Chapter Twenty-Four
Prince kicked out his stand and dismounted. Standing erect, he pulled out his sidearm and checked the safety. As his thumb moved to release the lever, he felt a hand at his bicep.
Chief shook his head. "Holster it."
Prince narrowed his eyes at his friend, his brother in arms. "They have Gabby in there."
"We don't want her getting caught in any crossfire. Let's use our heads and our hands first."
Up ahead, Hawk decided to use his feet. He kicked the door of the Henchmen's warehouse in. The Baztards and Watchers combined were twenty people deep. None of the men or women had needed any convincing when they heard the name Henchmen. When they heard Gabby's name all of their faces stoned over.
Gabby was a favorite in both clubs with her infectious smile and her fussing over to make sure everyone's dinner and dessert plates were full. Even though Hawk, Eagle, and Prince kept her mostly out of crew and club business, every member knew and had affection for her. And they all rushed in the broken open door without a moment's hesitation.
Prince hurried into the fray striking out against the first man who was not one of his own. He'd been following the letter of the law for the last three years, working inside the system, crossing T's and dotting I's.
It felt good to handle things with his fists instead of a pen. He needed no evidence to clock this piece of shit in the jaw. There would be no reports to file as he shoved the man aside and went for the next.
Prince stepped over the prone body that crumpled to the floor. Then he spotted Gabby. Roman had his fist around her upper arm.
Prince saw red.
He pulled his gun from its holster, released the safety and pointed it at Roman's head. He walked slowly through the brawl. No one approached him. None of the fists and feet that were swinging met him along the way.
When Roman spotted Prince and his steel friend, he pulled Gabby in front of him as a shield. Didn't matter. Roman was taller than his petite, little princess. Prince saw the whites of the pathetic excuse for a man's eyes. He had a clear shot. His finger caressed the trigger.
Legalities went through his head. With each step closer, Prince built a multitude of iron-clad cases. He could claim self-defense. Hell, he was an officer of the law, and this was a crime scene. If that didn't work, his mother was a judge. His neighbor, and soon to be father-in-law, was the District Attorney. He would get off. And if he didn't, it didn't matter. All that mattered was that Gabby was safe.
"Prince, wait." Chief's clear voice spoke in his ear. "Let's take him in. If you kill him, it'll be satisfying in the moment. If he goes on trial, it hurts the Governor and lets the community see that justice does work."
Prince was hallucinating if he thought those words were coming out of Chief's mouth. Chief who put not an ounce of trust in the system. Instead of listening to the devil over his shoulder, Prince took another step towards his angel.
Chief rounded Prince. He stepped in front of the gun, with his back to the barrel and faced Roman. But even with his brother's back in the path of the bullet, Prince did not lower the gun.
"Let her go," Chief said to Roman.
Roman looked around the crowded warehouse. His men were down or had deserted him, running out the door and into the setting sun. He was surrounded by the type of men and women he purported to hate, men and women who returned the feeling. Under the gravity of the situation, Roman loosened his grip on Gabby.
Prince exhaled. His forearm lowered, and he replaced the gun in its holster to receive the woman he loved more than anything in this world.
But Gabby didn't run into his arms. She turned and clocked Roman in the jaw. "Told you."
Then she turned on her heel. It wasn't until she was away from Roman that she grimaced and hugged her knuckles to her chest. Prince chuckled as she finally came into his arms where she belonged.
"I've got you, monkey." He kissed her face and then he kissed her injured hand. He held her tightly, breathing her in.
"Gabs?"
Gabby turned her head against Prince's chest. Her brother stood before them. He had a smudge at his temple, but was otherwise unharmed. She let go of Prince and wrapped her arms around her brother's huge frame.
Hawk folded his baby sister in his arms and petted the back of her head. His voice was soft and low. "He didn't… hurt you? Did he?"
Gabby lifted her head. Her eyes flashed with indignation. "He stomped my phone."
Hawk let out a long sigh through flaring nostrils. He nodded gravely down at Gabby. Something unspoken passed between the siblings before Hawk handed Gabby back to Prince. Hawk walked with calm, purposeful strides towards Roman. To his credit, Roman held his ground.
Hawk struck out, with lightning speed, and caught the man's arm. He twisted Roman's forearm behind his back until he squealed like a little pig.
"Hawk," called Chief.
"I'm just subduing him," said Hawk as he continued to wrench Roman's arm. "I don't have handcuffs."
"I do," said Eagle and Owl in unison.
Hawk ignored his brothers and shoved Roman to his knees.
Prince turned to Chief. "Call the cops."
"Who?" Chief shook his head as though Prince had thrown cold water on him. "Me? I've never called the cops in my life."
Prince scooped Gabby into his arms. He turned from his brother and left the matter to the men and women who had always been the true protectors of this community.