Page 5

Prophet

The air in the room was heavy, thick with the stench of oil and leather. I stood in the middle of the Wild & Reckless MC clubhouse, surrounded by my brothers-in-arms -- Foster and Warden -- as well as our allies from the Devil’s Boneyard and the Devil’s Fury. Our new friends, the Wild & Reckless MC, had been a great help to us, and I hoped the friendship would carry forward after this was over.

“We’ve got enough firepower to start a small war,” Magnum said, his hands running over the cache of weapons that lay sprawled across the table.

Gator nodded, his eyes cold as ice. “And we’ll bring hell to their doorstep. I can’t stand sick fucks like that bastard.”

I felt the weight of the guns in my hands, the grip familiar and strangely comforting. There were no heroes here, just men ready to descend into the abyss. The Wild & Reckless guys -- Highlander, Wings, and Poker -- stood at the edge, their expressions grim. Their other two brothers were in the background, ready if we needed them.

“Highlander has a plan,” I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.

The room fell silent, all eyes on the tall Scotsman. Highlander was built like a tank, his presence commanding attention without a word. He laid out the map, his finger tracing the route we would take to infiltrate the asshole’s stronghold.

“Precision,” Highlander emphasized. “That’s how we do it. No room for mistakes.”

Wings stepped forward. “We’ll cover your back and help with the cleanup.”

Poker gave a curt nod. “You get in, you get out. We’ll handle the rest.”

I stared at the map and the layout of the mansion. Although, we had no way of knowing if it was entirely accurate. Shade had managed to find it and sent it over to Magnum. It was better than nothing. It was most likely they were holding Ares in the basement, but the place had so many rooms she could be anywhere on any floor.

“Let’s do this,” I said, ready to have Ares in my arms, safe and sound.

There was a chorus of agreement. I looked at each man, brothers forged in violence and necessity, and knew that no matter what, we’d stand together. Even though we weren’t all part of the same club, today we shared the same mission.

We armed ourselves, each weapon a promise of vengeance, each bullet a whisper of justice. As I checked my own gear, I thought of Ares, and rage coursed through me, burning away any doubt.

We moved as one, a dark tide rolling toward an uncertain dawn. Fear clung to us, a constant companion, but it didn’t rule us. Tonight, we were the hunters and not the hunted. We’d show that asshole what it meant to suffer.

The cold steel of the knife slid against my palm as I strapped it to my thigh, a silent promise of violence. My hands didn’t shake. They couldn’t afford to as I loaded my gun. Every bullet that snicked into place in the magazine was a promise of retribution. Poker handed me another 9mm, its weight familiar and oddly comforting in my palm.

“Watch your back,” he said, his eyes dark with the same fury that fed my pulse.

“Always do,” I replied, the words terse and low.

We stepped out of the clubhouse and got onto our bikes. I felt the engine roar to life beneath me. The throttle twisted under my grip, a surge of power coursing through the machine like adrenaline. I shot forward, the world blurring into streaks of color and light as I wove through traffic, heading out of town and toward the mansion. The wind lashed at me like a living thing, but I welcomed its icy caress -- it sharpened my senses, kept me tethered to the moment.

I could almost hear her voice over the rush of air, a siren’s call urging me on, faster, ever faster. Ares needed me. That single thought cleaved through the haze of fear. I would tear apart anyone who stood between us, rend flesh from bone if I had to. There was no room for doubt, no space for hesitation. Only the mission, only her.

Each mile devoured by the wheels on my bike brought me closer to her. I would finally put an end to this nightmare and save the woman I loved.

Tonight, I’d go into that fucking house, and I’d do whatever it took to get Ares back where she belonged -- safe in my arms. I’d make sure the threat that cast its shadow over her was extinguished, forever silenced. I’d worry about what came next once I had her out of that place.

The rumble of my bike’s engine died as I coasted to a halt, the mansion’s imposing silhouette looming ahead. A chill prickled my skin -- not from the night air, but from the malice that seemed to seep from the estate’s very walls. I let the silence settle over me, eyes scanning for any sign of movement.

Security was tight. Cameras perched like predatory birds. Guards prowled the perimeter with a military precision that spoke of the man’s paranoia. This was it -- the fortress where Ares was trapped. A fortress I intended to breach.

“Stay sharp,” I muttered under my breath, a silent mantra to keep focused. I slid off my motorcycle, crouching low in the shadows, my hands steady despite the inferno of fear threatening to consume me. Not for myself, but for Ares. If I failed, I knew she’d end up dying in this place.

A flicker of motion caught my eye -- Wings and Gator, positioned across the lawn, gave the signal. Distraction was key, and those two had promised to cause a big ruckus. I watched as they lobbed a couple of well-placed rocks, the guards shifting like agitated hounds toward the source of the noise. It seemed almost too easy.

Slinking forward, I moved like a ghost, my boots barely kissing the earth beneath them. The darkness was a friend, an ally that embraced me as one of its own. Each step took me deeper into enemy territory, every shadow a potential threat.

A guard rounded the corner, his flashlight cutting a swath through the night. My grip tightened on the knife strapped to my thigh. There was no room for mercy, not here, not tonight. As he edged closer, oblivious to his impending doom, I struck. The blade found its home, swift and silent. It slid into his neck with ease, and he crumpled without a sound.

I dragged the body into the darkness, my heart pounding. I needed to move faster. Every moment that ticked by was another second she suffered, and I would not -- could not -- fail her.

My progress through the mansion was a dance with death, each step measured, each breath calculated. I avoided the light, sticking to the blackness that pooled in the corners and crevices. More guards met the same fate as the first, their lifeblood a testament to the lengths I’d go to save her. Not just her. I knew this man had tormented other women before Ares. This was revenge for all of them.

With every inch gained, fear filled me. Was Ares still all right? Had she managed to survive without losing her mind? She needed me, and I would tear this place apart, stone by stone, if that’s what it took to free her from the clutches of the monster who dared claim her as his property. She was mine. Had been mine for over a year now, even if I hadn’t been able to officially make her mine.

I was coming for her, and hell itself wouldn’t stop me.

I made it to the door I hoped would lead me to Ares. My fingers worked deftly, coaxing the tumblers into submission. The adrenaline in my veins sharpened my focus to a razor’s edge. A soft click, barely audible over the hammering of my heart, signaled success. The door yielded, swinging open with a reluctant groan.

Beyond lay a dimly lit hallway, oppressive and lined with doors like silent sentinels. Whimpers leaked from the cracks, the soft sounds of shattered spirits. They were the cries of the damned, and they fueled my resolve. Ares was somewhere here, her pain a phantom ache in my own chest. I stepped over the threshold, the shadows embracing me like an old friend.

I couldn’t save them all, but I would get my woman out of this hell no matter what it took. The rest of the men with me would have to take care of the other women.

A man emerged -- a hulking beast who looked more like a devil than a human. The guard was monstrous, a towering mass of muscle and malice. I tensed. As the club’s Enforcer, I’d faced down death more times than I cared to count, but each time was a roll of the dice with the reaper. Would I be lucky this time too, or would this be my last fight?

With no room for hesitation, I summoned the training that had been drilled into me. I twisted away from his lumbering grasp, my body operating on instinct. His size was his downfall. Power meant nothing without the grace to direct it. And grace was something I had in spades when the stakes were life and death.

A feint to the left, and he took the bait. Like a viper, I struck -- my blade striking his side, his stomach, and finally slicing across his neck. And as he fell, I felt a surge of grim satisfaction. This was for Ares, for every tear she shed, for every scream muffled by these walls. And I wasn’t finished yet.

I stepped over the inert behemoth. Ahead, another door beckoned -- the door I hoped would lead me to her, to the end of this nightmare. I moved forward, my breaths shallow. A tomb-like silence hung heavy around me. The dim light flickered, casting sinister shadows. Through each door I passed, I heard the muffled sounds of despair.

I paused by the last door. The cries behind this door were familiar to me. Ares. I didn’t know what I’d find on the other side, but I knew she was inside. The sounds of her agony ripped into me and I steeled myself. Drawing in a breath, I kicked the door, shattering it on impact.

The man who’d purchased Ares stood before me, his twisted grin a sickening slash across his face. Wire had texted me an image of him, one he’d taken from a still off the cameras inside the house. But even without it, the evil rolling off this man would have been enough to tell me who the fuck he was. Our gazes locked -- two predators fighting for dominance. The air was charged with the electricity of impending violence.

“Prophet,” he oozed, his voice slick as oil. “You are Prophet, right? Ares talks about you so much, when she thinks no one is listening. So good of you to join us.”

“End of the line, asshole.” My words were ice, my gaze locked onto him with unwavering intensity.

He laughed, a sound that scraped against my nerves like barbed wire. I didn’t dare stop to look at Ares. If I did, I might break. First, I needed to deal with this bastard. I could use my gun and end him quickly, but what would be the fun in that? He needed to suffer for all he’d done to Ares, not to mention the other women.

I gripped the knife tighter and charged at him. He danced to the side, but I’d anticipated his move and slashed the blade along his ribs. The man snarled, eyes narrowing. He swung his fist at me, but I kept out of range. The two of us circled one another. We each wanted to destroy the other.

I landed a few more blows, the blood flowing from the man’s wounds. I watched the crimson drops splatter on the floor and knew it wasn’t enough. Pulling one of the guns from the holster behind my back, I took aim and shot both of his knees, forcing him to the ground. He cried out as he collapsed, his face going pale. Now that I knew he wouldn’t be able to escape, or fight back, it was time to make him pay.

I approached, kneeling down. His eyes went wide with fear, as if he suddenly realized his life was over.

“Don’t worry. You won’t die right away.” I smiled, flashing my teeth. “I’ll make sure you suffer first. Although…”

I still couldn’t look at Ares. I knew she was there. Not only did I hear her, but I could feel her presence in the room. Holding my hand out to her, I beckoned her closer. If anyone deserved to get revenge on this man, it was her. I’d once thought she’d been forged from iron, but I had to wonder if she still felt as strong as she had before. How much damage had this man done to her? Not only physically, but emotionally and mentally as well.

I felt her hand close around mine, and when I finally looked her way, I wished like hell I hadn’t. I didn’t know how she was standing, or how the fuck she’d survived. The woman was stronger than anyone I knew, even though I didn’t think she realized it. All I had was my bike, and it wouldn’t be an easy ride for her to get the fuck out of here, but I’d need her to pull through. For Ares’ sake, we needed to put as much distance as we could between this house of horrors and her.

“Ares, is there anything you want to do or say to him before I continue?” I asked.

“He stripped me naked. You should do the same to him.” Her voice was barely a whisper and I heard the ragged pain behind her words.

I didn’t want to hear the answer, but at the same time, I needed to. “Did he touch you? Did he…”

“Yeah. He raped me.”

I closed my eyes and fought for control. Using my knife, I shredded his clothes. The pathetic dick hanging between his legs wasn’t anything to brag about. It didn’t even look big enough for me to slice it off. I tapped the head of his cock with the flat side of my knife and he flinched.

“Is this why you hurt women? None of them want you without being forced?” I asked. “Ares, can you pick the locks on the doors in the hall?”

“With the right tools,” she said.

I handed her my lockpicks. “Go free the women and tell them if anyone wants vengeance to come in here.”

I stood and gripped a handful of the man’s hair and hauled him over to a wall with leather cuffs hanging from it. I fastened them onto his wrists and wondered what those women would do to him. Glancing around the room, I noticed a locked cabinet.

Ares returned, two young women following behind her. None of them had on clothes. I made sure not to look anywhere other than their faces.

“Ares, go unlock the cabinet. Maybe there’s something in there they want to use on this sorry excuse of a man,” I said. She made her way to the cabinet and used the lockpicks to open it. Once it swung open, I let out a whistle. Various sex toys were inside, including floggers and strap-ons. I eyed Ares, wondering if he’d used those on her. She gave a subtle shake of her head and relief flooded me. One less trauma to overcome.

“Ladies, I’m going to hand him over to you, with only one caveat.” I handed the revolver to one of them. “When you’re done making him suffer, make sure he’s dead.”

The younger of the two tipped her head to the side and stared at the man. “If I shoot him in the dick, will he bleed out?”

“Guess it depends on if you can hit a target that small.” I heard Ares snicker behind me, and the sound filled me with joy. She might be badly beaten, and she’d suffered in the worst way, but at least she hadn’t been completely broken.

I looked at Ares again, and I wished like hell I hadn’t. I wasn’t one to cry, but the sight of her battered body was enough to make my eyes sting with unshed tears. My heart shattered at the sight of her. I swept her into my arms, her body trembling against mine.

“Shh, baby girl, I’ve got you. You’re safe now. You’re going home,” I murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

Her arms wrapped weakly around my neck, holding on as if she feared the world would rip us apart. But nothing would take her from me again. Nothing.

“Take me away from here, Prophet. Please,” she pleaded, her voice cracking with the weight of her ordeal.

Once we’d walked out of the mansion, I paused only long enough to remove my cut and pull off my T-shirt. I tugged the shirt over her head before sliding my cut on once more. It wasn’t ideal, but at least it covered her.

“Do you think you can ride?” I asked.

“If it meant leaving this place, I could walk without stopping for the next week.”

“Come on.” I took her hand and led her to my bike. I swung my leg over the seat, and she settled behind me, pressing against my back.

I didn’t wait to speak to anyone or thank them for their help. Right now, she was my priority, and I had a feeling they all understood. I rode, not stopping until we’d gotten far enough away that I hoped Ares would feel safe. I pulled into the parking lot of a cheap motel and got a room. I didn’t know if we’d stay until morning, but she needed a chance to get cleaned up, and I needed to buy some clothes for both of us.

The place didn’t even offer toiletries, and the towels looked questionable. Yeah, we sure the fuck wouldn’t be here long. I just needed a place to keep her while I got what we needed. She couldn’t very well go into a store like this. If I hadn’t wanted to get as far as I could from the place where I’d found her, I wouldn’t have even made her ride on my bike in her current state of undress. Maybe if I hadn’t reacted the moment I saw her on Wire’s screen, I’d have taken the time to get her a change of clothes and shoved them into my saddlebags.

“I need you to wait here while I grab some supplies. We’ll get back on the road after we’ve both showered and changed.”

She looked up at me, tears slipping down her cheeks. “I worried you wouldn’t make it in time. I didn’t know how much longer I could hold on.”

I cupped her cheek. “I will always come for you, Ares. Always.”

She nodded and wiped the tears away. “Hurry back. This place gives me the creeps.”

I kissed her forehead, then rinsed off my hands and face, making sure I didn’t have any blood spatter on me. Once I thought I didn’t look like I’d just committed murder, I headed to the nearest store that would have the basics we needed. I bought a package of panties for her, a shirt, and pair of leggings, then grabbed a cheap pair of tennis shoes and some socks. All I needed was a shirt for now. I’d buy more things when we got to our final destination, which I’d already decided wouldn’t be the Dixie Reapers compound. She wasn’t ready.

Once I got back to the motel, I helped her wash and dress. I tugged on my new shirt, forgoing a shower for the time being. It was more important to get out of here right now.

“If you could go anywhere while you heal, where would you go?” I asked.

“The beach.” She smiled a little. “But I also want to go home to Alabama.”

“Then we’ll find a place along the Gulf.” I used an app on my phone to locate a home we could rent by the month and made the payment. The owner sent the info for accessing the house, and I checked out the quickest route to get there.

“Only time I’m stopping is if you need food or need to pee. You all right with that?” I asked.

She nodded. “Just… Don’t leave me.”

I leaned down, pausing a moment before my lips brushed over hers. It was technically our first kiss, and not the way I’d wanted it to happen. But it felt like we both needed this. “I should have said this before now. You’re mine, Ares. I’m not going to ask anyone for permission. You’ve been mine for the last year.”

She leaned into me, wrapping her arms around my waist. “I know. I’d planned to ask what was taking you so long.”

“Stupidity.”

She laughed softly. “Take me to our temporary home, Prophet.”

I’d take her anywhere she wanted to go. No matter how far or impossible, I’d find a way.