Closing my eyes, I pray that a higher power will be out there to watch over all of us, but especially our lil sister Dani. She’s still silently suffering, which has made her so very shy and reserved. How, I still don’t know, hanging around all of us. Looking behind me in the second-row bench seat is Dottie and Halo. My sister’s eyes are closed and she’s clinging to Halo’s hand. When my eyes shift his way, agin the darkest eyes I’ve ever seen are watching me cautiously. Without words, it seems we have a brief conversation, and what I gather tells me Halo will do whatever it takes to protect Dottie, while—I’m assuming—rescuing her twin sister. I’m worried as time flies by, which means Dani has been gone for hours in the hands of those savages. And we know what can happen in that amount of time. I have no idea why this happened now, but have to put my faith in the stranger, Noah, and hope it’s not a goddamn trap ’cause we’re going in, no matter what. I’ve warned everyone that we are gonna try and take everyone involved alive, but if it’s between Dani and anyone else, shoot to kill. That brings a smile to Shadow’s and Spirit’s faces, the sick bitches they are.
“Glory? Hey, VP, I can feel it deep in my soul that Dani is still breathing, though she’s in immense pain. Damn it, she’s been beat to hell. Sounds strange as shit, but I can feel it on my body. I’ve tried to let her know we’re on the way, but all I keep getting is her trying to tell me to let it go. She’s getting deeper into her head, just like she did when we were kids. Glory, sister, we gotta move our asses. I don’t think she’s much time left.”
Not sure what to say, I just nod and turn to face the front of the vehicle. As I watch the beautiful landscape of Montana fly by, this is one of the few times I’m not enjoying the absolute majestic countryside. As I’m running the different scenarios through my head, I’m not coming up with an endgame. Feeling a hand grabbing mine, I look left to see Sebastian glancing my way.
“Bae, we’re gonna find Dani, I can promise you that. For fuck’s sake, we found Lilly after how many years? Take a few deep breaths before the shit hits the fan. Okay, please keep your eyes open for that road. Time to kick some major jagoffs’ asses and take names.”
Leave it to Sebastian to bring a small smile to my lips right before we go into a fight that we’re not even close to being prepared for. Then it hits me, we’re the Devil’s Handmaidens and we got this, because we don’t have any other choice.
EIGHTEEN
STORM
DOTTIE
I know we’re getting close because Glory is on the phone with the vehicles behind us. I know that most of our club sisters are here, except Tink and Vixen, who are both pregnant so they are going to the hospital to be there for Duchess. I know Panther and Avalanche, along with Phantom, Triple T, and Pitfall from the Blue Sky Sanctuary, as well as Spirit, are following us. I thank God for that as they are all experienced at combat being ex-military. That thought has me looking up into Benji’s eyes. He’s been my rock and, damn it, we’ve not had enough time to truly enjoy whatever the hell this is we’re building, because of all of this bullshit. We both are trying to drop our individual walls by spending time together, talking, and sharing with each other late into the night. I do know that besides my sister Dani, and my Devil’s Handmaidens sisters, he’s one of the few humans on this earth I truly trust. We’ve been talking and Halo and I have started to share some of our individual dark little secrets. Took a bit, but I needed to make sure I could trust him first. When Dani told me she liked him, I knew then this was turning into something worthwhile. If my twin would have said she didn’t like him for whatever reason, I’d probably stop or at least slowthis down with him. Though with all the shit life is throwing at us constantly, any slower and we’d be two snails in the night.
Benji’s hanging on to me as Yoggie takes a really rough and sharp right turn through some really tall grass.
“Yoggie, what the fuck, dude? This isn’t even a road.”
Glory gives me her hand with index finger up, like hold on a second. Looking ahead I can barely see some light, which means this heavy tree line is going to break up. Benji shifts next to me and I can see he’s checking his weapon. Then he reaches down to lift the bag at his feet. When he unzips it and pulls out a familiar gun that is exactly like the one all of my club sisters have in their vehicles, I’m kind of shocked. The AUG SA looks so ominous but personally, to me, it’s one of the best weapons out there. Benji checks the clips before loading one into the AUG. When he looks down at me, I see the dangerous Delta Force soldier he must have been. His eyes are full of determination and something much darker and, to be honest, scarier, and that’s says a lot since I work and spend a lot of time with Shadow and Spirit.
“Dottie, let’s go and get your twin back. One thing I need to know, do you want your father breathing at the end of this, or would you feel better if I sent him blazing back home to Hell early?”
No one has ever offered to protect me like Benji just did. Well, that’s not true, Dani has, as I have her in return. Even in this situation we find ourselves in, my heart beats faster and for a split second his words warm my soul.
“Benji, let’s play it out. If it’s between him and Dani, then totally put him to ground, as Shadow always says. I know it’s probably stupid but…”
He places one of his calloused fingers across my lips.
“No, Dottie, not stupid. Just know it’s out there, that’s all. You can change your mind at any time. You’re more graciousthan I would be, even with the little you’ve shared. Time to get Dani back.”
Feeling Glory’s eyes on me, she’s nodding at what Benji just said as she finishes up with her call. When she glances at her ol’ man then back at me, I prepare myself because by the look in her eyes, I’m guessing it isn’t good. And I’m right.
“Dottie, fuck, keep forgetting to call you Storm. I have a feeling you might be stuck with two names, sister. Anyway, from the little information we are receiving, the Thunder Cloud Knuckle Brotherhood is on the move and it seems they are heading toward the little town of Springdale. Not sure how close they are, but we need to get there before them as they have way more guns with them than we do. Hey, sister, get that goddamn look out of your eyes. When I say this, trust me, I mean it. There isn’t one person here who wouldn’t give their own life for Dani, don’t forget that. Now this is the plan for now, it’s got to be liquid in case we need to alter it as we go. Listen up.”
Listening to Glory go over what was decided, I know deep within my soul I’m going to do everything and anything to get my sister free and away from all of this bullshit. I’m beyond worried about her state of mind. If they had taken me instead of her, I’d be good, because I’d recognize that my club would be coming to rescue me. Dani is different in that aspect compared to me. She’ll go deep into her head and put herself at risk, without even knowing it. When you are held captive, you need to keep your wits about you. Feeling Benji’s arms squeezing me, I look up into his dark eyes, which are intensely watching me.
“Don’t go there, Dottie, we’ll get her out and make sure she’s okay. Dani is tougher than any of you women give her credit for. No, don’t give me that look, I’m just sayin’. Being an outsider, I see shit you don’t. So, trust me on this, will you, please? Now, I want you glued to my side when we put Glory’s plan in motion. Together, with the help of all of your and Dani’s family, we willfind and rescue her. Now take a few deep breaths, empty your mind of those bullshit negative thoughts, and get ready to kick some ass.”
His words bring a small smile to my face, which has his eyes light up. A part of me is so pissed at the world at large because I finally started to feel whole and ready to take the next steps in my own life, but do the stars line up for me? Fuck to the no, just more bullshit is piled on. Oh well, I can hear Shadow in my ear, so I take a few deep breaths, close my eyes, and for the first time in a very long time I say a prayer for my sister, my club, and my friends who are risking their own lives to help me. I’ll never be able to repay them but will find ways to let them know how much I appreciate their support and love.
Yoggie starts slowing down our vehicle as the compound or what is left of it comes into focus. I know the job ahead is going to be a bitch. So many outbuildings and the chances of these assholes getting to Dani before we do is giving me chest pains. I put my hand to my chest just as Benji leans down, softly telling me to breathe. His voice always draws me in but when he adds this quiet supportive tone, it gets me every time. I’m leaning into him, trying to pull all of his positivity and support into my body. The area opens up and I see vehicle after vehicle behind us spanning out, stopping in front of individual buildings. Glory turns to me with a huge grin.
“Look up, Storm, see the drones? Raven and Freak have had them circling and spying on this area since we got that call from Noah, so we kinda of have an idea which buildings are being used. Come on, get out, so we can start emptying these smaller ones first.”
Benji exits the vehicle then puts a hand out for me. Grabbing it, I step out and look around. I can feel my twin, not sure how, but I know she’s close by but in major danger. I start to let my gut feeling lead me, and it brings me to a medium-size buildingwith double doors. Before I can even approach it, I feel someone beside me right before I’m on the gravel, face down. Then I hear the sound of a rusty door opening right before gunfire. Benji jumps up, swings the AUG SA around, and starts to engage. Glancing up, the look on his face is scary. He steps over me, continuing to fire until the only gun I hear is his. I see some of Ollie’s folks running into buildings, along with some of my club sisters. Feeling hands under my arms, I’m pulled to my feet as those same hands are running up and down me.
“Dottie, you okay? Son of a bitch, I didn’t see anyone until the sun flashed off the barrel of their guns. Thank Christ, it’s a sunny day.”
Hearing the concern in Benji’s voice, I reach my hand up, touching his cheek, which he leans into. This man is godsent.
“Benji, thank you for saving my life. My head is obviously up my ass. I know better than to walk into an unknown situation like I’m going to a grocery store. I can feel Dani, she’s here, just don’t know where.”
He grabs my hand and leads me over the dead bodies and through the double doors behind Peanut and with some of the Intruders following us. They are going door by door, making sure it’s clear. Something forces me look up and I see Samson trying to make his way toward us with a huge gun in his hand. As he raises it, I scream out his name, which startles him and warns everyone else that we have an enemy approaching. Peanut ducks into a room just as Omen and Malice look my way, then turn and catch a glimpse of Samson. Omen takes off running, a gun in each hand as Malice literally grabs Kitty, almost throwing her in the room with Peanut, then reaching in, grabbing the door, giving it a good jerk, and slamming it shut. Then he goes after his brother, who now is running all out as Samson turns tucking tail, rushing toward the back and the exit, I’m guessing. Benji holds me close until they are out of the building then, with my hand inhis, he moves toward the door Malice slammed shut. Pushing it open, we see Peanut helping Kitty to her feet.
“Hey, I think Samson was just in this building. Omen and Malice are giving chase, so let’s finish checking this building, okay?”
