Stripes/Ram Duet (Print)

Stripes/Ram (Print)
Harley Wylde
All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2024 Harley Wylde
Excerpt from Ram

I’d been too late to save the young girl Vega targeted, but I wouldn’t fail this time. The woman in his grasp looked to be no more than nineteen years old. The way she slumped told me she’d either been drugged or knocked unconscious. I knew Vega would do unspeakable things to her. As much as I wanted to rip her from his arms right here and now, I knew it was better to wait. He likely had other victims and I hoped he would lead me to them. If at all possible, tonight I would save more than one life.

The ink on my back felt as if it burned, a reminder of the life I’d left behind. I hadn’t worn my club colors in more than a decade. After I’d gone nomad, I’d disappeared, making sure my brothers couldn’t find me. They didn’t know of my failed mission, and I hoped they never did. Because of me, multiple lives had been lost. I knew saving this woman and the others couldn’t make up for what I’d done before, but it was the only way I knew of to ease the burden on my guilty conscience.

I clung to the shadows out-of-sight, a knife gripped in my hand. The woman let out a soft moan and I hoped she wouldn’t wake any time soon. Vega would do whatever it took to keep her quiet, and I wanted her to suffer as little as possible. There was no telling what he had already done to her.

Following silently, I kept him within sight. Vega made his way through the shady neighborhood, fast approaching the warehouses on the opposite end. I held back as he entered the last structure on the right. The few windows I saw were covered in dust and grime, but I knew I needed to at least try to get a glimpse inside the building. If I had my brothers with me, things would have been different. I didn’t know if they’d ever accept me back again, or if they even knew I was still alive. Only Badger had kept in touch. Confronting Vega alone wasn’t a good idea. I knew he had multiple men working under him including extra hired muscle. Many would call this a suicide mission. Perhaps they were right, but I didn’t care if I died today as long as the innocent women and girls inside the building would be safe.

Through the dirt-encrusted glass, I could see Vega and three other men. The woman he’d carried inside was now slumped in a chair, her wrists tied to the arms. A trickle of blood ran from her temple down the side of her face. I wondered how else he’d hurt her. Scanning the room, I saw a row of cages, each filled with at least one teenage girl or young woman. None looked over the age of twenty and the youngest appeared to be near thirteen. I couldn’t stand sick fucks like Vega.

I watched for another twenty minutes, keeping an eye on any changes. So far, it didn’t look like Vega had other men with him. Three didn’t seem like much for someone like him. Which meant they were either on their way or he felt secure with such a small detail. If I had my sniper rifle, it would have been much easier to take them out. Instead, all I had was my nine millimeter and my knife. There was no way to end their miserable lives without getting closer.

Part of me wanted to feel Vega’s blood and watch as the light dimmed from his eyes. The average person might have considered him a monster, but tonight I was the vicious thing lurking in the dark. My heart kept a steady rhythm as I watched and waited. I knew I’d have to move before he harmed the woman anymore, yet I couldn’t be careless and rush into danger. Doing so would only end all our lives.

I backed away from the window as the phone vibrated in my pocket. Pulling it out I checked the screen. A familiar name flashed on the display. Badger. Why the hell would he be calling now?

My curiosity got the better of me and I stepped farther away from the warehouse to answer the call.

“To what do I owe the pleasure?” I asked when the call connected.

“Why do you always have to be a dick when you answer the phone? You could at least try not to sound sarcastic.”

“Maybe I just seem like one because we haven’t spoken in so long. It’s not like we talk more than once every two or three years. Is there even anyone else at the club who knows I’m still alive?”

Badger sighed. “I got the feeling you didn’t want anyone to know you were alive. Was I wrong? And don’t think for one second I’m not aware of what you’ve been up to. I’ve left you alone to do your thing, but this is news that couldn’t wait any longer.”

My gut churned. What the hell could have possibly happened to make him say such a thing? “What’s wrong?”

“It’s Grizzly. I don’t know how else to say it so I’ll just spit it out. He’s gone. Died a few months ago. I’d have called sooner but shit hit the fan around here.”

I pressed a hand to my chest, feeling the loss of my ex-president. I hadn’t seen him in over ten years. It never occurred to me the last time I walked out would be the last chance I ever had to speak with him.

“What happened? How did he die?” I asked.

“Too many years of bad decisions caught up to him. His health began to decline a little while back. Finally, his body just gave out. It hit the entire club hard, especially his daughters.”

The way he said the word daughters made me think there was something more to it, but now wasn’t the time to ask. I could mourn Grizzly later and ask for more details about the club. Right now, I needed to focus on the women and girls who needed my help. Besides, I’d been gone from the club for so long I didn’t even know any of Grizzly’s adopted daughters. I’d heard about them from Badger previously, but it wasn’t the same as meeting them in person.

“I appreciate the call, but now isn’t a good time. Sorry, Badger. I’ve got to go.” I hung up before he could say another word.

Creeping back over to the warehouse, I looked into the window again. While I’d been on the phone, Vega had been having a bit of fun. The poor woman tied to the chair now had multiple wounds. I could see the rise and fall of her chest and said a silent thanks she was still alive. But I worried she wouldn’t be for much longer. Whatever it took, I needed to get her and the others out of there as quickly as possible.

One of Vega’s men pulled out a pack of cigarettes and headed for the door. I knew this was my chance to take out at least one of them. When he didn’t return, Vega would suspect something was up. It was a risk I’d have to take.

I heard the warehouse door open and shut. Gripping my knife tightly, I crept around the corner. I saw the flicker of the flame from his lighter, then the soft glow from the end of a cigarette. While he remained preoccupied, I moved swiftly on silent feet. Before the asshole had a chance to even realize I was there, I placed my hand over his mouth and slit his throat.

The coppery scent of his blood filled the air, and I knew it would attract other predators, both human and animal. The clock was ticking. I leaned against the building, melding with the shadows, and waited for my next victim. It wasn’t long before another of Vega’s men came outside.

“Joe, where the fuck are you? Vega is starting to get pissed. Stop screwing around and come back inside.”

I had bad news for him. Joe wouldn’t be going back inside. He had a one-way ticket to hell...