Chapter 4
Falcon
After delivering the news of Raven, everyone was ready to go. A quiet fury had fallen over the room as I explained what I found out, and how little I knew. Hawk paced for what seemed like hours, seemingly holding it together with the exception of balling his fists so tight that his knuckles were white. He finally stopped and said he was going to head back and Eagle would take his place, but everyone stood and got their shit. We had to make more frequent stops for caffeine and to piss, but nobody was letting Hawk make the ride alone.
It was still up in the air if Hawk’s mom was okay or if she was also admitted. Red didn’t give me shit to go on. So instead of trying to pull info out of anyone since they were being tight-lipped anyway, we decided to just get back .
The ride was long and hard. The weather was perfect, traffic was light, and we didn’t pass one state patrol or cop. It would have been the best run in months, but even driving, you could feel the anger and tension pouring from us and we were all functioning off adrenaline and fury.
Every time we stopped to piss and down some coffee and No Doz, the people inside the gas stations, including the cashiers, had fear in their wide eyes. People’s reactions to us were always either flirty women, dudes sizing us up, or everyone scattered like roaches when the lights came on. But today, the rage we all exuded sent everyone into a paralyzed terror.
After adding a total of an hour to the ride due to all our stops, we finally drove past the small sign to our town. Once we got closer to the compound, Hawk and Eagle took off toward the hospital and I led the truck and Rooster home.
A few of the guys walked out and headed to the garage so they could pull it in. I parked my bike and walked over. “Hey,” I barked out.
Butch stopped in his tracks. He was an Enforcer and should have been called Thor if you asked me. He was probably bigger than that dude that played the God in the movie, but they had the same look, once he cut his hair off anyway. It was shaved on the sides, and he had a thick blond fauxhawk. He was also one of the fuckers who didn’t answer me last night.
“What the fuck happened?” I asked once I closed the distance between us.
He glanced around then leaned in. “Not sure man. Someone got a few shots off on Raven downtown. Got the call from Knox. It’s been a shit show ever since. With you and the others gone we didn’t want it getting out, so we kept it on the low, low.”
Goddammit. There hadn’t been any problems at home, so we left the Prez with an Enforcer and some of the long-time members to hold shit down. It hadn’t been an issue and Raven was the one who wanted to be sure the convoy had enough coverage.
“We need to get some ears on the street.”
“We need church,” he scoffed.
I clenched my jaw and took a breath. This was my brother, but giving that order wasn’t his place. “If Raven’s down, you know Hawk has to make that call.”
He looked around, feigning confusion. “Well, where the fuck is he?”
My hand went to his collar, and I jerked him closer until I was in his face. “Are you fucking serious?”
A hard blow went to the side of my face. Still holding onto his shirt, I gave it right back. Butch was a big fucker, but he still was out of line. We both got a few more hits in, not even having time to knock the other to the ground before Rooster was between us, shoving us apart. He said nothing, only glared at us with that crazy stare of his.
“Check yourself, Butch.” I rubbed at the sting in my jaw. “He’s at the hospital. We just fucking got back after driving two days straight with no fucking sleep. Let him make his peace with his old man. He knows the drill.”
Butch crossed his arms like nothing happened and his shoulders loosened. “You’re right. But we gotta regroup. This shit will get out fast, if it hasn’t already. Best time to attack is when shit’s hit the fan.”
“Attack? Who the fuck is attacking us? It’s been quiet for years.” I shook my head. We had the lockdown on the Southeast with alliances with all the known clubs. Nobody was dumb enough to fuck with us because of our size and those alliances. Raven built an empire worthy of a king.
“Well, maybe that’s why this happened. Someone wants to move in on our shit.”
Rooster cocked a brow, still not speaking. I raked my fingers through my hair. Was there someone new in town? Who the fuck would be stupid enough to try?
I headed to the garage to help secure the goods before I made my way to my room. I had to walk through the main floor to get there, though. It was cool having a bar area for the guys where we stayed, but when you were dead on your feet it sucked. Especially after our runs, everyone wanted to shoot the shit and all the bunnies treated you like fresh meat.
Pasting a scowl on, I flung the door open and headed to the bar where Squatch, one of our members, was nursing a beer while a bunny rubbed her tits on him. “Hey, when Hawk pulls in, wake me up.” The big, hairy fucker held a beer up in acknowledgement.
Sugar was behind the bar and leaned against it, pressing her boobs to her chin. “I’ll come wake you up, baby.” She licked her lips and I didn’t even try to stop the grimace. The bleached blonde wasn’t my type. And while the other guys may not mind fucking the same girl as their brother from the day before, it wasn’t my thing.
None of the bunnies proved to hold my interest enough to put them on my bike. And that’s exactly what they’d expect, or at least try to get, if I gave in. They all hung around trying to become an old lady.
I had no problem with one-night stands, but it was hardly that when they live where you did, or at least were always around. Even when you told them outright it was nothing but sex, they would smile and say they understood. Next thing you know they’re slapping another bunny for looking at you sideways. Too much fucking drama for some pussy.
Squatch smirked, then said, “I gotchu, brother. Fucked up what happened.”
Nodding as the adrenaline started to wane, I smacked his shoulder. “Yeah. I’m gonna pass out for a few. But get me when he’s back.”
I stalked through until I made it to the stairs then took two at a time. So much was going through my head so fast that I couldn’t process a thought. I worried I wouldn’t be able to sleep, but after I pushed my way into my room and slammed the door, exhaustion won and I fell onto the bed, boots and all.