“I never had it to start.”She laughs, and I squeeze her hip, pressing my lips to the back of her neck.
I’m glad this scene isn’t too much for her.She’s enjoying the chaos that continually unfolds.Scanning the room, my gaze lands on Kevlar.He’s perched on a stool near the front door like he expects trouble to burst through the door at any minute.
All of our cell phones go off at once with a distress text from our Road Captain, Graves.
Fuck.I sent him to watch after Candyce and Ash.
I leave Ashley in the care of Tequila, Slasher, and Goose.
The rest of us ride out hard and fast.
The salty air night air whips at my face as the roar of my brother’s motorcycle roars around me.
We don’t know what we are riding into, but that’s a chance we take.
We arrive at Candyce’s street to find it mostly quiet.Most of her neighbors are in bed at this hour.Graves’ Softail Harley sits in front of her house.We park right on the street.As I walk up the walkway, Graves comes from around the left side of the house and meets me on the sidewalk, his expression tight and grim.
“Fuck, Prez.I’m sorry.They’re gone.”
“What do you mean?”
“I was smoking a cigarette and decided to do a perimeter check.When I made it around back, I noticed the backdoor was partially open.I knocked and yelled for Candyce, but she didn’t answer me, so I let myself in.I went room by room and found no sign of anyone.”
“When did you last make contact?”
“I didn’t.She’s been pissed at me for some stupid shit, and I didn’t want to get into another pointless argument with her.I just parked and sat out here.Thought maybe she’d at least come to the door and tell me to fuck off.”He shakes his head.“This is my fault.I should have sucked it up and talked to her.Fuckin’ apologized.”
“They may have already been gone by the time you got here,” Hemlock tells him.
“Fuck.Fuck!”I scream and kick the mailbox post.“This has Shelby written all over it.This is my fault for not putting a bullet in that stupid bitch the second I had a chance.”She was never after Ashley.The texts.The attack on Slasher.All of it was a distraction, and I fucking fell for it.
“Where the fuck is my sister?”Kevlar goes after Graves, shoving him in the chest.
“If I knew I wouldn’t be fucking standing here,” he shouts, shoving him back.
Gotti steps between them.“This won’t bring them back.Besides, this is exactly what whoever is behind this wants.If we’re fighting each other, we can’t go after them.”
“Where would Shelby take them?”Kevlar says, looking as ravaged as I feel.
Tension rolls through my shoulders.My blood is practically ice in my veins.“That bitch has always been unpredictable.”And a step ahead.This shit lands on me.I’m the one who let Shelby walk away breathing.I’m the one who took her son from her.I’m the one who asked Candyce to watch Ash tonight, and I sent Graves here.I should have expected this shit and been better prepared.
I got wrapped up in Ashley, but she’s not to blame for this either.
This is all me.
“We need to get back to the clubhouse to regroup.”
“Are you going to call Buford in on this?”Poe asks.
“Not yet.Not unless I get desperate.”For the first time since I lost my father, fear is gnawing at my insides.Feeding on every insecurity and doubt I’ve ever had.I don’t fear my mortality.I made my peace with the prospect of my death the day I got my cut.
This fear that’s clawing at me is a different kind of worry.Shelby’s vendetta...her bone to pick’s with me.But it may be Candyce or my little brother who pays the price.
Grinding my teeth, I climb on my bike, and ride like my life depends on it.No, not mine.Ashely’s.
Shelby may try to take her too.
Chapter Eleven
