Saylor Chapter 16

Tonight hadn't gone anywhere close to what I imagined it would. First, Player's reaction to my outfit, which I'd taken exception to, and the response it triggered in me. Seeing it in a new light, I knew I'd overreacted. Then, while still upset with him, I was hit with Clover and her revelations that she was pregnant and it was Player's baby. The things she said were identical to what he told me. I felt betrayed on one hand, and on the other, when I thought logically, I was more than skeptical. My heart was telling me he wouldn't do this to me. There was no way he ever told her those things and tried to impregnate her. The other side was just hurt and had me crying when I needed to be strong.

The push and pull between my emotions was too much. I needed peace and quiet to think, and that wasn't something I could get here. Everyone who remained behind was talking about what she said and asking if anyone knew what she was referring to. I had to get out of here.

"I need to go back to the house," I told Jocelyn and Devyn, who were still glued to my sides.

"Honey, don't leave. Player will explain. I know he will. There's no way that bitch was ever someone he wanted to be with or have a family with," Jocelyn assured me.

They argued back and forth with me for a minute until I loudly demanded to be allowed to go. In the end, they agreed, but only if I'd take Vex with me. I said yes. Anything to get out of there. The walk to the house was a strained one. He tried a couple of times to say something, but I couldn't answer. Even when we got inside, my tension grew. I felt like I was about to jump out of my skin, and I had no idea why. Vex tried to get me to talk to him again, but I told him I was going to my room. I left him downstairs and took Freya with me. I'd apologize to him later. First, I had to think this through and sort out why I was reacting the way I was. It made no sense to me.

Before I got my tangled thoughts and feelings unraveled to examine them, I heard a loud explosion. I immediately knew what it was. I could identify the various sounds of different ones from my time over there. It was an explosive, most likely composed of C-4, used to breach something. In this case, the wall surrounding the compound.

I heard Vex shouting my name as he pounded up the stairs. Luckily, the sound didn't throw me into a flashback. Instead, it ignited my automatic battle response. I might not be able to see, but I knew how to prepare for battle. I rushed to my bed and got on my knees. I reached under and hauled out the large case underneath it. The bedroom door came flying open. Freya barked. Vex gave her the command to stay, bleib . She quieted because she knew him. Otherwise, she wouldn't have followed his command even if he had said it in German.

"I've got to get you to the clubhouse," Vex said in a rush.

"We don't have time. They've blown a hole in the wall. They'll be here in minutes. It had to be Bosch and his men. We'll have to take a stand here. I've got my weapons. I need you to stay downstairs. That way, I know if anyone is up here, they're an enemy. I'll shoot first and ask questions later. I don't want to shoot you by accident. If any of the Warriors come in, keep them downstairs. These fuckers have picked the wrong woman and the wrong night to pull this. I want blood," I snarled.

"Then I'd better get my ass downstairs."

"Vex, please, be careful. If it's Bosch, and who else could it be? He's without mercy."

"I will, and you too. Keep Freya with you," he said before running out of the room.

Opening the case, I pulled out one of my favorite handguns and an AR-15. I had magazines in both and a round already in the chamber of each, along with extra magazines loaded and ready to go in the case. I had them in a belt with loops specially made to hold my mags. I put it on. Along with them was a combat knife. I strapped it to my leg. Knowing time was running out, I got into a crouch and headed for the head of the stairs. I lay down on my stomach. Freya positioned herself on my left, on her belly. She knew this position well. We'd assumed it so many times out in the field and in practice. She went completely silent. I strained my ears to hear.

I knew the moment they came into the house. They came through the front door, the one we didn't lock. If I survived, that would be changed. The others would have to knock. I heard them moving through the first level. I had no idea where Vex was. I heard one of them swear.

"Where the fuck is she?"

"I don't know. She should be here. She never stays at their clubhouse this late," another one said. How would they know how late I stayed?

More feet were added. I tried to guess how many were in the house. The bang of a shot rang out. I heard a loud thump and the others shouting to take cover. I hoped it meant Vex scored a hit. It was so dark in the house that I had no real hazy outlines to help me, but that was good. It meant they couldn't see well unless they came with night vision. If they did, then my advantage was lost, and I'd have to deal. One thing I knew was I wasn't going with them. They'd have to kill me first. No one coming in like this was out to do anything good. A few more shots were exchanged before the first guy called out.

"Foster, Anderson, get your asses upstairs and find her. She has to be here. This bastard down here had to be the biker she's been shacked up with. The slut will have to be disappointed. The one she wants has to die with the rest. At least she was useful." He laughed.

It hit me as soon as he said it. The slut had to be Clover. Somehow, they got her to help them get inside the compound, or at least told them enough so they knew routines and when to hit. I swear, if I lived through this, I'd kill the whore. I heard the whisper of boots on the bottom steps. I waited and calculated in my head approximately where to aim based on a six-foot-tall man. I had my rifle up to my shoulder. Unable to sight it in, I just took a guess and shot. I heard a shout of pain and thumping. I figured it meant he was hit and had fallen back down a few steps. The other guy swore and then went quiet. I doubted he'd go back down. No, if he was military trained, he was crouched low and to the wall.

I'd memorized the layout of the house. I'd walked each room and hallway both width and length-wise. I knew how many steps it took to reach each wall. Based on where I was, I knew the east wall that ran down the stairs was two feet to my left. Adjusting my gun, I aimed it downward and shot again. Another cry and thumps told me I scored. I smiled. Even if they weren't kill shots, they were messing with them and hopefully eliminating them.

Both men were moaning and crying out. "There's someone up there with her! They just shot me and Anderson."

"Shut up! You two, get your asses up there. I don't care how you do it. Just do it. Remember, the boss wants her alive instead of dead this time. He has plans for the bitch. Anyone else, kill ‘em?" the first guy ordered.

Figuring they'd lay down covering fire, I wiggled backward. Freya followed me. I heard her fur faintly brushing the carpet. I situated us further down the hallway between my bedroom and the other two. When you got to the top of the stairs, you had to go either right or left. Again, they'd be looking for someone to be standing or at waist height, not someone flat to the floor, or I hoped. Knowing the AR might be tough to maneuver, I slid it over to a small, recessed area next to me. I stood it up. If I needed it, I knew where to get it. I took out my pistol.

One of the advantages I had was that I'd learned to shoot a gun and use a knife with both hands. My right was slightly better, but I was still accurate and deadly with both. Adrenaline was pumping through me. My inner Marine, which had never died, was relishing this. Bring it on, fuckers! I wanted to scream, but I didn't.

As I guessed, a hail of bullets was shot up the stairs. Where we were, they didn't hit us, but I heard them whizzing over our heads. When they stopped, I held still and strained to hear the men coming. They were good. I barely heard the whisper of their movements. When they got to the top of the stairs, a wet nose nudged my shoulder. Freya was signaling me like she did when we were out fighting insurgents. Taking aim as I did my internal calculations, I laid down a hail of bullets of my own. I heard screams, curses, and running feet. It was now a game of cat and mouse. If they survived, they might come hunting me. If they didn't, more would likely come up.

Freya wiggled forward. I tried to touch her to get her to stop. I couldn't risk giving her a command. My heart almost stopped when she growled, then a shot was fired, and she yelped. It came from by the stairs. Automatically, I aimed toward there and fired. Loud thumps and grunts followed. I couldn't resist shouting.

"That'll teach you to shoot my dog, motherfucker! You'd better hope she lives, or I'm skinning you alive," I hollered. He didn't respond, but a voice I knew did.

"Saylor, it's me. Are you alright, Juno? Are there others in the house? Where's Vex?"

"Player, watch out. There are more downstairs," I yelled. Now I had him, and lord knows who else to worry about on top of not knowing if Freya was dead. A whine ahead of me made me sigh. At least at the moment, she was alive.

I cried out when I heard gunfire downstairs and shouting. I wiggled closer to Freya. I had to find out if she was seriously hurt. I reached her and ran my hands over her fur. My hand landed in sticky wetness on her front left shoulder. She whimpered in pain. I was feeling around to see if I could figure out how hurt she was.

"Saylor, we got them. I'm coming up, baby," Player called out.

I was about to tell him Freya was shot when the whisper of running steps caught my ear. I couldn't get my gun up in time. I'd fucked up. I assumed the other one was dead when he said nothing. Rookie move. A large body landed on mine. I cried out as I was punched and my gun ripped from my hand. Freya went crazy barking, and I think she was trying to bite whoever was on me. She must've connected because he shouted and made a threat.

"I'm skinning that fucking dog."

The next thing I knew, I was wrenched up off the floor and was clutched tight against a man's body. He had his hand around my throat. My gun was on the floor. He moved us forward.

"The first one who puts a foot on those steps will not only get shot, but you'll be the one to make me put a bullet in this cunt. Do you hear me?" he shouted.

"We hear you. No one is coming up. Listen, tell us what you want. We can end this peacefully," Player called up to him.

The man laughed. "Peacefully, you say. I doubt that. Personally, I think this is all a bunch of shit just for one bitch. She killed Camden and maybe Foster and Anderson. I don't know how. I was told she's blind."

"What do you want?" another voice that I recognized as Loki's asked.

"I want you to let me leave here with her. She's my insurance policy. If anyone tries anything or follows me, she's dead. If you let me go, I'll release her once I'm safe, and you can come get her."

I knew he was lying, and they had to as well, but I still warned them. "He's lying," I hollered. Instantly, he tightened his hand and was choking me. I fought to get air into my lungs.

I was about to pass out from the lack of oxygen when he eased up and hissed in my ear, "Keep your mouth shut, or I'll make sure you die right here."

"You can't kill me. Not if you want your boss not to go nuts. He wants to take care of me himself. I heard one of you say it. Bosch won't take kindly to you denying him that pleasure. He'll likely kill you for it," I taunted.

He shook me, but he didn't tighten his hand again. "Shut the fuck up! I don't care what Bosch wants. He was crazy to make us do this in the first place. All this for some woman who wronged him. He should be out of the country, not hanging around, waiting to get his hands on you."

Freya let out a loud, long whine. I knew her every sound. This wasn't one of pain or even worry. It was purely one to attract attention. The only reason I could think of for her to do it at this exact moment was to cover up another sound. Player and the others must be making a move. Wanting to make sure my captor didn't figure it out or catch them, I made my move. He hadn't checked me over when he grabbed me. My knife was still strapped to my thigh. My hands were trapped down at my sides.

A tiny movement of my arm, one he didn't pay attention to, had my hand on the hilt of my knife. I drew it carefully from the sheath. When I had it free, I made sure I had a tight grip, and then I jabbed backward as hard as I could. I felt it slide into his flesh. He let out an earsplitting scream. His hand loosened on my throat, and I twisted and dropped down at the same time. I got free of his grasp and simultaneously twisted the knife into his leg. He hit the floor, hollering louder. The thunder of feet came up behind us. I prayed it was the good guys.

Suddenly, I was lifted off the floor and was clutched in hard arms. Lips were kissing me, and Player's voice whispered hoarsely over and over, "I got you. Are you alright?" Hands ran up and down my back.

"I'm fine. Put me down. Freya's hurt."

I was slowly lowered, and then his grip eased, although he didn't let me go completely. "Juno, you have to let me check you out."

"He choked me. Punched me a couple of times and landed on me, that's it. I'm fine. The bullets didn't touch me, but one hit Freya. She has blood on her front shoulder. She needs help," I insisted loudly.

There was tons of noise around us, but I was ignoring it. At least there were no more explosions or gunfire in the distance. I hoped that meant the clubhouse and everyone else was safe. My confession set Player off muttering darkly about killing someone.

"I've got Freya. She's been shot, but it doesn't look like it hit anything vital," Vex called out. I sagged in relief that he was safe and she wasn't more badly hurt. I heard more people enter downstairs. I stiffened, then relaxed as they called out.

"Everyone okay in here?" It was Tank's voice.

"Yeah, we're upstairs. Double-check that no one snuck in when we came up. Loki and Ajax cleared up here. We've got one still alive up here. Freya needs a vet, but otherwise, we're good, other than a few scratches. What about the others?" Player asked. We were moving toward what had to be the top of the stairs.

"The clubhouse is secure. We're sweeping the grounds for stragglers. Let's get you to the common room. Saylor, you okay, honey?" Tank asked.

"I'm fine, other than wanting to kill someone for shooting my dog. Motherfuckers came in here thinking they were after a helpless blind woman. This should teach you not to assume," I snapped.

I'd heard someone move up next to us moments before, and based on his ragged breathing, I knew it was their prisoner. I lashed out with a fist, and it took him in the gut. He moaned. The guys all laughed.

The next five minutes were a haze as we vacated the house, and I was hustled to the safety of the clubhouse. We were let inside by Gavin. He must be guarding the main door. I had no doubt someone was at the backdoor, and it was locked. I was guided straight to a chair and pressed down in it. There was movement and talk as people were getting organized, I think. A bottle of cold water was put in my hand. I knew it was water because Player gruffly told me to drink some water. I thankfully did. I was parched.

"Where's Freya? I should be with her," I demanded.

"She's on the table next to us. Zara is busy patching up people in the treatment room. As soon as we can get room in there, we'll move her. Vex has a pressure bandage on her wound. She's doing fine, babe. She's drinking some water," Player assured me.

"Who's injured?" I asked in a panic. I thought everyone was okay. I tried to stand up and was pushed back down.

"Hey, calm down. It's scratches and a couple of minor bullet wounds," Bull said out of nowhere.

"Are you sure? Did you clear the compound? They could be hiding in one of your houses or…"

"We're on it. We kept them contained once they came through the wall, but just in case, we've got guys searching. To help us, I called Jinx and Terror. They'll have some men here within two hours. We'll need to stand guard on the hole they made in it until we can repair the damn thing and take care of the bastard behind this," Bull growled.

"It was Bosch. I heard one of the men talking. I said his name to the one I shot that you brought with us. He didn't deny it. He confirmed it in not so many words. Who's Jinx?" My head was whirling. I knew Terror's name, of course, but not the other man's name.

"Jinx is the president of the Ruthless Marauders. I told you about them," Player reminded me. He was right. He had, but I didn't recall him saying who the president was. I was opening my mouth to say as much when I was cut off by a woman screaming.

"Let me go! You have no right holding me prisoner. Where's Player? I need him. Bring him here. He can tell you. I'm his woman. I'm having his baby," Clover ranted from another room nearby.

Immediately, my tiredness evaporated, and I was invigorated. The desire to beat the hell out of someone came rushing through me. I'd wanted it to be one of the men who invaded and attacked us, but she'd do nicely as a first round. She'd be my warm-up. As I thought that, I recalled she was pregnant unless she lied. I could never knowingly hurt a pregnant woman, no matter how much she deserved it. My excitement deflated inside me. Knowing she'd set the club up because she wanted him for herself infuriated me. When I heard Tank shout at her, his words were music to my ears, and removed any restraint I might have.

"You're not pregnant, you crazy bitch! Zara tested you. It's all a lie. You're not carrying Player or any of our brothers' kid."

"Yes, I am. That bitch doctor lied!" she yelled.

Tank's voice and Clover's allowed me to zero in on where they were in relation to me. I shoved my chair back and came to my feet.

"Babe, where are you going?" Player asked. His hands landed on my arm.

"Player, let go of me. I have work to do," I told him sternly. His hands slipped away. Moving toward the screaming lunatic, I stopped about two feet in front of her, based on my estimate of her yelling voice.

"Tank?"

"Yeah, sweetheart?"

"How far am I from that bitch?"

I heard amusement in his voice when he answered me. "You're about two and a half feet directly in front of her. Great job."

"Watch out!" Player shouted.

Figuring she was secure in someone's arms, I guessed she was kicking at me. I thrust my hands down and forward. I blocked her kick. Clutching her leg, I then brought my knee up to the back of her knee while driving her leg down. It hit the pressure point behind the knee. For added measure, I slammed the heel of my hand sideways, dislocating her kneecap. She screamed so loudly it made my ears hurt, but she wouldn't be kicking me again.

"Alright!"

"Fuck yeah!"

"Kick her ass, Juno!" These comments and more came from the guys. The women were laughing. Clover was sobbing.

"Wanna try that again? Next time, I'll break your leg. I've got a bone to pick with you. I want you to tell me how you know Bosch and what he promised you to get you to help him, other than Player being yours after he took me?"

"You goddamn whore! You betrayed the club for something that was never gonna happen!" Player snarled at her.

Her sobs had lessened. I heard her sniff a few times, and then she answered him. It probably would've been better if she kept her mouth shut. "You were always meant to be mine. She just came in and confused you. Made you feel sorry for her and made you think she needed someone to take care of her. If she needs that, let one of the others do it. You're mine."

"I. WAS. NEVER. YOURS! It made no difference if she came or not. And I have news for you. Saylor doesn't need anyone to take care of her. She can do it all on her own. However, I did get beyond lucky, and for some reason, she fell in love with me, the same as I fell in love with her. Nothing and no one will ever take her away from me. If they did, I'd search the earth until I found her or died searching."

"No, no, don't say that," she pleaded.

"Working with Bosch isn't your only crime. Babe, she's been spying on us. Those things she said about me wanting an old lady, love, and babies. I never said those to her. She lied. The only way she knew anything about it was by spying and listening to our private conversations at the house," Player added.

I'd already figured that out, but it was good to have confirmation. Now that my emotions had settled, at least the more heart-driven ones, I was able to see everything clearly. "It figures. Babe, I hope this is the only crazy bitch I have to battle for you because if more come out of the muck, lying and setting me up to be taken, I may have to kick your ass. I mean, I get it. You're a helluva lover to lose, but for God's sake, get some self-respect, women," I muttered.

I said it in case the other bunnies were still in the room. I knew four had arrived from what the old ladies told me when they walked in earlier. This made the women cackle and the men groan.

"You ready to talk?" I asked Clover. She was still whimpering.

"I have nothing to say to you. I don't know anyone named Bosch. I had nothing to do with anyone trying to take you. Who would want you? I don't care what Zara says. I'm pregnant, and it's his."

"Listen, cuntface, you're not pregnant. If you were a month along, it would show on the urine test, but even if it didn't, I'd be able to see changes in your cervix, and there aren't any. Your cervix isn't sitting higher in your vagina, and it isn't soft," Zara snapped at her.

"I did not need to know that," I heard Demon mutter. A smacking sound and him saying, "Ouch," told me Zara had smacked him. I fought not to laugh. Even in the middle of this, the club could make me smile and laugh.

"No one believes you. If you want any chance of saving yourself, then tell us how you know Bosch and what he told you. Surely, he shared some of his plans with you. Where were his men to take me once they got a hold of me? Were you to be contacted afterward?" I fired off at Clover.

Hands landing on my shoulders made me tense until I recognized they belonged to Player. I didn't shake them off. If she tried to kick me again, he was safely behind me. I found I needed his touch if only to comfort me. Tension had tightened every muscle in my body. He began to massage my shoulders and neck. I held back moans of joy.

"I don't know—" she started but was cut off by, I think, the whole room snapping at her.

"Liar!"

"She's about to break. She looks like she knows she's got no way to wiggle out of it," Player whispered in my ear.

I stood there and let time stretch out. It was approximately a minute, by my calculation, before she broke. Damn, I hadn't even gotten to beat on her. Oh well, there was still time after she finished confessing her soul. I had no doubt I'd want to hurt her even more when she was done.

"I was at a café in town having lunch. A man came up to me and said he knew how I could get Player to be mine forever. All I had to do was help his friend. I knew Player was avoiding me, and I heard he was hanging out with you, so I told the guy to tell me. He insisted on taking me to meet the man. I ended up following him to a deserted road an hour outside of Hunters Creek near Lebanon. There were three men there, as well as the one I followed. His friend never gave me his name, but he told me you wronged him and had him sent to prison. He wanted payback. He promised if I helped him, he'd make sure I ended up with Player, and you'd be gone for good." She paused after vomiting all of that out.

"First, can I just say how stupid you are? I mean, my God, do you have no self-preservation instinct!? You meet a stranger. Based on a few sentences, you follow him into the middle of nowhere to meet more men you don't know. You're lucky they didn't sell, rape, or kill you!" I told her harshly. I heard mumbles of agreement coming from everyone else in the room.

I continued, "Tell me what exactly he asked you to do."

"I didn't do anything really bad," she tried to tell me.

"What's not really bad?" Tank snapped.

"All he wanted to know was your routine and the layout of the compound. Things like when people usually went to bed or to their houses. Were there times you were alone? Could I get them inside the compound, or would they have to find their own way in? How many weapons did the men have, and the number of guys who lived on the compound? That sort of thing."

"That's not bad?" Player hissed at her.

"I told them I had no clue about weapons. I watched and reported to them when she went to the house at night and that you were with her. She never stayed at the clubhouse until we came. She wasn't supposed to be here tonight! She was supposed to be at the house. They were coming in and taking her. They promised they'd knock you out if you tried to save her, but they wouldn't hurt you or anyone else. They just want her," she whined.

"And you believed them? There are women and children here. You can't be that stupid or na?ve, Clover. The way you connived to get Player tells me that you have a few brain cells missing. What you really mean is you didn't care who got hurt as long as you got what you wanted. Him. Do you have any idea what this club would've done to you if any of their women or children were hurt or one of their brothers or a prospect was seriously hurt or killed? You've been around them far longer than I have, and I know. You had to know," I told her.

"I swear, no one was supposed to get hurt. They promised me. Why couldn't you just let them have her? I heard that some of their men died. What'll he do now that you killed his men?" she asked, sounding worried, finally.

"Not some, all but two, and when we're done with them, they'll be moving on. We have bodies to clean up and plans to make. I don't know how the hell the police haven't been called out to investigate the explosions," Player told her.

"I do. I called Scarelli and told him we were out having fun, setting off explosions and shooting guns," Bull interjected.

My puzzlement over who Scarelli was must've shown on my face because Player explained. Or maybe he just knew I'd want to know. "Scarelli is the chief of police. He's a friend of Bull's, and he usually turns a blind eye to what we do since he knows we don't do anything to harm innocents. He probably knows it's a lie, but he'll keep his men and women away."

"Thank God he does," Demon said.

"Was there a contingency plan?" I asked Clover next.

"Contingency plan?"

"You know. If it didn't work, were you to meet them, call, or do anything else? Were they?"

"No, they were sure it would be over tonight. You'd be gone, and I'd be here with Player."

Every time she mentioned her getting him, my hand would curl into a fist. The desire to punch her was overwhelming. I had no idea what the club would do with her, but first, I had to know something.

"How many of our guys got hurt? Scratched, shot, you name it?"

"Four. Bullets grazed Rebel, Predator, and Maverick, and Stalker took one in the upper arm, but it went clean through," Zara answered.

Freya whimpered, reminding me she was hurt. God, I was a horrible mom. Before I could move toward her, Player stopped me. "Freya is fine. Zara has been working on her while you questioned Clover. She's got her patched up and is rubbing her head. She's lying there, all content. We'll get Dr. Wolf in here to check on her to be sure, but I think she's fine."

"I'm such a bad mom. I forgot about her as soon as the twat came in here. We'd better not have real babies," I muttered.

He laughed. "Juno, we're having real babies, and you'll be a great mom. It was a momentary lapse since you knew Vex was taking care of her. If she were in serious condition, he would've spoken up. And who knows, you might already be cooking up our first one," he said as he rubbed across my stomach.

This got reactions. There were exclamations of surprise and joy from the club. From Clover was a scream of anguish. She broke down sobbing.

"I have a suggestion. Let's secure this one out with those two. We've got to get guard rotations up and going. While we do that, I want all the ladies to stay in the clubhouse until we're absolutely sure no one has slipped past us. Once we get Terror and Jinx's men here, we'll commence with the interrogations, then reconvene and talk strategy," Bull ordered.

No one objected, so in short order, I found myself sequestered with the women and kids. Before he walked outside, Player kissed me and then told me softly, "I'll explain everything when I get back. Love you."

"I love you too. Be careful."

I hated for him to go. This was one time I desperately wished I had my eyesight so I could help them patrol and guard. Instead, I'd stay inside and be a last defense. The women and kids were moved to the kids' special room. I found out it was a secure panic room. Guards were posted inside at both entrance doors and outside the door to their room.

Surprisingly, it wasn't cramped, but it had to be huge if they expected to use it as a panic room for everyone. I hoped it wouldn't take long to get everything in order, those men questioned, and a battle plan made. I had a hunch that by tonight, at the latest, the Warriors would be moving out to exact revenge. I only mourned my chance to beat the hell out of Clover, but I knew she wouldn't be coming back from where they were taking her.