Chapter 17 Saint
SAINT
“It’s not a detailed plan, but it’s a plan. All in favor?” Diesel asked.
“Can we go through it one last time just to be clear?” Bear asked.
Everyone groaned as I slid my hand through my hair.
“Bear, what aren’t you catching?”
“Well, the past three times we’ve discussed the damn thing, it’s taken place at three different times of day. So, why don’t we start there?” he asked.
Diesel sighed. “It’s taking place at night.
That’s our best shot. Especially if we put enough time between the raid we just did and our next one.
Our best bet is to do recon on the motels we know Norden owns.
That way, maybe we can fish out what his next moves are. Or where he’s gone next to rebuild.”
“Is there even the slightest chance he’s gone back to Nevada or wherever?” Ryker asked.
Cage shook his head. “Not a fucking chance. If anything, we’ve rattled his prison cell. He’ll be so pissed, he won’t leave until we’re completely eliminated. That’s how he works.”
“Which is why we need to take advantage of his chaotic mind right now. He’s probably spinning his wheels in another motel somewhere. We need to figure out which one and how many men strong he still is in this area,” Diesel said.
Bear nodded. “So, teams of three? That what I’m hearing?”
“Yep. Old guards’ gonna do recon on the motel we just raided. New guards’ gonna do recon on the motels we know he owns. One each night over the course of the next week. But a small team I put together is gonna stay behind at all times and protect this clubhouse. Just in case,” Diesel said.
“Got it now, Bear?” Toxin asked.
“Yep. Got it just fine. Thanks,” he said flatly.
With a clap of his hands, Diesel dismissed church.
Which was fantastic, because I was itching to get back to Amberly.
We’d been in that damn meeting for almost an hour, and I wanted to spend the rest of my time with her.
I knew she was scared. I knew she was frightened.
And, with the worst case scenario hanging over my head, I knew there was a chance she was still considering running.
But a tap on my shoulder pulled me from my trance.
“What’s up, Die—oh. Hey, Ryker,” I said.
“Can we talk?” he asked.
“Uh, sure. You… you good?”
“It’s about Amberly.”
I furrowed my brow deeply as he turned and walked off. I followed him down a small corridor, past the side door to the porch. Ryker opened it and we stepped out, listening as the waves crashed against the shoreline. But then, he pointed. And I saw exactly what he was pointing at.
“Where the fuck is my bike?” I asked.
“I saw Amberly leaving about twenty minutes ago. She probably found your spare keys you always keep lying around,” he said.
“Fucking Chr—”
A sound sputtered in the distance and my eyes widened. I’d recognize the sound of my bike anywhere. And when I whipped my head toward Ryder, he leapt off the porch. I rushed to keep up with him, listening as my engine stalled out in the distance.
“She must’ve walked the damn bike away before cranking it up,” I spat.
We ran over to Ryker’s bike and he kicked up the stand.
He dug around in his pocket before tossing me the keys, then quickly showed me a couple new installations he’d made recently.
Then, he patted me on the back. I didn’t know how the fuck I was gonna thank this man for letting me take his bike.
But I’d figure it out. And as I jammed the key into the ignition, I heard the sound of my bike’s engine quickly fading away.
“It’s coming from the northwest. She’s headed into town probably. Stick to the back roads if you don’t wanna spook her,” he said.
“I appreciate this. I’ll take good care of her,” I said.
Then, I pushed off and blazed a trail down the damn road.
As I raced down the road, trying to catch up with the sound, my worst fear started realizing itself.
My greatest fear was that she’d go back to Vlad because she felt like she had no other option.
And in the pit of my gut, I knew that was where she was headed.
The gun at my back pressed into my skin.
The gun at my ankle rolled over the bone.
I clocked the knives in my pockets, ready for a fucking showdown if that man rolled up on Amberly and made one nasty move toward her.
But if I could stop her before she got there, I would.
“Come on,” I murmured.
With each shift of the gears, the bike revved a little harder.
With each screeching turn, the bike wobbled a little more.
I turned off the main road and kept to the back roads, keeping an ear trained on the engine of my bike.
She was still far away. At least a mile ahead of me.
And every time I turned down an alleyway that drew me away from her, I backtracked like a bat out of the fires of hell.
“Where are you?” I murmured.
Finally, after speeding around the damn city for almost thirty minutes, I spotted her.
It was a quick motion, but enough to tell me where she was headed.
I saw her pull into the parking lot of a restaurant; and judging by the sputtering of the engine, I knew she’d ground down my gears.
That didn’t matter, though. The only thing that mattered was spotting Amberly and keeping an eye on her.
I stopped revving my engine and walked the bike across the road, trying not to make so much noise.
Even though Ryker’s engine was probably the most silent one I’d ever heard in my damn life.
I didn’t want to spook her. And if she was in trouble, I didn’t want to give Vlad—or whoever she was meeting—an excuse to hurt her.
Because they’d bleed out on the pavement if they did.
I walked the bike slowly around back, following the sound of my bike.
And when I saw Amberly park in a darkened parking space out back, I inched myself behind a massive truck.
Completely concealed, with a great vantage point to see what the fuck she was doing.
She was at a nice restaurant, too. One I wouldn't be caught dead in because their portions were never big enough for someone like myself. I sat there on Ryker’s bike with it propped underneath my legs just in case I needed to make a quick getaway.
Or follow after Amberly again.
I watched her as she put the kickstand down on the bike.
She completely turned it off, too. Which wasn’t a good sign.
I saw how nervous she was. The furrow of her brow.
The permeation of sweat against her skin.
She kept running her fingers through her hair.
Fluffing it out. Straightening her eyebrows.
She even got off the bike and straightened up her clothes.
She was trying to make herself look presentable, and that told me everything I needed to know.
She was definitely meeting up with that Vlad character.
“I’ll murder him if he lays a finger on you,” I murmured to myself.
If that fucker showed up, I’d intervene.
If he laid a hand on her, I’d down him in a second from where I was sitting.
But, if for some reason he didn’t show up?
I’d keep a tail on Amberly. Just to make sure she went back to the clubhouse.
I didn’t think Vlad would do anything, though.
This restaurant was packed for their lunch rush.
The parking lot was full and cars kept slowly driving by, trying to find parking spaces.
I got some ugly looks from people, too. Especially since I was taking up prime real estate on the side of the restaurant.
But they could go be pissed somewhere else.
I wasn’t sure whose idea it was to come to such a crowded place, but it was smart.
Either Vlad wanted it this way because he didn’t want her starting a scene, or she wanted it this way so he wouldn't pull anything. Either way, it’d keep both of them in check.
Which meant this might not turn out as bad as I figured it would.
Still, I was on my guard. Ready to jump, fire, cut, or race off at a moment’s notice.
Then, a thought occurred to me.
What if Vlad doesn’t show up alone?
I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket and dialed Ryker’s number.
If Vlad didn’t come alone, I’d be outnumbered.
Which would be a bad time for me and a very shitty time for Amberly.
I held the cell phone to my ear, watching as Amberly paced beside the truck.
And when the sunlight hit her just right, I saw the tears in her eyes.
I’m here, beautiful. You’re safe.
“You find her?” he asked, picking up the phone.
“I got her, yes. You know that fancy ass restaurant with the red shutters and literally no windows?” I asked.
“I fucking hate that place. Not enough food.”
“Exactly. I’m here, and I’ve got eyes on her. Can you get here in case I need backup?”
“Already heading out the door. You want me to bring anyone else?”
I paused. “Not right now. Not until I figure out what the fuck’s going on. I appreciate it, though. Thank you.”
“You know it’s never a problem. I’m on my way, man.”
“I’m parked on the left side of the building if you’re facing it head-on. Behind a dark green truck.”
“See you soon,” he said.
“Yep. See you soon.”