Chapter Fourteen
My white-knuckled grip holds tightly to the steering wheel of the truck, my head hanging low; my woman’s hand lies on the back of my cut. Over and over, I see Gunner lying in that fuckin’ cage, bleeding out of the white dress shirt he was wearing. “Fuck!” I yell, letting one hand go on the steering wheel, I make a fist, and punch the side of my door repeatedly.
“I almost fuckin’ lost him, could’a died right there, right on top of Chatty, just tryin’ to protect her from the shit they was havin’ to face.” I’m seething with anger and real fuckin’ close to tears at the thought of losin’ my best fuckin’ friend.
“I know, Hanger, but he’s alive. Gunner is a fighter.”
My watery eyes meet my wife’s. “He’s my best fuckin’ friend, and now he may not ever fuckin’ walk again. How’s he gonna deal with that shit?”
“If he doesn’t, then we will be there for him. Help him.” Crazy Girl gives me a comforting smile, but the concern is clear as day in my woman’s eyes. She’s being strong, just like she always has.
“I fuckin’ love you.” Running my hand across the flesh of her cheek, I cup it in my palm.
“I fuckin’ love you too.” Her full smile still makes my heart beat faster every single time; even after the years we’ve been together, she still makes me fall more in love with her every day. Leaning down, my lips press against hers in a chaste kiss.
Starting the truck, I pull out of the hospital parking lot and head to the compound.
Busting through the clubhouse doors, I yell out, “Church, now!” All of my brothers follow, one by one. We take our usual seats. “Bear, you get a hold of Tink?”
“He’s not answering.”
“Fuck! He’s probably still in undercover. Keep tryin’.”
“Got it.” Bear pulls his phone out, trying again. Still no luck, so I move on to the matter at hand.
“Hacker, you got the map of the hangout?”
“Sure do. Got it in my room.”
“Good. We’re goin’ in tonight. I want fuckin’ bloodshed, and we don’t leave until every single one of those dirty cunts are dead. Do you understand?” The resounding ayes sound around the room. “Make that place look like a fuckin’ slaughterhouse. They don’t know who they fucked with, but we’re about to show them.” My voice rises as I say, “They’re meetin’ the Satan’s Sinners tonight.” Feet stomp on the floor, fists pound on the church table. “They started a motherfucking war by comin’ after one of ours, and now we finish it. Bam and Hunter, get to the storage shed and get all the guns possible with enough ammo. Hacker, get that map and we’ll meet back here in an hour, ready to ride out.”
Slamming the gavel down, I thunder my way out of the room and head to the bar. The storm outside has finally passed, but another one is brewing. Hell is going to come down on The Four Kings and Deuce tonight.
*****
I go to Ava and Harper’s room first. Standing in the door leaned against the frame with my arms folded, I watch my girls sleep so innocently. They have no worries, no burdens, no struggles. Walking in, I ease down on the side of Ava’s bed, gently as to not wake her. Running my hand over her dark hair, I remember the first time I held her in my arms. That first moment of seeing her and Harper changed my life. Their mom started the change when she came into my life, bloody and beaten, but my babies completed that change.
This is why I do what I do. Why I kill, why I feel no regret on taking a life that deserves it—because if anyone tried to hurt my family, I will make them pay. I will destroy them, and I will wear their blood with no remorse. Just like I’m about to do tonight, because someone thought trying to take the life of my best friend was a good idea. Kissing Ava on the top of her head, I whisper how much I love her, then move over to Harper’s bed. I repeat the same words, kissing her head and going back in time to the day my daughters were born.
After I walk out of their room, I move to the one right next to theirs. My boy. Damien lies sleeping in his crib with that same innocence as his sisters. While Ava and Harper look exactly like Crazy Girl—except for their hair, which is the same dark color as mine—Damien is the spitting image of me. Right down to his hazel eyes. Doing the same with him as I did the girls, I walk out of his room and head into mine.
Crazy Girl sits up against the headboard, her tablet in hand and her nose stuck in one of those porn books she loves. Smiling, I get closer to the bed and crawl up her body, making her put that damn tablet down. Her hands cup my cheeks and her fingers run over my stubble as her gaze stares into mine. “I love you,” I say. Smiling, I still wonder to this day how I got so fuckin’ lucky to get her.
“I love you too. Be safe, Hanger.” I don’t discuss club business with her, but my Ol’ Lady ain’t stupid. She knows I’m getting’ revenge for Gunner.
“Always.” Placing my lips against hers, my tongue slips between her slightly parted lips. She opens willingly, letting my tongue slide against hers. Crazy Girl’s arms wrap around my neck and I sit back on my knees, bringing her with me. Running my hands up and down her sides, I know I have to stop. Pushing her back a little, our mouths lose the connection and I fuckin’ hate it, but it’s time for me to go. “I gotta go, babe.”
A tear falls onto her cheek, and I wipe it away with my thumb as she nods. “I know. I love you so much.”
“I love you, too.” Giving her one more peck on the lips, I reluctantly get off the bed and then head back to the clubhouse.
“We’re looking at a small, abandoned bar outside of Topeka. Two exits; one in the front, one in the back, and the highway’s to the left.” Hacker explains exactly what we’re lookin’ at on the map that’s laid out in front of us on the table.
I look around the room. My hands are balled into fists on the table; I lean over and start instructing on the plan. “I want the newer prospects on the women and here at the gate, but we’re shuttin’ the club down until we get back, since Chatty is at the hospital with Gunner and we need Drifter with us. Bear, Bam Bam, Pretty Boy, and Ghost—I want you on the front. Chayser, Demon, Drifter, and I will be at the back. Doc, you will stay behind in the van in case anyone needs medical attention.” He already has his medical bag with him and he’s ready to go, as I instructed everyone earlier. “I want the rest of you surrounding the area. We’re takin’ the van and trucks, and everyone else follow behind on your bikes. Bear, you get a hold of Tink yet?”
“Not yet.” Bear’s brows are pulled down tightly, a frown on his face, and the look in his eyes lets me know exactly what he’s thinkin’: The cover was blown and Tink is dead.
Sighing deeply, I hang my head and then meet the eyes of all my men as I scan the room. “Alright, we need to be on the lookout for Tink as well; let’s hope we find him alive.”
“We ready to get this done?” Ayes fill the space. “Let’s do this—and remember: not one of those motherfuckers makes it out.”
I slam the gavel on the table, and we head outside, grabbing weapons and ammo for each of us. Then, we all walk to our designated transportation, load up, and we roll out.