We climb over the debris and rush out, guns drawn.
The sight nearly stops me cold, but training keeps me moving.
Angel, Dozer, Trix, Sting, and Diesel are all standing there—guns out, firing at the men fleeing on their bikes.
“Give me one good reason I shouldn’t kill you right now?” Bullet bites out, putting his gun to the back of Angel’s head. The rest of us do the same, even as Viper, Bowie, and Frost rush for their bikes to chase the others down. More gunshots ring out outside, but I don’t know if they’re ours or not.
“We’re not a part of this bullshit,” Angel says calmly. He holds up his hands, gun visible. “Take them, but you have three dead men in the basement. We tried to stop them, but the fuckers knocked us out and fled.”
“Why didn’t they just kill you?” I demand, my gun pressed tight against the back of Dozer’s head. I must keep my head in the game, but thinking of who we just lost, my heart squeezes painfully in my chest.
“Arson wanted to, but Silver convinced him not to do something stupid. That we’re still brothers and have served with him. We’re owed that much, same as those of us with Old Ladies and kids,” Dozer answers angrily.
The betrayal in his voice rings true, but I can’t just assume this isn’t some kind of trap.
“Or maybe he left you here to finish what they started,” Torque bites out. I see Trix wince at the pressure of the gun on the back of his head, but he makes no move to turn or shoot his gun.
“We have nothing to do with this shit,” Trix bites out. “We’re the only ones who weren’t part of whatever this bullshit is. Shit in the club has been going downhill for a long time, and the divide has been clear. Us four are loyal to Angel because he’s not the one trying to fuck us over all the fucking time. Arson and Silver have been colluding with all kinds of shit that risks all of us.”
“And, what, you knew all this and still came here and thought everything was going to be just fine?” Sniper snaps. He has his gun on Diesel, who has mostly been silent. Even now, he doesn’t answer the question. He looks at Angel as if looking for direction.
“We had no idea he was working with Vlad,” Angel answers instead. “I figured this would give us time to figure shit out ourselves on what to do. I have some calls out to our allies that I know I can trust not to blab about what we’re asking. Arson and Silver have been securing deals with the Cartel, Russians, and are even looking at dealing with the Italians in the state next to ours. Arson and Silver have grand plans to build some kind of MC empire where we’re the main MC to handle all shipments so we can make a killing.”
“Not caring that it puts all of us at major risk, along with our families,” Dozer hisses. I can feel him shaking with his rage. “And none of that shit has been coming to the rest of us for a vote. They’re doing this shit on their own and creating their own inner-circle.”
“So, what, they’re trying to push you out?” King sneers, clearly not believing any of this for a second.
“They don’t need us with the crew they have,” Angel answers. “They have a majority without us, so they just think that the rules we have as an MC won’t apply. Arson’s also been suggesting that Silver would make a better VP and trying to garner support to oust me. That vote was coming just before we came down here.”
“Why the fuck would Arson be doing this shit?” Torque demands. “He’s been around a long time, and he founded that club and set up the rules. Why would he change them now?”
“Drugs,” Bullet answers and pulls his gun from Angel’s head. He looks at the rest of us. “We’ll put our guns down, but allof you put yours on the floor, kick them away before you turn around.”
They immediately comply. I lower my gun, letting it lie against my side, but keep all senses alert. This entire situation is a powder keg waiting to explode if we’re not very careful.
When they turn, I internally wince. All of them are sporting busted-up faces, with blood pouring from wounds on two of their temples, and Angel’s nose looks like it’s broken. Alright, guess they weren’t lying about the beatings.
Bullet stares at them and then looks over at me. “We need your woman in the medical room and send Medic to the basement. Viper, King, go with him.” Then he looks at Angel. “Who pulled the fucking trigger?” The barely contained violence sends a shiver of unease down my spine.
Angel stares at him. “Arson killed the kid, and Cobra killed the other two with two quick shots. None of them knew it was coming.”
“How the fuck did they get the fucking guns?” Sniper demands, his own body shaking with rage, and his eyes hard.
“They were already in there when we were put in there,” Dozer admits. “I didn’t know it was there either, until just before everything happened, Arson and Cobra opened up a bag that was in the corner. We didn’t even see it; it was so dark and in the shadows.”
“You want me to believe that they knew they might get put there, so they just happened to put a gun there?” Torque scoffs.
“Believe it or don’t,” Sting snaps, scowling furiously. “I’m telling you the guns were there. You’ve got cameras in there—you should be able to fucking see them do it. When everything happened and we got up to follow them, they dropped the guns and ran. Angel and I grabbed two, and the others grabbed the rest from your brothers. We figured they’d understand.” Someof the anger fades from his expression, a look of remorse—and maybe even a bit of shame—passing over his features.
Bullet turns to me. “Go get Avery and Thea. We’ll need them both. Tell Theo and Crypt to stay with the kids—both of them are to stay in their room. No one leaves until we know it’s safe. Torque, you and King search the clubhouse. Make sure none of them snuck back in to hide and surprise us. Then search the grounds. Call Cryos and Twigs, and if they’re not close by, tell them to get their asses back and keep their eyes open. All four of you—search the grounds. Make sure we’re secure.” He looks back at Angel, his gaze glacial. “If I find out you had any part in this, I’ll kill you all and won’t lose a single second of sleep. MC rules no longer apply.”
Angel nods and glances at the others, who nod their agreement. Bullet nods for me to go. I turn and head for the stairs, dread filling every step.
This might just be the last straw for Avery. I have to pray that I can still convince her to stay.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
BULLET
