Chapter Twenty-Eight Delphine

Cleo tells us what she learned from her phone call with Hex.

"Those poor women," Olivia says. "Should we call the cops?"

"Won't help," Cleo says. "My father owned most of the cops in and around New Orleans. He also had other law enforcement personnel, including FBI agents, on his payroll. We don't know who to trust. If we call them, they can shut the place down and move it to another location."

"So, what do we do?" Olivia asks.

"The guys need to handle it," I say. "But they aren't doing it without our help."

"How can we help?" Sasha asks.

"We can focus on the women while the men focus on the guards. We can get the women out of the building and to somewhere safe. Some may need medical help. We'll take the SUVs so the prospects can drive the women away from their prison," I explain.

"That's a good idea," Cleo says. "Now we just have to convince the guys."

When the guys arrive, I expect them to head into Church, but they don't. They take seats around the largest table in the common room and ask us to join them. Hex explains how they split up into three groups and examined several buildings owned by Golubrev Shipping, and therefore now belong to Cleo.

"All the buildings Dixie and I visited are empty. However, a few looked to be in use until recently. We think someone used them for smuggling drugs. We found coffee grounds and white powder."

"Same here," Zip says. "But we also found a chop shop."

"We put cameras up on every building, so we can monitor them. However, you should hire a security firm or two to keep them from being used again," Hex says to Cleo, who nods in agreement.

"I'll make some calls," she says.

"The chop shop can keep. We may need help from other Chapters to shut it down. The biggest problem is the office building," Hex continues. "Mikel mentioned that if he doesn't make contact soon, that Cleo will pay the price. My guess is they plan on exposing what's going on inside and tie it to her. We have to get those women out. Tonight."

"And we're going to help," Cleo says. She holds up her hand when Hex opens his mouth. "I know what you're going to say, but you need us there. Those women need us there. They're traumatized and won't see you as their saviors. They'll see you as the enemy. We've already discussed it and we have a plan. Are you going to listen?"

I give Hex credit when he grins at his woman and gestures for her to continue.

"We'll take both SUVs. The prospects can drive us. Once you and your men take care of the guards, we'll go in and get the women transported somewhere safe. We can take them to the hospital or to a hotel. They'll be more comfortable with us. We can also talk to them about keeping our part of their rescue a secret. I'll offer them financial support until they can get back to their lives."

Hex considers her words and nods. "You're right. They'll react better to you than to us. But I don't want you in danger. We'll take the SUVs. Levi and Irish can each drive one. You'll stay in the SUVs until we have the building secured. Then you can come inside and help the women. How does that sound?"

"Like a good plan," I say.

"Pirate will stay here, along with Jack. I don't want to leave the clubhouse empty or unguarded," Hex continues.

When Dixie's phone rings, he glances at the display. "It's Vladimir."

"Put him on speaker," Hex suggests.

"What do you need?" Dixie asks my eldest son.

"We need to do the deed tonight," Vladimir says. "I need to leave town."

"Fuck," Dixie says, glancing at Hex. "Does it have to be tonight? How about tomorrow morning?"

"No. Tonight. Why? What's going on?"

Hex explains about our discovery and the need to rescue the women tonight. "We'll be shorthanded without Dixie."

Vladimir remains silent for several minutes before speaking. "What if I could send you some help? I have six men who are well-trained in extraction. You can use them while Dixie completes his job."

Dixie nods at Hex. "Five extra men would make a difference."

"Okay, that will work," Hex says. He gives Vladimir the location of the warehouse and they work out the time and place for Vladimir's men to meet them.

I feel immense gratitude to Vladimir for offering these men. Hex and his club are brave men, but they're few. I don't know how many men they're facing tonight. But, I feel confident that doubling their number guarantees a better outcome.

We spend the next few hours preparing. The guys are in Church where I know they keep a stash of weapons. So I imagine they're arming themselves. Olivia and Cleo gather medical supplies that Olivia thinks we may need to treat the women and, if necessary, the men. Shayna, Sasha, and I gather essentials for the women. Nora and I package up granola and protein bars along with bottled water, while Sasha and Shayna head to the local Target and buy large quantities of sweats, yoga pants, t-shirts, hoodies, and thick socks. We can go shopping for more items later, but at least the women will have something to wear as we transport them to safety.

Dixie finds me in the kitchen before he leaves to meet Vladimir. He pulls me into his arms and just holds me without speaking. I can feel the worry cascading off him in waves. I'm fairly certain he's more worried about me and what we're facing rather than his meet up with Vladimir.

"We'll be fine," I assure him. "We'll stay in the car until Hex gives the all clear. I promise we won't get in the way."

"I know. You're a smart woman and you'll make sure the other women stay safe. You aren't impetuous. But promise me that if something goes wrong, you'll leave. Even if Hex or any of the others fall. You get out of there and call me. Can you do that? Can you promise to not join the fight?"

I can't make myself give him that promise. The thought of Hex or any of the guys getting hurt and just leaving them behind is not something I see myself doing. "I don't know if I can promise that," I admit. "However, I can promise to be smart. That I can promise."

Dixie squeezes me tight against his hard body, and I wish we had time for some intimacy, but we don't. Something Dixie reminds me when he releases me and steps back.

"Anything you want me to tell Vladimir?"

"Just that I don't want him to be a stranger. I expect to see him again as soon as possible."

"I'll tell him," Dixie says before giving me a sweet kiss. "I love you."

"I love you, too."

I watch him leave, knowing that his job may be an easy one, but he's going to have the hardest time of it. Everyone he loves is going into battle without him. My concern is for Vladimir. Neither Dixie nor Vladimir has told me why it's important for the world to believe Vladimir is dead.

Closing my eyes, I focus on Dixie and Vladimir. Dixie isn't in danger, and so far, neither is Vladimir. He's facing a challenge, but I sense no obstacles to his success. This gives me a sense of calm. Switching to Hex and our upcoming battle, I see little to tell me what to expect. I only see fog when I think of the upcoming effort. This means one thing. We're in flux. The situation is changing, but I can't see how, yet. I consider telling Hex, but since I have nothing concrete, I decide to keep this to myself. For now.

Since we packed so much into the SUVs, we have to split up. Shayna, Sasha, and I go with Irish, while Olivia and Cleo ride with Levi. The rest of the guys ride behind us on their motorcycles. Irish and Levi pull into the parking lot of a nearly empty strip mall. Only one business is still open, a laundromat. There are two people inside and one car outside. Irish and Levi park near the end of the building and away from the lights. Our guys roll up quietly next to us. A few minutes later, two more black SUVs pull up and park nearby. Five men exit the vehicles and join our men.

Hex gathers his men and Vladimir's men together. I'm guessing they're formulating a game plan. Irish and Levi are with them. A few minutes later, Irish climbs back behind the wheel while Levi does the same in the second SUV.

"What now?" I ask Irish.

"We wait. The guys will call when they're ready for us."

Sitting back, I do something that's always been hard for me. Wait. Patiently. We've been sitting for less than five minutes when Irish straightens up and glares outside.

"Wait here," he says, before climbing out of the SUV. I watch him make his way to the other SUV and see him and Levi talking. Levi climbs out and joins Irish as they circle around the building. A second later, I hear a shot. Irish comes running back toward us. He stops at the second SUV and gestures for the women to get out. When they do, he rushes them back to our SUV. He orders them to climb in and find seats as he starts the SUV and backs up. Cleo climbs in the front while Olivia squeezes in behind me and my girls.

"What's going on?" I ask.

"Where's Levi?" Olivia demands.

"We got ambushed. He's hurt. Maybe dead. They shot at us. I have to get you to safety and then I'll go back," Irish explains.

We drive in silence for several minutes before I realize I don't know where we're headed.

"Where are we going?" Cleo asks.

Irish takes out his gun and points it at Cleo's head. "Shut the fuck up. Nobody moves or the Prez's lady is the first to die. She and the nurse are disposable. Best remember that."