Bonnie reached out to hold Gwen again, but adjusted her arms around the woman as she seemed to lean away when Bonnie touched her side and ribs while embracing her.
“Are you alright?” Bonnie asked, her eyes flicking down to Gwen’s body quickly before coming up to focus on her face.
“I’ll be fine. We were noticed by a couple of stragglers of the Falwell Pride when we were trying to get to our hiding place in the woods, but I fought them off and made sure we were all safe. Steve helped wrap me up when he and those he’d brought along to help arrived. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
“Maybe let me look at it once everyone is tended to?” Bonnie said.
“It’s nothing, really. It’ll be fine. Maybe just some first aid supplies so I can get it cleaned up again.”
Two more side by sides came into sight in the distance, and approached the house, causing Gwen to get herself together and stand tall to greet her people. “They need to feel they can have faith in me, and that they are safe. I can’t let them know how destroyed I am,” she whispered.
“I understand, but even if they do notice, I’d think they’d understand.”
Gwen nodded, but took a deep breath in an effort to steel herself nonetheless.
Three females and two kids got off the first golf cart and started toward the house, as another came around the curve behind them. The three females hesitated as they got close.
“Come on in! Welcome to the Laighin compound. I’m Bonnie, Reigna Laighin. Come in and make yourselvescomfortable. We have blankets and clean, warm clothes. We’re making something to eat and it won’t be long before we have everything squared away,” Bonnie said.
“Yes! Come on in, Reigna Bonnie has granted us all sanctuary. We are safe,” Gwen said as she personally escorted the females and kids into Bonnie’s house.
~~~
Jack sat in the passenger side of Rance’s truck, his head back, his eyes closed, but not at all sleeping. He was still trying to work out in his mind what the last couple of weeks had been all about. It was clear the Falwell Pride was up to something, but he just couldn’t figure out what. His phone ringing brought him out of his own thoughts. He picked it up off the console between the front seats and looked at the screen. “Draven,” he said, to let those in the vehicle know who it was. He noticed the time just as he answered the call. “At 2:00 AM,” he added.
“Hey,” Jack said. “Everything all right?” he asked, on alert since it was the middle of the night, or early, early morning depending on how you looked at it.
“Yeah, but no. Our people are fine, but Gwen Gamieyon and more than forty of her people just showed up. She’s requesting sanctuary.”
“What?!” Jack almost shouted, sitting up straighter. “Hang on, I’m putting you on speaker. Alright, repeat that.”
“I said, our people are all fine. But Gwen Gamieyon just showed up with more than forty of her people. They’re requesting sanctuary. And they’re on foot with nothing at all except the clothes they’re wearing.”
“What the fuck happened?” Jack demanded.
“Gwen told Dane that they were attacked. Dane came up to the house before any of them arrived to speak to Bonnie personally. She granted sanctuary before Gwen even got to the house, and I agree with her. I told her I’d call you since she’s busy with Gwen and her people. She’s getting everybody settled at the moment. Findley is cooking and distracting Gwen’s kids, and Jessica, Alison and some of the other ladies are here with food from their own houses and they’re warming it up and setting up a buffet. Security is bringing the Gamieyon Pride members up a few at a time in the side by sides and golf carts so they don’t have to walk up the mountain. They’re weak, and clearly traumatized.”
“Where is Grail?” Jack asked.
“I don’t know for sure, but I don’t think he made it. Bonnie asked and Gwen started crying. We haven’t had time to get much information. They aren’t even all up at the house yet. But I heard Gwen when Bonnie hugged her say she didn’t know where else to go.”
“Who attacked them?” Jack asked.
“The Falwells and somebody else.”
“Motherfucker!” Rance growled out.
“What do you mean somebody else?” Jack demanded.
“I heard Gwen tell Bonnie that Grail said it was the Falwells and others like the Variant, but somehow different. I don’t know what that means. It’s kind of chaotic here at the moment.”
“We’re on our way. We should be there in a few hours. Make sure everyone stays on alert. Make sure there’s extra security in and around the house. Have the mountain locked down, nobody in and nobody out. Everybody able is security at this point. If there are females that want to help Bonnie, have some of the other females watching their kids. Or bring them with them, it might help the kids to be around others. When you get more information let me know. And let me know soon,” Jack said.
“I understand,” Draven said. “Vance has taken over running security. Paxton is his right hand on the ground; at the moment, he’s at the foot of the mountain with backup and is overseeing sending up Gwen’s Pride members. Dane’s helping organize whatever is needed and every inch of this mountain is under surveillance. We’re going to house Gwen and her kids here in the house with you and Bonnie. The rest we’ll find space for in the new houses Titus completed, and see if any families would want to house anybody that’s left over until he can finish some more sooner than he anticipated.”
“We’ll see if anybody else wants to help with construction so he can rush his completion date. And make sure that Jett and everybody working the bar tonight is aware and keeps an eye on things from there. They’ll see if anything looks unusual on the highway. Tell them once they close up tonight to touch base with Vance or Paxton and see where they’re needed, and not to leave the bar alone. Everybody stays in pairs at least,” Jack said.
“I will. I don’t think we have to worry about an attack at the moment. We’re too prepared since Gwen sent up the alarm by coming to us.”
