Chapter Twenty-Four #2
Her eyes darken just a tad, meeting my gaze through the broken wood. “The Misfits are going to strike tonight. They know about your ride and the shipment you plan on bringing in. They’re going to intercept it, but this time they plan on eradicating your club from existence in the process.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
She shrugs, looking toward the street when she hears the rumbling of a motorcycle. You can see the fear in her eyes, like she’s sensing her death before it’s even set in stone.
“Because it’s the right thing to do.”
“Why now? Why are you trying to help us after everything you’ve done in the past?”
She hugs herself again, trying to hide her fear behind those pathetic brown eyes. Eyes I still get lost in. Eyes I’d do anything for if she asked me.
“It doesn’t matter, Wes. Just promise me you won’t go tonight. You won’t live if you do.”
“I don’t believe you.”
She winces just a tad, then nods solemnly. “I’m not the kind of person you can trust. But trust me on this one, Wes. Don’t go tonight. Talk your club out of it somehow. Pick up your shipment another day. Just don’t go tonight. They’re ready for you.”
She starts to move toward the street, goosebumps rising along her forearms. “I gotta go.”
“Poppy, wait!”
“I can’t, Wes. If I stay, they’ll find out I tipped you off, and there’s no telling what they’ll do to me. I’m already on thin ice as it is.”
“Give me something else. Tell me something that shows me what you’re saying is true.”
She starts to back away, but keeps her gaze fixated on me.
“Warden and Sammie are back,” she shouts.
“But Arturo isn’t going to just give him back the club.
The hit tonight is supposed to prove Arturo’s worthy to lead.
If you fuck it up for him, they’ll be easier to take out later.
Trust me, Wes. I know I’ve lied to you in the past, but I’m telling the truth.
Be on guard tonight and protect yourselves.
It’s the only way your club is going to stay alive. ”
“Why do you care?”
She frowns. “I don’t.”
“Then why did you come?”
Her foot scrapes against the ground as she takes two cautious steps back. “Because of you. Because if the roles were reversed, you’d do the same exact thing.”
Damn… she’s so right.
“Promise me, Wes. Promise me you won’t get yourself killed.”
My hand hits the wooden plank, staring through the slat at her face that’s blotchy and covered in tears.
“And what about you? Can you promise me the same thing, Poppy?”
She wipes at her face, both of us knowing she can’t make that promise. “I’m already dead, Wes. They’re watching me. They know I’m here… and—”
“Let us help you, Poppy.”
She shakes her head. “There’s no way they’ll let me in after everything I’ve done, Wes. Just let me go. It’s better for both of us this way. At least now, I can die with a clear conscience.”
“You’re not gonna die, Poppy, I won’t let you.”
The corners of her mouth slightly lift before she starts to back away.
“You have to, Wes. It’s what’s best for us both.
” A single tear appears, falling silently down her cheek before the corners of her lips twitch into a smile.
“At least we both know what it’s like to have each other. Even if it was for only a moment.”
“Poppy, please. Let me help you.” My hand slams against the board, the fence slightly trembling. A hollow pit develops in my stomach, and I realize quickly it’s fear. Fear that I’ll never see her again. Fear that this is the end.
“Goodbye, Wesley.” The sound of another motorcycle revving has her taking off into a sprint, disappearing up the road before I can even stop her.
“FUCK!” I roar out, seconds away from chasing after her.
Fate has other plans for me.
“Hey, Voor, are you okay?” Drac questions, suddenly appearing behind me.
I jump at the sound of his voice, holding up my hands like I’m ready to hit him.
“Jesus, dude, what the fuck crawled up your ass?”
“I just saw Poppy.”
Instantly, his smile fades. “What do you mean you just saw Poppy?”
“She said she came here to warn us, and said if we show up to take the shipment tonight the Misfits have plans to take us out.”
“And you believe her?”
Scrubbing the back of my neck, I shrug. “Honestly, yeah. You didn’t see the fear in her eyes, man. She kept looking over her shoulder like someone was watching her, and she was fucking terrified. If they found out she tipped us off, I dunno, I think they may actually kill her.”
He doesn’t say anything, even though I can see the idea of her dying doesn’t bother him at all.
“So, we’re just supposed to take the hit and let them seize our shipment?”
“I dunno. But nothing about today has felt right. Things are off, and something tells me she’s not lying.”
Drac looks up at the sky and sighs. “Unfortunately, I think you’re right. Autumn just came in and told Phantom not to go tonight. She said Krueger told her something bad is going to happen.”
“See, as much as I hate to admit it, I think Poppy actually was sticking her neck out for us today. I just worry what’s going to happen to her because of it.”
Drac slaps my back. “She’ll be fine, Voor.
Poppy’s like a cockroach, the damn bitch won’t fucking die.
” He must see the anger in my eyes because he slowly backs away.
“I’m gonna call the ride off today and get Hannibal to run some reconnaissance for us.
If Poppy was telling the truth, the cameras will show it. ”
I nod, but refuse to say anything more.
He may not care if Poppy lives to see tomorrow, but I do.
And no matter what, even if it’s the middle of the night, if I know I can somehow keep her safe and out of harm’s way, I’ll do whatever I can to save her… even put myself in danger if I have to.