Paying For Sins

**Preston**

I decided Artemis might not be safe at Slater’s house right now with him being in the hospital. Right now, would be the opportune time for someone to hurt his family while he is incapable of protecting them. I brought her to my house instead and we picked her sons up on the way from Riley and Josh’s apartment.

The boys settled in playing with Rowan and Stetson. My younger brother set up a pillow fort in the living room. The toddlers enjoy helping by dragging out blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals. I think Rowan is thrilled to have someone to play with or boss around who is a year younger. Atticus and Atlas are like his little minions.

Rowan does get to play with cousins, but Brennan is three years older, and Layla is two years older. That fiery strawberry blonde boy is Jase made over, though he does have Carley’s blue eyes and button nose. Layla looks just like Carley but with Lachlan’s Caribbean blue eyes, his nose, and his ears. Carley just had their third child a few months ago, another boy they are naming Evan who is identical to Weston with lighter mocha skin like mine and Stetson’s. They are planning on having one more child before stopping. If Ransom hadn’t gotten himself fixed at eighteen, they probably would have five children. One for each man. That’s way too many kids for me.

Currently, I am stroking Carley’s hair, sitting up against the headboard of my bed while she has her head in my lap, curled up around her squishy cryptid pillow sound asleep. This stuffy looks like Mothman, black with red eyes. The wings have a white design on them and are magnetic so that they can stay together around him. It’s cute and she loves it.

The six of us went shopping last week to look for some more adult toys. She lit up when she saw him and snuggled him while we picked up what we wanted. Slater, of course, bought it for her. She calls him Mothy. At the same time, Ronan fell into a childlike headspace the moment Artemis showed him the smaller three-headed grayish-blue Cerberus. Roan dubbed him Cerbie immediately. When Slater attempted to take the round stuffed mythological creature away from him, the man growled like the dog he was holding. Camden pulled the tag off so they could pay for him. When we got home, Slater reddened his ass and then made him an apology letter. He couldn’t have Cerbie back until he was done. After that, they both stayed in a childlike mindset for the rest of the day. They sat on the floor finger painting with the kids after we picked them up. They snuggled up against Slater with their stuffies while we watched Disney movies in Pajamas. We ordered pizza and just relaxed. It was enjoyable to have our whole family together and gave me a glimpse of what the future should be.

From Camden’s text, it’s going to take work on our part to get us to that serenity of being a family again. I don’t want to break this woman’s heart and trust, but to keep her and the twins safe, we will have to. I’m not sure what to think of his text saying Razz will return tomorrow. One thing I’m sure of is I will punch him the moment I see him. He made Artemis cry. He deserves some pain for that.

My phone rings with my older brother Weston’s ringtone. I pause the movie I’m currently watching. “The house blew up and Carley has been kidnapped.”

“What do you mean the house blew up? Are the kids okay?”

“I need you and Stetson to come get Layla, Brennan, and Evan.”

“Sure, I’ll watch them, but I can’t leave right now. Artemis is here resting, and Stetson is watching the boys. Slater and Ronin are both in the hospital with Camden keeping guard. Razz is M.I.A...”

“That’s fine. Jase says we’ll bring them to you. We are headed to Louisiana to get our wife and husband back. It’s Razor, again.”

“Wait, husband? Does he have Ransom again? I swear he is rape bait just like his older brother.”

Weston snickers at my words. “Not this time. He is flipping you off while telling me to tell he says, fuck you.”

“That leaves Arson and Lachlan. Which one?”

“Air, of course. This time he wasn’t pulling Ashley, since he was driving Carely to pick up the kids.”

“Alright. I’ll call Tempest and the Serpents to back you.”

“Perfect. We will drop the kids with you and Stetson since you guys can’t help anybody with the situation, you're in. Focus on getting Slater and Camden out whole, we got Grothman. See you soon. Love you, Pres.”

“Love you too, Wes. I want the whole story when you get here. Okay?”

“Got it,” my phone beeps with an incoming call from Storm, the leader of Tempest Team. “Bye.” I return the parting phrase.

I answer the phone with my handle since they are one of the retired teams I still manage when they are needed. “Whisper. What do you need, Clyde?”

“Brail shit, including a fucking phone for the damn blind. I had to have Riggs call you since I can’t see shit,” Storm grumbles furiously.

“I’m not following. What happened?”

“Too damn much. Carter is missing. Sawyer isn’t answering her phone. I’m blind but can feel the heat from JT’s club burning down. Carmen and her men just arrived saying Jensen is in critical care from being shot in the forensics lab of the precinct. What the fuck is going on?” He demands.

“Razor Grothman is who is going on. Weston just told me Carley and Arson have been seized by him. Dollars to donuts that’s who has Carter and Sawyer at this point.” Storm cursed in a tribal language. I cannot remember what tribe he is part of. “It’s Friday and the start of Thanksgiving break, right? Yeah, so?”

“Have Riggs go pick up the murder twins and Asher. I doubt he understands how close he is to Sawyer since it’s Tempest he is after. Figure out how to play dead to work in the shadows. Make sure the others pretend to die too, if they aren’t already dead. I’ll make sure all the proper paperwork is for you guys and C.H.A.O.S. just in case. Razor needs to believe you are all dead before mounting a rescue.”

“Okay but circle back to the boys.”

“Back up. The Death Kings’ just left for Japan an hour ago and will be gone until January. I would rather not bring in the elder biker group, however, the Furies can go play with you guys. I’m calling them in too. Bring Ash to my house, he can help Stetson babysit the kids, while Lachlan and I run the technical end from here. Rory and one member of the Fury Team can take care and guard those in the hospital while Camden helps you guys.”

“What is going on your end? Is the plan to get Slater and Camden not coming together?”

“It is an unexpected way. Slater’s heart is failing, and Camden did some internal damage stabbing Ronin for funsies so those are in the hospital room next to Kage on the Death Kings’ floor of Eiskönig Hospital. Razz ran away.”

“Seems like we are all paying for our sins today. Okay. Sounds like a plan. Carmen’s parents want to be at the hospital with Jen and Carmen demanded to help us in his and my absences. I can help you wrangle kids at your place, maybe.”

“That’s fine. See you guys at my place as soon as you pick up the kids and find out if JT is whole or not. Let me know if you need anything else. See you in two hours.” Storm agreed and I hang up.

This whole day is a shit storm and tonight there will be no rest for the wicked because tomorrow we are to crush the girl we love. I’m killing people off tonight so word will get to Razor’s men that Tempest and C.H.A.O.S. have been destroyed. After we get Carley, Arson, Carter, and Sawyer back I’m killing Slater and Camden by starting war amongst the Ravagers. By Christmas, we will be back on Sawyer’s doorstep of her new home with Razz.

These plans will happen. I’m the leader of the Death Kings. The Whisper King that works in the shadows putting all the pieces in place on my chess board. Checkmate, Razor Grothman