Page 64 of Scornful

"Shit," Fenrir curses. "Grab what you can. We're leaving!"

I snatch papers from the desk and check the bodies for information.

Tor and Magnus are already taking some weapons, heading toward the doors.

Runes hollers, "Move, move, move!"

We burst from the warehouse as headlights appear on the horizon.

Our bikes roar to life, tearing across the dirt lot as the first shots ring out behind us.

The guys at the front shoot like hell, taking them down one by one.

"Split up!" Runes orders. "Meet back at the clubhouse!"

I peel off with Magnus, both of us taking side streets, weaving through industrial complexes.

Bullets spark off concrete as the Patriot’s men chase our asses, but our bikes are faster.

A car tries to cut us off at an intersection.

Magnus and I move as one—him going high, me going low, our bikes threading the gap with inches to spare.

Ten minutes of hard riding and we've lost them.

I follow Magnus down an alley, both of us killing engines to listen, see if we can figure out where these fuckers are.

There’s not a peep, just the tick of cooling metal and our own breathing.

Magnus waits a few moments and finally speaks up, "We can head back to the club now, I think we’re good."

CHAPTER TEN

Astrid

The clubhouse feels like a pressure cooker, all the women and children packed into the main room while we wait.

My hands shake as I help little Florencia color in her princess book, Rio's daughter oblivious to the danger the club is facing.

The crayon slips from my fingers for the third time.

"Easy, honey," Fern says, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. "They'll be back soon."

I nod, but the knot in my stomach only tightens.

It's been three hours since the men left for the warehouse.

Three hours of pretending everything's fine while my mind conjures up every possible worst-case scenario.

The smell of coffee and nervous energy fills the air as women pace, check their phones, and try to keep the children occupied.

"Astrid, can you help me with Cali?" Dasha calls from across the room.

She's bouncing Rio's baby on her hip, the little girl fussing even though she’s trying to make her comfortable.

Dasha has really stepped up to help Rio with his two little girls.

Out of all of the women in the club, or associated with it, Dasha puts in the most work.

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