Chapter 27

Rudy

Merry fucking Christmas to me. Fuck. Getting a phone call from Banshee telling me that Sadie escaped the Clubhouse sometime this morning that resulted in Buzzard tied to a chair, Benny with a gash on his head and Toby with a bullet in his shoulder was not what I was expecting when I answered the call.

Banshee and Poison had shown up at the Clubhouse after staying out the night before thinking they were going to be able to crash for a few before they headed back to Blairsville to celebrate the holiday with their Devil family.

Banshee wanted to know if we wanted them to take Benny and Toby to the hospital to get checked out and stitched up. Damn, these are the moments I wished we had a doctor or nurse on our payroll. He said they were both stable. Toby’s gunshot was through and through and the bleeding had resided.

That fucking cunt can’t just admit defeat and except that she’s done. I guess I can’t admit it either since her ass escaped.

“Pops.” Xander’s voice stops my pacing. “Mamie said to come get you so you can open your presents.”

“Sure, little man.” I squeeze his shoulder as we walk through the door and I try my hardest to cover the anger that is wafting off of me, but I didn’t try hard enough from the expression on my son’s face.

I sit next to Queenie and squeeze her thigh. With one look from me, she knows that something has happen. She’s been my ride-or-die long enough to know that I need her to take over when it comes to normalcy around the kids. I glance at Razz and she gives a short chin lift and I know that she knows something isn’t right too.

Queenie opens present after present from the kids with the excitement I can’t express and I appreciate the hell out of her. The kids got us grandparent coffee mugs. I got new riding gloves with ‘Pops’ embroidered on the wrist in red. They got Queenie a pink fluffy robe with ‘Mamie’ embroidered over the left side in purple. I smile and comment at the right times and the more I have to fake something that shouldn’t have been interrupted with more of Sadie’s bullshit the madder I get.

Presents unwrapped and hugs given and received from the kids, I make my way to the kitchen with Queenie, Trigger and Razz hot on my tail. I turn abruptly making them halt in their tracks. “I need to get to the Clubhouse, now. Sadie got away, Toby was shot, Benny was knocked out and Buzzard was tied to a chair. If it wasn’t for Poison and Banshee needing to crash, I’d have not known shit until I got there this afternoon. I can’t take them to the fucking hospital because that will raise suspicion.” I ramble on. “That cunt just doesn’t know when to quit.”

“Rudy,” Razz interjects, “I know a nurse and if she’s in town, I can get her to the Clubhouse to check out Benny and Toby that way if it’s not serious she can take care of it.”

“Razz,” I stomp over to her and pull her tight into my arms, “that would help out a lot.” I mumble into her hair. She nods against my chest and I release her. She walks to the counter and grabs her phone. Putting it to her ear after she dials, I listen intently hoping that this doesn’t fall through.

“Bells,” she greets, “are you in town?” She nods along. “Would you be able to come to the Clubhouse? There was an incident and we want to avoid overreacting if it isn’t necessary.” She listens for a few seconds and continues. “You’ll probably need your kit. Okay. Right. See you in a few. Thanks.” Razz hangs up and swivels her head up to us. “She’s coming, but I have to be there or she won’t come.” I nod. “She’ll be there in about fifteen, so we need to get going.”

“Darlin’,” Trigger tries to butt in.

Razz raises her hand to stop him. “Trigger, I’m going.” She grits and her eyes turn cold. “If you want your brothers to be checked out, I have to go. I got this. You can stay with the kids and teach Xander how to use that hover-thingy.”

“No.” He growls. “I’m going.” He looks to his Ma. “Can you stay with the kids?”

Queenie doesn’t get a chance to answer as Greer’s loud ass can be heard from the front door. “Merry Christmas!” She yells and I can hear her as she makes her way to the kitchen. The grin on her face drops when she sees us. “What the fuck is going on now?” She says exacerbated. Spook follows with Cyan on his hip and I watch as Razz steps to him taking the baby from his arms nuzzling his neck and making Cyan giggle.

“Prez.” Spook greets.

“Spook.” I grunt. “Can you round up the brothers and have them at the Clubhouse in thirty?” He grunts and steps out the backdoor to the porch as he makes his calls.

“Dad, what’s going on?” Greer pleads.

“Sadie.” I watch her face go tight and her eyes go hard.

“Got it.” She knows not to ask questions and that if it’s serious or dangerous she’ll get answers.

“You gonna stay here?” Queenie asks Greer. “They’ve got to get to the Clubhouse and I’m going to stay with the kids.” Greer nods. “You got your piece.” Greer nods again and pats her purse.

Razz grabs Greer by the shoulders and they stare at each other intently. They both nod as their wordless message is passed. Razz releases her and steps back. “If something happens just tell the kids ‘Shake-N-Bake’ and they know where to go. Xander knows the code.”

“Got it.” Greer responds quietly as she worries her bottom lip with her teeth.