Max popped two ibuprofens in his mouth before leaving the grocery store. He was about to make his way back to the motel when he froze. He saw two parked motorcycles outside the closed tattoo parlor across the street. Both of the riders wore leather jackets and looked well-built, but from this distance he couldn’t discern their faces. Inhaling nervously, he stepped back inside the shop, away from view. He watched them from within the safety of the store. He could immediately tell that they were Red Riders members. They had the club’s emblem proudly displayed on their bikes.
“Shit,” Max breathed as he watched them, praying that they’d soon leave. If they saw him he was done for, he was certainly in no state to defend himself. He wished he’d been smart enough to take Will and Henry with him. Colridge was now a pressure cooker on the verge of exploding. Even a stroll down the street could be dangerous.
After a few minutes, the riders pulled off and disappeared down the street. Max wasted no time hurrying off in the opposite direction. He had to get back to the motel and fast.
“They’re here,” he declared as he pushed open the door. Both Henry and Aaron glanced up at him in surprise. They were both freshly showered, which made their wounds seem less dramatic.
“Who is here?” Will asked, wearily rubbing at his eyes.
“Red Riders. I just saw two of their members in town.”
“Well I say we go roll out the welcome wagon for them,” Henry grinned, baring his teeth.
“No,” Max raised a hand of objection at him. “We don’t do anything until we hear from Uncle.”
As if on cue, the telephone in the room began to ring. The three men shared wary glances before Max stepped forward and picked up it, placing the receiver against his ear.
“Hello,” he tried to make himself sound as foreboding as possible.
“Max, that you?” he instantly recognized the craggy old voice of his Uncle Alex.
“Yes, Uncle, it’s me.” Still holding the phone Max lowered himself onto the bed. He could see Henry and Will sharing worried looks.
“You boys did a nice job at that bar last night,” Alex complimented.
“Thanks.” Max’ wounded ear started to throb so he switched sides with the telephone. As he did so, he noticed that it was spotted with his own blood. He might need to consider getting stitches on his cut if it didn’t stop bleeding.
“I think you really stirred up the hornet’s nest there in Colridge,” Alex continued, clearly amused.
“I think so too. I spotted a couple of Red Riders members out on the streets this morning.”
“Good, good. Well then, I need you boys to high-tail it back here as quick as you can.”
Max tightened his grip on the phone. Go back? But why? Going back would mean leaving Brittany. Max closed his eyes in frustration as he recalled how she’d hung up on him. He couldn’t leave without making things right with her. But if he saw her now how would he ever explain his wounds without letting her think he was a monster.
“Come back?” Max choked out the words. “But why? Don’t you need us here in Colridge in case they retaliate?”
“No, I need you back here,” Alex clarified sternly. “There’s a war coming, Max. We need to batten down the hatches and prepare.”
A shudder of fear flew up Max’ spine. He hadn’t intended to start a war. Was that what it was coming to? Pack against pack? Where did Brittany even fit into all that. He couldn’t leave her in Colridge when things were getting so dangerous there.
“I need to bring someone else back with me,” Max stated.
“If it’s that girl you’re fucking, you can think again,” his Uncle replied coldly. Max felt his body tense in shock. He looked over at Henry and Will, expecting to see their guilt-ridden faces, but they were both avoiding his gaze.
“Uncle - ”
“Her brother rides with the Red Riders. Don’t think I don’t know. I know everything, Max. I’ve got eyes everywhere.”
“She doesn’t deserve to get caught up in this,” Max pleaded, feeling panicked.
“I don’t have time to listen to you whine about some girl,” Alex raged. “I need you and the others back here by this evening. We need to start planning how we’re going to ruin the fucking Red Riders once and for all.”
Max swallowed nervously. The rivalry between the two gangs was intense, but never before had one sought to destroy the other.
“War really is coming,” Max realized, tasting bile in his mouth.
“You bet your ass it is,” his uncle swiftly agreed. “And you want to make sure that you’re on the winning side, Max. So be here before sundown. Just the three of you, no stragglers. It’s high time the Skeleton Kings proved that we’re the fucking authority in these parts.”
With a shaking hand, Max lowered the phone back down. Henry and Aaron still refused to meet his gaze.
“I hope you’re both happy,” he addressed them flatly. “We’re going to war with the fucking Riders.”