Page 13 of Kraken (Hades Abyss MC #4: Mississippi Chapter)

She clung to me. Her gaze held mine, all soft and trusting.

I’d only had her in my life a short time, but I couldn’t imagine having to go on without her.

If anything happened to Phoebe, I’d want to die right alongside her.

I took her hard and fast, not stopping until she’d come twice more, then I let go, filling her with my cum.

Sweat slicked our skin, and I’d have loved nothing more than to lie here with her for hours. I rolled to my side, holding her close. I’d never imagined having someone in my life that I’d love as much as I loved her. It was insane, since we were strangers.

“We need more time,” she murmured, running her fingers through my beard. “That wasn’t nearly enough.”

“I know, baby. I know.” My lips brushed hers. “When this is over, we’ll take some time for ourselves. Just you, me, and Ember. But the nights will be just for you and me.”

“Be safe, Blake. Please. I don’t think I can do this without you.”

I ran my fingers through her hair, then cupped her cheek. “I’m not going anywhere, baby. I’ll put an end to those bastards, make sure you’re safe, but I will do my best to still be standing when it’s over.”

“You better. I love you, Blake.”

“Love you too, baby girl. So fucking much.”

She curled her hands around my biceps and held on tight. “Can you stay just a little longer?”

“The sooner I put an end to this, the faster I can come get you. Be brave for me, Phoebe. Remember, you’re the queen around here. Don’t hide in this room crying. Get out there, make friends, and don’t let anyone steamroll you.”

“All right.”

I kissed her again, wishing I didn’t have to leave her.

After I got dressed, I pulled her to me, holding her and just breathing her in.

Before I could talk myself out of lingering, I let her go and went back upstairs.

Morgan, one of the newer Prospects, gave me a nod.

Looked like he’d been selected to watch the women and kids while we got things in order.

As I cleared the barn, I released the thoughts of Phoebe and Ember, focusing on the task at hand.

If we were letting those fuckers into the compound, I wanted to be armed to the teeth.

While I always kept a knife on me, it wouldn’t be enough.

I rode my bike to the house and raided the hidden compartment in my closet.

With a little one in the house, I’d need to make my weapons more secure.

Maybe a retinal scanner, or at least a lock that required a code.

I grabbed a 9mm, two extra full clips, and another knife.

I didn’t care that I smelled like Phoebe and sex.

My brothers could give me shit over it if they wanted.

When all this was over, I’d mark my body with her name, make sure she knew how damn serious I was about having a life with her.

She had a property cut, but I’d have loved to get her inked.

I just hated to ask it of her after all she’d been through with the Sadistic Saints.

After securing the house, I decided to do a sweep of the compound.

If we avoided the south corner, except for the scheduled patrols, something would seem off.

Assuming they were even watching us. There was a prickle along my skin telling me they were nearby.

I didn’t think the Sadistic Saints were necessarily smart, but they hadn’t stayed alive this long by being stupid either.

They were pathetic, but people with nothing to lose could be dangerous.

I rode down the streets, leaning into the curves, and letting the wind in my hair calm my soul.

It was only a matter of time before those fuckers made their move, but I needed to keep a cool head.

I circled the back of the property, not far from the barn where the bunker lay hidden underneath.

The south corner had seemed undisturbed when I’d passed it.

Just because we’d laid a trap didn’t mean they would take the bait, but I sure the fuck hoped they did.

Shadows moved along the fence line and I slowed my Harley.

The shapes were low to the ground, but it was clear some men were already inside the property.

I only saw four, and I doubted the Sadistic Saints had sent so few men.

If Phoebe was right, when Deuce fell, his VP had probably stepped up.

I remembered what that fucker had said when he’d walked into her room at their clubhouse. He wasn’t going to give up easily.

Just one problem. They were too damn close to my woman.

How the hell had they gotten into the compound and slunk this far into the property without anyone noticing?

Hell, the stretch of fence we’d left unguarded hadn’t even looked disturbed.

Even if we’d left that area open, they’d still have needed to cut the fencing.

They were either more talented than I’d given them credit for, or I’d missed something when I drove by.

They stopped, hunkered low. I eased my bike forward, taking the curve around the side of the barn.

I pulled off farther down the road and cut the engine, then stuck to the shadows as I crept back to the barn.

I gripped the handle of my knife, pulling it free of its sheath, and stuck close to the front of the structure.

I didn’t know if Morgan was still outside, or if someone had let him inside.

With my back pressed to the wood, I listened for even so much as a rustle of leaves or the crunch of grass.

I heard the heavy tread of several men and braced myself.

Their shadows moved along the ground. I knew the moment they saw my bike because they came to a halt.

Dropping to my knees, I waited. If they rounded the corner, they wouldn’t expect me to be low to the ground and would likely aim their weapons at chest level.

I was counting on it. The first man crept along the wall of the barn.

Idiot didn’t even stop to see if someone was lying in wait.

The moment he cleared the side of the barn, I attacked, driving the knife upward into his gut.

As he staggered, I yanked the blade free and jabbed him in the ribs three times, then sliced his throat.

The body fell to the ground and I lifted my gaze.

The other three wearing Sadistic Saints cuts seemed stupefied. What the fuck? These bastards had snuck in undetected? How? They didn’t seem to be the brightest. Or seasoned for that matter. Had they never been in any sort of combat situation?

“Problem, boys?” I asked.

One of them blinked and his jaw dropped, then snapped shut.

Jesus. These guys really were dumb. Had Leviathan sent the weakest of their club for this mission?

If that was the case, how badly could he want Phoebe?

He had to know these men would fail. Unless that was the point.

Motherfucker. These bastards were a decoy, and I’d fallen for it.

I pulled my gun from the small of my back and sent a round into each of their chests.

Too fucking easy. There was no damn way the Sadistic Saints had only sent these four men.

They were a damn joke. As much as I wanted to check on Phoebe, I didn’t dare.

If anyone watched, they would see the barn held something of interest. I needed them to avoid this place.

Getting on my Harley, I started her up, then pulled out my phone. I dialed Titan, wondering if there had been a breach elsewhere. He picked up on the fourth ring.

“Where the hell are you?” the Pres asked by way of greeting.

“Back of the compound. Found four Sadistic Saints, but… Pres, there’s something off. These guys were too easy to put down. Hell, they looked like scared kids. Something’s off about all this. Not to mention, they were too stupid to pull off sneaking this far into the compound on their own.”

“Agreed,” Titan said. “Come to the clubhouse. I think we need to dig a little deeper.”

“On my way.”

I ended the call and got back on the road.

The clubhouse wasn’t much farther, less than a mile down the twisting path that ran through the compound when I heard the explosion.

I revved the engine and pushed my bike, going fast as I dared.

Smoke rose in the air and a feeling of dread filled me. I only hoped I wasn’t too late.