Chapter 11

Igulped my cold coffee and stared down at the table, cringing at the chatter around me. If I was with my brothers, I’d tell them to shut the fuck up. But I wasn’t.

Instead of being in our cocoon of just us for a couple of days, our time was interrupted when Riker received a call about a job. Now I sat at the kitchen table in Riker’s house with Kieran, his parents, and Ruth. Rio was in the kitchen again, half listening about wedding plans. They’d been at it a while, but before we got to this subject, they’d explained a few things about what it meant to be a fated mate when it came to the people surrounding me. My brothers. My club.

My body was still tense after discovering I’d age at a slower rate like Riker. That eventually we’d have to leave town and start somewhere else so people didn’t question why we weren’t aging. My gut had twisted over the thought of leaving the club and brothers.

Yet I would choose Riker over anything and anyone.

Knowing the club would be in good hands once Spade stepped into the president role helped ease the twisting to my gut over the news.

What also helped was knowing I’d be with Riker no matter where we went.

Maybe later, I’d consider more everything I’d learned, but it wasn’t what was consuming my mind. It wasn’t what had anxiety spiking.

Anger also pushed at me.

All of it was because I had to stay behind when Riker and his brothers got called out for work.

I swiped my hands down my thighs and gripped my knees, narrowing my gaze on the coffee mug that sat on the wooden table.

Lifting my head, I looked at Kieran who’d just pulled his hand away from patting my arm. “I’m worried too,” he admitted.

“Same,” Rio called.

Grinding my teeth together, I nodded.

“Sitting back and waiting never gets easy,” Ruth said.

“That’s what I don’t get. Why the fuck do I have to sit back? I could help. I’ve done things like they do all the time when it comes to protecting people.”

“I know you have, Razor. But you’re not employed by our council. I’m not even sure Riker would want you in any danger?—”

I thumped my fist on the table and leaned forward. “And you think I want him in danger?”

“Whoa, big biker guy,” Kieran’s father called as he stood with his hands up. “We’re all a bit tense. You fated mates more so. But it’s not worth taking it out on anyone.”

Christ.He was right, and I already knew my actions were uncalled for toward Ruth. She’d be just as worried, being their mother.

But it seemed that the worry was getting to me that much more.

“Sorry,” I muttered, jaw clenching.

Ruth smiled. “It’s okay. I think—” Her phone rang, and she quickly snatched it up. “Hello?” She turned her back to us, but I saw the tension entering her. “Yes. … Shit. … I understand. … No. I don’t care what my fellow council members will say. We’ll leave now, and everything will be fine. Keep an eye on the situation until we get there.” She ended the call. “Razor, you’re with me.”

I stood, heart in my throat. “What is it?”

Kieran jumped up, too, and Rio moved around the counter.

Ruth raised her hands. “No one is hurt. There’s a situation with the people the boys were sent after.” She turned her full attention to me. “Riker is struggling because it involves children. This is something that we didn’t expect. Deacon’s worried Riker will lose it, and if that’s the case, he needs his fated close.”

I nodded. “Let’s go.”

She reached out to Kieran and Rio, taking their hands. “They’ll need you when we get home.”

Rio curled an arm around Kieran’s waist and nodded.

“Of course,” Kieran replied, tears welling, but I saw him steel himself as he drew in a breath.

When Ruth rushed from the room, I was right behind her.

Ruth slid into the driver’s seat, which meant I had to take the passenger. “Tell me about the job.”

“It was supposed to be a quick, easy in and out at a warehouse downtown. We had people watching one of the gangs in town. They’d made too much of a disturbance for us to leave them be. We weren’t sure if it would come to ending lives tonight, but it sounds worse than we thought.”

“What were these members doing that got the council on their radar?”

“They’re small fries in trading with drugs and weapons. Nothing like the cartel or other clubs. But they caught our council’s attention by robbing a few shifters’ places. We thought they were targeting the shifters for a reason. Now, we doubt it, but we’ve still kept an eye out because their trade has been picking up lately. It’s time to put a stop to their business dealings. They’ve also done some car lifting and burglaries. I don’t understand why they would have children in there.”

“What did Deacon say?”

“The children look malnourished and abused. How far the abuse has gone, we don’t know yet.”

Fuck.

“Do we go in when we get there? What’s gonna happen?”

“We’ll sneak in and see if we’re needed and proceed from there. You’re armed. I know because I can scent it. Use it if you have to. If we get separated, protect your life at all costs.”

Riker’s would come first. Still, I tipped my chin up, not wanting to argue. “How’d Deacon call in the first place?”

“It wasn’t Deacon on the phone. He relayed his message to Dash, who was keeping watch, and then asked him to call me. Dash is an elf we trust. He can speak telepathically.”

An elf? Riker had mentioned other species, but I hadn’t taken it in.

“With pointy ears and all?”

Ruth snorted. “Yes.”

Fucking hell. An elf.

My world had just become a whole lot bigger.

Grunting, I rubbed my palms up and down my thighs. None of that eye-opening bullshit mattered right now. My only focus was making sure Riker came out of this situation okay. I was all too aware this could screw with him. I’d help in any way I could. Deacon and Nox had their fated mates to calm them later. I was it for Riker, and hell, I was glad we’d met so I could be there for him now.

Ruth pulled over and we climbed out. She pressed a finger to her lips, and once I nodded, we moved off toward a large brick warehouse.

Lights shone from within. Voices filtered out of the structure. We crept around the side to the long, thin walkway, which had a field to the left of it.

Why were there no guards outside?

Unless the gang found Riker and his brothers and they were all inside. But wouldn’t they keep someone on watch still?

A figure stepped out of some shrubbery. I had my gun out and pointed in seconds.

Ruth placed her hand over it as voices rose from inside the building.

I jolted when a voice slammed into my mind. Ruth has asked me to connect you into our conversation.

What had Ruth called him? Dash?

The elf nodded. Yes, I’m Dashiell. A friend to your mate.

Lowering my gun, I opened my mouth to reply until Ruth shook her head and tapped at her temple.

How do I even talk?

The corner of Dash’s lips tipped up. As you are now.

Right.

Tell us both, Dash, Ruth sent through.

I didn’t dare think of anything in case he could pick up on it.

I’m the outside assistance for the brothers. I’ve removed the foe surrounding the building. Deacon says Riker is close to losing himself because the men inside hold at least twenty young ones who they were going to sell.

My upper lip rose, gut knotting. Fucking hell.

Dash nodded, and I caught a glimpse of his pointed ears when his long black hair moved in the breeze.

You need to get in there, he continued. Calm your mate before he slaughters everyone in front of those poor young ones. Get the children out, and then let the shifters have their fun. I’ll stay out here for the little ones and make sure no more trouble comes.

Thank you, Dash. Ruth patted his arm and turned to me. She pointed to a window and moved off. I nodded my thanks to the elf and followed quickly.

At the window, we stood on either side of it. Ruth took a quick look around before she jimmied the lock with a pocketknife she’d pulled from her pocket. Pausing, she frowned, and put the blade away. She pushed the window open with a shake of her head.

It hadn’t even been locked. These idiots’ mistakes were to our advantage.

I needed to get in there. I had to be near Riker.

Ruth slipped into the room first. She made it look easy, but she was smaller than me.

With a grunt, I lifted myself into an office. The room had drywall that went up from floor to waist height. The rest was made of glass. More offices lay to the left and right, and across from all rooms was a long hallway. Light from small glass panels at the top of the hallway lit the way. On the other side of the hallway wall was the room where the voices came from.

We sneaked out of the room, and I screwed up my nose from the mold smell permeating the air. The offices appeared unused and more like a storage area. Papers, bookshelves, and desks filled the rooms, but all held a thick layer of dust.

At the door leading out, Ruth pressed close and listened for a few moments before she opened it just a crack.

Voices grew louder.

“Like we’ve said a million times, leave without the children and you’ll escape unharmed,” Deacon called.

“That’s not happening, motherfucker.”

A child whimpered.

“Don’t hurt her. Don’t hurt her. Don’t hurt her,” Riker chanted.

Shit.

“Shut him the fuck up,” roared an unfamiliar voice.

“You just need to leave, and no one dies.” That didn’t come from one of the brothers.

There was a snort, and then it was Nox saying, “Do you need us to use ASL to sign the same fucking words to you? We’re not leaving without the kids.”

Another whimper before the growling started.

“Riker. Still.”

I pressed a hand to Ruth’s back while she peered through the doorway. After a nod, she slipped through and I followed. Boxes were stacked across from the door we’d just come from, creating the perfect barrier that left us undetected. Free to go left or right, I studied both. Either could lead us into the open area of the warehouse.

We needed to split up.

Tapping Ruth’s shoulder, I pointed to the left and waved her off to the right. Ruth shook her head and glared. I waved my gun around to remind her I would be safe from a bunch of fucking gang members.

Her lips thinned, and then she finally nodded.

She saw my smile, rolled her eyes, and walked off.

I stayed low so no one spotted me over the boxes and moved along behind them. The brothers and gang kept firing back words at each other, but I pushed it all aside to concentrate on my surroundings. I didn’t want any surprises coming my way. I couldn’t fuck this up. Riker’s own sanity was at risk. If Riker decided to attack and kill in front of those kids, traumatizing them, that’d mess Riker up more than anything.

With the brothers distracting the gang, possibly make the idiots think they had the upper hand, it left me to sneak around easily.

At the end of the corridor stood a guy who looked like he could use a good meal and a shower. Low hanging jeans were loose on his hips, his chest bare. Scabs marred his back and arms. Junkie. He tapped his left hand on his thigh while he pointed a gun toward Nox, Deacon, and Riker, moving it over the three of them.

The brothers stood together on the far side where Ruth would be. I’d picked the area where the gang loitered. Also, on my side and close to the man in front of me, were the kids huddled together on the ground. Three other gang members surrounded them.

The rest of the gang stood around the man who was the clear leader. The asshole held a crying little girl in front of him.

How the hell was I going to get the kids out without the gang just shooting me?

Fuck.

Reaching out, I hooked an arm around the junkie’s throat and pressed my gun to his temple.

He gripped my arm with his free hand before he choked and scratched at my arm. He wasn’t fighting too hard, though, and at least the voices of the others still arguing blocked the struggle.

When I tightened my arm, cutting off his air supply more, he finally stilled.

“Lay your gun on the fuckin’ floor quietly.” I forced his stunned body to bend, and he slowly placed his gun to the concrete floor. I dragged him behind the boxes. He started to kick back and slap at me but lost consciousness in moments. I laid his body to the floor.

Straightening, I rolled my shoulders before I stepped back around the boxes. I noticed none of the gang members had even looked this way. They didn’t realize they’d lost a member. But Nox and Deacon did. Hell, they likely heard me. Their glance was quick, though, not wanting to draw more attention my way.

I didn’t think Riker had even registered.

Christ.They really were this stupid. Unless they were too doped up on their own product, remaining oblivious to someone approaching them from behind. Then again, they probably thought they still had men outside.

Didn’t matter what it was.

I had to get this shit done.

“Just fucking leave” was screamed from their leader.

This was spiraling fast, the leader losing all control and composure.

As I strolled out further with my gun at my side, none of the gang that stood with the kids, looked my way. Everyone’s attention was trained on the brothers.

A definite advantage for me.

Deacon noticed me and flinched with surprise. Maybe they hadn’t recognized my voice and thought other help had shown. Nox was next, his brows rising. Riker, in human form, was too busy crouching and crawling in front of his brothers while watching the leader like he was prey.

I shouldered my way into the group around the leader and just before I reached him, others finally noticed.

Noise rose.

Voices yelled.

Someone tried to grab for me, and I dodged them.

Slipping behind the leader, I pressed my gun to his spine while wrapping my arm around his neck. I twisted us to face his members. Unfortunately, his grip on the girl didn’t loosen.

Raising my gun, I tapped it against the leader’s temple. “Tell them to back the fuck off and let go of the girl.”

Cackling started. Riker. I flicked a glance to him. He now stood and grinned. When I moved my attention back to the gang, I heard clapping.

“Oh, hey, and yay, that’s my man. He’s my man. Come to save the day. It reminds me of when he kidnapped me. Shoot him, lover boy.”

Relief flooded my body now that Riker’s demeanor had changed. I could even see some tension drain from Deacon and Nox as their shoulders rounded.

My lips twitched. “Riker, what the hell did I say about pet names?”

Riker laughed wildly and clapped again.

“Drop the fuckin weapon, asshole,” I ordered roughly when I felt him shift slightly. He didn’t listen. He wouldn’t listen. Did he think he still had the upper hand because of the kids around?

Fuck, he probably did.

Lowering the gun, I pushed it into the back of his upper arm covered by a dirty tee and fired.

Kids screamed.

He bellowed as he dropped the gun and let go of the girl to grab his arm.

“What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck?” he chanted, voice tight with pain.

“Go, girl,” I barked, and she ran right toward Deacon, who scooped her up and placed her in Ruth’s waiting arms.

The kids settled when they saw their friend out of harm’s way.

I shook the leader in my hold. He moaned.

“Get your men to move away from the other kids,” I demanded.

“Move,” he whimpered.

As I backed us up, so no one was behind us or close to our sides, I hit the butt of the gun to the top of his head. “Louder.”

“Fuck! Move. Get away from them.”

“But—”

“Move,” he bellowed when I tapped the gun to his temple again.

Slowly, they edged toward the area where I’d downed their other guy.

“Go to the men,” I told the kids.

“Come on, children,” Ruth called.

“Where’s our guys outside?” someone asked.

“Shit, this isn’t fucking good.” The voice sounded panicked.

“We’ve got to get out of here,” another all but cried.

“No one moves,” I snapped.

The children stopped.

Sighing, I tipped my chin toward the brothers. “Except you lot. Go on now. Hurry,” I told them.

They cried and sobbed as they raced toward help. We all watched in silence when Ruth led them behind the boxes. She’d get them safely to Dash.

When the last kid disappeared around the corner, I called, “Sunshine.”

“Yes, Daddy Sir?”

Daddy sir? Hell, I didn’t mind that at all.

“You after some blood?”

His laugh was lower than normal and cruel. “Oh, yes.”

I released my hold and shoved the leader hard. He stumbled forward and fell to the ground. I dropped low as some fired their guns my way.

There was a snarl, rip, and suddenly Riker, in his fox form, was on the leader, tearing into his skin like it was paper. He bit, scratched, and tore.

I rolled and shot a member as he came at me. Nox took down the next few with his guns.

A roar sent shivers down my spine, and I glanced over to see Deacon as his huge bear chased after the ones running. His huge paws slapped loudly on the concrete.

Since I was somewhat safe as the carnage happened around me, I rested on my side with my head in my hand and watched the brothers work.

Riker was a magnificent sight to behold.

His fox had finished killing their leader and bolted for another. He ran up the guy’s back and latched onto his neck. I went to get up when I saw the guy punching at my fox, but Riker released him and snapped at his hand, his shoulder, his jaw. The guy dropped to his knees and the fox slipped around to the front of the guy, ripping out a piece of his throat.

Maybe, just maybe, I wouldn’t be as jittery as I was when Riker left for a job.

Seeing how they performed in a risky situation was better than hearing about it.

Though, I’d still offer up some help since they’d witnessed how I worked.