“One week.” Mario sat back in the chair, arms crossed, features rigid. “We delay the shipment one week at most.”
Malcolm and Junior shot nervous glances at each other. They’d be the ones who’d have to contact the buyers about a delayed shipment. The men were ruthless, their associates known to disappear when they failed.
Junior thought of the people he’d need to call. “I’m agreeable to one week.”
“So am I,” Wendt added, obviously thinking the same about the buyers. He had no desire to end up in a shallow grave in the middle of the Arizona desert.
Mario looked at Cal.
“I can live with one week.”
Eddie’s gaze moved around the table. “A week is fine. But I believe the sooner we move the better. They won’t be expecting us to make a move with the attention on finding that kid. Does Manny have the product ready?”
Cal lit another cigarette, taking a deep draw. “He has as many as the buyer needs.”
Mario studied Eddie. He hadn’t expected the cop to come up with such a bold suggestion. “You want us to go ahead right away?”
“Yes. They aren’t looking for us to make a move right now. Everyone is searching for the kid, not thinking about anything else. If we can get the transfer done in the next twenty-four hours, I believe we can make it work.”
“Can your men pull it off, Mario?” Cal asked.
“If Manny has the merchandise, we’ll get them to the buyer.”
Junior stared at his beer, considering Eddie’s idea. It would relieve the responsibility of calling men he had no desire to disappoint. “If Manny and Mario can still make the delivery, then I’m for it.”
Malcolm’s eyes widened a fraction before narrowing. “The route will have to avoid Liberty Lake. With the hundreds of volunteers working day and night, there’s a chance someone will see something they shouldn’t.”
Cal gave a terse nod. “We agreed in the beginning to avoid the area. There’s no reason to change that decision.”
Mario’s mouth twisted into a grim line. “Then we are agreed.”
Standing, he drained the last of his beer, slamming the bottle on the table before walking out.
Ali hated being stuck at home while others searched for Timmy, but knew it was for the best. No one had called or texted with word, and the hours dragged on.
Jace had disappeared outside more than fifteen minutes ago, doing a sweep of the front, back, and nearby neighbors’ yards. He was as certain as Ethan and Geoff that Timmy would come to her, the one place he felt safe.
A loud knock startled Ali, drawing her attention from the pacing. Hope gripped her. Heading to the door, she was about to grab the knob when the door shot open.
“Timmy!”
He rushed inside and into her open arms. Hugging him to her, she stroked his hair. Looking up, Ali noticed Rock, Fuse, and Gunner for the first time. Without dropping her hold, she motioned for them to join them inside at the same time Jace came through the back door.
“Timmy, buddy. Glad to see you.” He crouched beside them.
“Raider!” He moved from Ali to him, wrapping his thin arms around the biker’s neck. “They took me,” he choked out.
“I know, buddy.” He glanced at Rock. “Did you find him?”
His good friend nodded. “We were stopping by to see how you were doing and saw him running up the sidewalk. Timmy was just a few houses away. Figured it was best to escort him.” He grinned at the young boy, who offered a timid smile.
Holding Timmy at arm’s length, Raider studied him from head to foot, disgusted at the thin pajamas and lack of coat or shoes. “How about a shower and warm clothes?”
He nodded, wiping tears from his face. “Okay.”
“Come on, Timmy. I’ll get the shower started and find you something to wear while Raider catches up with the others.”
Once they’d left the room, Raider motioned the others into the kitchen. “Beer or coffee?”
“Coffee,” all three answered as they sat down.
“Have you contacted Wrath?” Raider asked Rock, filling their cups and handing them out.
“Before we brought Timmy to the house. He’ll let Ethan and Geoff know so they can call off the search. He’s ordering everyone back to the clubhouse.” Rock leaned forward, lowering his voice. “There’s been some chatter about a run being ordered soon. He wants you to work with Lane to confirm.”
“Wrath believes Mario might try to take advantage of the search for Timmy to transport a load of children south,” Raider said.
Rock glanced at his vibrating phone, seeing Wrath’s name. “Yeah, Prez?”
“Ethan wants to continue the search for a few more hours to see if we can get more information on the possible run Lane uncovered. Geoff agrees. They’ve given us until two in the morning to dig up more, then they’ll need to contact the mayor and city council members. I need Raider here right away.”
“Affirmative. Do you want any of us to stay with Ali and Timmy?” Rock glanced at the others before gulping down his coffee.
“Leave Fuse. Raider can return once he has time to do his magic.”
“Roger that. We’re on our way.”
“Sounds like I’ll be heading back. I’ll let Ali know.”
“I heard, Jace.” Ali stood in the doorway. “Timmy and I will be fine.”
He walked to her, brushing a kiss across her lips. “Fuse is staying.” Explaining as much as he could, Raider walked away to gather what he needed and talk to Timmy.
“Call any of us if you need anything, Ali.” Rock grabbed a piece of paper and pen from the counter, jotting down several numbers. “You’re welcome to stay with Tessa and me.”
“Thanks, but we’ll be okay here with Fuse.” The words were easy to say, harder to believe. Not with the constant threat of Digger and the Devils hovering over them.
Raider returned, walking to her. “Did you ask Timmy about who took him?”
“No. I decided to wait until he had a shower and warmed up. Why?”
“He told me there were three men. One was Digger.” He’d already heard about the two bodies found in the desert. Raider looked at the others. “Did you guys know about the bodies Ethan’s men learned about?”
Fuse nodded. “They were both Night Devils.”
Raider nodded, his gut roiling. “Right, and my money is on them being the other two men who took Timmy.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Ali’s heart hadn’t slowed since Rock, Gunner, and Jace left, her thoughts on the two dead MC members. Where was Digger? Was he searching for Timmy, and her? If so, he knew right where to go.
Placing a second burrito on a plate before setting it in front of the appreciative gaze of the young boy, she went to work on a second one for Fuse. He’d checked all the doors and locks, closing all window coverings and turning off any unneeded lights. Returning to the kitchen, he was grateful for the food and hot coffee.
“Do you play video games, Fuse?” Timmy’s face lit with hope.
“Not as good as Raider, but yes.”
“Can we play, Ali?”
She hesitated only a moment. “After you finish eating, and if Fuse has time.”
Excited eyes turned toward Fuse. “Do you have time?”
Indecision crossed his face. Fuse had a job to do—watching for predators while keeping Ali and Timmy safe. An odd rush of regret ran through him.
He remembered a time a few years ago when he’d promised over and over to be home for a birthday or holiday and hadn’t made it. Fuse hadn’t been married, although he and his fiancée were committed, planning to marry. There was more to his breakup with Brittany Blackmore than that, such as the disapproval of her parents. Still, Fuse hadn’t helped his cause by disappointing her more times than either of them could count. Since losing her, he’d never made a promise he wasn’t one hundred percent he could keep.
“If I can.” Timmy’s face fell, prompting Fuse to continue. “It’s important I make sure t
hose men who took you don’t come back and try again.”
The eight-year-old’s body trembled at the reminder of Digger and what he’d done. Not only taking him from the foster home, but beating him on a regular basis, breaking bones and leaving massive bruises. Until Ali, there’d been nowhere for him to go.
Fuse laid a hand on Timmy’s shoulder. “I won’t let anything happen to you or Ali. Do you believe me?”
Inhaling a shaky breath, he blew it out, doing his best to be brave. “Yes.”
“Good, because I need you to help protect Ali. Can you do that?”
Timmy’s back straightened, shoulders squaring. “Yes,” he replied with a flash of resolve.
“Excellent.” Fuse stood, motioning to the living room. “How about you and Ali get out the games and warm up while I do another check of the house and yard?”
Jumping up, Timmy ran to the living room, fishing through the stack of games.
Ali stood, a small smile on her face. “Thanks. He loves playing with Jace.”
“Keep him occupied, even when I get back inside. Don’t open the blinds or curtains, or turn on more lights.” Fuse didn’t want to tell her a tingle of warning had built over the last few minutes. It could be nothing, and he didn’t want to scare her or Timmy.
She chuckled. “Might not be too hard. He becomes unaware of everything around him when he plays.” Sensing none of the danger Fuse felt, she followed Timmy into the living room.
Checking his gear, he settled night vision goggles over his head and slipped silently out the kitchen door to the side of the house. The instant he did, a sinister wave of awareness hit him.
He knew deep in his soul someone was out there, watching. No outside lights, a sliver of moon providing a tiny bit of illumination. Unless the prowler had NVGs like his, Fuse doubted whoever watched could see him.
Drawing the SIG from its holster, he positioned his back against the side of the house and moved several feet along the side. A sharp stab of awareness struck him an instant before spotting movement at the back fence.
He had no backup and two people to protect. There might be one person or as many as four. Normally, the odds wouldn’t bother him. He’d do his job and eliminate each tango as he went. This job wasn’t like most.
Fuse had to get Ali and Timmy away while there was still time.
“You’re sure the men rode off?” Mario’s face contorted in anger at the man on the other end of the line. It was a simple job. Grab the two people inside and get rid of them.
He’d made the quick decision to eliminate them after leaving the meeting with Coleman, Katz, Wendt, and Blackmore. They didn’t know about his plan, and he had no intention of telling them.
Slider, the club’s sergeant-at-arms, tightened his grip on the phone. “Nothing’s in the driveway except her Jeep. The house is quiet, but I know they’re inside.”
“Dammit. Go inside and take them. Hell, it’s a woman and a worthless kid. Grab ‘em and finish this job. And no fucking mistakes this time.”
Slider and the two other men he’d sent tonight had nothing to do with the botched kidnapping. Still, all the Devils knew how the failure ended in two deaths, maybe three if Digger had been found.
“We have this covered, Prez.”
“I don’t want to hear from you again until the job’s completed, Slider,” Mario hissed. “You hear me?”
“I hear you.” Ending the call, Slider motioned for the others to join him behind the fence, explaining what Mario expected.
Without a word, they spread out. On Slider’s nod, the three moved forward, guns drawn. They’d been careful, confirming the Jeep was the only vehicle on the property.
After seeing Rock and two other Brethren take Timmy inside, they parked their truck several blocks away and ran back to the house. By the time Slider and his men returned, the three Brethren were leaving. He knew the nurse and the boy were still inside with no one to protect them.
Moving on the balls of his feet, Fuse entered the living room, finger over his lips as he crouched. “We have to leave.” When Ali opened her mouth to respond, he shook his head. “Out the front and into your Jeep. No clothes except jackets. Take your purse and phone.”
Timmy had frozen at the words, knowing something bad was about to happen. Setting down the controller, he stood, body rigid.
Ushering them to the front door, he spoke again. “Get into the back seat and slide to the floor. Don’t worry about seatbelts. Just stay out of sight. You ready?”
When both nodded, he quietly opened the door, motioning them ahead of him. Unlocking the doors, they jumped inside as shouts came from the house.
“Hurry,” Fuse ordered, getting into the driver’s seat and starting the Jeep. An instant later, they pulled onto the street.
The front door flew open, three men rushing onto the porch, aiming their weapons at the car.
“Stay down!” Pressing the accelerator, Fuse flew down the street, bullets hitting the back bumper and door before he was out of range.
Making a sharp turn out of the neighborhood, he thought about options. The safest place would be the clubhouse. Where they’d feel the most comfortable would be Raider’s.
Checking to be sure no one followed, he slipped the phone from a pocket.
“Talk to me, Fuse,” Wrath said.
“I’ve got Ali and Timmy in the Jeep. We’re heading to Raider’s house, unless you want me to take them somewhere else.”
A few moments passed before Wrath answered. “Go to Raider’s. I’ll have a couple men meet you there. Are you being followed?”
“Not so far. I’ll call back and explain more when I reach Raider’s.”
“I’ll let him know.” Wrath ended the call, Fuse putting the phone away.
“Who were they?”
He glanced in the rearview mirror. Ali had sat up, leaning toward him. “I only got a glimpse of them, but I believe they’re Night Devils.” Fuse didn’t say he thought one was Slider, the club’s sergeant-at-arms. He’d save that for Wrath.
“So they’re not giving up on finding Timmy.”
“They aren’t going to get either one of you, Ali. You’ve got my word on that.”
“I’ve picked up on some chatter, Wrath.” Raider entered from the comm area in the dungeon as his prez set down the phone.
“Tell me what you have.” Wrath motioned for him to sit down.
“You know the mics we installed in the vehicles owned by Wendt, Junior, and Katz?”
“I do.”
“They paid off. We picked up on several conversations between the three. There’s a run scheduled for tomorrow night. A member of MS-13, Manny, is bringing up a load of children. He’s meeting Mario’s men north of here to make the transfer.”
Wrath reached for his phone, ready to call Admiral Grayson. “Where?”
“West of a bar in Blanco. Wendt mentioned Franco. I did some digging and discovered there’s a place named Sonora Saloon on the outskirts of town. It’s owned by Franco Jones, and it’s in the county.”
One corner of Wrath’s mouth tipped into a slight grin. “I’ll call Ethan. Do you have a time?”
“Negative. But I’ll keep searching.” Raider stood and turned toward the dungeon.
“I got a call from Fuse.”
Raider whipped around, striding to Wrath’s desk. “What happened?”
“He had to get Ali and Timmy out of the house. They’re going to your place. I’m going to have Gunner and Fargo meet them there.”
“I’ll go.”
“No. You’re needed here. Lane can assist, and I can pull Wrangler back in, but you’ve already made great headway on the run. We’ve all been working hard to draw these men out. We can’t afford to slow the progress.”
Raider couldn’t argue with the assessment, nor would he let it go. “I want to be updated.”
“I’ll do more than that. Fuse will let me know when they’re settled. You can call Ali yourself.”
Jaw tightening
, he swallowed, giving a terse nod. “Good enough.” Raider hustled down the stairs with a new urgency.
The situation with Ali had brought clarity to his feelings. He’d never felt such a strong connection to any woman, or wanted one with the intensity he held for Ali.
He loved her. It had shocked him when first realizing the depths of his feelings. They still had to talk through the episode with Heidi at the hospital, and he had to discover if Ali could ever love him, but the thought of being with another woman turned his heart to ice.
When the Brethren closed down the run, arrested those involved, and eliminated the threat to Ali and Timmy, they’d have a long talk. For the first time in years, he felt a flash of fear at how that talk could end.
Chapter Twenty-Three
White Eagle Security Offices
“Glad to have you back, man. How’s Gina?” Kell Kirkland looked across the desk at his vice president, Deke Caldwell, who’d recently returned from visiting his sister and nephew.
“By the time I arrived, the danger had settled somewhat. Turns out she was being hassled by men her ex owes money.” Deke blew out a breath, giving a slow shake of his head. “I finally convinced her to call the police. Her description of the men led them to identifications.”
“They arrested them?” Kell leaned back, clasping his hands behind his head.
“Hell no. It’s a he said, she said. No voicemails or texts, no witnesses in her building who saw the men arrive or leave. I beefed up her security system and hired around the clock protection. She flatly refused to have me monitor her comings and goings.” Deke chuckled. “I mentioned you being a substitute.”
Kell groaned. “Doubt that went over any better.”
“Worse than I’d expected. I don’t know what it is, but the two of you are like oil and water. My sister is not a bad person, Kell.”
“Never said she was. But she is a drama queen, always suspecting someone’s after her or Jed. Poor kid’s going to grow up paranoid of everyone.”
“I should let you know I’ve been encouraging her to move out here.”
“Sonofabitch, Deke. The last thing we need is your sister screwing things up for us. Our business is new and starting to get some real traction.”
Exposed (Eternal Brethren Military Romantic Suspense Book 7) Page 15
