Chapter 1: Talon
Wind whips through my hair as I rev the engine of my Harley-Davidson Breakout 117. I just bought this beauty in Baja Orange, and I’m glad I paid extra for the color. It’s flashy as hell, and women love it. They’re always trying to flag me down for a ride, but I’ve never found one I want on the back of my bike for more than one ride. It would take one hell of a chick to tie me down. I don’t see that happening anytime soon.
As I roar through the center of a small town in Montana, the sleek chrome catches several women’s eyes. It’s the middle of summer, so they’re all wearing sexy, flowy dresses to fight the heat. I’d stop and pick one up, but I’m on a mission. My brothers, all members of Underground Vengeance MC, ride in formation with me. Scar, the club president, is at the front of the pack, followed by Nitro, Matrix, Reaper, and me. We’re heading toward a tiny spec on the map where a woman named Trina is waiting for us to rescue her from her abusive husband, Hugo. I can’t wait to fuck this guy up.
Trina’s best friend contacted us for help over a month ago. Just leaving wasn’t an option because her husband has cameras all over their remote property. The second we arrive, he’ll know it. Scar hopes we can get in and out without a problem. Personally, I can’t wait to bash Hugo’s face in. By the time I’m done with him, he’ll look worse than the photos we got of Trina’s last beating. He won’t be putting his hands on her ever again. If I run into this piece of shit today, it’ll be the last time he touches anyone.
I tighten my grip on the handlebars as Trina’s ramshackle farmhouse comes into view. A thunderstorm looms on the horizon. The air crackles with anticipation as we pull up to the house. Our bikes form a protective circle around the front porch. We’re a force to be reckoned with, ready to face whatever awaits us. This isn’t our first rodeo, but we’re smart enough not to get cocky.
My head’s on a swivel as I turn off my bike. Hugo should be at work, but you never know. Men like him are unpredictable. The weight of Trina’s plight rests heavily on my shoulders, driving me forward. She’s endured enough suffering. It’s time to put an end to it.
I dismount, scanning the area with a keen eye. My brothers fan out, their presence a testament to our unwavering unity. We’re a ride-or-die band of outlaws, ready to kill anyone who dares to fuck with us or what’s ours. It’s been this way since we were kids. Since we’ve done this before, we know the drill. Nitro and Matrix walk around back while Scar and I take point. Reaper’s at the rear of the pack, watching our backs.
Silently, we advance toward the entrance. I pull my 9mm from my cut and grip it tightly. A cloud passes in front of the sun, casting shadows across our faces. Scar glances back at us before stepping onto the porch. It creaks under his weight. The rest of us climb the steps, too.
Scar reaches for the doorknob. Before he can open it, a blood-curdling scream echoes through the humid air. It’s coming from inside the house. The need for stealth is over. It’s time to unleash the storm.
The front door bursts open, revealing Hugo, his face twisted into a mask of rage. He’s clutching a glinting pistol, a tool of his tyranny. Our eyes lock, two adversaries poised for a life-or-death confrontation. I don’t flinch from the danger. I live for this shit.
Without warning, Hugo opens fire. Bullets tear through the air, barely missing my head. Adrenaline surges through my veins. I dive over the porch and take cover behind a huge lilac bush. It won’t do shit to stop a bullet, so I move immediately, running toward the edge of the house. I almost slam into Nitro, who doubled back to see what’s up.
“Get down!” I shove him back a split second before a bullet chips away at the wood siding.
“Hugo?” Nitro asks, peeking around the corner.
“Yeah. Fucking prick.”
“He’s supposed to be at work.”
“Right, but are they ever where they’re supposed to be?”
“Never.”
Scar pops up from behind his bike and gets two shots off before ducking. Reaper’s by his side and fires several bullets. Hugo cries out. One must have hit its mark.
“He’s inside,” Scar shouts before coming out of his defensive position.
“I’m on it,” I yell.
Normally, I’d let Scar lead us, but he’s too far away. We don’t have time to worry about rank. This fucker needs to die before he can hurt his wife. She’s in danger as long as this dude’s alive.
The front door slams shut in my face. I kick it open and sweep my gun from side to side, searching for movement. A long staircase to the right leads to the second floor. I catch a glimpse of Hugo as he clears the upstairs landing. Fuck!
Taking the wooden steps two at a time, I reach the top. A door closes on my right. Boot steps pound on the stairs. I glance back to confirm it’s Nitro and Scar. Reaper’s probably still outside in case Hugo doubles back.
“Find Trina,” I whisper.
Scar and Nitro nod before moving toward the other bedrooms. Moving in unison, they storm the first room. Confident they’ll find her, I head toward the closed door. Every muscle in my body has been honed for this moment. My hand grips the weight of my trusty pistol. The familiar feel of it grounds me as I move forward with deadly intent. Unfortunately, the old wooden floor creaks with every step. I won’t have the element of surprise on my side unless I try a new approach. I can’t just kick down the door because he’ll know I’m coming.
Slipping into the open room beside the one he’s holed up in, I head toward the window. I try to open it with one hand, but it’s no use. It’s sealed so tight I’ll need both hands. I quickly shove my gun into my cut. Using as much force as I can, I push up on the window. It creeps up enough for me to slide my body through the opening. I test the rickety balcony before setting my full weight on it. I lean over the edge and spot Reaper looking up at me. I give him a grim nod. He returns the gesture.
I glance at the window that leads to the room where Hugo’s hiding. It’s open, which is going to make this a lot easier. I climb onto the railing, praying it will hold my weight. I pull my gun out and hold it at the ready.
Clenching my thighs, I launch myself at the window, breaking through the screen and rolling into the bedroom. Hugo yells and jumps back. His eyes widen with a mix of surprise and fear. I’m sure his wife has had that look on her face many, many times before. Never again.
I’m on my feet faster than a cat, springing up and running toward him. He jerks his gun, firing wildly. Bullets whiz past me as I close the distance. I’m too focused on my target to give a fuck about anything else. He’s such a bad shot he’ll never hit me, even at this close range. It’s laughably pathetic.
Realizing his reign of terror is about to come to an end, Hugo takes aim at the center of my chest. Time seems to stretch as I squeeze the trigger. Each shot is a calculated act of retribution, and they all hit their mark. Hugo dances back as a barrage of bullets slice through his torso. His weapon slips from his grasp, hitting the ground before sliding under the bed. He falls to the carpet with the heavy thud. Taking zero chances, I put two more bullets in his heart.
