“What?”
“They’re expecting us to come.”
“How do you know?” Ella asks.
“It’s too easy. But you’re right. It’s all connected. That’s where they want us. They are there, the girls are there, but she’s not.”
“So where do you think they’re keeping her?”
I shake my head. “She was probably at the asylum, just like she was at the warehouse, but they moved her somewhere else.”
“Why would they risk that?”
“That’s where they want us to go. Right now we’re where they want us, one step behind them.”
“Why?” Z trails off as if he’s trying to connect the dots. “Son of a bitch.” He mumbles. “They’re gonna set us up to take the fall.”
Slowly, I nod my head.
“That’s against everything we fucking stand for.” Is called from behind me.
“We all know that, but how many juries are gonna believe the 1% bikers have morals?” I laugh, nodding at Z. “You already got lucky once; how many more can there be?”
“Where do you think she is?”
“I don’t know.”
“I think I do.” The door closes up the staircase another time, grabbing Z’s attention with Tate’s voice.
“You’re not supposed to be here.”
“Yeah, well, too bad.” She stands up to him, causing him to shake his head. “Because I’m pretty sure I know where she is.”
“And where’s that?” Z placates her
“My basement.”
“There’s no way they’re keeping her in the basement?”
“Not in ours.” She pauses, looking back at him.
“In Sherman’s basement.” I say this time.
“Yeah,” she nods her head again. “Think about it. He was planning on taking me and holding me against my will. Where do you think that was going to be?” she sighs, as if she’s imagining what that would be like. “He never took me off thebank account.”
“Why?” someone asks from behind me.
“Same reason he didn’t take my name off the house or anything else. I took care of all of that when we got together.” She shakes her head. “I can see the money he spent. He spent thousands of dollars shortly before he arrested Z. I called the first company, telling them I just noticed a charge and if they could send me the invoice.”
“Did they?” Zeke laughs.
“After a bit of convincing.” She smirks. “Wasn’t that far from the truth. Told them my husband was arrested for domestic violence and then murdered in prison. Now I have to get the taxes done for everything for the first time and need all the invoices for the home repairs. They sent me the invoice, and well, he bought soundproofing and industrial locks. I called a couple more of the companies, and he bought everything you’d need to hold someone hostage.”
The look she gives me shows the realization of what would have happened to her without the club protecting her, and somehow I know she feels like it’s her fault Drew’s even there.
“What do we do?” someone asks from across the room.
“There’s two ways we can play it.” Z nods. “Go in all at once.”
