23. ‘Ash’

TWENTY-THREE

Damn, forgot how much fun it was to just hang out with my younger brothers. Can’t pick which is cuter or funnier. Joshua is such a smart little kid and obviously idolizes Rowan. And I can tell Rowan loves our little brother. They are in tune with each other, which is weird since one is a toddler and the other a teenager. I guess stranger things have occurred in life relationships.

After we checked on the cows, we just horsed around while checking the fences. I marked where we had either some loose barbwire or posts going down. That will need to be fixed quickly, so I’ll get back and let one of the hands know and they can put it on their list of shit to do. A list that is never-ending.

I haven’t checked my phone in some time so while the boys are off and the horses are drinking water, I pull my phone out and see I have messages. When I open that app, I see the first one is from Brenna. I click on it to read it and, fuck, I can’t believe my eyes. How the fuck does this keep happening? That son of bitchin’ group of demented assholes.

“Boys, mount up, we got trouble.”

I watch Rowan pick up little Joshua and fling him on my saddle then run to his horse, jumping on. We ride like the devil is on our asses. I don’t want to return Brenna’s call until I’m able to be in my truck on my way. Even riding like crazy, it takes some time to make it back to the barn. Three hands are there and must realize something is up because as soon as I pull the reins in to stop, one is at my side while the other grabs Joshua. Rowan is right on my ass.

Jumping down, I reach for my phone and push Brenna’s number. I hear ‘her’ pick up and before she can say a word, I start babbling.

“Brenna, my God, are you okay? A stór, I’m on my way. Is your club and sisters there for backup?”

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t my dumbass son. Bet your surprised as fuck to hear me on your whore’s phone. Well, better listen closely, son, or else you might never see her again. Well, alive and in one piece. Should have kept your mouth shut but, no, not you. Have to be righteous at all times. All my sons are stand-up good men, which pisses the hell out of me. In this life, gotta be hard if you want to get anywhere. Now, this is what’s gonna happen, Ashton. I have Brenna and she’s already in bad shape. She’s kinda sleepin’, yeah, that’s what I’ll go with. I need the following for me to even consider releasing this troublemaking bitch. First, I need cash. Second, I need your mother to sign over that section of land to me. Third, I need that little colored boy brought back to me. Fourth, I need Bray back. And finally, fifth, when you drop off the brat and Bray, include your mother in the mix. If all of my demands are met then I’ll think about returning your A stór.”

“If you lay one finger on Brenna, I swear to Christ, Dad, I’ll not only put you in your grave but before that I’ll turn Brenna’s sister Shadow on you.”

“I’d like to see you try since she’s either cryin’ over her president, who’s gettin’ cold or being rushed to the hospital. Actually, a bunch of those Devil’s Handmaidens women are gonna need some fixin’ up. Sayin’ that, son, I wouldn’t dare put my hands on your bitch but can’t say my brothers won’t have some sadistic interest. You saw Bray, so you know they aren’t the gentlest men out there. Treat women worse than dogs. I wouldn’t take too long to get my demands in order. I’ll be in touch. Don’t worry, Ashton, Sheriff George knows what’s goin’ on, he had a front seat view.”

Before I can say a word, he disconnects.

“MOTHERFUCKER.”

Both Rowan and Joshua rush over to me, hugging on me. I feel it but push it back. Now is not the time to lose my shit. Gotta think and get ahold of all my brothers. Feeling two more arms coming around my back, I can smell her lily of the valley perfume. That does it and I feel the wet in my eyes hittin’ my cheeks. I push them away and take a minute to feel the love from my family. Then I turn to Mom.

“Something went down in town. Brenna, Avalanche, and one of Sheriff George’s deputies texted me but I didn’t see them ’cause I never checked the phone. The Thunder Cloud Knuckle Brotherhood somehow got their hands on Brenna and the ol’ man reached out giving me his demands. No, Mom, not gonna tell ya what he wants ’cause he ain’t gonna get it. I need you guys to grab some shit, I’m going into town and all of you are coming with. No arguments. I’ll talk to the ranch hands, try to explain what’s going on. Make sure they’re safe.”

Mom is watching me closely, her hand holding on to mine. I squeeze it as I tell my younger brothers to pack some shit together. They run off with only Rowan understanding shit is about to hit the fan.

“Ash, honey, tell me now what your father’s demands are and what does he have to hold over your head?”

I don’t want her to know but I’m not skilled for this kind of shit. I’m a fucking rancher and right now I have people’s lives in my hands, not to mention if I do the wrong thing, I could lose Brenna before I ever get her back. It feels like I’m gonna stroke out so I do what I always do, trust my ma.

“He has Brenna. No, please don’t, Mom, I’m hanging on by a thread. If I do the five things he wants, he’ll consider letting her go. But I know by the tone of his voice and just him being an asshole that he’s gonna kill her.”

“What does he want?”

“You know, the usual, cash, the land he’s been doing only God knows what on, Bray back, Joshua, and well…you.”

She doesn’t even blink from what I can see, she’s holding her breath. Her head drops for a second or two then she lifts it up and when her eyes meet mine, the flames shooting out of her beautiful eyes shock the shit out of me. This woman is beyond strong. She’s got the backbone and determination to face anything thrown in her way. Especially the asshole who’s abused her and made life harder than it ever should have been.

“Well, like you said, he isn’t getting what he wants. I want you to reach out to those nice men, Panther and Avalanche. Didn’t they say if you need anything, call them. I’d also call Tank and Momma Diane. It won’t hurt. I’ll put a call in to Brenna’s parents. Oh, call her brother, Ollie, he’s got that sanctuary filled with ex-military. I’m sure he’s gonna be involved in getting his sister back. I’ll go get some things together and check on the boys. Ash, Son, look at me. We will get through this and you will get your chance with Brenna. Don’t give up. Not on us, your family, Brenna, your future, and all the people and friends who are there to have your back. Now make your calls.”

Mom turns and heads back to the house. The weight of the world is on my shoulders at the moment and I don’t know the half of what went down. I grab my phone, plop my ass on a bale of hay, and search for the phone numbers. When Avalanche’s pops up, I hit it and wait.

“Yeah, what’s up, Ash? We got World War Three happening, is it important, brother?”

“My dad called. He’s got Brenna and is going to kill her if I don’t honor his five demands.”

“FUCK! Okay, get your ass into town. I’ll let Sheriff George know you’re coming in. Ash, make sure to grab your mom and brothers ’cause I don’t trust these motherfuckers as far as I can throw them. We got some dead here and quite a few injured. Brenna’s president, Tink, was shot, she’s on the way to the hospital. Gotta go, just get here.”

Holy shit,I think to myself as I run—yeah, literally run—to my truck. The drive home was done in half the time. I run into my home and go directly to my bedroom. I pull a travel bag out and throw some clothes into it, go into the bathroom, and grab the essentials. Running back into my bedroom, I go into the closet and open the gun safe. I pull out five handguns, two hunting rifles, and one assault rifle. First, I throw my travel bag in the truck. Then I load up the firepower. Finally, I grab the last couple of items before I set my alarm and head back to Mom’s.

When I get there, I rush out of the truck, taking the handguns with me. Mom is opening the door when I tell her I need a minute. The boys are in the great room so I go and sit with them, asking Mom to also take a seat.

“We got a family problem. Our father is starting some shit in town and people have been hurt. No, Rowan, not going into the details. Now, not sure if Mom said but we are heading into town ourselves. Going to the Sheriff’s. Now listen closely. Mom, I know you have a gun but want you to carry this one. It’s a Glock and I’ve brought extra clips for you. Keep them in your pocket or somewhere where you can get to them quick and easy. Rowan, I’m trusting you. I’ve seen you hunt and you’ve never fucked around with the weapons. This one is for you, again, here are extra clips.”

Little Joshua is cuddled up next to Rowan half asleep, thank God. Don’t want him to remember any of this bullshit. Together we load the truck. Everyone gets in and I start to head down our driveway to get into town. On the way I talk to a couple of hands and tell them to do their usual, but if they want to leave or if they’re in any type of danger, get the hell outta there.

Not wanting to drive like a maniac, I make it into town under my normal time by five minutes, so yeah, my foot was hittin’ the pedal hard. We leave everything in the truck except our guns and Joshua’s stuffed baby dinosaur. My head never stops moving as I walk behind Mom with Rowan holding Joshua, walks in front of her. Once we enter the station, the receptionist sees us and waves us to the locked door. I hear the lock open and we all go in and sit down. She tells me the sheriff will be with me shortly. Mom is sitting with the boys while I stand and start pacing. It doesn’t take long before Sheriff George is making his way to where we are. He comes directly to me, hand out.

“Son, we’ll get her back, that’s my promise. It’s my fault, should have made her stay in the office and lock the door, but she wouldn’t have listened with her sisters out there facing danger. I don’t have a lot of time, so come on back, all of you.”

We follow him to a conference room and every one of us sits while he closes the door. When he pulls a chair out and sits down, I can see the worry and exhaustion coming off of him. Fuck, that’s not a good sign. Shit.

“I’m gonna share what I know, leaving nothing out. Rowan, this is a lot so if you want to step out, no judgment, son. I’m just glad little Joshua is asleep on that couch over there. He’s been through so much already. Now, seems like we had a mole or whatever you want to call it at Raven’s gym. The new girl, Luni, was a plant by the Thunder Cloud Knuckle Brotherhood. She even let them beat the hell out of her and Stephanie so it looked legit. She was the one who let them in and when Raven stopped in to pick up the receipts, all hell broke loose. Your father was there too, Ash. Sorry, Gertie, you know I thought he was an asshole, now I know he’s not only an asshole but a coward too. I have a deputy being airlifted, who’s only been on the job six months. A good kid. About I don’t know, ten or twelve of the brotherhood were gunned down by their own brothers. Kiwi and Peanut are pretty bad off, got their asses beat to shit but don’t think there was enough time for those bastards to violate them. Zoey was down when I got there, they used her as a punching bag. I’m guessin’ when she went down, they chose Tink to take her place, thinking because she’s so small that their boys would be able to take her. From what I’m hearing, she knocked out two of the brotherhood and was on the third one when all the shit hit the fan. Your dad, Cliff, grabbed Zoey, trying to get Raven to get out of my vehicle. When he put a gun to my daughter’s head, she had no choice but to get out. Raven was willing to sacrifice herself to your father but it wasn’t enough. He was gearin’ up to hurt Tink and Zoey when they fought back. They almost had control of the situation when he aimed his gun and shot Tink. Thank God Zoey was able to jerk his arm at the last minute so his shot was off, but still she was rushed to the hospital. Haven’t heard anything yet. I’m on my way there when we’re done.”

I look at the sheriff, confused.

“Sheriff, who’s Zoey?”

Both Mom and he answer at the same time.

“His daughter, Shadow.”

“My daughter, Shadow.”

Well, guess my little brother is right, something is going on between Mom and Sheriff George. I’m glad, she deserves a life, after all, she raised all of us on her own. Though I push that thought to the back of my mind, too much going on right now.

“Might want to head to the hospital too, Ash, that’s where everyone is meeting up. Raven’s parents and siblings, and Ollie is bringing everyone from the sanctuary, you know they are all ex-military. Panther called the rest of his people. Tank and his club are on the way in. I put a shout-out to the FBI, who is surprisingly putting a call out to the CIA. Everyone wants a piece of the Thunder Cloud Knuckle Brotherhood. That’s all I got. Want to follow me? I gotta get going.”

I look to Mom, who is watching the sheriff. For the first time I see the unguarded look in her eyes and, yeah, it’s a good thing. When he looks her way, he winks quickly, not realizing I saw that too.

“Mom, you want to go to the hospital or do you and the boys want to stay here?”

“We’ll go with. Probably safer with everyone who’s gonna be there. I can also be there for Brenna’s folks. I’m sure Paddy and Bronagh are besides themselves. It’s partially my fault. Sorry, boys, should have put a bullet in your father’s head ten or so years ago. Now let’s go, time’s a wastin’. Rowan, please get your little brother. Ash, you guys go on out, I need a word with the sheriff.”

Not wanting to waste any time but knowing Mom wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important, we all leave and head back out to my truck. It’s not even five minutes later, when Mom comes out quickly and gets in the truck. Sheriff George hits his lights and sirens then comes flying by us from the back of the building. I throw it into gear and hit the gas. Fuck, probably the only time in my life I can drive like a maniac and blow through stoplights and signs. All it does is piss me off and has me worrying about Brenna. Hang on, promise we’ll find you. Just hang on.