Chapter Twenty Five
Cyrus
I’ve been in the warehouse with my brother, Baby and Grim for the past hour trying to get more information out of the filthy Devil Chaser. He has no toes left and we were going to move onto his fingers but I remember something my brother and I saw on our travels a couple of years back and once we told Baby and Grim, they were very much up for it.
So right now, our captive is hanging almost like a hog roast, except he’s not turning. He’s hung from the ceiling, facing a fire and basically cooking. The smell in here is awful with the fucker’s blood dripping down and his flesh baking in the fire. It was a big effort to get him in this position, but it’s all been worth it because the Chaser has just told us the information we’ve been slowly killing him for. Grim calls the doctor to come and check on the fucker while the rest of us get him down and sit him somewhere.
We now have the location of the warehouse the Devil Chasers have been using as a make shift clubhouse, so Baby calls his dad and as soon as he does I can hear Prez’s voice booming through Baby’s phone.
“I think it’s time to let him out of his misery.” Doc advises after observing the Chaser. “He’s not got much more left in him.”
“If he’s lying, we will need him later.” Grim growls.
“Look, do what you want VP, but I’ve given my advice.” Doc sighs, standing back and listening in to Baby’s call with Prez just like the rest of us.
When Baby comes off the phone he looks up to the ceiling and growls, pointing to Grim. “Next time, you’re calling him!”
Grim smirks. “What did he say?”
“That we’re wasting time and we better get the fuck over there right now and he will send more men.” Baby rolls his eyes, grabbing his helmet and leading the way out of the warehouse. “He wouldn’t have even fucking known where to send the extra men if I hadn’t have fucking told him.”
“He’s just excited to get this shit done.” Grim laughs, nodding to the men on guard of the warehouse and we get ready to leave.
We check the weapons that we have on us. We make sure that our blades are where they’re supposed to be and our guns are ready to go cause some damage.
Arriving at the warehouse, we park our bikes a safe distance away and meet the men that Prez has sent to support us. Together we creep carefully closer, our guns raised and ready for anything. Each of us eyeing a different location to make sure we’re covered and as safe as we can be. Grim makes it to the main doors first and I’m right behind him, Zane and Baby on the other side of the doors. Grinder, Scrappy and Ryder run towards the back and take some other men with them, covering the back of the building. Devlin and Bomber reach for the door handles and yank them open at the same time. Grim and I quickly enter, the others speedily following, all with our guns aimed in case any danger was waiting in the form of a Devil Chaser. The place stinks of smoke, alcohol and sex so strongly that my nose bunches. Everything looks like it’s been thrown everywhere and there’s not a clear path towards the other side of the warehouse.
“I feel dirty just standing in this shithole.” Zane whispers and I glare at him to shut up. Even though he is right.
“Looks like nobody is here.” Grim stands tall, his gun relaxing at his side.
Zane and I sweep the area, searching for any fucker that’s been left behind. We come across a section that’s stained with blood. Some shit definitely went down here. I carry on my search but come to a standstill when I hear footsteps. I click my fingers, signalling my brother to my side and we stand guard, side by side for whatever is coming our way. Our guns are raised and our eyes are focused as we round a corner searching for who is hiding.
Zane nudges me, gesturing to our left hand side and I see figures heading our way in shadows. We’re in the shit because we have the light shining down on us but they’re under cover in the darkness.
“Cool it Redgrave’s.” I hear Scrappy say and immediately Zane and I relax.
They walk towards us, and Ryder pats me on my shoulder. “You were looking fucking scary brother.”
“We thought you were Chasers.” Laughs Zane.
Scrappy shakes his head and sounds pissed. “Looks like the place is deserted.”
I nod. Agreeing with his observation, we walk back to Grim and let him know the news.
“Fuck!” Baby shouts when he comes across a piece of paper in the corner.
He hands it to Grim, looking murderous and as Grim reads it his expression looks murderous too. What the fuck does it say on that note?
Grim holds the paper up. “It’s says, Venom can kill.”
I read the words as Grim reads it out loud. The words sending dread and anger through us all.
“Do you think it’s the Venom?” Scrappy asks what we’re all thinking.
Grim nods. “It has to be and the fucker is enjoying taunting us.”
Prez arrives at that time and VP brings him up to speed. He looks just like the rest of us and reaches for the nearest thing. It happens to be a chair and he throws it effortlessly across the room.
“Breaker needs to know.” VP alerts his dad and Prez snaps out of it, reaching for his phone and making the call.
I know that Breaker is now the President of the American chapter. I met him a few years back but he wasn’t the Prez then. I bet he’s a great one too.
“Breaker.” Prez greets. “I think its happening.”
“What is?” Zane asks and the VP smirks.
“War.” His smirk doesn’t seem very happy, more troubled than anything and no wonder. This all routs back to his old lady, his cousin Elise and Tasha being captured by the Devil Spawn. They hated us before that, but the real fighting started when Demon took Elise from her family.
“Right.” Prez announces. “As much as I want to call a lockdown, I don’t want to cause panic so we’re on curfew. We keep our fucking eyes peeled for anyone connected to any other club. We watch over everyone and we don’t go fucking off anywhere! We do shifts. Looking after the families and searching for these bastards!” Curfew basically means lockdown but in your own house. We need to find these fuckers and quick because I don’t want anyone else getting hurt. “Breaker is going to move in on Simone because she can be our leverage in this.”
“Simone?” I ask and Scrappy turns to face me.
“She’s Strike and Venoms sister.” He answers. “Breaker found her after everything went down last time, the brothers never had anything to do with her but they do send her money.”
So now I know why this girl can be useful to us. We all leave together, angry and determined to stop all of this bullshit.
Drew
I could hardly sleep last night because I was so fucking pissed. It was a total waste of time! I could have had a lovely night with Cyrus, eating delicious food but I wanted to seek my revenge and I could have if the fuckers had actually turned up. I danced a little bit and drank some more but when they didn’t show I wanted to go home. I wasn’t in the mood because I was still feeling guilty for not accepting Cyrus’ offer.
The fact that my dad has called to meet me and Maci adds to my annoyance. I know something is going on because I’ve noticed the members keeping an especially close eye on me and the rest of the families. The men can think that we’re all blind to what’s going on.
When my dad arrives, I leave the girls to handle themselves and we head upstairs to where Maci is waiting in the apartment. Tasha isn’t at work today, but my employees are perfectly capable. I am however shocked to see Baby and the Redgrave’s with him though.
“What’s up dad?” I ask when we’re tucked away in the apartment. I go to sit next to Maci, who turns off the TV so she’s not distracted. Maci has a problem with the TV, it captures all of her attention.
My dad sits on the chair while the guys stand behind him. This is starting to seem really serious.
“Now girls.” My dad begins. “You need to start being more aware and careful with who is around you and keep your wits about you.”
“We already are.” I point out. “Since Sketch died, we’ve all been cautious.”
Maci nods in agreement but then my dad’s heavy sigh causes me to get a little nervous.
“I know, but now there’s a lot of danger surrounding the club and you need to be alert. Don’t be going anywhere you shouldn’t be.” My dad’s eyes become stern as he looks at me, as if he knows something. He can’t know I’ve been going to the Black Ring, can he? “I need to know where you are at all times, I don’t want any game playing or attitude.”
“Fine.” I agree and I don’t miss the slight smirk on Cyrus’ face.
“Ok.” Maci nods.
“If you don’t do as I say, I will be forced to put everyone on lockdown.” Dad still has his gaze fixed on me.
“I said ok dad!” I roll my eyes.
He gives me a seriously stern look before he continues. “Now, these boys will also be keeping an eye on you.”
“What?” I snap.
My dad holds his hands up. “I want you safe Drew!” He then looks to Maci. “I want all of you safe and I’ve chosen the right men to keep watch on certain people.”
So that’s why Baby is here, because he has a certain interest as to why Maci needs to be safe.
“Baby is here for you, Maci.” My dad confirms what I had just been thinking and Baby raises his eyebrows at her.
“And I need the notorious Redgrave brothers to keep tabs on me.” I add with obvious sarcasm.
My dad doesn’t look pleased as he replies. “No, Cyrus will be watching over your sneaky antics and Zane will fill when either Cyrus or Baby can’t make it.”
Sneaky antics?
“No bitching and making things difficult. You hearing me?” Dad barks and I nod in return. I know how far I can push my father and I’ve just reached his limit.
“I hear ya.” I reply, leaning back into the sofa. “So, can we know what’s going on?”
Straight away my dad shuts me down. “No.”
I really don’t want to push my dad but I want to know what’s happening. “But if we’re in danger then surely we have a right to know. After Sketch, I deserve to know if my family is in danger.”
Tears drip slowly down my face. My dad’s face softens and the boys standing behind him all look remorseful as my dad sits himself between Maci and me, his voice soft and careful. “If anything comes to that again I will tell you baby girl.” He kisses my forehead. “I will always look after you my darling, please just do this for me. I want to end all of this shit, for you especially after what these bastards have taken from you.”
“Ok.” I whisper and we walk to the door together where he gives me a great big cuddle. He turns around to Baby, Cyrus and Zane.
“Look after my girls.” He warns and then winks at Maci. Ever since she walked into the club he’s taken Maci under his wing and treated her as good as the rest of the family. But before he goes, my dad looks to Cyrus. “A word.” And the two of them step outside, closing the door behind them.
Maci storms into the kitchen area, with Baby quickly following after her. Zane then falls onto the sofa right where Maci just was. “You doing ok?”
I nod. “I just feel like we’re going back and not forward. I don’t want a repeat of the kidnappings.” I sigh heavily, just as Cyrus returns from talking with my dad. “When they took Elise, it was terrible but I’m so glad Lauren and Tasha were there to protect her because I wasn’t and that nearly killed me. It’s why we brought the girls into the club. Well, that and Grim wanted Lauren as soon as he saw her.” I can’t help but laugh. “What if they take one of us again?”
“Not fucking happening.” Cyrus growls from behind me, making me jump.
Zane smirks from his seat beside me. “Trust me Drew, nothing is going to happen while we’re here and the club is well prepared. No more kidnappings.”
“I hope so.” I wish and Cyrus then sits on the arm of the sofa, right next to me.
“I fucking promise you that you and your family are safe.” Cyrus declares. His cloudy eyes burning into mine. “They’re not getting past me.”
As I look up into his eyes, I believe him. I really do.