Scout: Devil's Rose #11

Chapter 13: Violet Monroe

"Why are you so surprised?" Major asks his friends, curious about the expressions on their faces.

"Well, it's not exactly a safe environment or thing to do," Carbon speaks up, "do you have any defense training at all?" he questions me.

"No, not really. But Scout here is fully capable of protecting me."

"But what if something happens to him?" Poison suggests, bringing up a good point.

"Anyone is fine to come with us, but I want to be there. It's important to me. If Scout can't protect me by himself, more people can go. I'll follow your orders, that's whatever, but I need to go."

They all glance at each other, and I can see the thoughts running through their heads. They, including Major, step out of the room briefly, leaving me with Aurora and Sabrina who are playing with toy robots on the floor.

I watch as they play, remembering what it was like to be a kid in my world but also comparing it to what it might be for them. We have very different lives.

My childhood was focused on knowing how to look good in public, and these girls are going to learn how to defend themselves from the public. That's too very different ways of interacting with the world.

But one thing we have in common is the support.

I didn't have support from my parents, they mostly just gave orders, but I had support nonetheless. These girls have support from a bunch of people, including their parents, it seems. It's just interesting to me.

People grow up in a million different ways, different situations, different experiences, and we all have to interact with each other.

The Devil's Rose MC men step back in the room, having clearly made a decision. They explain to me that Bullet, Slasher, and Poison will be coming with us to the apartment.

Poison will wait in the car with me while Bullet, Scout, and Slasher will head into the apartment, look around for anything dangerous, and make sure that I'll be safe to walk in. One of them will radio Poison giving us the go-ahead if they deem it safe enough.

Then, I'll be allowed to go in and look around myself to see if anything I see could be helpful. But before this can all happen, they have to get the okay from their president, Alpha.

Slasher steps out of the room, giving Alpha a call. Carbon, Bullet, and Poison, along with Aurora and Sabrina, leave the room as well. It's like they know that Major and I need to have a conversation about this.

They close the door behind them, leaving us in Major's domain.

"Are you okay with all of that?" Major asks me softly, tugging my chair closer to his.

"Yeah," I reassure him, nodding my head, "it's not exactly how I thought this was gonna go but I also understand. It's not just about keeping me safe, it's about keeping you safe too."

"They also want to catch this guy. Especially Slasher since his Old Lady was the one who directed our attention to him in the first place."

"Oh, that I didn't know. That makes a lot more sense."

I could tell that Slasher was tense about the conversation, but I didn't really know why. Knowing that someone he cares about was harmed by Kai puts all the pieces together.

Major brushes his thumb along my knee.

"He doesn't want what happened to repeat itself," Major acknowledges.

"I don't want it to either."

Major squeezes my knee before standing up, hand extended. I take it and let him guide me outside the room. Bullet tells us that we got permission from Alpha, so we're good to get ready.

What happens next is an out-of-body experience.

They load up with guns (along with knives for Slasher) and put on bulletproof vests (putting one of me too). We walk through the back entrance of headquarters to a parking lot full of heavy-duty cars is the only way to put it.

I can barely comprehend what's happening right now. I didn't know we were leaving this second. I don't know if I can do this right this minute. I didn't think about the consequences of getting the permission to go.

That means that we actually have to do it now. And now that Slasher knows that I potentially have information that can help, I can no longer back out. He's counting on me too. What's going to happen if I can't give them what they want?

Major did tell me that he tried to get into contact with Harper before, but she didn't even answer the phone, so he couldn't rely on her for information. Not that I blame her for that.

That's why she doesn't even know who he is. I just can't believe this is happening. What have I done? I'm not ready for this.

I feel a hand on my shoulder, and I turn to see Major staring deeply at me.

"You're so brave, Violet. You're doing amazing. We're all here for you," he assures me.

He lays my hand on his chest, and we take a few deep breaths together, calming me down. I soak in his presence and let myself relax.

I can handle this, and I'm not alone. I have people, even though I just met them all, supporting me through this moment. I feel safe here. Being around them is natural, and I know that I can ask for help.

Part of it has to do with Gabby for sure. When I'm working, she just talks about how amazing the Devil's Rose MC is, focusing mostly on her husband because she's obsessed with him, but always makes sure to extend her nonsexual praises to the other official members and the Old Ladies.

She doesn't know many prospects, but she also has no doubt that they are the same way as the official members, safe and welcoming. I think she's got a lot to do with my willingness to be open about what happened with Kai to Major.

Gabby really doused them in a positive light, and they live up to it, at least they have been so far. And I doubt have a reason to not trust her judgment, the official members themselves, and honestly, the entire town of Westmoor's judgment.

They appreciate and welcome the Devil's Rose MC from what I've witnessed. Not everyone in Westmoor is perfect or has the perfect judgment, however, I generally trust my neighbors.

I can't think of anyone else, any group of people, that I feel would handle this situation as seriously as Major and Devil's Rose have been. The police are pretty good around here, but they honestly wouldn't be doing the shit that Major is.

And mostly because they don't have the manpower for it.

Poison distracts me the rest of the drive, making me laugh with funny stories about Dakota, his Old Lady, and just making conversation. He's a good comedic break from the wildness of this moment.

I can feel myself getting more nervous as each second passes, but I try hard to not freak out. That wouldn't be helpful to what Bullet, Slasher, and Major need to do. Although, they wouldn't be mad at me about it.

When I see the outside of the building, chills shoot down my spine. The building is more dilapidated than I remember, but I'm seeing it in daylight for the first time in a while, so that doesn't surprise me.

I feel Poison's comforting hand on my shoulder as Major, Slasher, and Bullet pile out of the car, Scout sending me a soft smile. They all make sure that they are loaded with the gear that they desire. Poison hands me a piece of gum and pulls out a MadLib pad.

My fingers start to go numb, my body coursing with adrenaline. I watch attentively, at Scout's hands more specifically, as he double-checks that the straps of his bulletproof vest are tight enough.

Our eyes meet, and he signals me to take another deep breath with him.

"I'll be in and out, love."

I nod my head, unable to reply with words, and just watch the three of them walk toward the building.