Chapter Eight.
“Someone explain what is happening,” Kelly demanded, looking at the laughing man.
“A woman came to my door and claimed she was my sister. I didn’t believe her, although we looked alike. The problem is she arrived at a bad time. There were evil people in my house, and they took her,” Rain explained.
“Thalia, her name is Thalia,” Kelly muttered.
“And you escaped and left Thalia?” Chance sounded insulted.
“Her name is Thalia?” Rain asked.
“Yes, but you left Thal?” Kelly pushed.
“Of course not. What do you take me for? Crazy lady or not, Thalia doesn’t deserve what Dean will do to her. I was trying to force Thalia to leave when Dean approached the door and listened. Dean told Thalia to come in, but she froze and then jumped him. When she jumped him, she threw me her car keys and told me to run. I was trying to free Thalia from Dean when Robespierre came to the door. If I stayed, Dean would have both of us, so I ran for help and went to the cops. It took three hours to convince them to return, and I was telling the truth.” Rain took a breath, and Kelly jumped in.
“Three hours to convince the cops, they should have investigated at once.”
“Three long fuckin’ hours. It’s well-known Dean has people inside the force. I must have got one of his lackeys. By the time we arrived back at my house, they were gone, and everything looked normal. The cops threatened me with arrest for wasting police time. I even begged them to check who the rental was registered to, and they asked if I was admitting grand theft auto. Once they left, I came straight here. But I was followed, so I took back roads and got lost before I lost my tail,” Rain explained, running his hands through his hair again.
“What time did they take Thalia?” Chance asked as Big Al tapped on his phone.
“About twelve-thirty,” Rain said, glancing at his watch.
“They’ve had Thalia for eight hours now,” Kelly said, worry in his voice.
“Who is this, Dean?” Chance asked.
“Calvin Dean, he’s a loan shark, racketeer and many other things. Murderer is at the top of the list. Police who’ve tried to take him down have ended up dead and common knowledge is Dean has at least five cops in his pocket.”
“And you borrowed money from him?” Chatter grunted in disbelief.
“Fuckin’ idiot,” Celt agreed.
“No, my bloody ex did, though, and did a bunk with it. She took five hundred grand and fled. But I’ve no idea where she is now, but Dean wants his money back. I told him no, I don’t have it, and I don’t, but Dean says as I was screwing her, I’m liable for the debt. I work in a lab, and Dean has got wind of a patent, a valuable and important patent we’re working on. Dean wanted the plans for it and said he’d call it quits. But I couldn’t give him the stuff he wanted. It could change medical care for good, so I refused. Dean was at my house today to force me to do as he wanted. Now he has Thalia, and if she’s my sister….” Rain broke off with an audible gulp.
“What was the other name?” Bear asked.
“Robespierre, he’s a thug. The rumours say he’s behind loads of the disappearances of people who’ve crossed paths with Dean. Robespierre isn’t his real name, but he got the moniker because he likes to play with knives and harm people. He likes to behead them as well,” Rain said.
“And this asshole has Thalia?” Kelly exclaimed as Callie gasped.
“They have Thalia,” Rain said. “I didn’t even know her name, but she jumped straight in to save me.”
“Thal’s the eldest, thinks it’s her responsibility to protect you all,” Kelly said, turning panicked eyes on Chance. “We can’t let them harm Thalia,” Kelly begged desperately.
“Hellfire are riding,” Big Al said, holding up his phone.
“You’re staying here,” Chance demanded of Clio, and she shook her head.
“Not a chance in hell and no pun intended,” Clio said. “That’s my sister out there, and thugs have her. Thalia will need us.”
“You can’t stop me from coming,” Polly said and arched an eyebrow at Chance. Chance cursed loudly and fluently before crossing his arms.
“The prospects, Tiny and Chatter, stay on you. You move without them. I’ll find somewhere to lock you up and keep you safe,” Chance warned the women. They nodded, although Polly scowled.
“Where will Dean take Thalia?” Chatter asked Rain.
“I don’t know; I don’t get involved in that scene. Honestly, it’s not my style. I didn’t even know Kate was involved in it,” Rain replied.