“Oh Krypt,” I rasp. “Oh God.”
“Hey,” he says, turning my chin towards him. “I swear it’s okay.”
“I got shot.”
He stares at my arm before turning back to me. “You did, but I promise you it’s not as bad as it seems. It’s only a small wound, now it’s been stitched. You’re going to be fine. We got some antibiotics. So long as you take them all will be fine.”
“You stitched me?” I croak.
“After we got the bullet out.”
“I had a b-b-b-bullet?”
He strokes my cheek. “It’s okay, Ash.”
“W-w-w-where are we?”
“At the clubhouse.”
“But . . .”
“Hey, it’s fine,” he murmurs. “It’s the safest place for us. We thought being up there was, but how fuckin’ wrong we were. We couldn’t hear them coming in. Out here we can see from all directions, including a clear view of the road. We’re goin’ to end this, Ash, don’t you doubt it. Those fuckers will pay for what they did to you.”
“Claire!” I suddenly shriek.
“What?” he asks, narrowing his eyes.
“If they got Leo, that means they could have Claire. Oh God Krypt, no.”
“Calm down. Tell me where I can find her.”
“G-g-g-give me your cell.”
He hands me his cell and I unlock it quickly, dialing Claire’s number. It rings and rings. When it answers, I breathe a sigh of relief.
“Claire, oh my God, I’m so glad you’re okay—”
A low chuckle sounds out, making me pause. “I wondered when you’d call, Ash.”
That voice. I have never heard it, but I already know it’s bad.
“Who is this?” I say, my voice low.
Krypt reaches for the phone, but I shake my head, needing to hear for myself.
“My name is Howard. I’m sure you’ve heard of me. I delivered that package to you, did you get it?”
“Fuck you,” I spit.
He laughs again. “That’s no way to talk to the person holding your friend.”
“What do you want?” I growl.
Krypt reaches for me again, but I shoot him a warning glare. He snarls but he doesn’t push.
“I wanted you dead, but that didn’t work out so well. You see, I can’t have you around, ruining my plans. That club will get what’s coming for them, but while you’re in the way, threatening to ruin it all, it just won’t happen.”
“Just say it,” I croak.
“You for your friend; the decision is yours. A life for a life. If you want her to live, you will meet me in three days time at the Southside wharf. If you don’t want her to live, don’t show up. The choice is yours. Think long and hard about it. Oh, and Ash, if you call the cops or bring those fuckin’ bikers in, I’ll slit her throat. But,” he laughs bitterly, “I’ll fuckin’ rape her first.”
Bile rises in my throat as he hangs up. The phone slips from my hand and I struggle to catch my breath.
“What happened?” Krypt demands.
“H-h-h-h-he has Claire.”
“Shit,” he snarls, standing up and bellowing. “Prez!”
“Krypt, wait,” I yell. “H-h-h-he said that if I don’t trade my life for hers, he’ll kill her. I can’t let him kill her; I can’t.”
Krypt spins around, his expression livid. “You’ll not be doing any such fuckin’ thing.”
“She’s my best friend. I can’t just let her die.”
“That’s where you have to trust us.”
“No,” I scream. “He told me no cops or bikers, or he’ll do horrible things to her, and I know he will, Krypt. I know he will.”
He lunges forward, taking my shoulders. “You need to fuckin’ trust us.”
“What’s goin’ on?” Maddox says, appearing in the doorway.
“Howard’s finally made his move. He wants Ash. He’s got her best friend.”
Maddox hisses a curse. “Fuck.”
“Yeah,” Krypt growls. “That’s what I fuckin’ said.”
“You need to let me go, please,” I beg.
Krypt shakes me just slightly. “There is no fuckin’ way I’m lettin’ him kill you. No fuckin’ way.”
“Krypt please,” I say, hysteria rising.
“You’re not fuckin’ goin’,” Maddox barks. “So quit fuckin’ thinkin’ it.”
“We’ll sort this,” Krypt assures me, but I don’t believe him.
“My office, now. We need to call a meeting.” Maddox storms out.
Krypt stares at me, and I know he doesn’t trust me. He sighs and holds my wrist, taking me down the hall. He leads me into a room, opens the drawers and pulls out—oh hell, no. I squirm against him, kicking out because it hurts too much to move my shoulder. Because of my injury, he overpowers me quickly.