God, I was going to hell for this.
I fucking knew it.
Walking out of my office with her, I turned to head for the main common room when Ari lightly grabbed my hand, shaking her head. “Not that way. The back door. There is a car waiting.”
Nodding, I followed the sweet woman out the back door to find my brother Gadget leaning against one of the club's black SUV’s.
“What are you doing here?”
“Ari asked me to come.”
Looking at Ari, I didn’t have to ask because she quickly replied. “Gadget’s been there. He knows where we need to go.”
“So, we’re sneaking into the compound?”
“Yes.”
“Ari, this is getting more complicated by the minute. Are you sure you don’t want to bring Ghost? He will help you. I know he will.”
“He can’t know. Not right now.”
“Okay,” I sighed, climbing into the large SUV. With my brother sitting beside me and Ari secured in the backseat, I started the vehicle and pulled out of the compound, taking the back exit so no one would see us leave.
This was such a fucking bad idea.
Really fucking bad.
It was close to midnight when we arrived just outside the compound. Parking the black SUV deep in a wooded area where Ari directed me to park, I killed the ignition and then turned to face Ari. “Okay. Now what?”
“I’ve got this, sis,” Gadget said, covering his face with a black mask before rummaging through his backpack to ensure he had everything he needed.
“Don’t forget what I said, Gadget. Make sure you use the code so she knows it’s me waiting for her.”
“Got it. Apple pie is best with green beans.” My brother said, shivering as he repeated the words. Had to admit, I did to a little bit. Who the fuck ate apple pie with green beans? That was just plain gross.
“She will be in room twenty-three on the third floor.”
“Yep, anything else,” my brother asked, securing his backpack to his chest before donning his night vision goggles.
“She’s going to be scared. Just reassure her as you did with me. Tell her I am waiting for her.”
“Got it. Be back in a few,” Gadget said, leaving the SUV and disappearing into the dark night.
As the silence surrounded us, I watched for anything or anyone that might decide to make an appearance and make my life a living hell. I still wasn’t sure why tonight, of all nights, Ari needed to do this, but I couldn’t in good conscious let something happen to an unsuspecting female, no matter who she was. It was bad enough that if I didn’t get Ari back to the clubhouse before sun up, Ghost would have my ass. But this cloak and dagger shit wasn’t Ari. I watched as she nervously waited, chewing on one of her fingernails. The tension in her rose dramatically the longer the minutes ticked by. Ari sat stiffly, her eyes glued to a building off in the distance. The tension rolling off her was palpable. She never blinked, never looked away.
I was just about to ask her more questions when she gasped, reaching for the doorknob. Turning quickly, I watched as my brother walked out of the darkness, carrying a small child.
What the fuck!
Hopping out of the vehicle, I didn’t have time to say anything before Ari reached for the little girl, hugging her tightly.
“I’m here Emma. I’ve got you. You’re safe now. I promise.”
“Auntie Ari,” the little girl cried, her arms wrapped tightly around Ari’s neck. The little girl, with long blonde hair, couldn’t be more than eight or nine years old. She was skinny. Too skinny for my liking and only wearing a threadbare nightgown that did nothing to warm her body from the cool night’s air.
“Let’s get her in the vehicle,” I suggested, maneuvering Ari back to the vehicle and opening the back door for them to climb in. Once secured, I closed the door and turned to my brother. “What the hell is going on? Ari is too young to have a child that age. Who is that girl?”
My brother took off his face mask and sighed. “No clue. Ari was very insistent that I help her get the girl. I thought I was helping rescue a woman. Not a kid. So, I’m just as shocked as you are.”