Mace jerked the other man around and cinched his wrists in another zip-tie.
Simon’s lips quirked. “Your zip ties?”
Mace nodded. “Always keep a few handy. Never know when you’ll need them.” He shoved the man to his knees, forcing him to sit beside his cohort in crime. “Sheriff’s on the way.”
Simon pulled Holly close. “Are you all right?”
She nodded. “I am.”
He nodded toward the guys on the ground. “Recognize these characters?”
“Sadly, I do.” She shook her head. “The driver is Germain, and that’s his cousin, Bubba. They’re members of the Fontenot clan.” Her eyes narrowed in the light from the Harley. “What the hell were you thinking?”
Germain shrugged. “Some guy offered me a thousand bucks to take you to the old cane mill. It was supposed to be an easy grand.”
“Yeah. Easy.” Bubba snorted. “I think she broke my rib, and I nearly drowned.”
“You’re lucky Holly has a soft spot for idiots,” Simon said. “I would’ve let you drown.” He stepped closer, his fists clenching at his sides. “Who paid you?”
“I don’t know,” Germain said. “It was a phone call from an unknown number.”
Mace grabbed Germain by the front of his shirt and lifted him off the ground. “I’ve got a daughter about Holly’s age. I’d kill any man who did that to her. It would be justice served to throw you to the alligators.”
Germain’s eyes rounded. “He said he wasn’t going to hurt her. He wanted her alive.”
Sirens wailed in the distance.
Mace held Germain a little longer, nose to nose. “You disgust me.” Then he shoved him back to the ground. “I hear either one of you pull some stupid stunt like this again, I’ll bring the wrath of the Bayou Reapers down on you. Got that?” He kicked dirt onto the two men.
“Got it,” Bubba said. “Besides, running drugs is a helluva a lot easier than running hellcat females.”
Germain kicked his cousin. “Shut up, dumbass.”
Bubba glared at Germain.
Sheriff Bergeron was the first to arrive at the scene. Between him and Deputy Shelby Taylor, they loaded the two men into the back of the sheriff’s SUV.
Deputy Taylor fished a dry towel out of the back of her SUV and handed it to Holly.
Holly’s lips twisted in a grimace. “I thought you had the night off.”
Shelby shook her head. “When the biker fight broke out at the Crawdad Hole, all deputies were called in. Fortunately, most everyone had dispersed by the time we arrived. When Rene and Danny told us you’d been taken, we weren’t sure which way to go until we got the 911 call.” She lifted her chin toward Mace. “Thanks.”
Mace shifted on his feet. “Just want to keep the peace. We ride for pleasure and camaraderie, not to stir up trouble.”
Shelby’s lips spread in a smile. “I’ve heard of the Bayou Reapers. You’ve done good things to help single parents and their kids.”
“We’re veterans who served our country and like to give back to our community. Some of us were raised by single parents. They don’t always get a break.” Mace squared his shoulders. “Now, if you don’t need me, I’d like to get home to my old lady before she sends my brothers out looking for me.”
Simon held out his hand. “Thanks for everything.”
Mace clasped his hand in a firm grip. “If you ever get a ride, we’re open to new members, especially those who work for the good.”
“I’d like that,” Simon said.
Mace tipped his head toward Holly. “She’s badass. Take care of her.”
“That’s my plan,” Simon said.
