I peered down at my screen and saw a text from Cara. I clicked it, and I struggled to breathe.
Cara: Get to the salon. NOW!
I snapped my head to Viper, and I saw the panic on his face. “Axel, take a few of the brothers and get rid of those two. Torch the car too. I don’t want a single trace coming back to us.”
Axel took Ink, Diablo, Chains, Rambo, and Ghost. The rest followed Viper and me out the door. Bear and Armor weren’t too far behind. I knew they were frantic to get to their Ol’ Ladies just as I was to get to Will. As soon as I was on my bike, I cranked it and took off like a bat out of hell.
I tried calling Will’s phone from my Bluetooth helmet, but he wasn’t answering. That only panicked me more. I was trying to stay positive. My mind kept taking me to a dark place. When we turned onto the street to the salon and saw the building up in flames, I damn near lost control of my bike.
I ran up to the scene right as an officer was tying caution tape to block off the public. I tried going around him, but he put his hand up, stopping me. “You can't go in there!” he barked.
“Get the hell out of my way! My fiancé is in there!” I roared.
A few officers approached us, like they were ready to take us down. Before they could make a move, the chief pushed his way through. “Let 'em in.” The officer looked like he wanted to protest, but Chief sent him a look that had him standing down.
The chief had had our backs for years. I was glad he was here. It stopped us from going to jail for assaulting officers because that was exactly what was going to happen if they thought they were going to keep us away.
I made my way in with Viper, Bear, Armor, Blade, and Torch hot on my heels. The rest of the brothers stayed behind the tape and watched the scene.
“What happened?” Viper questioned Chief.
“All I know is someone intentionally set the fire and trapped them inside. I just got here right before you.”
Hearing that the fire was started on purpose, I knew deep down it was Sire. I spotted an ambulance and picked up my pace. The closer I got, I finally spotted Will and took off running.
“Will!” I yelled, and his head popped up. He pushed the oxygen mask away and ran into my arms. We held each other tightly as I kissed his cheek, neck, and forehead. “Are you alright?”
He nodded. “Yes, I’m fine. I promise.”
“Will, where is… C-Cara and Sara?” Viper's voice shook as he searched the crowd for them.
I glanced around and didn’t see them anywhere. Sofia and Oscar were seated on the ambulance's bumper, appearing terrified. Armor was already checking Sofia over from head to toe.
“When we got out of there, Cara refused medical attention and took off that way. Sara and the prospects followed her.” He pointed in the direction they had gone, and Viper, Bear, Blade, and Torch took off. “Babe, go.”
“No. I need to make sure?—”
“I’m fine, Jacob. I swear. GO!”
The urgency in his voice propelled my feet to move. Armor and I were right behind them. After a few blocks, I could hear Cara’s voice.
“I don’t understand. My watch says my phone is right here, but I don’t see that damn duffle bag anywhere.”
“Cara, can you please let the paramedics check you over? Your face is swelling,” Wyatt pleaded.
“No. I told you I’m good.”
“Cara...” Wyatt paused when he saw us making our way over.
“Hellcat, what are you doing?” Viper pulled her into his arms, checking her over. His face flushed a deep shade of red, and his eyes grew noticeably darker at the sight of her face. “What the fuck happened to your face?!”
“Sire backhanded me,” she replied nonchalantly.
“He backhanded you?! And how the fuck did this happen?” Viper barked as he tried to make his way toward the prospects.
Cara grabbed his arm, stopping him. “Babe, it wasn’t their fault.” She then told us what happened. By the time she was done, I was fuming. I knew I should have told Will no. I had a feeling Sire was watching, but I didn’t want to keep refusing to allow Will to leave. If I kept him home like I wanted, none of this would have happened.
“How the hell did he get in, if all the doors were locked?” Bear asked.
