Page 113 of Hendrix
Fucking bitch.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
HENDRIX
The same question raced through my mind over and over again.
How the hell could I have left Anna unprotected and so vulnerable?
Ace had marked her as mine years before, so I should have anticipated she was in danger. The reason behind Ace taking Addie and the ensuing wild-goose chase should have pinged much earlier than it did, and I felt sick because it was my job to make sure Anna was covered.
I’d been dealing with these mind games for years. When Ace left the club, I didn’t know who was a friend and who was an enemy. Friends and brothers were turning on each other left and right. At the time, the last thing I wanted was for Anna to witness or get involved with the conflict because I felt like I’d failed.
I made a lot of excuses—some valid—for not going back for her until it was too late, but recent events proved my actions had been justified, at least in part.
Gambit and Iceman were putting on their riding jackets as Blade barked orders.
My veep’s eyes narrowed. “Prez, you take the GMC with Gopher; he’s a medic. Bones and Freya are on their way back from their shift. The boys will head out on their bikes. At the first sign of aggression, you shoot to kill. Ace and Daisy have crossed the line, and I don’t wanna hear any shit about her bein’ a woman. She’s still a threat.”
Iceman nodded, his jaw ticking with anger. “Shoot to kill, brother. No more holding back?—”
As he said the words, a large truck came speeding up the lane and came to an abrupt stop by the hotel steps. Dad jumped out, hauling a battered Tweety with him.
My chest burned with the need to take my Glock out, hold it to his temple, and pull the trigger. Another fucker had betrayed my club, and I wouldn’t let it stand.
Diablo turned his head to the side and spat on the ground. “Fuckin’ traitor. You better talk and do it fast ‘cause I’m gonna start slicin’ off body parts. One every three minutes, fingers, toes, ears, then dick. It’ll take me just over an hour, but looking at your bitch ass, you’ll sing like a damned canary after five minutes.”
A strangled gargle left the prospect’s throat, and his head lolled to one side. He was so badly beaten he couldn’t even stand up properly.
Dad pulled him up by the scruff of the neck and threw him toward me. “One punch, then go,” he snarled.
I grabbed Tweet by the collar, pulled my arm back, and smashed my fist into his nose. Blood spurted everywhere, and Tweet let out a loud groan as he crumpled to the ground.
“No more,” Dad said. “Diablo needs him awake, and you boys need to get on the road to find our girl.”
I looked around the parking lot, watching as Trick, Fletch, Picasso, Rockabye, and the others all ran for their bikes, putting their helmets on as they went.
Pyro approached, grabbed Tweety from me, and dragged him toward the steps. “Imma help D slice and dice. I need to brush up on my knife skills.”
Dad gave me big eyes. “I better keep an eye on them, Son. Or else they’ll finish him off before he talks.”
I gave him a nod, my lungs feeling like they were on fire.
“I’m with you, Prez,” a deep voice said from beside me. I turned to see Gopher swinging into the driver’s side of the GMC.
“I’m drivin’, Prospect,” I muttered.
Gopher lifted his chin proudly. “With all due respect, Prez. If we get word where Anna is, you’ll need to be ready. I’ve driven Army ambulances through war zones to get to my brothers. Trust me to do it for Anna. When we find her, you’ll need to be ready to deploy ‘cause she’ll need you to get to her.”
I glanced at Blade, who was smiling proudly at the prospect.
“Right.” I clapped him on the back. “Thanks, Goph.”
He dipped his chin respectfully and turned for the SUV.
“Prez,” Trick called out.
I stopped and turned to see my road captain and some other brothers sitting astride their bikes, waiting for the signal to head out.
