Page 47 of Hounds Ascend
“Oh. So you two weren’t planning ontryingto escape the guys that are going to be guarding the house, making sure you’resafe?” Micah asks.
We look at one another then back at the guys. Raven shrugs her shoulders.
“Raven, can I talk to you in private?” Micah asks, walking out the bedroom door before she has a chance to respond. She follows behind him and Cass stands next to me beside the bed.
“Hi,” he says, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.
“Hi. You aren’t angry?” I ask, looking up at him.
“I’m pissed but no harm was done, so what good does it do to be angry at you for it? You were just trying to help. And I get it. I think it’s a stupid move but I get it. That just tells me I’ll have to make sure the guys keep an extra eye on you and the girls. Carrie and Lucy will be here soon.”
“So will Mindy.”
“Yeah, Linc and I pulled a few strings at the hospital.” Cass smiles down at me, and I melt beneath his gaze.
“You never cease to amaze me. Are you sure you have to do this tonight? I overheard some of the plan and I don’t like it, baby. I don’t like the thought of you out there fighting with these unpredictable junkies.” I lean into him, resting my head on his chest. He sets his chin on my head.
“I know baby, but it’s going to be okay. They have to be shown that we aren’t kidding. We mean business.”
I sigh deeply but I don’t have a rebuttal. Cass is right. They can’t just let those motherfuckers keep hurting them. I lock my fingers behind his back, pulling him impossibly close to me and breathe in the comforting scent that is Cass.
“I hope you’re right.”
We stand just like that for what could have been ten minutes or thirty seconds. I bask in the comfort that I know is going to dissipate as soon as he leaves, so I soak in all the good vibes I can before he leaves.
Micah’s voice cuts through our comfortable silence, causing me to squeeze Cass a little tighter.
“You ready? Everyone just got here.”
“Yeah, I’m ready.” Cass pulls away and takes my face between his hands. His lips crash into mine but are gone just as fast.
“I love you.”
I smile, half-heartedly back at him. “I love you, too.”
Raven has re-entered the bedroom at some point between Micah coming in and Cass kissing me. She looks like she is stillplotting something. I can almost see it in her eyes. I link my arm through Raven’s, giving her the biggest fake smile I can muster.
“Let’s go welcome the hoard, shall we?”
Chapter Nine
Cass
Ihammer the throttle, flying down the dimly lit highway. The only sign of light comes from the other motorcycles behind me. Thoughts of my headstrong girl back home dance in my mind. I’m trying to focus on what is to come but instead, all I can think about is Lilly getting herself into the middle of some dumb shit that’s about to go down. I’m headed toward the clubhouse where my brothers wait for me with Micah and the rest of the Sinners and Saints behind me.
I’m not worried about winning this war because we have an ace in the hole that will help. We have Ghost. Ghost is the best hitman on the damn continent, hence his name. He can walk in anywhere, get the job done, and get out without ever being seen. It doesn’t matter where it is, he’s never seen nor heard. He’s the key to beating these fuckers once and for all. Not only do we have Ghost in our corner, but there are members from multiple Hounds charters throughout the south. Linc and another prospect are at the house along with Digger, two Sinners, two Saints, and Brock.
Brock doesn’t care to get his hands dirty anymore, says he did enough of that back when he was part of the cleanup crew inOklahoma City. It doesn’t bother me that he doesn’t want to be involved, if anyone understands, it’s me. I’ve witnessed Brock back in his day since I grew up around him. Hell, I called him Uncle up until I started prospecting. Clayton will be ready at the clubhouse with the rest of the Hounds and as usual, he will take charge. But I’m not sure I can hand the gavel over for this one. This shit is personal. This ismycharter.Myfamily. They targeted my ol’ lady and killed one of my brothers. I’ve put an ear to the ground and got wind that the Moccasins have been recruiting hard. They have more dealers under them now than they ever have, and the dealers have recruited these junkies to do their dirty work.
I haven’t heard anything on Asher, but that isn’t surprising. He’s probably laying low. Fucking pussy. Cowering like a little bitch at what he’d done. My blood boils at the thought. He has Lilly convinced that he’s actually worth a fuck when he pretended to fucking be kind to her and that isn’t sitting well with me. I don’t need her to have a soft spot for him thinking he’s a good guy when he’s in charge of the goons that are trying to kill any Hound or prospect they can get near.
While my mind was wondering, we cover a lot of ground and are nearing the clubhouse. Rows upon rows of bikes are lined in front and along the side of the clubhouse, filling my heart with pride. These men make me proud to call them brothers. I park alongside the rest of the bikes, with Micah and the rest of the guys in tow. Shit is about to get real. It’s showtime.
I enter the clubhouse with my head held high, ready to leadmy club into the middle of chaos, but that is the shit they thrive on. Inside, the clubhouse is filled with cuts from Oklahoma to North Carolina. Hounds from all around are mingling, some getting to know the newer members while others are old friends chatting and catching up.
I walk to the center of the room and the noise and talk cease as each Hound, Sinner, and Saint give me their undivided attention.
“Thank you all for being here. Snapper has addresses and coordinates in our office and he will plan accordingly for each and every one of you. We will be sending some of you to look after the ol’ ladies and the rest will be hitting different compounds.”
