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.
“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.”