned to hers. “My brother doesn’t lie. Not ever. Did he confirm Glory is his fiancée?”
She thought of their brief conversation before he’d grabbed her hand, pulling her to his bike. “No. He said the same as you. What happened in the back yard wasn’t what I thought.” She blinked, refusing to let more tears gather in her eyes.
“If you care at all about him, you need to let him explain. At least as much as he’s allowed to reveal.” Leaning down, he kissed her cheek. “You’re the first woman he’s cared anything about in a long time. Don’t throw it all away before you know the real reasons for what you heard.” He climbed back on his bike, roaring down the driveway.
Wrangler’s words repeated in her head as she walked inside, but she refused to waste time thinking about them now. Glancing out the back as she walked through the kitchen, her stomach twisted at the sight of Glory speaking with one of the men who’d stayed behind. Tessa stood a few feet from them, disgust clear on her face. Ignoring the rush of pain, she hurried to Wrath’s bedroom.
Cara didn’t intend to go home. Instead, she picked up the already packed bag and grabbed her computer, deciding to drive to a motel on the far side of town. She’d call Tessa and explain, hoping her friend would continue to stay at Wrath’s where she and the baby would be safe.
Cara no longer had to worry about that. He’d been clear which woman meant something to him. The Devils would no longer have an interest in her.
Driving across town, she kept her gaze focused straight ahead, searching for one of the national chains adverting moderate rates and clean rooms. She planned to stay at the motel through the week, and if the bikers didn’t show, she’d go home.
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