My chest swarms in admiration for Phantom. He’s such a good guy.
“Dang, you’re amazing.”
He stifles a laugh. “I try to be.”
An alarm pierces through the clubhouse, all eyes shoot straight to Neon. He works furiously on his device as Zero stands rushing over to him. My heart rapid fires as I squeeze my eyes shut, rubbing at my throat to try and ease the tightness crushing the inside. My breathing quickens, so much so I become light-headed as images of the Militia slicing my parents’ throats right in front of me comes back in full force. My body trembles as a cold sweat invades my skin.
“Prinie! Prinie, you okay?” Phantom asks breaking me out of my internal panic.
My eyes snap open at his words, and I look up at him through misty eyes.
“Hey…” he reaches out placing his hands on my shoulders, “… it’s the heat. Not an attack. You’re okay. Everything’s okay. Take a breath.”
I inhale deeply as my body shudders so forcefully it’s like I could fall off my seat at any given moment.
Phantom brings his hand up to my cheek, caressing it tenderly, and it’s enough to calm my nerves. “I got you, princess.”
Managing a weak smile, I glance over to Zero, Neon, and Wraith—who at some point has come back downstairs—and they all make their way to the front door. But before they make it, the door swings open to a swarm of cops running in with their guns drawn.
“Hands up. Get down on the ground,” they yell out, which makes my heart pick up pace again.
Phantom grabs me, pulling me to the floor. “No sudden movements, Prinie. Do exactly as they say,” he whispers in my ear.
I kneel on the floor with my hands in the air, my eyes searching for Koda, but I can’t see him anywhere. Panic starts to wash over me again as everyone in the clubhouse drops to their knees.
“Guys, be cool,” Zero calls out, though his tone is curt and definitely angered.
An officer steps through the doorway, and we all widen our eyes as Kevlar groans. “Ethan, what the fuck?” he calls out to his lieutenant brother.
Ethan rolls his shoulders, his hands holding onto his belt as he steps in front of Zero. “This club has always been fucking trouble. I’m glad you’re not mixed up in this, Liam.” Ethan’s eyes shoot to his bother again.
“It’s Kevlar, not Liam here, Ethan. And mixed up in what? Why the fuck are you and your damn goons here?”
“Like you don’t know?” Ethan signals to two of his men, they come forward and lift Zero from the ground to his feet.
I stand from my position. All eyes turn to me as Phantom tugs on my shirt for me to get back down.
“What do you want with him?” I call out.
“Krew Walker, you’re being charged with kidnapping and confinement of a person against their will. You have the right to… ah, fuck it! You know your rights by now. Cuff him, boys.”
Cherry gasps as terror fills me. I rush forward faster than my feet can carry me, but before I reach Zero, arms wrap around my waist holding me back.
A river of tears rolls down my cheeks as I kick and scream at whoever’s holding me to let my brother go. But they put Zero in cuffs as he shakes his head at me.
“Prinie, leave it. Don’t fight.”
As I finally fall back into the arms holding me, I sob. Arms I’m safe in. He holds me tight, not letting me go. His smell invades my senses making me feel like I’m home, even throughout this chaos, giving me an ounce of strength, so I can watch them manhandle Zero and take him away from me.
“Wraith, you’re in charge. Do what you have to. Keep everyone safe. Everyone… I mean it,” Zero commands as the cops drag him out the clubhouse doors.
“I won’t forget this, Ethan,” Kevlar calls to his brother.
“I’m just doing my job, big brother, just like you should have done yours.” Ethan turns, storming out of the clubhouse followed by the rest of the cops as Wraith’s arms around me finally let go. I spin, turning to him—he’s as wrecked as I am. His eyes are haunted as he tries to find his next breath.
Texas walks over, gripping Wraith on his shoulder. “We have to fix this! But right now, these brothers are looking to you as their leader. You have to step up, Wraith. I understand you and Zero have some issues right now, but you gotta push that aside to find a way out of this.”
“Wraith, we have to help him,” I beg.
Cherry steps up, her eyes overflowing with tears. “This is all my fault. The Baron said he was going to file those charges. I just didn’t think he would follow through. I shot his son… he might come after me next.”
Wraith puts his hands up stopping us all from bombarding him. “Okay. We all know this is the Baron’s doing. He holds all the cards here in Texas. I have no fucking idea how I’m going to get Zero out of this, but I will…” his eyes meet mine, “… we will.” The steely determination in his gaze sets a fire burning deep in the pit of my stomach, and I know somehow, we will succeed.
Neon walks over, showing Wraith his screen. “I’ve checked it out. Zero’s got a rap sheet a mile long. The Baron’s after him. He wants to make this shit stick. If we don’t
