17. ‘Taz’

SEVENTEEN

My God, I thought the intake interview with Bray was hard, son of a gun, these four girls are killing me. We should have been done hours ago but first we had to take a break for lunch. Then the littlest one needed a nap, probably because she’s not been sleeping well, so we let the two older ones just hang out and watch television, while the oldest one asked to read some magazines we had lying around. Then when the little one got up, they had to have dinner.

So finally, we are all together trying to finish the intake. I think both Vixen and I have been very patient but now is the time to shit and get off the pot. I look down at the papers in front of me. The oldest is Hazel, the next is Eleanor, then Aspen, and the youngest is Everly. The four are cute as buttons, but I can see something bad definitely happened to Hazel and maybe even Eleanor. Hazel is not Squirt’s age of almost twenty, she’s only fifteen. My God, this poor child. Eleanor is thirteen and the two youngest are seven and five. This next section is going to be rough so I look to both Hazel and Eleanor, giving then big eyes. Hazel looks to Aspen and Everly then back to me. When she nods, I’m beyond grateful. She’s a good older sister.

“Aspen, Everly, I’m going to call Squirt to come by and take you around the ranch. Does that sound good? You might even see a few animals if you’re lucky.”

They both look to Hazel with pleading eyes. She grins their way and nods. Both girls jump up and down, holding on to each other, smiling. Good, the first of many good things to come into their lives. I pick up my phone and hit Squirt’s number.

“Yeah, Taz, need something? A run for some crazy-ass food you’re craving? Let me guess, hot dog banana splits. Or Twinkies with ranch dressing. No, fried chicken and tater tots soaked in ketchup and mayonnaise. Which one is calling your name?”

I laugh because Squirt is a mini-Raven when it comes to being the club clown. Though Squirt doesn’t have the same delivery and sense of humor as our sister Raven does.

“Squirt, need a favor. We are still doing the intake and I was wondering if you’d be able to take Aspen and Everly for a bit of a walk, introduce them to the ranch and maybe even some of our animals. That’ll give Vixen and me a chance to get some info out of the two older girls. Can you help a sister out?”

After she tells me she’ll be here within the next half hour, I thank her then hang up. I look to Vixen and nod. After we sit around talking about jack shit, passing time until the youngest are out of hearing range for what is to come next. When Squirt shows up, I know why it took her so long. She’s carrying two of the new barn kittens in the carry thing across her chest. Also, she’s brought Dani and Kitty along, which is good, all three are great with kids.

“Hey, I’m Squirt, that’s Dani and Kitty. Do you like kittens? If so, I brought two for you to cuddle with while we walk around. These are cat slings and we will fit them on you then can put a kitty in each. Sound good?”

I smile because Squirt has come a long way since she was found. I’m proud of her, even after her one misstep when she dragged the prospects to Texas for a book signing. What a total fuckup, but hey, we were all young at one time. The little girls are giggling and playing with the kittens as both Squirt and Kitty are putting the slings on them. Once those are in place, they each pick a kitten and we help them get the little cats settled. Both kitties fall back asleep instantly, which has the little girls laughing. Squirt gives me a nod then they all head out to go look at the horses, cows, goats, and the two alpacas we brought here from the Blue Sky Sanctuary. I’m sure they’ll have tons of fun.

“Thank you for getting them out of here. I don’t ever want them to know what I did to try and keep them as safe as possible. Not sure why Eleanor is still here, really don’t want her to hear this either. Nothing against you, sis, but just, no, don’t want you to hear.”

“Hazel, do you think I don’t know? I slept in the same room with you. Was there when they would pull you out and when they would drag you back and drop you on the bed. I’ve seen the bruises, bites, and all the other stuff. Also didn’t know how to tell you, but they were grooming me to be next. No, don’t lose it, Hazel, I thought if I let them, they would lay off of you but it didn’t work that way. So better if we both stay and tell our stories. Maybe the Devil’s Handmaidens will have a better chance to take them down.”

Watching these two very strong young women, my heart goes out to them. What the fuck is wrong with grown adults to want to hurt and abuse these poor children? My God, what’s come of our world?

“Okay, let’s take it slow. We’ll ask some questions and if you can answer good, if not, no worries. Let’s do the best we can and remember we have no judgment. Most of us come from very rough beginnings so we understand.”

Hazel gets an ugly look on her face.

“Rough beginnings. What? Didn’t get the horse you wanted or lost a job? I can’t speak for Eleanor, but I was repeatedly gang-raped just about every night. And I let it happen because they said if I didn’t, they’d go grab my younger sisters and make me watch. So how bad could your younger years have been in comparison?”

Before I can say one word, Vixen is up and—wow—to my surprise, pissed as hell.

“Hazel, we don’t try to compare each other’s nightmares to see whose is the worst. I get your pissed, upset, confused, and everything else you can think of. Don’t take that shit out on the people trying to help you. Now to give you some reality, I left home young, ended up in Vegas where I was taken under the wing of a pimp. Yeah, that’s right, little sistah, I was a whore or prostitute, whichever word works for you. He called us escorts but not sure why. That’s not the worst either. He would let his girls get pregnant then he’d steal the babies once we gave birth and would sell them on the black market. He took my twins on the same day they were born and I didn’t see them again until they were brought here because that brotherhood who had you was working with the pimp who had me. They wanted my twins so they were brought to the ranch so we could protect them.”

“Did you protect them?”

Vixen looks at Eleanor and smiles.

“We sure did, Eleanor, and now they live with me and my fiancé. So yeah, bad stuff happens but remember good stuff does too. Now without the attitude, Hazel, let’s get started, shall we?”

I watch as Hazel drops her head for a second then lifts her eyes to Vixen then me.

“I’m sorry I acted like a bitch, this is so much, and I want to forget not keep reliving it. That’s not your fault. I’m in pain too, but I’ll try to be nicer though.”

Knowing the grazes on her arm and hip must be burning and hurting, I get up, walk to the little kitchenette, and open one cabinet, pulling out some Tylenol. I grab two of them and bring them to Hazel with a cold bottle of water.

“Should help take some of the intensity off you, Hazel.”

She nods then throws the pills in her mouth and follows it up with two huge drinks of water.

“Okay, ready as I’m ever going to get.”

Then for the next two and a half hours, we drill first Hazel then Eleanor ’til they are exhausted and so are we. The stuff these kids told us makes me want to do something I’ve never done. Hurt someone. No not hurt, torture then kill them. There is no reason for those adults to do what they’ve done but then again, I don’t understand any person who could abuse a child or animal.

After we are done, the four of us head to the ranch. Tink has already had two adjoining rooms made up for the girls. Each room has two beds so that should work. The little ones are almost asleep in the great room on the sectional. Must have run them out of all their energy. Hazel and Eleanor plop down and just stare at the television that two of the Intruders are watching. Some shoot ’em up movie. I’m just about to go into the kitchen to grab some snacks when I hear Eleanor start to scream. Turning, I see her pointing at one of the Intruders.

“Oh my God, you aren’t trying to help us, are you, Taz? Why is he here? Please don’t let him take me again. I’ll do anything, just don’t make me go with him.”

When I look to the sectional, I see Malice and Presley sitting there. For a second, I wonder who she’s talking about but Presley is Squirt’s ol’ man and doubt he’s doubling as a human trafficker. So that leaves Malice, the one Intruder just about each and every one of my club sisters have had a run-in with. He shifts his eyes from Eleanor to me and he smirks. Asshole.

“Eleanor, which one are you talking about? The first guy is Malice, the second is Presley.”

“Definitely Malice. I’ve seen him at the camp multiple times. He’s mean and never lets up. Again, why is he here?”

I see Vixen on her phone and I reach behind me to pull my automatic out and point it at the brother. He sees it and his eyes turn mean.

“Remember when I said there is evil in the world. Well, some of that evil can play like they’re good, even though they are really bad. I’m thinking that he’s one of those people. Now you get up and kneel on the ground, hands on your head. Do it, Malice, don’t piss me off, brother.”

Slowly he stands then hits his knees, hands linked behind his head. Vixen comes up behind him with zip ties and uses them on his wrists. He tries to turn but can’t so he shifts to make it difficult. Vixen reaches around and grabs his junk, that has him howling.

“Now listen to me, asshole, you’ll do as I say or I’ll rip this appendage off and shove it down your throat. Got it?”

He nods and Vixen is able to get his wrists in the zip ties. I’m shocked, never heard her so vicious or violent but good for her. Just as she’s pushing back to sit, the door opens and in walks Enforcer, Yoggie, and Glory. All looking mighty serious.

“What the fuck is goin’ on here? Why you got our brother zip-tied?”

Watching my man Enforcer, or Travis to me, walk to me and put his arm around me, reaching for my gun, I let out a sigh. Now he’s going to take over for sure. These badass alphas can be a pain in the ass at times.

“Malice, got anything to say? You’ve been on our radar for a while, but I prayed you weren’t a deviant and now we hear you are.”

Malice looks around the room at first with that irritated look on his face, but then he drops his head. When he looks up something is tearing him up, it’s all over his face.

“Fuck, was hopin’ to get away without an explanation. Damn these women in the Devil’s Handmaidens always fuckin’ shit up. Truth is I’m working undercover for the sheriff. Yeah, that’s right, and the reason I can is because my twin brother was a part of the brotherhood. I know, don’t know why. It was him, my sister-in-law, and my nephew. At first, I guess he thought he could handle it. When they tried to take his wife, he fought back and eventually lost. He grabbed my nephew and fled to the sheriff for help. George is a good man and he got his deputies together and went out to that property behind the Sterling’s. They found a burned-out pile of wood. And in the center was my brother’s young wife burned to death. My parents have him locked down in a psychiatric ward in a hospital in Billings. They also have my nephew, who’s trying to survive without his mom and, right now, also without his dad.”

Malice takes a deep breath then looks around the table, stopping on Hazel or Eleanor.

“Be honest, I might have acted like a dick but I’ve never laid a hand on either of you. In fact, I’m the one who was sneaking food into that shit room they had the four of you in. Enforcer, Taz, and Raven, I’ve never put a hand on a minor… ever. That is some sick shit, but I’ve seen what the Thunder Cloud Knuckle Brotherhood is capable of. Me, I used scare tactics to keep the group of kids assigned to me, that I’m supposed to be using and abusing, so I can school them into keeping quiet. Yeah, I’ve slapped a few—just to leave some bruising—but nothing sexual at all. Sheriff George and the FBI know I’m undercover. Now that you three do, I’m sure in no time at all the entire Devil’s Handmaidens and Intruder clubs will know. Can I please go talk to Tank first? I owe him that, at least, for all he’s done for me. “

I’m flabbergasted so I look to Travis. He’s watching his club brother. Until he’s not.

“Let’s go, I’ll take you to Tank, Malice. And you’re right, he deserves to know the truth. Then you’re going to share everything you know about the brotherhood, got me? Don’t make me turn you over to Shadow ’cause, motherfucker, I will without a thought.”

Malice turns a bit pasty then gives Intruder a scared look. Well shit, I’d be worried too if someone was going to turn me over to our club enforcer. Travis leans down, gives me a kiss, then whispers for me to get my ass home, feet up. He lets me know Teddy and the three dogs are at Glory’s house, which means Lilly must be watching all of them.

Well, this intake took a serious turn. I reach for my phone to text Tink. She definitely needs to know what Vixen and I uncovered today.