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“We’ll take both SUVs. The prospects can drive us. Once you and your men take care of the guards, we’ll go in and get the women transported somewhere safe. We can take them to the hospital or to a hotel. They’ll be more comfortable with us. We can also talk to them about keeping our part of their rescue a secret. I’ll offer them financial support until they can get back to their lives.”
Hex considers her words and nods. “You’re right. They’ll react better to you than to us. But I don’t want you in danger. We’ll take the SUVs. Levi and Irish can each drive one. You’ll stay in the SUVs until we have the building secured. Then you can come inside and help the women. How does that sound?”
“Like a good plan,” I say.
“Pirate will stay here, along with Jack. I don’t want to leave the clubhouse empty or unguarded,” Hex continues.
When Dixie’s phone rings, he glances at the display. “It’s Vladimir.”
“Put him on speaker,” Hex suggests.
“What do you need?” Dixie asks my eldest son.
“We need to do the deed tonight,” Vladimir says. “I need to leave town.”
“Fuck,” Dixie says, glancing at Hex. “Does it have to be tonight? How about tomorrow morning?”
“No. Tonight. Why? What’s going on?”
Hex explains about our discovery and the need to rescue the women tonight. “We’ll be shorthanded without Dixie.”
Vladimir remains silent for several minutes before speaking. “What if I could send you some help? I have six men who are well-trained in extraction. You can use them while Dixie completes his job.”
Dixie nods at Hex. “Five extra men would make a difference.”
“Okay, that will work,” Hex says. He gives Vladimir the location of the warehouse and they work out the time and place for Vladimir’s men to meet them.
I feel immense gratitude to Vladimir for offering these men. Hex and his club are brave men, but they’re few. I don’t know how many men they’re facing tonight. But, I feel confident that doubling their number guarantees a better outcome.
We spend the next few hours preparing. The guys are in Church where I know they keep a stash of weapons. So I imagine they’re arming themselves. Olivia and Cleo gather medical supplies that Olivia thinks we may need to treat the women and, if necessary, the men. Shayna, Sasha, and I gather essentials for the women. Nora and I package up granola and protein bars along with bottled water, while Sasha and Shayna head to the local Target and buy large quantities of sweats, yoga pants, t-shirts, hoodies, and thick socks. We can go shopping for more items later, but at least the women will have something to wear as we transport them to safety.
Dixie finds me in the kitchen before he leaves to meet Vladimir. He pulls me into his arms and just holds me without speaking. I can feel the worry cascading off him in waves. I’m fairly certain he’s more worried about me and what we’re facing rather than his meet up with Vladimir.
“We’ll be fine,” I assure him. “We’ll stay in the car until Hex gives the all clear. I promise we won’t get in the way.”
“I know. You’re a smart woman and you’ll make sure the other women stay safe. You aren’t impetuous. But promise me that if something goes wrong, you’ll leave. Even if Hex or any of the others fall. You get out of there and call me. Can you do that? Can you promise to not join the fight?”
I can’t make myself give him that promise. The thought of Hex or any of the guys getting hurt and just leaving them behind is not something I see myself doing. “I don’t know if I can promise that,” I admit. “However, I can promise to be smart. That I can promise.”
Dixie squeezes me tight against his hard body, and I wish we had time for some intimacy, but we don’t. Something Dixie reminds me when he releases me and steps back.
“Anything you want me to tell Vladimir?”
“Just that I don’t want him to be a stranger. I expect to see him again as soon as possible.”
“I’ll tell him,” Dixie says before giving me a sweet kiss. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
I watch him leave, knowing that his job may be an easy one, but he’s going to have the hardest time of it. Everyone he loves is going into battle without him. My concern is for Vladimir. Neither Dixie nor Vladimir has told me why it’s important for the world to believe Vladimir is dead.
Closing my eyes, I focus on Dixie and Vladimir. Dixie isn’t in danger, and so far, neither is Vladimir. He’s facing a challenge, but I sense no obstacles to his success. This gives me a sense of calm. Switching to Hex and our upcoming battle, I see little to tell me what to expect. I only see fog when I think of the upcoming effort. This means one thing. We’re in flux. The situation is changing, but I can’t see how, yet. I consider telling Hex, but since I have nothing concrete, I decide to keep this to myself. For now.
Since we packed so much into the SUVs, we have to split up. Shayna, Sasha, and I go with Irish, while Olivia and Cleo ride with Levi. The rest of the guys ride behind us on their motorcycles. Irish and Levi pull into the parking lot of a nearly empty strip mall. Only one business is still open, a laundromat. There are two people inside and one car outside. Irish and Levi park near the end of the building and away from the lights. Our guys roll up quietly next to us. A few minutes later, two more black SUVs pull up and park nearby. Five men exit the vehicles and join our men.
Hex gathers his men and Vladimir’s men together. I’m guessing they’re formulating a game plan. Irish and Levi are with them. A few minutes later, Irish climbs back behind the wheel while Levi does the same in the second SUV.
“What now?” I ask Irish.
