“Fuck.” Copper interlaced his fingers at the top of his head. He strode five steps away before coming back. “What else?”
“He beat the shit out of Melody. Dumped her in the alley behind the salon. Sounds like Beth found her and tried to help.”
“Of course she fucking did,” Copper muttered. “Damn sweet woman.”
Saint’s lips twitched despite the horror of the situation because Copper was right. Of course, Beth tried to help the woman who’d set out to destroy her.
“What happened next?”
“Demo appeared. He drove off with Beth and Melody in a van. Screw gave Mav plate numbers to run.”
Screw hadn’t mentioned whether Beth was hurt, and that was for the best. Saint managed to hold it together so far, but if he found out Beth was injured, he’d burn the entire town to ash.
His hands trembled at his sides, so he shoved them in his pockets.
Copper stared at him with cold, hard, calculating eyes. For a moment, Saint feared the prez was about to thank him for the information and kick him the fuck out. Then Copper turned away, dragging a hand through his beard as he spat a series of curses. When he faced Saint again, the fury still burned, but it was aimed inward now too.
“You’re in. We find Beth. Then we’ll talk.”
Saint sagged just a fraction. The relief nearly knocked him to his knees.
“Thank you,” he said quietly. He’d humble himself anyway necessary to be involved.
Copper nodded. “Let’s bring her home.” He turned to face the rest of the men who didn’t bother to pretend they weren’t hanging on every word of that conversation. “You all heard. We’re done dicking around. I want no stone unturned. Call every damn contact you have, every person who might know where Demo and his crew hole up. Use every ounce of force and every threat in your arsenal to get me information as fast as possible. Beth is depending on us.”
Christ.Saint’s throat nearly closed at the thought of her hurt, scared, and alone. Bleeding. Crying out for him when he wasn’t there.
“My daughter is tough.”
Saint turned Copper’s way to find the president openly watching him.
“I know. She’ll give them hell for sure.”
Copper huffed a humorless laugh.
“Still, the thought of them… I can’t fucking take it.”
Copper nodded. “Feels like you’re torn apart from the inside. Worst kind of pain imaginable.”
Saint met his gaze. “Yes.”
Copper looked at him with what almost looked like respect, but that couldn’t be, could it?
“Then let’s get her back home where she belongs as fast as possible.”
Saint’s phone rang, making them both jump. He yanked it out of his pocket so fast he bobbled, almost dropping it in the flood.
After a quick frown at the screen, he had at his ear. “Stillman?” he said, heart stuttering. He walked away to hear better.
“Fuck, I shouldn’t be calling you.” Fear bled through Stillman’s whispered words. “Never mind. Sorry.”
“Stillman, don’t you fucking dare hang up.”
Silence.
“You know something.”
“They have your girl,” Stillman whispered rapidly. “The one with you when you came to the barn.”
