Page 42 of High Velocity

“Goddammit,” Roark muttered.

The guys either pulled out flashlights or turned on their flashlight app.Another moment later, the back-up generator kicked in, and the lights came back on.

“Go,” Griff said.“Go check on Charli and the others.We’ve got things secured here.I’ll call Idaho Power.”

Roark spun and ran back toward the clubhouse, and as he got closer, he heard more cries and shouts.Then shots.

“Fuck!”He increased his speed, not seeing anyone outside the front of the building.That meant shots were fired from inside.He burst through the door to see his mom and Konstance standing with the kids who were huddled in a group, crying.When he looked around for Charli, not seeing her, he faced Konstance again.“Where is she?”

She pointed to the back of the clubhouse.“A man took her!I don’t know who he was!”

“Anyone hurt?”

“No, no, we’re fine,” his mom said.“The man shot at the ceiling, threatened us if Charli didn’t go with him.”

“Was he alone.”

“Yes,” Konstance answered.“I’m so sorry, Roark, I—”

“Hey, shh, there’s nothing you could’ve done about an armed man.You all stay put, I’ll send someone over.Bradley’s checking out the far side of the compound.Dad’s at the front gate.”He looked at Kaydence and Kadon.“Help keep the kids calm.You’ll be fine.”

They nodded, and Roark sprinted down the hallway toward the back of the clubhouse.He pulled out his phone to call Griff.“Get someone to the clubhouse.Everyone’s fine, but Charli’s been taken by a single, armed male.Get the perimeter sealed.I don’t know how this fucker thinks he’ll get away.I’m going after them.”He hung up before more could be said.

Roark didn’t have his weapon on him, so he veered off to the arms room and grabbed two handguns and extra magazines.Then he ran.As he reached the back door, Tech was sprawled out on the floor.

“Ah, shit.”

Roark kneeled down and checked for a pulse, finding one.He then noticed blood coming from a wound at his temple.

“Tech, wake up.”He gently jostled him, but the man was out cold.Roark quickly gave Griff another update before pocketing his phone and taking off after his woman.

He burst through the back door, scanning the area.When he heard Charli yell in anger, he bolted in that direction.

“You slimy, chickenshit bastard!Throwing firebombs into a party with children!Then you threaten them with a gun!”

“Shut the fuck up, bitch, and keep moving!”

“Fuck you, Todd!”

“So, you figured it out.”

“Not tough when you’re still the same fuckwad toad now as when you were a kid.”

Jesus, Charli, stop pushing him, Roark thought.

Just as that thought went through his head, he watched Todd backhand Charli which had her stumbling.Roark’s blood boiled.But his badass woman remained on her feet and surprised the shit out of that dickhead when her leg came up between his legs.Todd doubled over, and Charli took that opportunity to raise her leg again, slamming her knee into his face.The man howled in pain as he fell to his ass and his gun tumbled to the ground.He held his nose that gushed with blood.

Charli tried another attack, but Todd had enough in him to catch hold of her foot and twist, causing her to fall onto her side with a grunt.

Like a bull with a flag waving in his face, Roark saw red.He roared as he launched himself toward the fucker who dared to touch his woman.

Taken by surprise, Todd’s eyes widened as he let go of Charli.While she rolled, Todd scrambled for his gun, but Roark was faster, kicking it aside.He then put his boot in Todd’s face, watching as his head snapped back and more blood sprayed from his mouth.But Roark wasn’t done.Todd received kicks to his gut followed by punches to his already wounded head.Roark would’ve kept going until the man was dead, but Charli shouted his name.

He spun to look at her, his breath heaving in and out.She favored her right leg and her clothes were dirty.He could see the red mark on her cheek which made his anger skyrocket again, and he would’ve turned to deliver more justice to the prick if not for Charli.

“He’s done, Roark.He can’t hurt us anymore.”

She took a step toward him, limping, and Roark quickly closed the distance between them.He held her tightly to his chest as she clung to him.