Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
Winter
Fang and I had an instant connection. I felt it at the haunted house before I ever knew his name. After my birthday pancakes, Fang drives us back to the carnival where things are still in full swing.
How long do they plan on keeping this place open? It’s almost midnight and people are still dancing and drinking. Every ride still has a massive line. Vibration from my skirt pocket has me reaching for my cell phone.
It’s a text from Jelly. One of many, I see.
Jelly:
Where are you?
Jelly:
You were supposed to text me to let me know you made it safe.
Jelly:
OMG, Win, where the hell are you?
Jelly:
Is he being nice?
Jelly:
Is Mr. Iron Devil giving you orgasms at least?
Jelly:
Ugh. You better text me back. Hell, I’d be happy with a thumbs up. Anything.
Jeez, this woman is relentless. On a positive note, I know she loves me. While Fang gathers a blanket from the trailer, I type a quick message to my bestie.
We went to Mick’s diner, like he mentioned before we left. Highly recommend. Can’t believe I’ve never heard of it.
We’re back at the carnival.
Jelly:
Where?
We’re on our way to the lawn. They’re playing horror movies from midnight to two.
Fang slips his hand in mine and guides me toward the lawn.
We are passing the food court when a scream sounds.
At first, I think nothing of it. I mean, we’re at a Halloween carnival.
People are drunk and having a blast on the rides.
It’s been a loud night thus far. Even I let out a scream when walking through the haunted house earlier.
It’s not until I hear a gunshot that I start to freak. My heartrate accelerates and beads of sweat dot my forehead. I immediately stop in my tracks. Fang does as well. His grip on my hand tightens and he yanks me behind him.
Dropping the blanket, he drags me behind one of the food trucks. The door to the truck swings open and a shirtless man with spiderman pants rushes out with a gun drawn. I gasp at the sight of the gun. Is he the one who fired the gun seconds ago?
Fang slaps a hand over my mouth. “It’s okay, that’s Haze. He’s one of us.”
Haze briefly gazes in our direction, then runs off toward the ruckus. Fang pushes me into the food truck. Immediately, he starts closing the windows and locking them in place. A second gunshot rings in the air, and I feel a panic attack coming on. “Fang?”
“Stay down,” he says. Reaching behind him, he pulls out a gun. Did he have that on him while we were at the diner? He moves some boxes out of the way and motions for me to crawl under the counter.
Crouching down, my heart punches against my ribs with worry for Jelly. My best friend is wondering around out there with no one to save her. “Is this really happening?”
“Yeah, babe, it’s really happening.” Handing me his gun, he asks, “Can you shoot?” Holding the gun with trembling hands, I shake my head. I’ve never touched a gun in my life. “Okay.” He positions the gun in my hand. “If anyone breaks in here, aim and pull the trigger.”
“I don’t think I can.”
“Your life is in danger.” He pulls open a drawer and retrieves a second gun, checking the magazine.
I think it’s called a magazine. All I know is he is checking the bullets.
“Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to fire.
I have to go help my brothers. Shoot anyone who breaks in, but please hold your fire if they use a key. ”
I nod. I wouldn’t want to kill any member of his club. Not without reason. “My friend?”
“I will do what I can to find her.” He starts shoving boxes in front of me to conceal my whereabouts. “In the meantime, I need you to stay put.”
Outside, I hear scattering footsteps and more screaming as people seek cover.
Fang places the last box in front of me then I hear the door close.
There’s another shot. It’s further away.
I wish Fang was here to hold me. To protect me.
But I know he needs to be out there to diffuse the situation.
God only knows how many casualties there are so far.
“Fang?” I cry out, but he’s gone. Vanished into the chaos. More gunshots ring in the air and I sob as quietly as I can. The last thing I want is to alert the shooter of my whereabouts. My phone buzzes and I slip it free to read the text.
Jelly:
Win, where are you? It’s chaos out here. There’s a whole gang out here shooting at the members of the Iron Devils.
Carnival music still filters through the speakers, eerie and adding to my rising panic.
A whole gang shooting at the Iron Devils? Oh, God. Fang. He’s running into danger. Of course, he went running into danger before knowing it was a gang shooting at his club members.
A breath catches in my throat, and a tear slides down my cheek. All I can hear is the beating of my own heart and the faint sound of the eerie Halloween track playing through the carnival speakers.
Another gunshot. This one closer. I grip the gun tighter, praying I won’t need to use it.
Instinct is telling me to run out that door and find Jelly. Find Fang. Instead, I stay hidden under the counter, frozen in place. The muscles in my legs start to cramp from being bent in an odd angle.
Buzz. Buzz.
Jelly:
Win, are you okay?
It’s hard to type with trembling hands, but I get a reply in.
I’m okay.
I almost told her where I was, but what if it’s one of those gang members and not Jelly texting me. There’s no way I’m giving out my location to a complete stranger. So, I call her. It rings twice before she answers. “Oh, thank God you’re safe.”
“Jelly, where are you?” I need to know she’s safely hidden from the madness.
Her voice is shaky, much like I imagine mine is. “I’m near the Ferris Wheel, hidden behind the control booth.”
“Can you see what’s happening?” I need to know that Fang is okay.
“Sort of.” She pauses when three more gunshots fire. “All the activity seems to be happening at the haunted house.”
I wish more than anything that I could go back in time and start this day over. There’s so much I would do differently, like never having come to this damn carnival. No, wait, that’s a lie. I would not have had the chance to meet Fang if I hadn’t come.
“Win, where are you?” My friend sounds tired and scared.
“I’m in a food truck, don’t worry about me.”
This night is one I will never forget. That’s for sure. Maybe I can use details from this nightmare in my next novel. Thus far, the books I’ve written have been sappy love stories. There’s been no horrific drama like that of tonight.
Footsteps hit the pavement outside. Heavy and growing closer to the truck I’m in. I end the call without a word and grip the gun with both hands. Waiting. Listening. The door rattles and I aim the weapon, my finger hovering near the trigger.
Thump, thump. Thump, thump. Thump, thump.
My heart pounds against my ribcage. Will I have the courage to pull the trigger?
Tears blur my vision, and I blink them away.
Then I hear it. A key. Fang said if they have a key, then it’s one of his brothers and I’m safe.
What if it’s not one of his brothers. One of those gang members could have stolen the key.
The lock disengages and I hold my breath. Above the pounding of my heart, I hear the door swinging open. My finger never moves, I’m ready to shoot if necessary. When the box in front of me moves, I straighten my arms and aim, my shaking finger on the trigger.
“Jesus,” his familiar voice whispers. “Don’t shoot.”
“Fang.” I drop the gun and push myself off the floor and into his arms. He catches me with ease. When I squeeze him tight, he grunts. Pulling back, I inspect him from head-to-toe. There, just above his collarbone, is blood. “Oh, my god, you’re hurt.”
“I’m okay.” He presses my head back to his chest and caresses my hair.
I try to resist, but his hold on me is strong. “We need to get you to the hospital.”
“No, I’ll have our doctor look me over when I get back to the clubhouse.” Fang kisses the top of my head. “Have you heard from your friend?”
“Yes, Jelly’s safe. She’s by the Ferris Wheel.” Since the shooting has ceased, I’m assuming the fight is over. “How are your brothers?”
“Ramon took a bullet to the leg, but he’s alive. Sinner’s got Zero and Haze covering the south side. We took out most of them and the rest scattered like roaches when they saw they were losing.” He takes a deep breath. “But I can guarantee you, this isn’t over. Not by a long shot.”
He sounds like he knows who is behind tonight’s threat. “Fang, do you know who those people were?”
There’s silence and I’m almost afraid of the answer. “They’re the Hollow Bones.”
“Hollow Bones?”
“They’re a rival MC.” He pauses, pulling back to look into my eyes. Torment darkens his brown pools to black. “They are responsible for the death of my father and my brother.”
Oh god. This poor man has lost so much. It makes my own heartache seem like a walk in the park. Now I feel foolish for dumping my problems with Billy on his shoulders. I don’t know how long ago their deaths were, but it’s clear it still haunts him.