Creed. He wasn’t in a business suit anymore. The leather cut with the logo was a clear indication of who he was and what he belonged to.
“It was about time you got here. I was starting to worry.”
“Well, if it’s not little pussy Creed,” Raven said. “You’re going to take more pictures, you fucking prick?”
Raven was shoved forward, and she went down on the floor, being kicked in the back for her troubles.
Ava gritted her teeth.
Creed reached down, grabbing Raven’s hair and pulling her to her feet. She didn’t scream.
“How did that go for you? From what I saw, Ava got a nice face pounding for the trouble.”
“Fuck you,” Raven said.
Creed glanced toward her. “I’ve always wondered what made Smokey tick. I never thought I’d live to see the day that person is a woman. Tell me, Raven, what will you do to make sure I don’t have my men touch her? Fuck her up? Rape her?” Creed asked.
Ava’s heart started to race.
The grip on her arm tightened and she whimpered.
Raven spun toward her. “Don’t you fucking touch her.”
“Answer now,” Creed said.
“I’ll do anything. You know that.”
Creed smiled, and fear rushed up Ava’s spine as she looked at him.
“I thought you might say that.”
Ava was pulled across the room and dumped into a chair. More pain rushed through her body, and she wrapped an arm around her stomach protectively.
Smokey had to come and get them.
Whatever was about to happen, it was going to be bad. She knew it in her gut.
Creed moved to her side and he snapped his fingers. One man stood forward.
“Then you’re going to fight for her. Every punch and blow you get will help save her.”
“No,” Ava said. “You can’t do this.”
“Shut up, Ava,” Raven said.
“Let’s see what you’re made of, Raven, and just how long you last. The moment you fall, Ava’s all mine.”
Raven turned toward Creed. “So, it’s true then, you always want what Smokey has. His town, his club, his turf, his woman. The list keeps adding up. Scared to be an original?”
Ava tried to take in air as Creed wrapped his fingers around her throat, cutting off circulation.
She couldn’t breathe.
“Stop it. Stop it.”
Seconds passed.
She was going to faint.
He let her go and she took in several deep breaths of air.
“Fucker, she’s pregnant.”
“Which will make losing them both all the more fun. Now, let’s see you earn back her life.”
Raven stared at her, and Ava shook her head even as tears came to her eyes.
She rubbed her stomach as Raven spun and faced off with the first man who came. Ava couldn’t stand it as Raven fought. Several blows were landed on Raven’s body, but the woman didn’t fall.
After a few minutes, she managed to connect with the man’s balls, sending him to the floor, where she punched him in the face.
It wasn’t over.
Ava watched helplessly as the woman fought for her. Some of the men were harder than others and Raven continued to fight even when bones had to have broken. One of the men grabbed her arm and twisted it, and Ava screamed right along with her as it popped right out.
She wanted to protect her, but Raven wouldn’t stop.
Even with only one arm, she kept on fighting.
Blood covered her face, and she saw some dripping onto the floor. Ava couldn’t stand it.
After all this time, Raven was fighting for them both, and all Ava wanted to do was tell her to stop.
****
Smokey stood with Carlos as he got the call.
Harlow’s voice sounded cracked as she sobbed at him.
“They took Ava and Raven.” Harlow cried out. “I think I’m dying.”
The line went dead.
Big Dick was close and he looked at his prez. Without another word, he was out of the warehouse. They weren’t too far from Fort Clover.
“What’s going on?” Carlos asked.
Smokey looked at the man.
So far, in the last few months, he’d proven to be nothing like his predecessor. “I think my woman and Raven have been taken. I’ll have to rearrange this meeting.”
He didn’t linger, going to his bike as Big Dick took off. He didn’t blame the man. Big Dick had told him that his parents wanted him to keep an eye on Harlow. They discovered she worked for his woman, and parents could be so judgmental. They didn’t like any of their kids working for the MC.
At his back, Kinky, Hunter, and Brick followed.
He used his speed, pulling himself in front of Big Dick. They arrived in town in record time. The door of the bakery was completely smashed, and his heart raced as he stepped inside. Harlow rested against the front of the counter, her hand near her stomach. She looked pale.
Big Dick was by her side, moving her hand.
A piece of glass had been thrust into her stomach. “You know, this really hurts,” Harlow said.
“What the hell happened?” Smokey asked.
“It as an ambush. They came for Ava. Raven fought them, but there were three of them. I tried to help. They took them.” Harlow groaned. “I think Ava’s going to give birth. Her back was hurting her, and I think that’s the first sign.” Her voice started to fade, and Big Dick picked Harlow up.
She passed out.
“I’ve got to go,” Big Dick said.
“Get her to the hospital. The club will handle all medical costs.”
Big Dick was out of the door. Elijah had already made it to town with one of the cars, and Smokey watched as they drove off.
Glancing around the bakery, he knew Creed had taken his woman. There was no doubt in his mind.
“I’ll gather the boys,” Hunter said.
“It won’t be enough time. Creed will be anywhere, and Big Dick’s got to take care of his sister.”
“Club comes first,” Hunter said.
“Family comes first. Harlow’s a young kid, and she’s … my woman’s friend. I’m not going to find Ava and tell her that I let her friend die.” He ran a hand down his face, aware of people watching him.
Smokey watched as Carlos arrived on the scene. He climbed out of his car with several soldiers in tow.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Smokey asked.
“You need help, and seeing as I can offer you that help, I want to.”
“This club is nothing to you. My woman is my responsibility.”
“Call it an investment. If you try to retrieve both women and some of you die, it’s a poor investment for me. I don’t get the same standard I’ve become accustomed to.”
Smokey laughed. “You’re talking bullshit.”
“I’m helping, Smokey. We can work together or apart. That’s up to you.” Carlos adjusted his cuffs. “Seeing as I already have intel on where Creed may be holding those women, and Ava is close to giving birth, I’d say you don’t have much choice. My men are available right now. You’d have to organize your men. One of the women could die in the process.”
“I fucking hate you right now.”
“Hate me all you want. You know I speak the truth.”