Beast leaned forward, jabbing a finger at the compound layout.“We’ve doubled security at all access points.Changed patrol patterns.If they try to come in with a warrant, we’ll see them coming.”
“What about the legal angle?”I asked, my arm brushing against Callie’s as I leaned closer to examine the map.
“Lawyer’s filing motions in federal court,” Beast replied.“Jurisdiction dispute.Civil rights violations.Anything to slow Davis down until we can build a stronger case.”
“And if that fails?”Callie asked, her voice quiet but steady.
Beast’s expression hardened.“Plan B involves routes out of the state.Safe houses in territories controlled by allied clubs.Wire’s already creating new documentation if we need it.”
I felt Callie’s shoulders tense beside me.“Running,” she said flatly.
“Strategic retreat,” Ranger corrected.“Only if necessary.Only if legal channels fail.”
The planning continued, voices overlapping as security rotations were assigned, contingencies discussed, allies contacted.Through it all, Callie remained at my side, her presence a reminder of why this fight mattered.Not just club territory, but something more personal.Something I’d claimed as mine.
The door burst open, cutting through the tactical discussion.A Prospect stood in the doorway, chest heaving as if he’d run across the compound.“Deputies at the gate,” he announced, words tumbling out in a rush.“Four of them.County sheriff vehicles.They’ve got papers they want to serve.”
The room erupted into movement.Beast barked orders, Ranger reached for a radio, Wire’s fingers flew across his keyboard with renewed urgency.Through the chaos, I turned to Callie, taking her hand in mine.Her fingers interlaced with mine, squeezing with surprising strength.
“Remember what I said,” she whispered, eyes fierce as they held mine.“No more decisions about me without me.”
I nodded, then pulled her closer, my arm circling her waist in a gesture both protective and possessive.Her body fit against mine, trembling slightly but standing tall.
“You’re not going anywhere,” I told her, loud enough for everyone in the room to hear.“You’re mine now.”
Outside, the first heavy drops of rain began to fall as thunder cracked overhead, the storm finally breaking across the compound.
Chapter Nine
Samson
I woke to the sound of unfamiliar engines -- the smooth purr of sedans and the distinctive rumble of sheriff’s department SUVs.The noise pulled me from sleep like a warning, years of living on edge making my body alert before my mind fully registered why.Dawn light filtered through the blinds I kept perpetually half-closed, painting stripes across the bedroom floor.Beside me, Callie slept on, her breathing deep and even.
Moving silently, I slipped from beneath the covers and crossed to the window, careful not to let the floorboards creak beneath my weight.I lifted the edge of the blind just enough to see outside without being seen.Dark, government-issue Fords with tinted windows circled the outer perimeter of the property, maintaining a precise distance that kept them just beyond club territory.Behind them, two county sheriff vehicles rolled slowly, lights off but unmistakably present.A show of force disguised as routine patrol.
My jaw tightened as I watched them making another circuit.Not stopping, not approaching directly -- just letting us know they were there.Waiting.The message was clear enough.
I glanced back at the bed where Callie slept.The morning light caught in her hair, turning it golden at the edges where it spilled across the pillow.The bruises at her temple had faded to a dull yellow, nearly invisible now.The zip tie marks on her wrists had healed to thin pink lines that would eventually fade to white.Physical evidence of what she’d escaped, what had followed her here.
Something protective and fierce tightened in my chest as I watched her sleep.In unconsciousness, her face relaxed into something younger, unburdened by the vigilance that had kept her alive through her escape.She’d found peace here, however temporary.And now they’d come to take it from her.
I dressed quickly, pulling on jeans and a T-shirt, sliding my knife into its sheath at my hip and checking that my burner phone was charged.With one last look at Callie, I stepped into the main room of the cabin and dialed Beast.
He answered on the first ring.“You see them?”
“Hard to miss,” I replied, keeping my voice low.“What’s the word?”
“Wire intercepted communications about an hour ago.Davis got his emergency guardianship order.Judge Harrison signed it at 5 a.m.-- practically middle of the night.They’re planning to serve it this morning.”
Cold fury settled in my stomach.“They’re moving fast.”
“Too fast,” Beast agreed.“Wire’s got the cameras tracking every vehicle.Viking’s coordinating defense at all entry points.We’ve got Prospects stationed along the perimeter, watching for anyone trying to sneak in on foot.”
I moved to the kitchen window, scanning the compound beyond.The usual morning activities were absent -- no brothers working on bikes near the garage, no Prospects running errands between buildings.Instead, I counted at least six armed men positioned strategically throughout the property, all with clear sight lines to potential approaches.
“They really think they can just walk in and take her?”I asked, the question more rhetorical than anything.
“They think a badge and some papers give them the right,” Beast replied, disgust evident in his tone.“Our lawyer’s already on his way.Says the order shouldn’t hold up -- it was granted without proper evidence, without Callie being present or represented.”
