AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Orion stands with his arms crossed over his chest. "Maddie, there is no reason to run. We have a secure system in place and if he has been watching, he will already know about all of us. If Hendley is smart he will get the fuck out of town and run. If not, he will be facing off against Satan's Pride and he will not win."
Ava tried with great might to get out of the arm chair until finally with Vi's help, she got to her feet. "He’s right, Maddie. Don't you dare think you have to leave. Firstly, we are not letting you go. Secondly, it makes no sense to go. Here we are in our territory, our home turf, where we can manage the situation. Out there, " she points to the window, "we are taking stupid chances. And I know that you are not stupid."
Vi has been silent up to this moment. She approaches quietly, takes Maddie's hand and leads her to stand by the fireplace, locking her arms arounds around her. "I know what he did to you. He needs to pay for that."
A confused Maddie asks, "How do you know?"
"I’ve done research of my own. This guy is desperate and desperate people make stupid mistakes. I know you’re scared, and I know you think you’re protecting us, but you're wrong. All you’re doing is falling into his trap by running where you will have no defense. You need to trust us. You need to trust Satan's Pride,” Vi says.
"It's a little insulting that you think that our MC can't protect you, Maddie,” Guard adds.
Maddie's head turns sharply towards Guard. "I don't mean to insult you. He said he poisoned everyone I loved. What if he doesn’t bluff this time?"
I’ve had enough, "Maddie, you are not leaving me. We made the decision to stick together and work it through. You can't tell me you love me and walk away. Come here, Baby." I wait for her to come to me then place my hands on either side of her face and stare into her eyes. " You belong to me and I belong to you." I kiss her softly. "No more talk about leaving, okay?"
Her hands clench my t-shirt at my hips and she takes a deep breath, "Okay. What's the plan, Honey?"
The next couple of hours pass quickly, talking about strategies and plans to have the Pride on alert and keep our women covered. Cris, Risk, and Demon join us to further discuss the current video system and how we can connect it to all the brothers’ phones so that if backup is required the closest men can get there in less than a heartbeat.
Risk is almost done with the studio and needs to contract out for the installation of special recording equipment. He is currently doing background checks on each company and is demanding full disclosure on any employee that will be on the property.
As the afternoon unfolds, I can tell Maddie is more relaxed. Ava and Vi have rallied. I even hear them giggle. Sweetest sound in this mess of anguish.
Orion gives only the necessary information to girls to place them on alert. The rest of the fucked-up data he leaves for me and the Pride. They found a hotel he rented with a print-out of Maddie’s lyrics covered in his semen. The thought of him jerking off to my girl sends me into a silent rage. I want to kill this fucker. There have been purchases of Ambien, a sleep drug, and small purchases from a hardware store for duct tape and other miscellaneous items on his credit card. Either he’s stupid, or he’s losing patience and is setting up for the take.
"War, brother,” I hear from beside me. Risk places his hand on my shoulder. I pivot to face him.
"We got this, man. It's just a matter of time,” he utters.
"Yeah,” I confirm, "I just hate having her go through this again."
Guard pipes up, "She's stronger than you think. Her first thoughts were to save you, not herself. And this MC does not let fuckers take anything that doesn’t belong to them. Maddie is yours, so now she is ours. She belongs to us. And no one touches what's ours."
"Play something for us. I love hearing you sing,” Ava prompts.
"I'm not sure now is the time, Ava,” Maddie replies. Her hand gestures towards us. "The guys are working things out. I don't want to distract them."
I take a step forward. "Baby, play our song again."
"Now?", she asks.
"Now is a great time. Play it again." My voice is low and meaningful. I don’t have to say another word. She can tell how badly I want to hear those words of love and trust.
Seventeen
You Say it Better
Maddie
To forget the turmoil of the afternoon, s War and I go to our first Friday night party at the club since the night I sang for them. I wasn't too sure this is wise but then War pointed out that this is exactly what we need. Friends and good food. It’s only the Pride members and a few out of town charter members that have come in for a short stay. That still means that there are over fifty people at the compound having a blast. They are kicking back, enjoying the night. They congregate throughout the building, some playing cards, some just chatting and drinking in small groups. Others are dancing, swaying to the music. Some of the couples are dancing so seductively that I wonder if they’re going to fully go at it right there on the floor. Thank goodness they curb their baser instincts.
War and I sit and chat with everyone and anyone who comes by. Risk sits and talks for a while and gives us further insights on the state of the studio. He has hand-picked the company that is coming on Monday to install the equipment. He is very friendly; however, I notice that he rarely speaks of himself. War discloses that he was a sniper in his past life. He is the hands-on guy, with an engineering degree and is an architect as well. From what I hear, he is brilliant. He is older than most of the brothers, though he’s also super-hot. Not as hot as my man, but then again no one is as hot as War in my eyes.
I notice several glances between Orion, Risk, and Cris throughout the night. I am laughing with some of the girls who are often invited to their parties—Jessie, Tania and Lizzie. They are fans of The Smoking Guns and are excited to chat me up and ask questions. We are going to take selfies when Risk interrupted and relieves Jessie of her phone.
“No pictures,” he states sternly before confiscating the phone. “You’ll get it back at the end of the night.”
I am about to pipe up when Vi leans into me and says, “Protection, Maddie. We don’t want anything leaking your location for now.” I get it. They are keeping me safe until they catch Jefferson.
