I tied Octavius’s arms behind his back and tied his ankles together. Then, because I’m an evil bastard, I slipped a loop of rope over his head and used the end to tie his wrists and ankles together. Next, I slapped a piece of duct tape over his mouth. I’d be damned if he spit on me again. I hated that shit and he was going to pay dearly for it.
Copper and his SAA, Judge, secured the other two, while the rest of the crew checked the bodies on the ground. I had no doubt that each one on the ground was dead, but you could never be too careful.
“Hey Judge, come check this shit out,” Copper called out while he was walking toward me.
Judge came over and whistled, “Interesting. How does that work exactly?”
“It’s pretty simple. I tied a running bowline knot, slipped the loop over his head, pulled the end taut, and wove it through the wrist and ankle ropes before tying it off. If he tries to undo his wrists or ankles, he’ll choke himself,” I proudly explained.
Copper and Judge shared a look, grinned, and walked back to the men they had restrained. They undid the ropes and retied the men just like I had tied Octavius. Copper dusted his hands off. “Thanks, Dash. I love learning new tricks.”
“Listen up!” Copper shouted. “First off, well done, brothers!” Hoots and hollers filled the air. When the cheering died down, Copper continued. “We still have work to do. We don’t know the situation that awaits us at the Croftridge clubhouse. Phoenix and Badger are currently MIA. I want four of you to stay behind and clean up the bodies. There’s also one in the house, right, Dash?”
I nodded, “Yeah, in the master bedroom upstairs.”
Copper turned back to the group. “One body in the master upstairs. So, four stay for cleanup and disposal. When you’re finished, check in with me. I’ll likely have you come to Croftridge. The rest will come with me and Dash to the Croftridge clubhouse now. Toss these assholes in the trailer and lock it down. Better yet, Spazz, dose ‘em up first. I need a few brothers to take these cages back to Croftridge. We’ll load your bikes in the trailer. Any questions?”
Copper’s enforcer, Batta, spoke up, “Where’s the girl?”
Copper looked to me, “Go get her, brother. Let’s take her home.”
CHAPTER 24
Ember
My fingernails were completely chewed off and my hands had been rubbed raw. I was a ball of nerves and nothing was helping me get a handle on it. I jumped about two feet in the air when the satellite phone rang. I dove for it, but Jamie got to it before me. He accepted the call and said nothing.
The sweetest relief washed over me when I heard Dash’s voice saying the passphrase. Tears wet my cheeks as I inhaled for what felt like the first time in days.
Jamie opened the hatch and stepped to the side so I could climb out first. About halfway up the ladder, Dash reached down and pulled me out. He squeezed me so hard it almost hurt, but I was probably doing the same to him.
“We got him, baby! We got him!” he exclaimed.
Sobs wracked my body. I was finally free from the hold that man had over me my entire life. I was almost afraid to believe it.
“It’s over, baby. Come on, let me take you home,” Dash murmured in my ear.
Home. I had a home. A place where I was loved and wanted. A family. I gasped. “Phoenix!”
“Shhh, we’re going to find him now. You and Jamie are riding in one of the Suburbans with me, Copper, and Judge.” He started to pull me along with him to the vehicles, but I dug my heels in.
“Wait! Where is Octavius?” I shrieked.
Dash smirked, “He’s tied up at the moment.”
“You mean that literally, don’t you?”
“You know me so well, baby. Now move it. Oh, and try not to look down,” he warned.
“Why?”
“Just in case Copper’s guys haven’t moved all of the bodies yet,” he said as nonchalantly as one would say, “Just in case it rains.”
That statement should have disturbed me or at the very least, bothered me on some level. It didn’t. Not in the slightest. I simply nodded and followed him to the SUV without looking down.
Once we were on the highway, the guys started making plans. I guess I got to be a part of “club business” this time since they had no way to prevent me from hearing their discussion. Unfortunately, the unknown situation that lay ahead of us kept me from enjoying that little fact.
Copper turned around in the front seat to talk to Dash. “When was the last time you spoke to Phoenix?”
