“Infrared and motion cameras. Informant didn’t know what else,” Chatter said.
“Who is he?” Kelly asked.
“The informant? He worked for Dean until his sister disappeared, and her body’s never been found. Guy thinks Dean killed her as she was involved with him,” Chatter grunted.
“Poor bloke,” Polly said, appearing from behind us.
“How soon until everyone returns? Who knows what that monster is doing to Thalia,” Kelly demanded.
“Half an hour, and we’ll ride out. We’ll park where Chatter’s informant recommended and walk across,” Bear said, gazing at the map.
“There’s a power station there, a small one. It must provide to the local buildings out there. If I can cut the power, you should be able to bypass the cameras and motion sensors. But you’ll have to be quick; we don’t know if he has a backup generator,” Davies from Hawthorne’s said.
“That sounds better,” Chance said. Bike pipes roared, and several of Hellfire returned. Half an hour later, they were on the road bar the prospects. They’d been ordered to stay behind to protect the women. Polly had bullied her way onto a team, insisting that Thalia would need a female presence. Kelly and Rain had also insisted on coming, Kelly, because Thalia would need him. No one could argue with that and Rain because he owed her.
They waited until Davies sent the signal that the power had been cut and dashed across the field and through the tree’s that had the cameras in. They reached a barn just as the security lights turned back on. Voices could be heard shouting inside. Chance stuck his head around the corner of the barn they were hiding behind and came face to face with a thug. Without hesitation, Chance dragged the man back and knocked him unconscious.
“Zip tie him,” Chance whispered, and Levi bent and did as ordered. Chance peeked around again and motioned for his team to move forward. An owl hooted, and Chance recognised the signal from Big Al, signalling the way ahead was clear. They’d split into three teams. One for the woods, guarding their exit, led by Banshee. The second was to remove guards from the grounds and Chance’s team, which comprised of Bear, Tiny, Chatter, Diesel, Rain, and Kelly. Chance had chosen those who’d kill without compunction or hesitation. Obviously, Kelly and Rain would hesitate, but the others wouldn’t.
Bear approached the house as a blood-curdling scream echoed. He jack-knifed up and dashed towards the steps. Chance cursed under his breath as they ran after Bear and caught up with him as he kicked the door in. A man swung straight for Bear’s head with a baton, and Chance fired once, and the man collapsed at their feet with a bullet in his brain. Running footsteps headed towards them. Bear pulled his gun and shot the next guard to appear. A firefight erupted outside the house, and Chance guessed guards had come from an outbuilding to attack them, and Big Al’s team was taking them out.
Bear bounded through the house, taking out two more guards. He kicked open doors alongside Chance, shooting whoever was in them. There was no time for questions. Thalia hadn’t made another noise since that scream. Chance motioned with his hand, and Chatter and Tiny broke off to creep up the stairs.
“Thalia’s not here,” Kelly whispered. Chance rolled his eyes and put a finger to his lips. Kelly nodded as there were gunshots from upstairs. A man appeared in the doorway and began clapping as lights flooded the hallway.
“Well met, you must be Hellfire MC. Chance Michaelson, I assume,” the man smiled.
“And you’re the dick I’m going to kill slowly,” Bear snarled. Dean studied Bear and smiled.
“I doubt that. Now shall we get down to business; we have much to discuss,” Dean asked and motioned to a room with his hand. Chance frowned; something was off here.
“Why don’t you take us to Thalia, asshole?” Kelly asked, stepping forward.
“Thalia is occupied at the moment. Now, we have business to discuss; it’s rude to keep your host waiting,” Dean chided. Bear stepped forward, and Chance put out a hand.
“We have fuck all to discuss, we want Thalia, and we’re leaving,” Bear said.
“That is where you’re wrong, my friend. Thalia means nothing in the scheme of things. However, your president’s child and wife do matter. I am sure Chance wishes them to live happily and without fear,” Dean said and walked into the room.
“He’s dead,” Bear muttered as they followed Dean.
“Do sit,” Dean said, taking a chair and fussily arranging his pants. Chance stared at him incredulously.
“Are you for fuckin’ real, man? You’re holding a Hellfire woman hostage, and you want to parley?” Chance asked.
“Thalia is not a Hellfire woman, but her sister Clio is. Now Thalia, as I said, is unimportant. First of I want the fifty million dollars Thalia has or had. If she’s given ten million to her sisters like she claims, I want it returned. Then I want Rain to go to his laboratory and fetch me his design’s patent, plans, and schematics. After that, I will discuss how Hellfire can be useful in return for leaving baby Michaelson alone and his mother in one piece,” Dean said calmly. Everyone swapped, disbelieving looks.
“Are you for fuckin’ real?” Chance said, laughing.
“Of course, you’re on my land, my home, and you came to me. I can make use of that. Now shall we get down to the nitty-gritty?” Dean said calmly. Bear rose to his feet and strode forward.
“Oh yeah, we’re going to get to the nitty-gritty,” Bear snarled and picked Dean up with one hand. Dean gave a startled squawk as Bear lifted him from the chair. “Where is my woman?” Bear growled.
“Thalia’s just a piece of flesh; I can get you a hundred of her,” Dean said, struggling to free himself. Bear smashed Dean’s head against the wall several times and hauled him close again.
“Listen, asshole, I don’t know what your game is or what you think you got on us. But you’ve got shit. Now tell me where my woman is,” Bear spat. Dean lit up with an evil smile.
“Well, she’s been with Robespierre while we’ve been talking. I imagine there’s not much left of her now.”