The roar of twelve heavy engines filled the warm afternoon air as the convoy tore down the highway toward the Miller ranch. Dust kicked up in huge clouds behind them, painting a line across the country sky. Jax rode at the front, his brow furrowed as he replayed Lily's trembling voice in his mind. He pulled up to the edge of the property, signalling for the crew to slow down as they approached the dirt driveway.
Jax: Hawk, put Lily in the front seat of my truck with Big Dave and tell him to stay behind us.
Hawk: You got it, Boss. Is this really Tom's daughter?
Jax: Look at her eyes, Hawk. She's got Tom's blue eyes. I'd recognize them anywhere.
Hawk: I can't believe Marcus would pull something like this on his brother's widow.
Jax: Marcus always was a greedy snake. When Tom died in that accident, Marcus tried to claim the land right away.
Hawk: But Tom left the ranch to Sarah and Lily in his will, didn't he?
Jax: He did. But Marcus knows Sarah doesn't have the money for a high-powered divorce lawyer or an estate defense team.
Hawk: So he's trying to intimidate her into signing over the deed and the life insurance policy?
Jax: Exactly. And he made the mistake of putting his hands on Tom's little girl to do it.
Ten minutes later, the bikes swerved onto the long dirt driveway, kickstands slamming down into the gravel with sharp metallic thuds. A shiny black luxury sedan was parked near the front porch, its high-end engine idling quietly. Jax dismounted his bike, his heavy leather boots crunching against the gravel as he marched straight up the porch steps. Two large men in dark suits stepped out of the front door, their arms crossed over their broad chests to block the entrance.
Guard One: Hold it right there, pal. This is private property.
Jax: Get out of my way before I throw you over that railing.
Guard Two: You don't know who you're dealing with, biker. Mr. Marcus Miller is inside conducting official estate business.
Jax: Official estate business doesn't involve slapping a seven-year-old child across the face.
Guard One: What the hell are you talking about?
Jax: Ask your boss. Better yet, I'll ask him myself.
Jax grabbed Guard One by the lapels of his suit jacket and shoved him backward into the wooden wall with immense force. The structure groaned under the impact as Hawk stepped up quickly, catching Guard Two in a headlock before he could reach into his jacket pocket.
Hawk: Don't even think about it, suit. You're outmatched and out of your depth.
Guard Two: Let go of me! We have legal documentation for foreclosure!
Jax: We'll see how legal your documentation is in a minute.
Jax raised his heavy boot and kicked the front door frame right near the lock. The wooden door burst open with a loud splintering crash, swinging wildly on its hinges. Inside the living room, Marcus Miller spun around from a heavy oak desk, his face turning bright red with instant rage.
Marcus: What is the meaning of this? You roughnecks can't just barge into my brother's house!
Jax: Where is Sarah, Marcus?
Marcus: She's upstairs resting! She was hysterically refusing to cooperate with the bank settlement!
Sarah: JAX! IN HERE! HELP ME!
The desperate scream echoed from the hallway utility closet near the kitchen. Jax's jaw clenched tightly as he strode past Marcus, completely ignoring the lawyer's furious shouts as he moved toward the source of the noise.
Marcus: Don't you dare touch that door! That's private household business!
Jax: Shut your mouth, Marcus, or I'll shut it for you permanently.
Jax grabbed the brass handle of the utility closet and ripped it sideways, snapping the cheap lock mechanism clean off the frame. Inside, Sarah Miller was kneeling on the cold tile floor, her hands bound tightly behind her back with thick plastic zip ties. Her mascara was smeared down her cheeks from heavy crying, and her lower lip was swollen from a fresh, bleeding cut.
Sarah: Jax... oh God, Jax, you came!
Jax: Easy, Sarah. I'm right here. Hawk, get my pocket knife out.
Sarah: Is Lily okay? Did she reach you? Please tell me she's safe!
Jax: She's safe, Sarah. She brought her dollar bill to the clubhouse. She's in my truck right now with Big Dave.
Sarah collapsed forward against Jax's leather vest as Hawk carefully sliced through the plastic bindings on her wrists, freeing her from the cramped closet. The room smelled of dust and fear, but help had finally arrived.
Sarah: Marcus tried to force me to sign the life insurance buyout! He said if I didn't give him full custody of Lily, he'd take the ranch!
Jax: Nobody is taking your daughter, and nobody is taking this house. Stand up, Sarah.