Lilly sat through dinner quietly while the guys talked about different things going on around them. She wasn’t paying much attention to what was being said, though, until Snapper said something about junkies. He had Lilly’s full attention now, but she made sure not to react. She wanted to hear whatever it was he was going to say. Since he was sitting a few chairs away, Lilly assumed he thought she was out of earshot, or that she wasn’t paying attention because he began talking about their plans, informing Leo and Shorty of their part in the war.
“We’ve got guys coming in to help shut these fuckers up for good. Leo, they have a member that lives two streets over from you. You’re going to make sure that he has a…malfunction when he leaves his house in the morning.”
Lilly couldn’t see Leo’s reaction since she was being nonchalant about eavesdropping and he didn’t say a word.
“Shorty, you’re going to take care of their junkie prospects. They have three of them and we’re gaining intel on their whereabouts right now. When we know more, you’re on it.”
“Why are you being so quiet tonight?” Cass’s question cut through anything else that was being said in the conversation she was listening in on.
She looked up to meet his eyes. “I didn’t realize I was. I’m over here in my own world, eating good pizza, enjoying good company.” She shrugged nonchalantly, hoping like hell she was convincing.
“It’s just odd for you. Have you heard from Mindy today?” Cass asked.
Shit. No. Damnit I’m such a shitty friend. I’m too caught up in my new house and the club to check on her.
“Fuck. No, I haven’t. Thanks for reminding me, baby. I’m going to give her a call when we get home.”
Cass must’ve seen the distress in her eyes because he lifted a hand to her chin, pulling it upward until her eyes met his. “Hey, I’m sure she understands. She knows that we have a lot going on with the club bullshit. I bet Linc and her are having fun being together, just the two of them.”
“Thank you,” she sighed, looking at him with sad eyes.
“For what?”
“For making me feel better. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
The rest of dinner was uneventful and Lilly had missed any other information that Snapper had offered during her conversation with Cass. She knew the war was starting but she had failed to realize that it was about to be a full-on fucking battlefield. Especially with guys coming from all around and the Highway Sinners on their way into town. Shit was getting serious and it made her nerves bad already.
Riding home, Lilly took that time to think of what could happen and where they would end up once it did. After the thought of losing Cass unwelcomingly plastered itself in her brain, Lilly thought it better to push all thoughts of the war out of her head for the time being and enjoy the sun that beat down on them as they made their way home. Everyone else on bikes had parted, leaving only Cass and Lilly and the truck of Scott, Leo and Shorty behind them.
When they pulled up at the house, Lilly went inside without saying a word. She needed to know more about what was going on and she didn’t think Cass would be susceptible to telling her, since the last time something major happened he didn’t say a word to her about it. She headed directly for their open master bedroom and sat down on the bed, phone in hand. From this angle, she could see if anyone walked up from outside or from the door inside.
Lilly opened her phone and sent a text to Raven.
Lilly: Backup for what?
Raven: Those damn Moccasins. Micah said they were making threats on members and ol’ ladies.
Lilly: What the fuck? I haven’t heard about any of this.
Raven: Yeah, I know. Cass told Micah that he hasn’t said anything to you because he doesn’t want you to worry because they have it under control.
Lilly: If it’s so under control, then why the fuck are all these other people showing up?
Raven: I don’t know. I’m just the messenger.
Lilly: Did Micah say why y’all are coming? Did he say what yall are coming here to do?
Raven: Nope. All I know is I’m getting dropped off with you and the other ol’ ladies. I’m sure they’ll have a prospect or two on us so we won’t be able to leave.
Lilly: Of course. Why are you coming too?
Raven: Because Micah won’t leave me alone. Y’all aren’t the only ones who have beef with another club.
Lilly: Sounds like they’re cut from the same damn cloth. See you soon.
Lilly rolled her eyes and tossed her phone on the bed. The sound of raised voices put her on alert. She tiptoed toward the door of her bedroom, turning the lights off. She listened closely. The raised voice was Cass.
“We have to fucking find them, now! I have a few grenades at the clubhouse that will take care of some of their fucking houses. Molotov cocktails never hurt anyone, either. I’m tired of this dumb shit. They’ve come after our family, our women, and our fucking books. It’s time to give them the real war they’ve been asking for and show them just who it is they’re fucking with. They will be made an example out of and they’ll learn quick that Lucifer’s Hounds are not to be fucked with.”
“Leo. Shorty. Take the moving truck and get to the clubhouse.”
Cass’s voice dropped after Leo and Shorty walked out of the house. He and Scott were talking about something that Lilly couldn’t make out. Taking a chance on it, she walked out of the hallway and into the kitchen where Scott and Cass stood. They both looked up at her upon her arrival and they both stopped talking midsentence.
“What’s going on?” she asked, hoping he would assume she heard yelling and was curious.
“Shit’s about to get messy, baby.” His voice was grim, but his face said otherwise. He was serious in that way that only he got when things were, as he put it, about to get messy.
“What’s my place in all of this?”
“You’re going to stay with the other women of the club. I’ll have prospects with y’all and a few new patches to make sure nothing happens.”
“Where?”
“Here. It’s new and they don’t know about it, so it’s the safest place.”
Lilly sighed. Scott was still standing next to Cass, quiet as ever. He looked to be contemplating something internally. Was he worried about the outcome of the war? Because if he was worried, then Lilly was definitely worried. If he was having second thoughts about it then…Lilly shook her head in attempt to clear the negative thoughts that clouded her mind.
No, everything is going to be fine. That’s why backup is on the way.
Reassuring herself, she took a slow, deep breath in and released it.
“Speaking of…” Scott said as the sound of pipes wracking in the front caught their attention.
Lilly, Cass, and Scott looked outside to find the Highway Sinners pulling in, ten deep. They walked out to greet them as they stepped off their bikes. Micah and Raven were first, then the rest right behind them. Some of them she recognized and others were new faces to her.
Cass shook hands with each one of them, thanking them for coming as did Scott while Lilly pulled Raven into a hug. She was happy to see her and if shit went awry, she was glad Raven was on her side. She had proved herself when she drove Lilly to Baton Rouge the other day when Mindy got into her wreck.
“Where’s your car?” Raven whispered, looking around the driveway.
“I don’t have it. Probably by design, too.” Lilly huffed and rolled her eyes, wondering how she and Raven would get out of here if they needed to.
“Damn.”
“Since we don’t have anything better to do for the time being, want to come see the new house?” Lilly asked, excited to show it off to someone.
“Yes! It’s so pretty from out here, I can only imagine what it looks like inside!” Raven’s excitement made Lilly laugh and it felt good to have a distraction from the terror going on.
Lilly took Raven on a tour of the house while the guys stood outside and talked. They were probably planning who was going to do what when shit came down to the wire. It still made Lilly uneasy to think about them going after the Moccasins. She wondered why Asher would let these things go on when he didn’t seem to be the type to hurt people to get what he wanted.
“I love this bed!” Raven’s exclamation and her running and jumping across the bed brought Lilly’s thoughts back to here.
“I know. It’s perfect and so comfy. Not to mention from there you can see outside into the pool and you can see if anyone is coming into the room.”
“I didn’t even notice the pool!”
Raven walked to the glass doors and peered outside. The sun had just set and the sky was still a beautiful array of pinks and oranges, the colors reflecting off the water. Lilly was still amazed that this place was hers to call home.
A vibrating sound pulled Lilly’s attention toward the bed. Her phone was ringing. She walked over and picked it up. Mindy was calling.
“Hey love!” Lilly answered.
“Hey!” Mindy’s cheerful voice met Lilly from the other side of the phone.
“I’m sorry I didn’t call to check on you today. It’s been a day, for sure. We moved our things into the house and the Highway Sinners just showed up.”
“Oh, it’s okay. I know how things go. Linc talked the hospital into releasing me, so it looks like I get to see your place sooner rather than later!”
“That’s great news!” Lilly nearly shouted. Raven looked at her with her head tilted in curiosity.
“Mindy’s getting released from the hospital,” Lilly whispered, holding the phone back away from her mouth.
“I know! I can’t wait to get out of here and eat some damn real food!”
“When are you getting out?’ Lilly asked.
“As soon as they bring me the papers to sign! I’ll see you in a few hours, I just wanted to call and let you know I was coming to see you and getting out of this hell hole.”
“Alright. I love you. See you soon.”
“Love you!”
Lilly pressed the end button on her phone and slid it into her back pocket, making sure the ringer was on loud incase Mindy needed anything between now and when she got here.
Raven was walking around the master bedroom, looking around in the same awe that Lilly had when she’d first seen it.
“Mindy will be here tonight,” she said.
“Good. We can plot on how we’re going to get away from the prospects they’re gonna put on us. I want in on the action.”
“I’m fucking in. I’ll get Mindy in on it. Get here to drive my car here.”
Lilly sent a text to Mindy.
Lilly: Get Linc to let you drive my car. My keys are in my room at the club house.
Mindy: What are you up to, Lil? Whatever it is, I’m in.
Lilly smiled, looking at Raven. “She’s in.”
“Hell yeah. Okay, how many exits are in this house?” she asked.
“Uhh. Four, I think.”
“Okay, we know there’s going to be prospects at every door, so we’re probably going to have to find a window to go out of.”
“A downstairs one, preferably.”
“No shit,” Raven said, rolling her eyes.
“I’m just saying, we won’t be any use if we have broken ankles.”
“You’re telling me.”
“Wait…have you done this before?” Lilly asked.
“What? Snuck away from prospects watching me? I don’t know what ever would have given you that idea.” Raven feigned innocence.
“I knew I liked you for a good reason. If we’re going to get involved, we’re going to need weapons. I have a pistol. Do you?”
Raven lifted the back of her shirt, revealing the piece that was tucked into her back.
“Never leave home without it.” Raven beamed, pulling her shirt back down. She had it concealed perfectly because Lilly would never have known it was there had she not shown it to her.
“I’m all for going after them, but what exactly are we going to do?” Lilly asked. The more she thought about it, the more dangerous it sounded. It also sounded like Cass was going to be livid, but she couldn’t just stand back and do nothing. These men were her family and if they were willing to go to war and protect her and the other women, then she should be willing to do the same, shouldn’t she?
“I haven’t quite figured that part out yet.”
“Oh. That’s reassuring. Maybe we should just hang back here and see how things pan out.” Lilly’s suggestion was met with a questioning eyebrow raised in her direction.
“Ready to back out already?”
“No. I just don’t want to distract the guys from what it is they’re there to do.”
“And how exactly would you distract us?” Cass’s voice boomed from the doorway, making both girls jump at the sudden and unexpected noise.
Raven and Lilly stared at Cass, who was walking toward them with Micah right beside him.
Shit.
“Uhh…with our bodies?” Lilly asked, putting on her best fake grin.
“Mmhmm. I see. I’m sure that’s what you were talking about.” Cass’s tone was neutral and he didn’t seem angry, which Lilly found odd. Surely it would piss him off that they were considering interjecting themselves into a club war.
“It was,” Raven said, stepping up.
“Oh. So you two weren’t planning on trying to escape the guys that are going to be guarding the house, making sure you’re safe?” Micah asked.
Lilly and Raven looked at one another then looked back at the guys. Raven shrugged her shoulders.
“Raven, can I talk to you in private?” Micah asked, walking out the bedroom door before she had a chance to respond. She followed behind him and Cass approached Lilly.
“Hi,” he said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Hi. You aren’t angry?” she asked, looking up at him.
“I’m pissed but no harm was done, so what good does it do to be angry at you for it? You were just trying to help. And I get it. I think it’s a stupid move but I get it. That just tells me I’ll have to make sure the guys keep an extra eye on you and the girls. Carrie and Lucy will be here soon.”
“So will Mindy.”
“Yeah, Linc and I pulled a few strings at the hospital.” Cass smiled down at her and she melted beneath him.
“You never cease to amaze me. Are you sure you have to do this tonight? I overheard some of the plan and I don’t like it, baby. I don’t like the thought of you out there fighting with these unpredictable junkies.” Lilly lay her head on his chest and he rested his chin on top of her head.
“I know baby, but it’s going to be okay. They have to be shown that we aren’t kidding. We mean business.”
Lilly sighed deeply, but didn’t have a rebuttal. Cass was right. They couldn’t just let these motherfuckers keep hurting them. She locked her fingers behind his back, pulling him impossibly close to her and breathed in the comforting scent that was Cass.
“I hope you’re right.”
They stood just like that for what could have been ten minutes or thirty seconds. She basked in the comfort that she knew was going to dissipate as soon as he left, so she soaked in all the good vibes she could before he left.
Micah’s voice cut through their comfortable silence, causing Lilly to squeeze Cass a little tighter.
“You ready? Everyone just got here.”
“Yeah, I’m ready.” Cass pulled away from Lilly and grabbed her face between his hands. His lips crashed onto hers but were gone just as fast.
“I love you.”
She offered him a smile that didn’t meet her eyes. “I love you, too.”
Raven had re-entered the bedroom at some point between Micah coming in and Cass kissing her. She looked like she was still plotting something. Lilly could almost see it in her eyes. She linked her arm through Raven’s, giving her the biggest fake smile she could muster.
“Let’s go welcome the hoard, shall we?”