Chapter 10 Ginny
I t was quiet when I opened my eyes, a bit disoriented from how deeply I’d been sleeping. I pushed the blanket aside and slid from the bed, stopping in the bathroom before I left the bedroom to find Brick.
“Hey,” he greeted me as I entered the kitchen. “I’m grilling steaks. You hungry?”
“Starving,” I admitted as I followed him outdoors to the patio.
“They’ll be ready soon.” He gestured to the swing. “Have a seat. What do you want to drink?”
“What’s my choices?”
“Well, not much besides alcohol. Water, lemonade, and sett tea.”
“Sweet tea.”
“I’ll be right back.”
Brick entered the house, and I looked around for Mike and Dagger. I didn’t see anyone else or any sign they were here.
Did something happen?
When Brick returned, I took the bottle of tea he offered. “Thanks. Are we alone?”
“Yeah. Dagger rode back to Vegas to see his son and Audrey.”
His ex-wife. The one he still loved.
“Are they in danger?”
“Baby, everyone associated with the Desert Titans has a target on their back right now. It’s not just me and you.”
Well, shit. I should have realized that. “Are we riding to Vegas too?”
He shook his head. “No. For now, we stay here where it’s safe, and the Crimson Skulls don’t know where we are.”
“And you trust Mike?”
I didn’t know who he was or how Brick or Dagger knew him.
“He’s Audrey’s brother and a cop. So, yeah, we trust him, but he’s also not Dagger’s number one fan.”
That made sense.
“Where did he go?”
“To the station to look into the Crimson Skulls. We need to know what he can find. He’s got access we can’t get, legally anyway.”
“Ah. Well, I’m not opposed to having a cop help us out.”
“Technically, he’s a sheriff for Humboldt County. About the only badge I’d ever trust, to be honest.”
“You’ve known him a long time, then?”
“Since Dagger met Audrey. It’s been about twenty years.”
“Oh, wow. You and Dagger grew up together. I remember. I just didn’t realize he met Audrey so long ago, but he’s got a teenage son, so that makes sense.”
Brick turned the steaks over and then faced me. “I said I’d be transparent. This is me doing that. You should know the Crimson Skulls rode by Audrey’s place this morning. They’re targeting families again like they did fifteen years ago.”
“When they murdered my father.”
“Yes.”
“It’s been six weeks, Brick. What the hell is going on? Why haven’t we heard anything?”
“I’m beginning to wonder the same thing. We should have been able to find and capture a CSMC member by now to shake down and gather intel. The silence is odd. I’m just as concerned as you are.”
“Then we should eat and head back to Vegas.”
“It’s a thirteen-hour trip, baby. You’re in no condition to ride that long, especially overnight.”
Thinking about Vegas made me wonder about my family. Were the Crimson Skulls trying to intimidate or scare them, too?
“Have you spoken to my mom or Uncle Trig?”
“No.” He opened the grill and checked the steaks, pulling them from the heat. He added roasted vegetables and ticked his chin toward the house. “Let’s discuss this while we eat.”
I sighed, following him indoors. “I’m calling home first.”
“Go for it.”
I dialed my mother’s number, frustrated when it rang about six times before going to voice mail. “She’s not answering.”
“Try Trig.”
I couldn’t get ahold of him either—more voice mail. I left a message asking him to call me back. Brick had given me a burner phone weeks ago, and that was how I kept in contact with my mom and uncle. They always answered.
“Something feels weird,” I confessed, picking at my steak.
“You know, I feel it too.” Brick picked up his phone and dialed a number. I heard who it was when voicemail confirmed it was Judge. He tried a second time without success. “Fuck.”
“What if they’re all being attacked right now?” I asked, trying not to panic. “I can’t lose my mom and uncle the way I lost my dad.”
“I know, baby.” Brick shoved to his feet. “We can’t think the worst. That won’t help either of us. We’re too fucking far away to be any help.”
“Not if we ask Big Mike to send help. He could ride to Vegas with us.”
Brick seemed to be considering the option. “Still leaves you vulnerable.”
“I can handle myself.”
“Ginny, this is serious. There’s already a hit on you. If you’re seen, you die.” He rolled his shoulders and popped his neck, growing agitated. “Not a fucking option.”
“We’re not going anywhere.” Me and the baby belonged with Brick. “But the people we both love and care about could need us right now. We can’t be this far from Vegas.”
“I won’t take you on a ride that long. It’s too risky.”
I wasn’t debating that. “Does Mike have another vehicle?”
“His police cruiser.” Brick’s lips twitched. “I’d take it, but that still places you in a vulnerable position. No risks.”
Ugh. “I need to see my mom.” She didn’t even know I was pregnant yet. I waited to tell her because I wanted to deliver that news in person.
“Ginny.”
“Please, Brick. Call Mike. Ask him to come with us.”
“Fuck, baby. Don’t look at me like that.”
I moved closer, sliding my palms up his chest before looping my arms around his neck. “Please. We need to know that our friends and family are safe.”
His lips brushed mine. The kiss was sweet and tender, but I could feel his inner turmoil.
“You’ll be with me every moment.”
“Fine. My rules. You fucking listen and obey me, Ginny. I mean it.”
“I know.” I kissed him back. “I will.”
“I’m not taking you to the clubhouse or your mom’s. I’ll make arrangements for you to meet at a safe location. She can come to you with a club member for an escort.”
“What about Uncle Trig?”
Brick snorted. “He can take care of himself.”
Yeah, I knew that already. My grandfather had been a tough man, and he raised Trig and Hesh to be men who could defend their families, honor, and the club. Trig never joined the Desert Titans, but he was welcome among them. Brick revealed that information weeks ago around the holidays.
“Thank you. This means a lot to me, Brick.”
“I know, Babygirl. That’s the only reason I’m working it out.”
“TRY HIM AGAIN,” MIKE suggested, keeping his eyes on the road as he spoke.
“I am.” Brick dialed again, growing increasingly agitated with the lack of information or connection. “I’m not getting through to any members of the club. Not a fucking one.”
“I’m sure they’re all in church or handling business,” I assured him, reaching for his hand to give his fingers a squeeze.
“Baby, someone would have answered or texted me back.” He shook his head. “My gut is twisting. Got the worst feeling.”
I did, too. I didn’t want to worry him further, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong and we needed to return to Vegas. That persistent thought hadn’t gone away. “I guess you won’t be able to get ahold of Dagger, huh?”
“No. He won’t be checking his phone unless he stops, but when he does, he’ll see my texts.”
Dagger would arrive in Vegas about three hours ahead of us, but he wasn’t going to the Desert Titans clubhouse. He would ride directly to Audrey and his son. They were his priority, and that was understandable.
“Mom isn’t answering, and neither is Uncle Trig.” I swallowed hard, clenching his hand. “They wouldn’t ignore me, Brick.”
“I know, Ginny.” He lifted my hand and kissed it. “Whatever is happening, we need to be ready.”
“Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.” My dad used to say that phrase often. It guided him in times of turmoil and uncertainty. Life in the club taught him to be ready for anything, and he excelled at it.
Knowing what I did now about his position as cleaner, it made sense. He saw the worst of society and was trusted to protect the club no matter what occurred. All members did so to some extent, but Hesh was the man who ensured they didn’t take the fall for it.
The ride to Vegas was the longest of my existence. When I left six weeks ago, I never thought I’d be rushing back with the Crimson Skulls still wanting me dead and their members actively hunting me. It was terrifying, but I couldn’t stay hidden forever, and my family was in the same danger. Separating us solved nothing.
About three hours outside of Vegas, Brick got a call that changed everything.
Dagger had reached Audrey’s house. His frantic call nearly froze the blood in my veins. “Brick! Those motherfuckers got to Audrey!”
Brick clenched the phone, staring into it with fury. “Is she okay? Where’s Chris?”
“Audrey’s gone! They took her!”
No!
“Fuck!” Brick yelled. “Where’s your son?”
“Here.” Dagger’s voice sounded pained. “They beat him, Brick. My boy.”
Brick closed his eyes briefly, and I could tell he was trying to keep his shit together. “You take him to a hospital.”
“Already called an ambulance. It’s on the way.”
In the background, I could hear sirens.
“I’ve got to get Audrey back, Brick. I don’t know what they’ll do to her.” His voice broke.
“Dagger,” I whispered, my heart breaking for him, Audrey, and Chris.
“I’m still a few hours out. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“No,” Dagger argued. “Get to the clubhouse. I still can’t reach anyone.”
“Dag, if they attacked your place,” Brick began.
“They probably attacked Ginny’s and the clubhouse too.”
Oh, God! “Brick!”
“I know, baby. We’ll go there first.”
“Gotta go, man. Paramedics are here.”
“You need me, call. I’ll let you know what I find.”
“Will do, brother.”
They ended the call, and Brick rolled his shoulders. “Mike.”
“On it,” he replied, already pressing on the gas and speeding in the hammer lane, urgency riding his features.
Brick tugged me closer as my thoughts spiraled. How could this happen? Why weren’t the Desert Titans prepared?
“You want me to send a squad car to the clubhouse, Brick?” Mike glanced his way as he gripped the steering wheel.
“No. Whatever I find, I want to be there first.”
“Christ, Brick.”
“Ginny, baby, you stay close to me.”
I nodded.
“Whatever happens, you don’t leave my sight.”
“Okay.”
Brick turned back to Mike. “We’re gonna need you with us as backup.”
“I know. That’s why I’ve got my badge and gun,” Mike informed us.
Thirty minutes outside of Vegas, my phone rang.
I swiped across the screen, answering with an anxious hello.
“Ginny!”
“Mom! Are you okay?”
“Don’t go home!”
What? “Why? What’s happening?”
“I love you! Don’t go ho — ”
The call dropped. Shit!
“Brick,” I whined, worried for my mom and Uncle Trig. “Is she safe? What’s happening!?”
Brick grasped my chin and forced me to stare into his eyes. I knew I probably looked as panicked as I felt. “Baby, breathe. If I know anything, it’s that Trig is fucking smart, and he’ll protect your mom with his life.”
“Do you think they’re okay?”
“Yes,” he answered without hesitation. “He took your mom underground.”
Underground? “What does that mean?”
“There’s shit you don’t know about your Uncle Trig. He’s got connections from the time he spent as a Seal. Government ties. He’ll be able to disappear until he can resurface safely with Ciara.”
Wow. How many secrets did my family have? My dad was a cleaner in a motorcycle club. My uncle was a sniper in the Navy. I knew he went on top-secret missions and traveled the world. I guess it wasn’t too shocking that he made friends in high places.
“I’m scared,” I admitted, turning my body toward Brick. I needed his comfort, strength, and protection.
“I know, Babygirl. I’m here.” He lowered his head and kissed me. “You’ve got two armed men in this car who won’t let anything happen to you.”
“That’s right,” Mike added.
It felt like I was living a nightmare. When would the chaos stop?
“Brick, what do you want to do? I’m near to Vegas.”
“Someplace to drop you and Ginny. I’ll take the truck to the clubhouse alone.”
Mike shook his head. “No fucking way. You could be walking into a trap.”
“I know I am. Doesn’t matter. I need to know, Mike.”
“Not alone.”
“I agree. Not alone, Brick.”
“I won’t risk you,” he snarled.
“You don’t have a choice. What if they’re being attacked right now? Every minute we delay means someone could die.”
“And that someone won’t be you,” Brick growled.
“I’m driving to the clubhouse, Brick.”
“Mike, you fucking bastard!”
“She won’t be hurt. I’ll call for backup right now.”
And he did.
Brick sat in stony silence, glaring at Mike as he clenched my fingers.
All I could think about was the history between the Crimson Skulls and the Desert Titans MC. The feud. The bloody war that killed my father.
Fifteen years ago, they gunned him down. Within days, the rest of the members ensured they received justice. My father’s club, Brick’s club, spilled blood to avenge my father. They got everyone but Butcher because he was in prison.
Now, all these years later, Butcher was free.
“He’s getting payback, Brick.”
His gaze cut to me. “Who?”
“Butcher. He wants us all dead.”
I saw the realization as it settled inside his eyes. “Fuck, Ginny.”
I knew before we reached the DTMC clubhouse that we’d only find bodies inside. It was the reason my gut had been churning. The pregnancy had nothing to do with it, not this time. Since the moment we fled on that boat, I felt it.
Butcher was the new head of the Crimson Skulls. He’d become the president, and while the Desert Titans were unaware, he reformed the club and planned his revenge.
Nothing else made sense.
When Mike pulled onto the silent lot, Brick jumped out.
I remained in the truck, staring after him, my heart already breaking for what he’d find. I just never expected the extent to of Butcher’s hatred or how far he’d go to wipe us all from the earth.
Five seconds after Brick entered the building, the clubhouse exploded.