Page 126 of Avenging Devil: Part 2

Chapter Thirty-Four

Grumbler

Sitting in church it’s hard to concentrate on the discussions going on around me. My head’s a complete mess. I can’t lose Mary or my baby. Then I’m torn, glancing at Saffie, knowing all she’s been through, and listening to how she’s going to be exposed to danger in the only chance we have to save my old lady.

Mary’s alive.That’s the only positive I can hold on to. The rest of the news causes me to go into a blind panic. That she’s got pains doesn’t come as a surprise. She’s only four weeks off her due date, two from the time she’s going to be induced as they want to deliver the baby early. I’m hopeful they’re only the Braxton Hicks that I know she’d had with Alicia. She’d told me to prepare me for false alerts.

I was rushed into the hospital, Grumbler. It was so embarrassing to be sent home again.Yeah, I hope that’s all it is. The alternative doesn’t bear thinking about.

But it’s not a false alarm,I remind myself, going back over the conversation that takes away any hope. Her water has broken. This is the real thing. My baby is on its way, and there’s nothing to stop it.

Being held captive in an abandoned warehouse is not where she should be when the baby comes, her only support being that bitch, Susie. On top of that, she shouldn’t try to give birth naturally. That was one of the things we were warned about from the start. She’s due for a caesarean, as at her age her muscles would probably no longer be strong enough to push a baby out, or not before he got distressed. We’re not going to take any chances, planning to help nature along before the natural process gets started.

I glance at the clock on the wall. The minutes are ticking off, and I just want to get moving. I estimate it will take about forty-five minutes to get to the warehouse. Anxiety makes my leg bounce and twitch.

Lost is talking, but I’m only half listening. “Swift will accompany Saffie. Once they’re on their way, Dart, Blaze, Dusty and Deuce will head for the mall. Bolt? You okay to join them?”

“I’m going with Saffie,” Niran snarls. “You’re not leaving me out of this.”

“They’ll be on bikes,” Lost patiently points out. “And you can’t go in the car with Swift. Duke will be on the lookout for you.”

“He’ll expect us to send someone with her. I’ll take Swift’s role.” Niran won’t give up. In his position, I wouldn’t either.

“I know this is fuckin’ hard.” Road’s eyes fill with sympathy. “I’ve been where you are. Fuckin’ sucks to be grounded. But, Brother, Duke can knock you over with a fuckin’ feather. And if he runs with her, you’d never be able to keep up. Swift on the other hand…” His voice trails off. Yeah, we all know how good Swift is. I doubt many can outrun her, and as for hand-to-hand combat? Well, few would take her on.

Best part? Duke will have no idea that Swift’s anything other than a female companion sent for support. The misogynistic prick will expect her to be an airhead and no threat at all.

“Got a role for you, Brother.” Lost’s eyes focus on the disabled man. “Kink and Bones will be in a truck ready to pick Duke up. You can go with them.”

Ifthey pick Duke up that is. I hope we fucking do. He’s escaped retribution one too many times already. I’ve had enough of that man to last a lifetime, and I’ve not yet met him.

“Salem, Pennywise, Wrangler and Reboot,” Lost lists, then his eyes land on the newcomers to our table, “and Thor if you’re agreeable, well, you’ll be tasked with stopping Duke on the road. Preventing him getting anywhere near the fuckin’ mall.”

The Utah VP agrees, sitting forward as if more engaged now he’s got a task assigned to him.

“We best make a start now. Get in position before he leaves the warehouse.” Salem starts to stand.

Swift sits forward. “You say you’ve got a back way off the compound?”

Salem grins. “Sure have. Bit rough, but useable.” He salutes her, then the brothers going with him get to their feet.

“Here.” Kink throws the keys to his bike to Thor, and Bones does likewise to Bolt.

There’s a moment’s pause in proceedings as the six men file out, with “good lucks” and “fucking take him down” calls following them.

Then Lost resumes, “I’ll go with Grumbler, Brakes and Deuce to get Mary. Stormy and Preacher as well as Snips are already in place. Scribe, you’ll bring the truck to transport Grumbler’s ol’ lady. Once we’ve got her, take her straight to the hospital.” I raise my chin in approval. “Token, you stay here and liaise with Utah. Now, any questions?”

There are none. It seems everyone knows what they have to do.

Pennywise, in my old seat, remembers his duties. “Use the time before we leave to check your fuckin’ ammunition.” He adds another few things, but I tune out.

I’m just pleased he’s taken over. I’m incapable of thinking about anything other than getting to my old lady.

“Okay. That about wraps it up. We’ll also take the back way. Dart, you’ll be expected, you go out the front.”

“Yeah,” the VP agrees. “We’ll let Saffie get a good start, then we’ll follow.”

As soon as Lost finishes speaking, I vacate my chair. Hang on, Mary. I’m coming for you.

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