"I didn't even know this cellar existed, and I've worked here for years. They don't tell me shit."
I look around and notice there are several things down here besides a safe. There are a couple of old wooden closet doors, an out of service dehumidifier, a rusted oil fuel tank, and some old copper piping left on the ground.
I think I could take at least two of them out with one of the pipes but not all three of them. One of them would definitely have time to shoot me in the head or worse one of the girls. I need to separate these bozos, but I have to think of a smart way how and soon. There's no way they're going to get in that safe, and then they're going to be left with the task of figuring out what to do with us.
And then serendipitystrikes.
We all hear them the moment they chime. Those idiots forgot to lock the door, and now someone has entered the shop. We hear the heavy footsteps of at least two or three booted men. Right above our heads.
"Savannah! Where you at?!"
The voice sounds familiar and for once I'm glad to hear it. It's Jake from the Chosen Riders and it sounds like two of his friends.
"Fuck!" one of the masked men says.
"Stay quiet," the leader warns us, "or you're all dead."
Both girls look at me with desperation in their eyes. I know it's now or never. I reach for one of the copper pipes and swing around hitting the guy on me at the knees. He jerks back and his gun goes off as he falls to the floor.
"Run!" I yell to the girls as I wrestle with the leader for his gun. He gets a good shot in and knocks me in the back of the head with the butt of his gun before I get it from him.
Finally, I hear what I've been hoping for.
Thunderous footsteps finding the door behind the counter and running down the steps with guns drawn. First Jake and then Max. Then two minutes later there are five more bikers behind them.
"Put your guns down, assholes, or you die right where you stand."
My guy stops moving and drops his gun to the ground.
I touch the back of my head and discover blood as a result of the blow to my head; just because I'm completely furious that he got a lucky hit, I punch him dead in his face and knock him the fuck out.
I run over to Ariana who at this point looks shell-shocked. Jake is trying to ask her questions she can't answer, while some of the other Chosen Riders tie the assailant's arms back with plastic ties and lead them up the stairs.
"Where are they taking them?" I ask Jake.
"Away."
"They know where she lives," I say to him. Knowing he'll understand what that means.
"Not anymore," he promises.
Then I scoop Ariana up in my arms and get her the fuck out of there. I don't even give a shit about the safe or the store. I need to get my girl back home where she belongs.
* * *
