Chapter Twenty
Elise
I stared unseeingly out of the window, my heart aching because I was leaving John and the only place I’d felt safe in years.
The view of the mountains from the 191 was stunning, but I couldn’t take it in because my throat burned with distaste, not aimed at John like usual, but aimed at myself.
I didn’t put up a fight about leaving, like Cara had, because I didn’t want John or any of the brothers to think bad of me or assume I was being a pain in the ass. But by not standing up for myself, I’d yet again let a man decide my fate. John may have thought he knew what was best for me, but nobody knew what I needed more than I did.
So why the hell was I allowing the same crap to happen?
I closed my eyes.
Shit.
There was no way I could leave. I’d have rather stayed and took my chances at the clubhouse than abandon the ship when they needed me the most. It wasn’t who I was; I stayed with Robert for years so I could take him down. I stuck it out for the greater good, so why was I leaving the only man who deserved for me to stay?
Decision made, I turned right to look at Sophie, taking her hand. “I’m not going. I’ll see you off at the airport, but I’ve decided to go back to the clubhouse with Shotgun.”
Her eyes met mine, and she dipped her chin. “I got a bad feeling the second we drove away.” Sophie craned her neck to speak to Kennedy, who sat behind us with the kids, “I’m not going either.”
Kennedy sighed, her eyes darting between me and Sophie, “Well then, I guess that means we’re all staying. If we don’t go, Cara won’t go, and Layla’s too damned scared to go to a strange place on her lonesome.” She opened her purse and dug out her cell phone. “Better message Cara.”
“Put that fuckin’ phone down,” Shotgun snapped from the driver’s seat. “We’re not turnin’ around. You’ve been told to go, so fuckin’ go.”
My mouth fell open at the anger in Shotgun’s voice, and a wave of unease washed over me.
I couldn’t say I knew Shot well, but I’d never witnessed him speaking that way to an ol’ lady before. He didn’t give me the time of day, but I always assumed it was because he didn’t mix well.
Now I knew it was because he was a dick.
“Don’t speak to me like that, Shot,” Kennedy told him icily.
“Shut the fuck up,” he muttered.
“Love how you’re brave when my ol’ man’s not here to witness your bullshit,” she shot back.
He glanced behind his shoulder at her, his face red with anger, and roared, “Will you shut the fuck up before I do it for you?”
We all stared at Shotgun, so shocked that we ignored the buzz of Sophie’s cell phone as a notification came in.
“You better get that,” Kennedy suggested, her stare narrowing as she kept it on Shot.
“Right,” Soph muttered, going into her purse to retrieve her cell before her stare lifted again. “Are you okay, Shotgun?”
He ignored her, muttering to himself under his breath, and the ugly feeling in my belly intensified, making it clench with nerves.
Sophie let out a tiny squeak and grabbed my hand tightly, turning her phone to allow me to see the message, all color draining from her face.
Cara: Cash on phone. Shot suspected of betraying club. Reno and Maze briefed. Hang tight! Boys are on the way. Stay cool, and don’t let him suspect anything!!!!!!!!
Sophie directed the screen toward Kennedy, and I watched her face pale. She leaned forward to take the cell phone and showed it to Kai, whispering something in his ear.
He looked up at his mom, his lip curling, and uttered, “Dad will sort it,” under his breath before murmuring something to Kady, whose eyes darted to Kennedy. Kai slid his arm around his sister, and I heard him mutter, “It’s okay, Kady. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
My throat heated, and my eyes drifted toward Shotgun.
What the hell was going on? What betrayal was he guilty of?
I started at the back of his head and breathed deeply, trying to calm my pounding heart.
Shotgun wasn’t a brother I’d had much to do with because, if I was honest, I got a snaky vibe from him. I’d been around enough liars and cheats to recognize them instantly. I wasn’t surprised he’d done something to piss the club off, but what I was surprised about was that nobody else had picked up on it, especially after Sophie told me about his role in John’s fight with Colt.
A cell phone suddenly rang through the car’s speaker system. Shot leaned forward, clicked a button on the in-car system, and barked, “Yo!”
Reno’s voice came over the speaker “Brother, Layla’s throwing up. Can we pull over for a minute?”
I held my breath.
Shotgun scraped a hand down his face. “I’ll meet you at the airport. No point in us all being late.”
“Already called Prez to ask what to do,” Reno argued good-naturedly. “He ordered us to stick together. He’d rather us be late than get separated. Colt will do somethin’ to the airline computer to get them to stick around.”
“Fuckin Colt,” Shot muttered.
There was a pause, and I bit my lip nervously, on the edge of my seat, waiting for Shotgun’s reply.
After a pause, Reno asked, “What was that, bro?”
Shot heaved out a breath. “Nothin’.” He checked his watch, then the mirrors. “Follow me. I’ll pull over as soon as it’s safe.”
“Gotcha,” Reno said breezily before the line went dead.
Sophie grabbed my hand again and squeezed. “Wonder what’s wrong with Layla,” she murmured out loud. “Lucky there’s a doctor in the house, though she’s probably picked up some of her kid’s germs. They’re little super spreaders at Sunny’s age. It’s always best to check it out though, just in case.”
Shot kept his mouth shut and began to slow down.
I tucked a lock of hair behind my ear with trembling fingers. Adrenaline coursed through my bloodstream so forcefully that my ears whooshed. With a conscious effort, I attempted to settle myself down, trying to think clearly.
We needed to get out of this car and over to the others without setting Shotgun off. There was safety in numbers; Reno and Maze were no doubt armed, so if we could lull Shot into a false sense of security, there was a chance we could get out of this shit show with no casualties. Both cars were filled with kids; we had to disable him somehow without them getting hurt.
“Wonder if Layla’s pregnant again?” Kennedy murmured thoughtfully as if she had no care in the world.
“It wouldn’t shock me,” I replied, trying to keep the conversation flowing as the car slowly came to a stop.
Keep it together, Elise, keep it together , I chanted in my head, throwing the door open. “Come on, Soph. I’ll help.”
“I’m gonna call Kit while we’ve stopped,” Kennedy declared. “Get out, kids. Dad will want to talk to you before we fly out.” She threw her door open. “If we call him now, we’ll have more time at the airport.”
“Gonna make a call,” Shotgun muttered, watching us all climb out of the car.
Without looking back, we all walked toward the car behind us, which was slowing to a stop. My stare automatically slid to the SUV Maze was driving, which was pulling up behind.
The walk took about ten seconds, but every step felt like I was moving in quicksand. My limbs felt heavy, and panic rose in my throat. I had to remember we had two men, likely armed, and two cars full of women, one who was badass and the others who’d had badass training. Plus, I could bitch slap with the best of them and, given half the chance, would pull Shotgun's long hair out at the root before kicking him in the balls.
I pulled my shoulders back and walked with purpose.
We could do this.
Reno exited his car and jerked his chin toward the back, silently guiding us where he wanted us to go. He plastered a grin on his face and put his sunglasses on, as if he were some movie star. “Yo, Shot!” he yelled at the other car. “You got any smokes?”
Shotgun called something back, and Reno nodded, shouting, “No problem, bud.” He turned back toward the SUV and fell into step beside us. “The boys are five minutes away. We got a twenty-minute head start, but we stayed under the speed limit. The boys are doin’ a hundred at least, so they’ve caught us up. Get to the car, make out you’re sorting Layla, and if anything happens, you keep your heads down. I’m packing, and so is Maze, and Layla’s got my spare gun. Ammo’s full, but it’s all we have.” He checked his watch, “Four minutes now. Get in the car and keep the kids close.”
Sophie and I exchanged worried glances. “It’ll be okay. Help’s coming,” I assured her quietly.
“I know,” she whispered back. “But if shots are fired, please don’t jump in front of a shower of bullets this time, Mom. My heart can’t take it.”
Somehow, her words hit the spot, and I smiled. “I won’t.”
A soft moan carried over the breeze as we approached the SUV.
“Is that Layla?” Kennedy asked, studying the SUV we were heading toward and squinting her eyes.
Sophie’s eyes bugged out. “I think so.”
“She needs to lay off the moaning,” Kennedy muttered. “She sounds like she’s the lead in a porn movie.”
Reno’s head tilted back, and he muttered something under his breath.
Despite myself, I almost giggled.
“Who’s he talkin’ to?’ Reno asked, jerking his chin toward Shotgun.
“Don’t know,” I replied. “I wasn’t hanging around to find out, either. All I know for certain is that he’s bad news. We suggested turning the car around and going back to the clubhouse, and he lost his shit. Something’s not right, Reno; I’ve got a bad feeling.”
“Me too,” Reno muttered. “Why’s he on his fuckin’ cell instead of out here with us, protecting the women? I prospected with him, Chappy, and Break. We’ve been brothers for a lotta years, and I know him well enough to see that the shifty bastard’s up to no good. Get in the car with Layla and Cara, and keep your eyes peeled. I’ll phone the clubhouse.”
Approaching the SUV, I gave him a grateful smile, pulled the door handle, and froze at the sight before me.
Layla lay across the back seat, furiously typing on her cell, moaning out loud.
“Get in,” Cara hissed, pointing to the call she held to her ear. “I’ve got Cash on.”
“The men are on their way,” Layla added. “Hendrix’s men are closest.”
Cara waved at Layla to be quiet and explained, “Cash has a line to Hendrix. They’re just a few minutes out.”
“What happened,” Sophie demanded quietly. “Why do they suspect Shotgun of betraying the club?”
“They found out he was over in Mapletree at a hangout of the Sinners last night, and there’s no explanation why.”
“He was weird in the car, too,” Kennedy informed them. “He jumped down our throats when we suggested turning the car around.”
“Did you hear that?” Cara asked Cash. After listening to him briefly, she looked up and murmured, “He thinks there’s something going on…” A distant sound of tailpipes filtered across the air, and Cara’s eyebrows drew together. “Is that a motorcycle?”
“Yeah,” I replied, my heart beating out of my chest.
Cash must have barked something to Cara because her eyes slashed toward us, widening with horror. “He says it’s not Hendrix. They’re still two minutes out.”
Cara’s words sent a chill down my spine.
If it wasn’t Hendrix and his men, then who was approaching us? My thoughts raced, thinking of the possibilities, but there was only one I could come up with.
The rumble of motorcycle engines grew so loud they seemingly vibrated through the SUV. I glanced around the girls, seeing my own terror reflected in their eyes.
“Get down and stay quiet,” I hissed.
Everybody ducked as low as they could.
Kennedy pulled Kai down with her while I tugged Kady toward me. I covered her body with mine as the roar of bikes reached a crescendo outside. “It’s okay, honey,” I whispered reassuringly. “Stay low and stay quiet—” I was cut off by a sudden explosion of gunshots, then I heard Reno yell Maze’s name just before women’s screams filled the air.
I stared up at the window, my body frozen with shock. More gunfire exploded around us, and Reno bellowed something my mind was too petrified to make sense of. The shaking in my hands traveled through my body, and I reached out to touch Sophie, who was in a huddle with Belle, Ned, and Kai.
A click sounded through the car, and my eyes shot to Layla, who held a gun in her hand. “I’ll kill anyone who comes for us,” she muttered, cuddling Sunny and Willow into her.
More gunshots went off, and I cried out as one of them pinged off the SUV.
Wails filled the car as the twins awoke in their car seats and began to scream.
Layla scrambled for them, murmuring words of comfort as more gunshots thundered around the vehicle.
I heard Cara whispering to Cash how much she loved him over and over again, and my heart burned. Tears sprang to my eyes as I lay inside that SUV and prayed to God to take me and let the girls and all the children be okay.
“Cash said to hold tight,” Cara whispered. “Hendrix is a minute away. We’ve just got to stay calm until—”
A high-pitched whistle pierced the air, and my body jerked at the nasally-toned voice that followed.
“Bitches, out of the car. Be quick, and bring the kids with ya.”
Craning my neck up, I peeked out of the window. My heart seized when I saw a short, stocky guy approaching. His hair was buzzed, and he had a huge tattoo covering one side of his face. My stomach sank when I saw his leather cut with the skull with flames coming out of it.
The Burning Sinners.
I clutched Sophie’s hand, meeting her frightened gaze. “We don’t have a choice,” I confessed reluctantly. “We have to get out. Move slowly and take your time. Hendrix will be here soon. Keep calm and stay behind me.”
“Cash said I have to keep him on the line,” Cara stated. “He wants to hear everything so he can relay it to Hendrix and his men in real-time.”
I took a few deep breaths to calm my racing heart, then I straightened and slid my ass across the seat before gingerly opening the car door and waiting for Sophie to gather Belle in her arms and follow me, along with the rest of the girls and kids.
The biker watched us emerge from the car, leering at us with his gun aimed forward. He flicked it toward a group of bikers who were kicking Reno, who lay face down on the ground. Iris and Sera sat on the ground with the other ol’ ladies and kids from Maze’s car. A few were huddled together, crying. The sound of the kid’s sniffles traveled over the breeze, and my heart shriveled painfully inside my chest.
The third SUV was about twenty feet away. My stomach churned when I saw the windows on the inside covered in blood. I glanced around trying to locate where Maze was.
“Move it.” The biker jerked the barrel of his gun again. “Over there with the others.”
We obeyed and slowly, began to walk.
“Jesus,” Cara hissed, jerking her head left. “Is that Ashley?”
The road on the far side of the SUV came into view, and I saw a woman lying on her back in the road with blood pooling all around her body. Her eyes were open, and she stared blankly at the sky.
A wave of recognition washed over me, and my chest filled with pain for Fender’s wife who lay dead. My wide-eyed stare slid to the SUV where Maze’s body was half-hanging from the driver’s seat. The blood on the windshield was obviously his, seeing as he had half his face blown off.
Sophie and I shot each other a horrified look.
“Can I see if I can help them?” Sophie asked beseechingly. “I’m a doctor.”
The rest of the Sinners began to laugh.
“Move it,” the Sinner ordered, his tone steely. “Don’t got all day.”
“Please, sir. I need to go back for my sons. They’re just babies,” Layla begged.
Looking between them both, I called, “She’ll need help. They’re newborns; she can’t manage them both by herself.”
He jerked a nod. “Make it quick, and don’t try anything or you’ll end up like them.” He jerked his gun toward Maze and Ashley.
I waited for Layla to pass Sunny and Willow off to Sophie and Cara, then, grabbing her hand, I pulled her back toward our car and murmured, “Someone will be here to help soon; we need to stall them.”
She gave me a small nod, tears filling her eyes. “I hid the gun in my purse. As soon as help gets here, we’ll take cover behind the closest SUV and wait it out. If any of them come for us, I’ll shoot them. They killed Ashley and Maze. I won’t let them hurt anybody else.”
We approached the car, going to opposite doors so we could each grab a baby. I leaned inside and unstrapped Byron from his child seat, watching Layla transfer the gun from her purse to the diaper back. “Don’t take any chances,” I said under my breath. “You’ve got four kids. Give me the gun.”
“I’m the best shot,” she breathed, unclipping the restraints and gently lifting Finley from his seat. “I know what I’m doing, Elise. Bowie and Soph trained me.”
Sliding my hands under Byron’s tiny armpits, I carefully pulled him into my arms.
Layla was right—she was the best shot out of the women—but I still had a bad feeling about her getting involved. All the women were strong in their own ways—I’d even say they were badass, but barring Sophie, we weren’t trained on the same level as the men. For thirty years I’d survived Robert and his brutality, but it was purely because I’d learned to pick my battles wisely, and this was a battle I didn’t want her, or any of the others, involved in.
My mind went to Ashley lying dead on the road, and my heart clenched painfully. The thought of the same thing happening to Layla made me ache inside.
Ashley had left behind a man who adored her and three beautiful kids. I didn’t want that for my daughter or my granddaughter. Bowie and Layla had become dear to me—all John’s kids and partners had. If anything happened to any of them, I wasn’t sure John would ever be the same again.
Losing any of them would shred him.
We had to be smart and play along until help came.
“Don’t do anything until the guys get here, and even then, only shoot if it’s unavoidable,” I cautioned, falling into step next to her and making our way back to the group.
“It’s okay,” she whispered back. “I’ll be careful.”
My gaze fell on Shotgun, who stood talking to the Sinner holding the gun, and acid filled my gut.
The mere sight of the traitorous bastard made me yearn to walk up to him and slap his face. It was his fault Ashley and Maze were dead. The piece of shit had betrayed his club and his brothers, and I knew John well enough to also know he wouldn’t rest until Shotgun got what he deserved.
Thirty years ago, the thought of John taking revenge would have horrified me. Now, after everything I’d experienced, I believed some people were pure evil. Shotgun got into bed with men who abused women and children. In my book it made him as bad as them.
By betraying the club, Shotgun had put Willow, Sunny, Belle, both sets of twins, and all the other club kids in danger. These were the children of the men he’d stood shoulder-to-shoulder with for years, the children of the brothers who had supported him.
I glanced down at a now sleeping Byron in my arms.
Shotgun had made his bed, and I hoped to God that the Demons would make him lie in it.
As we approached the group of ol’ ladies, I began to catch snippets of the men’s conversation. Another Sinner walked toward them and shouted, “Van will be here in less than a minute.”
The dude with the gun twisted his head to study the group of women. “Bear’ll be over the damned moon with this haul. The Demons’ women are good lookin’ and the kids are ripe. We’ll get a fuckin’ fortune for ‘em.”
Iris let out a soft cry and pulled Sera closer.
The Sinner cocked his head. “It’s okay, even old bitches like you will fetch some cash. That’s a kink in itself.”
Chuckles sounded from the other men.
Glancing at Iris, my chest hardened when I noted her terrified expression.
She wouldn’t be scared for herself; her worry would be for the women and especially the kids. My friend had survived the most awful abuse at the hands of the Sinners, and she’d worked hard to live a full life afterward, even though they took something precious from her. But I knew being captured this way would have an adverse effect.
I sighed in frustration while praying for the guys to hurry up and get here before the Sinners’ van did. Once they had us contained and away from the scene, I knew the odds of us getting away would drop considerably.
My heart sank when I heard the sound of a clunking engine in the distance. My gaze slid to Sophie, whose face paled at the sound of the van getting closer as she cuddled Belle and Willow into her chest.
Kennedy pulled Kady close and slid an arm across Kai’s shoulders while he murmured something to Sunny, who grabbed his hand, her huge eyes taking up half her face.
My head whipped around just as an old Chevy Express came speeding around the corner. The van used to be white, but the dirt packed onto it gave it a grey hue.
“Your ride’s here, ladies,” Shotgun called out, laughing.
Turning back to face him, my eyes narrowed. “The Demons know what you’ve done, Shot. You’re a dead man.”
His lip curled. “Not as dead as you, bitch. Did I forget to mention that you’re goin’ back to your husband? He’s got plans for you.”
My blood turned icy in my veins. “I’ll die before I go back to him.”
He cocked his head. “I can arrange that, too. Cut out the middleman.”
My lips twisted in disgust.
Layla grabbed my free hand, her eyes glued to the van coming toward us. “Take the baby,” she whispered urgently.
My brows drew together, and I murmured, “Okay.” I bent my elbow, waiting for Layla to transfer Finley to me.
As soon as her son was safe in my arms, she whispered, “Cover me.”
I took a step to shield her body, watching her hand slide toward the diaper bag, which was hitched over her shoulder. “No, Layla,” I protested, heart in mouth. “It’s too dangerous.”
“The van,” she muttered, holding the gun down next to her thigh. “Hendrix is driving it. Get ready and run for cover. Take my boys, grab my girls, and keep them safe.”
“Layla—”
She looked at me, tears filling her eyes. “Go to the others and warn them—”
A deafening bang ricocheted through the air, and I watched, eerily fascinated, as a black hole appeared between the eyes of the Sinner standing with Shotgun. Blood exploded from the back of his skull, then he sunk to the floor.
Shotgun stared at him, then he looked around urgently, his face reddening as four men jumped from the back of the van and began shooting at the Sinners.
“Take cover!” I bellowed as more gunshots peppered the air. I ran for the women, holding a baby in the crook of each arm. “Get behind the cars.”
Every ol’ lady grabbed a kid, some two, and sprinted for the SUVs.
I followed, crouching down the minute I got behind the vehicle as more gunshots rang in my ears. “Take the boys,” I yelled. “Somebody take the boys.”
Sera and Iris dived for me, both grabbing a screaming baby.
“Layla’s out there,” I told Iris. “Keep the kids safe and stay covered.” Without a thought, I jumped to my feet and raced from the back of the vehicle, heading toward Layla. My steps faltered at the sight before me.
Layla stood with her feet planted apart and her hands up in front of her, pointing the weapon at Shotgun. “On your knees, hands behind your head,” she called out in a clear voice.
Shot took a step toward her, his eyes never leaving Layla’s.
“Last chance,” she warned.
He took another step. “You won’t shoot me.”
Layla squeezed the trigger, and a loud bang sounded.
Shotgun yelled out in pain, blood pooling at the shoulder of his tee. “Bitch,” he bellowed.
Another gunshot cracked through the air, and Shot fell to his knees, blood oozing into the tee on his other shoulder.
“You killed Ashley!” Layla shrieked, firing the gun again.
The unexpected loud boom made me jump five feet in the air.
Shotgun let out a loud “Oof” and doubled over as blood appeared on the left side of his stomach. “Kill me,” he ordered, his voice rough with pain. “Fuckin’ do it.”
“I’m not killing you,” she bit out. “I’m giving you to John, and I hope he gives you to Fender. You killed Maze, and you fucking murdered Ashley. Fender’s your brother, Shot. Why would you do that? Why would you hurt her?”
I realized then that the shooting had stopped.
Whirling around, my eyes rounded when I saw all of the Sinners were laid face down on the road, hog-tied. Hendrix’s men moved in and took control within seconds of jumping from the van.
When Robert’s commandos turned up at the compound, I was half-impressed that he’d managed to recruit men who knew what they were doing. Except now that I’d seen these soldiers, they made Robert’s men look like amateurs.
All tall, built, and all wearing jeans and khaki military-issue tees under their cuts, I almost swooned like a Victorian lady with her corset pulled too tight. My head whipped around at the sound of a yelled greeting, and my mouth fell open as another guy sauntered from the field behind us, carrying a long rifle.
“Nice shootin’, Layla,” Hendrix shouted over.
She almost preened. “I’ve been practicing.”
He waggled his eyebrows. “I see that.”
Butterflies appeared in my stomach at the sight of his beautiful grin. Hendrix sauntered toward us, holding his hand out toward Layla. “We need to get rid of the gun.”
The guy from the field approached and called out in his British accent, “How did I do?”
“Right between the eyes,” Hendrix confirmed taking the gun from Layla’s grip and sliding his arm across her shoulders for a hug.
I heard movement and voices behind me. I craned my neck to see the other ol’ ladies and kids had come out of hiding. Sophie and Iris were heading over to Maze’s car. My girl checked the driver’s seat before turning to Iris and shaking her head. Then, they both headed toward Ashley.
Sophie got down on her haunches and checked Ash’s wrist for a pulse.
I knew she wouldn’t find it.
Sophie stroked her fingers down Ashley’s cheek, then she closed the dead woman’s eyes at the same time as Iris looked to the ground, shaking her head.
My throat thickened.
Losing Maze was bad enough. I didn’t know him well, but he was a quiet man who came from the Vet Center in Grand Junction to work for the club's building company. His loss would be a huge blow to John, but losing Ashley would destroy him purely because she was an ol’ lady, a wife, and a mother, who never asked to be involved in the war.
“Sophie,” Hendrix called out.
My daughter stood and began to walk toward us.
“Can you keep Shotgun alive?” he inquired.
Her eyes slashed toward the traitor, still lying on the floor but now awake and moaning in pain. “Why?” she asked on her approach.
“Prez will want to question him,” he muttered, his lip curling as he looked down at Shot. “There’s retribution to be sought, too. Traitors don’t get quick, painless deaths in our world.” He walked over to Shotgun, crouched down, and grabbed his hair, smashing the back of his skull on the asphalt.
Shotgun’s eyes rolled into the back of his head.
“Men who kill defenseless women and sell kids to traffickers don’t get a quick death either. In fact, they die writhing in pain.” Hendrix stood, pulled his boot back, and kicked Shotgun hard in the side of the head.
Shot yelled out a curse.
Iris walked over with Kennedy and Cara, dragging a large blanket with her. “Can your boys cover Ash up?” she asked, her tone filled with sadness. “Her youngest is here, and I don’t want her to see her mom like that, even if she is only three. Put Maze next to Ash; he’ll look after her.” A lone tear tracked down her cheek.
Hendrix gave Iris a sad smile and moved to her. “We’ll take care of it, Rissy.” He used his forefinger to tip her chin up. “We’ll give ‘em both the respect they deserve.” He stuck his thumb and forefinger in his mouth, and a loud whistle pierced the air.
His men looked around at him expectantly.
“Lay those two poor souls together. Cover ‘em up and give ‘em their dignity.” He laid a gentle kiss on the top of Iris’s head, took the blanket, and walked toward his men, barking orders as he went.
“Poor Ashley,” Iris murmured. “Fender’s going to be devastated.”
“So’s Billy,” Ned added. “She was his sister-in-law. He loved her for his brother.”
We all watched in silence as Hendrix and his men gently pulled Maze from the car and laid him beside Ash. They took a corner of the blanket each and laid it over the bodies.
“John’s going to blame himself,” I told the girls.
“All the men will,” Cara replied. “But the only person to blame is Shotgun. He’s been sleeping with the enemy.”
“We need to be there for them,” Layla declared. “Their minds need to stay on the job at hand. Today was only the beginning of this damned war. If our men’s heads aren’t in the game, they’ll put themselves in danger. Tonight, we spend time with them, we show them what’s important, and above all else, we’ve all got to be there for Fender and the kids.”
Layla’s words swirled through my brain, and I swallowed down the emotions threatening to overwhelm me.
Layla was right. John would need me more than ever now.
It was time to show him how much I’d changed. Thirty years ago, I wouldn’t have had the first clue about how to support the club after such a tragedy. I’d been cocooned and wrapped in cotton wool by everybody around me, even John.
It wasn’t about the past or even the future. It wasn’t about John and me, our relationship. It was about the here and now and doing the right thing for my friends in the club.
Ashley and Maze’s deaths were going to impact everybody, and it was my turn to give them back the same thing they’d given me since I’d been here.
All the love and support I could muster.