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The day had been extra-long with all the preparation the men were doing.

In between, they spent time with the rest of us.

Bones explained the bare outline of their plan and that we’d be having guests.

I helped where I could to prepare for them with the other women.

Bones monitored me to be sure I didn’t do too much or get tired.

I hated why the other Pagans and the Warriors were coming, but I looked forward to meeting them.

The Warriors got there first, around three in the afternoon.

I was introduced to Stalker, Vex, Predator, Rebel, Renegade, and Loki.

They were very friendly and joked with Bones that he got a deluxe edition with me and two babies. They made me laugh so much.

It was four-thirty when the crew from Georgia rolled through the gate.

It was slightly larger, and I was surprised to see an older woman on one of the bikes.

Following them was a car. When everyone parked, a younger woman got out of the car.

She smiled, and Bones’s club yelled greetings at her, so she was known.

The Warriors had come outside with us. I tried to stay back and listen, but Bones took me to the front of the line.

When it was our turn, I faced six bikers and two women.

I thought the oldest man would be in charge, but it was one of the younger guys.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Blythe. Wrath, our president, is sorry he missed this, but Jalisa, his old lady, wasn’t feeling well.

He wanted to stay with her. I’m Storm, his VP.

This guy is Ryder, our enforcer, and Stitch, if you can’t guess, is our medic.

Never know when you might need his many skills.

This is Nomad and Fury. And this last one is Rage.

He’s Wrath’s dad and our previous president.

The lovely woman whom he’s mauling is Betty.

He claims she’s his old lady, but Betty won’t confirm that.

” Storm winked. Betty smiled and nodded. Then, the younger woman was introduced.

“This is Braelyn, Betty’s daughter. We couldn’t leave her behind,” he said, wrapping his arm around her and hugging her. She seemed at ease with him, and I wondered if they were involved.

“It’s so wonderful to meet all of you, though I wish it weren’t this way,” I replied as I held out my hand to shake theirs.

“It’s so great to meet you, too. I wondered who would be next.

I didn’t guess Bones. You must be special to win his heart.

We’re here to help feed and keep up with the extra bodies.

It’s tiring, a big job with some of you pregnant and having little ones.

We’re here to be used where you see fit,” Betty supplied.

“Thank you, Betty and Braelyn. We appreciate all the help we can get,” Eliana said.

“Sweetheart, it’s a pleasure to meet you. And just for clarity’s sake, Betty is my old lady. She likes to torment me,” Rage said.

His scowl had everyone chuckling. From there, we moved back inside. There was dinner to be finished and served, and then the men would implement their plan. I was scared. I tried to hide it from Bones. I wasn’t sure how successful I was.

???

The bulk of the guys had left. Knight and Rebel were the ones sent after Deon. I thought Bones would insist on capturing him, but he wanted to ensure the Machado crew was dealt with first, and then he’d be able to give Deon the attention he deserved. That was my man’s answer when I commented.

Agony, Pope, Cyclone, Wire, and all three prospects, Rage and Predator, were inside the compound.

Women, children, and Alfred were in the safe rooms. That left Bones and the rest of the men from all three clubs outside the compound.

They’d faded into the night like ghosts earlier.

The message was sent to Rodrigo Machado that his niece had been captured and was being tortured by the Pagan Souls in Cherokee.

The anonymous sender, also known as Wire, claimed to be a friend of Tavia’s who witnessed the incident but was unable to intervene, yet thought her family should be informed. He wished them luck.

We knew they took the bait because Wire was monitoring the estate they were on.

Within a half hour of receiving the message, they were seen leaving the estate in four dark SUVs.

They were headed toward Cherokee and barely kept under the speed limit.

It was nerve-racking to sit in the safe rooms and wait.

I discovered a couple of monitors where you could see and hear what was happening outside.

Eliana explained that the room was encased in steel, and metal-reinforced plates covered the doors and windows when a button was pressed.

It would take massive firepower to penetrate the room.

I felt secure, but I was concerned about all of our people and friends out there.

I kept sending up prayers as I nibbled on my thumbnail.