Page 63 of Loki’s Spellbinder (Hunters Creek Archangel’s Warriors MC #14)

When we arrived home, the prisoners were taken straight to the Cellar.

The Ruthless Marauders volunteered to do it so we could stop in and make sure our families were doing okay.

We assumed they’d be gathered in the common room, though I hoped Braelyn had gone to bed and was resting. Knowing her, I doubted it.

Entering the clubhouse, I noted that we were right. The old ladies were there. There were no children other than Xander, who was holding Brae’s hand. She had tears in her eyes. Not delaying, I rushed over to her. They both came to their feet. I opened my arms and squeezed them both against me.

“You’re home. Thank God,” Brae murmured.

“Glad you’re back, Dad,” Xander remarked.

“Yes, I’m back, and as you can see, I’m good. I hoped you two would be at home sleeping. What’s up with those tears, Spellbinder? You knew that I’d be back.”

“I did. The tears aren’t for that. It was something Xander said, and they’re happy tears. I’m so glad that you’re back. Can you get some rest, or do you still have more work to do?”

She was careful not to say where we were or what we did, and the same was true for what was to come. Xander had been left even more in the dark. All he knew was that we had gone out to work on one of the businesses. The explanation was that we did it at night when the place was closed.

“Unfortunately, we have more work to do, and it’s better to get it done tonight. We just stopped by to see if everyone was okay and to grab something to drink. Then we’ll be leaving. I have to insist you both go home and to bed. You’re dead on your feet.”

“We will. Just take care of yourself. You need to sleep sometime, too,” she reminded me.

I was too keyed up to feel tired, but I knew it would eventually hit me. I nodded to acknowledge I heard her.

“Dad, do you have time to walk to the house with us? If not, I’ll take Brae home,” my son said.

“I’ve got time. Hang on a second so I can tell Bull to wait on me.”

It took me less than two minutes to tell Bull where I was going and to get his agreement to wait. I went back to my family and ushered them outside. The temperature had fallen. Even with jackets on, they shivered. I held them close and hurried them to the house as fast as I could.

Once inside, they removed their shoes and outerwear.

I kept mine on. First down was Xander. Brae hugged him and whispered in his ear before letting me go to his room with him.

He didn’t take long to get into his pajamas, brush his teeth, and get into bed.

I gave him a hug and a kiss before saying goodnight.

When I entered our bedroom, Brae was already in bed. I went over and perched on the edge. I leaned in. “I didn’t get my hello kiss,” I reminded her.

“We can’t have that,” she whispered, and our mouths devoured each other. We kissed for a long time until she gently pushed on my chest. I took the cue and eased back. Her face was flushed, and her eyes sparkled.

“Alexander, don’t you dare get me any more aroused and then traipse out of here and leave me to handle it alone,” she warned.

I grinned. “Baby, would I do that?”

“Yes, you would. Now, tell me. Did you get what you wanted? I know you’ll be asking more in-depth questions.

Try to read them. Some respond to different types of questioning.

And you don’t need to tell me that you’re planning to torture it out of them, if you have to.

Sometimes, that won’t be necessary if you use the right approach.

I can’t explain how. It’s something I’ve learned as I’ve prosecuted and deposed people.

I feel what will or won’t work on the individual. If you get in a bind, come get me.”

I was stunned at her suggestion. I was about to laugh, but then I thought better of it. She was serious, and her success rate spoke for itself. I doubted I’d take her up on the offer, but I nodded.

“I’ll keep it in mind. I hate to rush off, but we need to get back to work. Can I have one more kiss?” I batted my eyelashes at her. It made her laugh, but I got my kiss.

We’d made it to the Cellar. It was full with the addition of Jinx and his four guys and our entire club.

The five Rebels were hanging from hooks that hung down from the ceiling.

They were secured to the hooks by manacles.

They were evenly spaced apart to give us room to work.

I always compared it to what a slaughterhouse would look like when hanging up the meat after butchering.

“You’re dead men. I hope you know that. And it won’t just be you. Attila will have your women and children killed, too. Although they’ll use the women first,” Zombie sneered.

“You dare to touch our women or kids, and you won’t know what hit you. They’re not helpless, and we have friends who’ll wipe out every one of you. Plus, your president won’t be giving any orders,” Bull taunted.

“You think not?” Nutcase spat.

“Not when his liaison is out of the picture. Don’t you agree, Iceman?” Bull asked.

From the back of the wall of bikers, I heard Iceman shout, “Damn right.”

Then I caught the sounds of a struggle and muttering. “You can’t do this to me. You promised.”

The bodies parted, and Iceman came forward, shoving his dad in front of him.

Nelson’s hands were secured. His frightened gaze jumped all over the room.

I didn’t know what he was looking for. Iceman kept pushing him until he stood under an empty hook.

Once there, Iceman whirled his dad around to face us and jerked his arms up.

The hooks were adjustable. Vex was controlling it from the panel.

The chain was raised when Nelson’s wrists were secured to the hook, preventing him from getting loose and bringing him up on his toes like the others.

“Son, you can’t do this to me. I’m your father. Why would you pass up such an opportunity? You can’t say no to the Brutal Rebels. Please stop this before it’s too late. They will have your entire club wiped out,” Nelson whined.

“Nelson, you stopped being my dad long before you killed Mom. And if you thought that we could have a father-son relationship after what you did to both of us, you’re crazier than I thought.

The sight of you makes me sick. I would never take advice from you.

As for the Rebels and their offer, I’ll let my president explain,” Iceman said, before stepping back to allow Bull to have the floor.

“Let me start by explaining why we would never accept your business proposal. Simply, it’s because we don’t do shit of that nature.

We left the days of outlaw businesses behind long ago.

The rumors are true. We’re legit. We’re not hiding illicit activity.

However, even if we were an outlaw club like yours, we have certain things we have never touched.

Organ harvesting would be one of those. There have been others we’ve been brought into contact with over the years, requiring us to dispense our type of justice.

We enjoy removing monsters. The same will be the case with you, your president, and those working on the ends of this nasty business,” Bull told them with a smile.

“You don’t have the power to do that! You don’t have a clue who we’re partners with. They’re not people you mess with. What do you care if we sell organs or have that nosy bitch of a prosecutor killed? If you don’t want to do this, then walk away and don’t do it,” Nasty shouted.

“We care because we don’t want our families exposed to such danger and filth. Anything that harms innocent people will always be a no for us,” Tank informed him.

“As for why we care about that nosy bitch, why don’t you tell him, Loki?” Payne said, winking.

“Thanks, brother, I will. You mentioned at the house that the prosecutor was the real threat, not the DA. And you had hired someone to handle her. You will tell me who that is, Nutcase. I promise you, that information is coming out of you one way or another,” I growled.

“Why do you care?” Nutcase snapped.

“The bodyguard she hired to protect her. The one you dismissed as nothing was me. And I care because that prosecutor is my old lady. She’s claimed and property of Loki and the Archangel’s Warriors.

Her family is part of the Pagan Souls of Lake Oconee, which brings the other chapters of it and ours together against you.

Does anyone want to explain who else will join us? ” I offered.

“I do,” Jinx said, moving to stand next to me.

“I’m Jinx, president of the Knoxville chapter of the Ruthless Marauders. My club is friends with the Warriors and Pagans, so it means we side with them.”

“And if that’s not enough, through our Dublin Falls chapter, we have ties to the Horsemen of Wrath MC in Florida, the Iron Punishers in Virginia, and the ex-military group, the Dark Patriots in Virginia,” Demon boasted.

The more names we mentioned, the paler and more scared the Rebels got. When we were done, they hung there quietly.

“So I think you can agree, we have the manpower to take on the Brutal Rebels and your partners. We’ve worked together to eradicate human traffickers, rapists, drug dealers, arms dealers, and a lot more. We’re not scared of you or your supposed big shot, Attila,” Bull sneered.

“You won’t stop him or the others. They’ll find someone else to do it. Attila will find a new way to communicate his orders even if he stays in prison, which he won’t. You’ll all be dead, and Attila will become unstoppable,” Zombie said with conviction.

“You can’t get to him. He’s safe while in prison, and when he gets out, he’ll be surrounded by guards,” Nutcase threw in.

“See, that’s where you’re wrong. Attila isn’t safe in prison. Bull, tell everyone what you had our friend Scarelli do. And why he has the pull to make it happen,” Tank suggested.