“Do not forget your place. Are you wearing a cut? Do you weigh more than a buck-ten? Can you fight off a group of bikers trying to hurt you?” Abel’s chest was heaving as the artery in his neck started to pulse. The stress that we were under was starting to get the better ofusall.
Crickett just hung her head and started to cry. She hadn’t been out of the hospital more than a few hours and I knew she was still on pain medication. I couldn’t imagine how helpless she felt in that moment, and Abel sawittoo.
Abel walked over to his wife, taking her into his arms. “I’m sorry baby, I just couldn’t stand something more happening to you right now.” He pulled her chin up, kissing her bruisedcheeks.
“We’re all under a lot of pressure. I just want Raine to come home. I am so sorry.” She looked right at me as sheapologized.
“For what?” I was beyond confused. “None of this is your fault. You didn’t run your car into the other vehicle. You didn’t kidnapRaine.”
“I should have protected her,” she screamed, dropping to herknees.
I got down on her level, grabbing her shoulders. “Crickett, look at me.” It took a few seconds for her to finally comply. “I don’t doubt for one fucking second that if you could have stopped any of this from happening, you would have. No one is blaming you. Let yourself off the hook. Raine needs all of us working together to get her homesafely.”
She wiped her running nose with the back of her hand. “Yeah, okay. You’reright.”
I helped Crickett to her feet and walked her over to the kitchen table. “Take a seat and try to relax while we grab everything we needfromhere.”
“Are you okay, sugar?” Abel knelt down in front of Crickett to check on her onemoretime.
“Just bring our baby home safe and sound.” She kissed his forehead before he got back tohisfeet.
“Ryder, fill this duffle with all the guns and ammo from the safe.” Abel handed me the bag and I wenttowork.
Collin helped Crickett put the chili into a few Tupperware containers as Abel went around grabbing all the hidden pistols and shotguns. I knew he had a small arsenal in the house, but had never known just how many. We had enough firepower to start a guerilla warfare militia, and that was a conservativeestimation.
Abel handed a handgun to Collin and then one to Crickett. “Take your mother back to the bar and make sure everyone is accounted for. We’re going to meet Bear and Holt on Copperline. Do not tell anyone where we are.Gotit?”
Collin nodded. “Yes, I’m on it. I’m not going to let you downagain,Dad.”
“I know.” Abel hugged Collin quickly before turning toCrickett.
“Honey, we both already have guns.” Crickett held her purse open for Abel to see that her Smith & Wesson was right where italwayswas.
“I know, but having a backup never hurt.” He quickly kissed her goodbye and we watched as they pulled out of the driveway in mytruck.
“Kevlar?” I looked over to Abel and henodded.
“Damn, I can’t believe I almost walked out here withoutthose.”
We both put them on under our shirts then he double-checked that all the guns were loaded and readytogo.
“We have all the bases covered now.” Abel slapped me on the shoulder. “Let’s bring ourgirlhome.”
* * *
“We knowthey just moved her from the original holding place to the warehouse I mentioned this afternoon,” Bearexplained.
“Are you sure?” I asked before thinking itthrough.
He glared at me. “Oh sorry princess, I didn’t know I was going to have to explain myself at every damn turn. I’ve had a tail on these guys for a few months now. Yes, I am one hundred fucking percent positive they are holding your damn wife where we are abouttogo.”
Abel punched him square in the jaw. Bear, just like my dad and I, stood frozen in disbelief as Abel shook out his right hand. “Don’t talk to my son-in-law like he is a fucking imbecile. If he asks you a question, you answer it as if I asked it of you. Don’t forget who wore the patch first,brother.”
Bear gritted his teeth. “Look, we’re all under a lot of pressure here. I’m sorry, but I am trying to get your girl back and clean upyourmess as quickly aspossible.”
Holt loaded a clip into his gun. “Leadtheway.”
I stood in front of them, clearing my throat. “First, I need you all to remember, we’re on a rescue mission for two. This needs to be as clean as possible. Raine is already in a fragile state as it is. We cannot losethisbaby.”
