Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 34282 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34282 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
“Chief? Not the Chief.”
Rycks grinned. “The one and only.”
Chief was a legend in Black Ops and in the MC community. No one really knew how old he was, or where he came from. But he was of Native descent and not someone you wanted to cross. Ever.
“Fuck me. He gonna do this?”
“Only if you want him to. He and Loki were just going to soften them up. Though, Chief says your man Brick did a beautiful job.”
“Brick isn’t the most subtle of interrogators. He was givin’ ‘em a taste of what’s in store for them.”
“One hour good? You need more time?”
“Give me two. Iris and I have some things to discuss, then I’ll be back. I’ll see what I can get out of them, then let Chief have his way with them. Ain’t really interested in much since my job was to retrieve the girls. You guys want us on the second part of the job, the shutting down the ring part, let us know. Otherwise, I’m good to head back to Evansville first thing tomorrow.”
“I assume Brick’s gonna want a part in this too?”
“Yeah. He made a promise to Jerrica. Never known the man to go back on his word.”
As if I’d summoned him, Brick stepped out of the shadows and next to us. “Promised that girl I’d make ‘em suffer.”
“Anytime you’re ready, Brick.” Rycks was all business. We could have been talking about the weather instead of having a discussion about torturing the men we had captive.
“I’ll watch while Chief goes to work. Once I’m satisfied, I’ll let him know.”
“I say God help them, but they don’t deserve any help. Do your worst, Brick. Chief will get any information he can get out of them, then you can have at ‘em.”
Brick nodded and headed to the building where Rycks had indicated they held the men. With a nod at me, Rycks followed Brick. I took a breath. Iris and I had a myriad things to discuss. First of which was the fact that she was mine, and I wasn’t letting her go. The sooner she figured that out, the better.
* * *
Iris
I found the other girls in a suite on the second floor of the center building in the compound. They were cleaned up and looking much better than when I’d found them. Clover sat in Jezebel’s lap with a fuzzy blanket, quietly watching while the other girls giggled around a table. They’d set it up with basins of water, washcloths and towels and various face creams including scrubs and masks, as well as a big case of high-end makeup.
Two enormous Saint Bernards sat on the floor watching everything around the girls. Every so often someone would reach over and scratch the head of one of the dogs. When she stopped, the dog would simply move to another girl at the table until someone started petting her again.
Every woman in the room I’d met at the Christmas party the month before. Some were married to men in the club, while others were their children. Dawn was Jezebel and El Diablo’s daughter. She seemed to be the ringleader of the bunch, encouraging the young women in the group to try various things. It wouldn’t have been something I’d have chosen to do, but everyone was all smiles, seeming to enjoy themselves.
Clover looked up at me and smiled. She pointed to the table.
“Hi, sweetie. No, I don’t think I’ll join, but Jerrica might want to.”
Clover nodded vigorously and climbed down from Jezebel’s lap, going to Jerrica and taking her hand with a pleading look. Jerrica looked back at me.
“Up to you, honey. Do you want to take a shower first?”
Jerrica nodded, squeezing Clover’s hand. “I’ll be right back. OK?” That was my sister. She was always looking out for those smaller than her. Clover in particular had taken up with Jerrica the last few months. Instead of letting Jerrica go do her thing, Clover kept hold of her hand as Jerrica went to the bathroom.
“You can stay with me if you want, Clover.” I wanted my sister to have some privacy. I figured she needed it.
“It’s OK. I don’t mind if she stays with me.” Jerrica saw the blanket Clover had been holding and picked it up, handing it to the younger child. Clover took it and rubbed the thing against her face with a smile. The blanket was obviously a source of comfort.
“Do you want me to go with you, honey? I can watch Clover while you shower.”
“We’ll be OK.” She smiled down at Clover. “Won’t we, kiddo?”
Clover smiled and wrapped her arms around Jerrica’s middle in a fierce hug. Jerrica kissed the top of Clover’s head.
“I’ve put some clothes on the vanity for you, Jerrica.” Jezebel spoke softly. The girls at the table continued to do their thing. All of them acknowledged Jerrica’s presence with waves but didn’t stop what they were doing. Monica kept glancing at us but didn’t offer to welcome Jerrica into their group even though they’d been friends before. I figured it was a mixture of uncertainty and knowing Jerrica had been gone far longer than any of them. They likely had no idea what to do or what to say to their friend.