Page 31 of Stonewall

I looked around the old basement. It was dark, damp, and dirty. I didn’t even want to look to see what was under me or behind me where I was sitting. I had a major fear of spiders, and this basement would be a haven for them. I closed my eyes, willing myself to be strong. I took comfort that Tildie would care for Gael. Cross underestimated Tildie and assumed she wouldn’t run. And some weird part of Cross has never wanted to hurt Tildie for whatever reason aside from turning her over to Mouth.

Me on the other hand, I always went toe to toe with Cross growing up. I didn’t take his shit. Yeah, me, he wouldn’t hesitate to hurt.

I leaned back against the cold cement. I could hear the party upstairs, loud music, laughter, and an occasional fight. I don’t know how much time had passed since I was brought down here, maybe a few hours when I heard the door open, light shining down the stairs. Flex appeared at the top of the stairs but didn’t come down. Instead, he put the blonde woman from earlier on all fours facing down the stairs. Then, Flex unzipped his pants and started having sex with her in the doorway where I could see.

God, he was such a pig.

I closed my eyes and went into a different headspace. One I had perfected over the years when Flex was on top of me. It worked well in this case too. I heard the door slam shut, bringing me back to the surface. A minute later, the door opened back up, and Flex stomped down the stairs with a bucket. “I thought after watching me fuck you might be hot.” He gave an evil laugh before dumping the bucket of ice-cold water over me.

I gasped at the shock of the cold water as it covered me, soaking through my clothing. “Let’s see if you’re ready to beg me to take your pussy in the morning after spending the night wet and cold,” he fumed, his eyes shooting sparks at me before turning and going back upstairs. I curled into myself, trying to get warm and knowing it was not going to help. I started to shiver and hugged myself tighter.

I hoped Lenny hurried. Flex would get angrier the more I rejected him, and I couldn’t bring myself to do anything else.

The hate is too deep.

I HAVE TOget help. I don’t know where Brookeis or if she has been hurt. I hugged Gael to me as we sat in the kitchen of this old house. Cross and the rest of the men have been partying for hours, drinking, doing drugs, and using the women they brought here. I’m trying to shield Gael from seeing as much as possible.

A man is supposed to be watching us, but he’s been drinking all night and is ready to pass out. The kitchen door is hanging open, and when I have a chance, I’m taking Gael and making a run for it. I know I can’t save Brooke on my own. We didn’t travel far, so I’m guessing we are close to a road. I have to chance it.

I leaned sideways to peek into the living room where the party was, and several of the men had already passed out. Cross is one of them. Cross thinks I’m mentally challenged because I’m deaf and treats me like a child, but this time I’m glad for it because he doesn’t think I have what it takes to escape.

But I’ve become stronger and more confident since finding Travis, and I know I can do this. Finally, the man’s head fell to the table, passing out. I looked once again into the living room, and no one was paying attention. The men who were still awake had women occupying them.

I carefully stood still, holding Gael in my arms. Then, I rushed out of the kitchen into the night air heading for the treeline. Once, I made it to the cover of the trees. I looked back, not seeing anyone following. So, I followed the dirt road carefully to stay out of sight, and it wasn’t long before we came to a paved road. I almost cried when I realized I recognized the road. We weren’t far from the clubhouse.

I saw headlights coming down the road. It was late at night, and I was scared, but I had to try and pray it wasn’t someone dangerous. As the car got closer, I put Gael down and waved my arms to alert the driver I was there.

The car slowed and pulled over to the side of the road, and a red-haired woman got out, running up to us. It was dark, and I couldn’t communicate with her. She looked at Gael; he must have told her I couldn’t hear because she looked at me and signed. “Do you need help?”

God must be with me tonight. “Yes, my name is Tildie, and I need a ride to The Devil’s House clubhouse. It’s a matter of life and death,” I signed with urgency.

“You won’t believe this, but I’m Grace, Lenny, aka Stonewall’s sister. Hop in the car, and I will call him and take you to the clubhouse.” She signed and then ushered us to her car. She marked the location on her GPS before picking up her phone, putting it to her ear, and pulling back onto the road. What were the odds of Grace driving down the road late at night at the time when I needed help?

I sagged back against the seat with Gael on my lap. I had to take care of him for Brooke. I prayed the men could bring her back unhurt.

I WAS LOSINGmy shit with every hour that passed, and no leads came to where the women and Gael were taken. At first, we figured Cross would make a demand for a trade, but that never happened. Nothing but radio silence. I was pacing back and forth, lethal energy building inside me with no way to release it. I looked over at Reader, who was feeling the same, his worry for Tildie evident in every line of his face, Germie lying at his feet waiting for Gael.

My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I pulled it out, surprised to see Grace was calling me so late at night. Was she in trouble? Putting the phone to my ear. “Grace?”

“Lenny, I’m getting ready to pull up to the gate. I’m not sure what’s going on, but I found Tildie and a young boy by the side of the road,” she said.

“I’m coming,” I answered, hanging up. “Grace has Tildie and Gael and is pulling up to the gate.” I didn’t wait around to explain; I just headed out front to wait on Grace to pull in, Reader in step beside me.

I watched as Grace parked and Tildie jumped out, with Gael rushing over to Reader and signing. I waited for her to finish so Reader could translate. The fact that Brooke was not with them made my chest ache with worry. The other men stood by, patiently waiting for information. I picked up Gael, who had grabbed onto Germie.

“You all right, buddy?” I asked, hugging him to me. Poor kid was probably terrified.

“Yeah, but I want mommy,” he fretted, his little face tired.

“I’m gonna go get mommy, don’t you worry,” I assured Gael.

Finally, Reader spoke, “Tildie says Cross and his men took them to an old house not far from here and that Cross separated them, giving the care of Gael to her. She didn’t see Brooke at all once she was taken inside, and figures Flex did something to her since Tildie saw him among the men there.”

My chest tightened, thinking about what Flex had done to Brooke and how he could hurt her. “Does she have any idea where the house is located?” I asked with impatience; I had to find her.

“I marked the location on my GPS,” Grace interjected, touching my arm. I had forgotten she was here. “I bet there at old man Hodge’s place.”

Shadow was already inside her car, looking at the location. “Grace is right. Let’s get moving.”