Page 21 of Rogue’s Vow

“Which crew?”

Hayze shakes his head. “We don’t know yet if they’re from another Scorpions’ chapter, which would be my guess, or some of the Desert Riders who the Scorpions have been working with in Vegas. Whoever they are, they came in droves, locked, loaded, and ready to rumble. We’re going to need some more help, Rogue.”

That must have been the backup plan those Scorpions had in play that Angel mentioned. The fucking Desert Riders have been making trouble for the Royal Harlots and Royal Bastards up in Phoenix, too. Working for the DeSantis crime family who are known for trafficking women out of Vegas. A few things from my crew come back to mind. “Didn’t the Larussio crime family in Vegas put those DeSantis fucks on notice? Word on the street was they shut down the DeSantis trafficking ring. What gives?” I ask.

Hayze nods. “Yeah, I don’t know what’s going on now, but all that is true, and I wouldn’t bet against the DeSantis fucks selling women, especially virgins to the highest bidder in town.”

My second in command isn’t wrong and the closest Royal Bastard chapters in Phoenix are already on a mission. There’s only one person and his crew that I know who can make it in time, but they’re still about six hours away.

Royal Bastards ride all over the United States but the Phoenix crew are keeping a truckload of women safe right now, so there really is no choice but to call up my friend south of the border, in Tijuana, Mexico.

My jaw locks firm, pounding out a message to a man I know will come through for us no matter what. Bolt, enforcer from the Royal Bastards in Tijuana, Mexico. A friend of mine who goes way the fuck back will be on his way fast. Royal Bastard brothers are ride or die, if one of us are in trouble the rest of us are gonna come running.

My old friend answers my call immediately and Bolt doesn’t mince words. Women in trouble, he and his crew are going to come running. I’ve barely explained the situation and he’s agreed to help. “Send me a pin, and me and my crew, we’re on our fucking way.”

Bolt and his crew can get here quicker than any other Royal Bastard club as long as they don’t get hung up at border patrol or nabbed for riding in excess of the speed limit, but with the Tijuana crew who the fuck knows what will go down.

My guys and I need to give Bolt and his crew riding time before we attack, and I will, but in the meanwhile I’m going to get every bit of information out of Tweedle Dee that I can. Because Tweedle Dum may be a plant too and if he is, I need to know now, not next fucking week.

Getting Angel’s sister back is paramount, but while Bolt’s team is riding north across the border and into our territory, my crew needs to get as much out of that motherfucking traitor Tweedle Dee as we can. I want everything he knows, a shit ton of information, no matter how long it takes or how much that traitor has to endure. Lives are on the line.

We have no clue what they’re doing to Angel’s sister right now. I grab a bottle of water and walk into the club bar. Church is in fucking session. “You already know the score. Angel, she’s innocent. Walked into our club looking for protection and she’s got it.”

I wait, watching the eyes of my men. “Some of you may still believe that she’s loyal to the Scorpions but she’s not. She’s looking for her sister who’s been kidnapped by the fuckers too. Those bastards better hope it’s nothing because for everything they do to her, they’re going to get twice the bruising with the end of my bat.”

Hayze walks into the bar during church. “Bolt and his guys are on their way. Let’s get all the intel we can, get our weapons ready, and I’ll work with Angel to mitigate damage control.”

All eyes look to me.

Every one of my crew is down for getting what we need, and they head out bent on getting what we need. Hayze joins me. “Apologies for thinking Angel was anything but innocent in all of this. I was only trying to protect you and the crew, you know that.”

My eyes meet his. Best fucking friend, most loyal partner I’ve ever had and that’s exactly why he’s second in command. “No bad feelings. Sorry I hit you, but you deserved it. Angel’s not what you think. Completely innocent, caught up in the Scorpions’ web and just trying to get her sister free.”

Hayze nods. “I called that situation all wrong. I heard what that fucking rat, Tweedle Dee said. You know me and my trust for females. It’s not very good. I’m sorry if it clouded my judgment where Angel was concerned. Whatever you need, she needs, we’ve all got your back. We’re going after her sister, ride or die.”

I know the love of his life screwed him over and sent many of his old crew to prison. It’s what makes him hard, jaded, and without the desire to let anyone in. “Thanks. I know what you’ve dealt with, man.”

“It’s not something you get over real soon but I’m sorry I jumped to conclusions.”

I’d have thought the same thing if the situation was reversed. He has my back and it’s what he was doing when he told me about Angel and his phone, no matter that he was wrong, or it pissed me off. “Water under the bridge. Let’s get some shut-eye. Keep your phone on in case our guys see any movement. Tomorrow’s going to be a long fucking day.” I crawl up the stairs and curl Angel in my arms, vowing to keep her safe as I fall asleep.

23

ANGEL

The door closes. I wait for a moment before opening my eyes just to make sure Rogue has left. I will appreciate his protection for the rest of my days, but he can’t possibly know how it feels to know the life of your sister is in your hands, and only your hands.

I heave in a breath, slipping into my jeans and tank in the dark. Rogue doesn’t know what the Scorpions do to women who aren’t protected by their crew. The only thing keeping my sister alive is the fact they want me back whole, clean, pure and tradeable to those sadistic fucks who want to buy me for their dirty kicks. As long as there is a chance they’ll get me back they know I’ll go willingly to the buyer as long as they don’t hurt or kill Ari.

But only if I can get there and it’s going to be a problem with Rogue’s men, who he probably has all over this club guarding the complex in case the Scorpions come back. My eyes dart around the room looking for anything I can use for a disguise. I rummage through the closet, homing in on the black Glock snugged into a black leather holster, which gives me an idea.

A dangerous and crazy idea that rolls around in my mind for less than a minute. It’s my only shot. And I know exactly where I’m going now, but only after I’ve got Rogue’s spare gun holster and gun securely around my waist.

Weaponed up and dressed in his jacket, I leave the bedroom and head down the hall to the window at the very end. The only one that will get me down the rain drain and into the back area so I can circumvent the guys guarding in the front.

I look up at the window and realize it’s too far above my head. I backtrack, undeterred and duck into the club room, glancing around for the chair I recall seeing in the corner. A few minutes later, I’ve hefted it into my arms and have it pushed against the wall and am climbing up to get to the window. The latch may be dusty, but it heaves with a good push upward allowing me plenty of space to look out and spot the drainpipe below. This is my only hope of going down without getting caught.

I slide one leg and then the other over the window ledge, glancing down with feet dangling before inhaling a deep breath, grabbing hold of the drainpipe and tentatively pushing off the windowsill to slide down the pipe, praying it holds my weight as I use my feet against the wall to balance myself on the way down.