Chapter Seventeen. #2
“Because I love you, babe, it’s pretty simple,” I replied with a smile.
“Faggot’s lying, he’s fucking a man,” Matthews sneered, grabbing Allegra by the arm and shaking her.
“I know that, you putrid asshole,” Allegra snarled. “They’re both my boyfriends!”
Matthews stared, aghast.
It gave me a chance to study her. There was a bruise and a cut on her left cheek.
Angrily, I wondered which of these assholes slapped her.
Allegra’s scarf had been knocked off, and blonde fuzz covered her head.
Her hair had just started growing back. With concern, I spotted dried blood close to the original wound, and worry flooded me.
“Allegra, are you okay?” I asked.
“Yeah. I’m good.”
“Not for long. Where’s the culture?” Matthews demanded.
“Here.” I held out the box, and Matthews motioned one of the men to grab it. I let him take it, and Matthews crowed. Fuckin’ asshole.
“Allegra walks. Now,” I said.
“You don’t give the orders, you gay motherfucker!” Matthews spat furiously.
“You’re getting nothing else until she’s free. Kill her, and you won’t get anything,” I warned.
Matthews turned puce. He’d never liked having his authority challenged.
“Which of you beat my colleague, Ed?” I demanded, ignoring Matthews and ramping him up. The man hated being ignored. It was a total insult.
“Me,” Goon One answered. “What are you gonna do about it?”
“Who broke into the houses?”
“I did. Bet you and the faggot boyfriend didn’t like that,” Goon Two said.
“Didn’t do a good job, did you? Totally overlooked the safe,” I taunted.
Matthews turned like he was possessed. “What safe?”
“The one in the wall.”
“Bullshit, we tore the pictures off, there was nothing there.”
I laughed. “There was a false panel. You totally missed it. If you’d looked harder, you’d have seen it. All the documentation was in there.” That was a lie, but they didn’t know.
Matthews made spluttering sounds, and I chuckled.
“Inept. What idiot hires subpar criminals?” I said. Matthews snatched Allegra up and grabbed her by the throat.
I straightened.
“If Allegra’s harmed, I’ll tell you nothing,” I snapped.
“Whore likes to take two cocks. Has two boyfriends, the fucking deviant. I’ve got two men here, shall we see if she enjoys those cocks?”
Matthews ripped Allegra’s blouse, and both thugs’ eyes flew to her breasts. Allegra whimpered, and I acted.
I whipped the gun out and fired. Goon One hit the deck before anyone realised what was happening. Goon Two slowly raised his weapon, and I shot at point-blank range. He was dead before he hit the ground.
Matthews, the fat fuck, scrambled around shrieking and made for a dropped gun. I shot him in his shoulder, for Allegra, and Matthews went down but kept reaching. I fired twice more, for the twins, and his body jolted.
In the distance, I heard the roar of bikes.
Allegra stood in the middle of the room, shaking.
I rushed over, kicking the guns away from the bodies and wrapped her up tightly in my arms.
“It’s okay, I’m here,” I whispered. “Let’s get you out of here.”
Shotgun
The ride took barely twenty minutes. Thatch followed him as Shotgun rode toward the lonely house.
Shotgun saw his Hog and knew Rain was here.
As they neared, they heard several gunshots, and Shotgun’s heart leapt into his throat.
He skidded to a halt and jumped off the bike, letting it fall as he hurried towards the door with his own weapon out.
Two figures filled the entrance; Rain led Allegra outside.
Shotgun’s tightness eased as both of them appeared mainly unharmed.
“Baby,” he murmured, and Allegra looked up with tears in her eyes.
“I wanna come home,” she whispered.
“Whatever you want,” Shotgun said and opened his arms. Allegra rushed into them and clutched his cut as she cried.
Shotgun glanced over at Rain, and his gaze widened as he looked over his shoulder. His gun arm came up, and Rain stared at him in horror.
Someone fired, and then Shotgun did.
“No!” Shotgun screamed as he waited for blood to blossom on Rain’s chest. Allegra shrieked and ran back to Rain and started patting him over. Shotgun blinked as nothing appeared on Rain’s shirt.
“Oh God, where did he shoot you?” Allegra screeched.
Shotgun turned his head, and shock rushed over him as he saw Thatch with his arm extended and holding a weapon.
“I’m not hit, I’m okay,” Rain reassured Allegra as he moved her to the side of where Matthews lay.
Shotgun nodded and pointed to a corner away from the body.
Allegra didn’t need to see Matthews lying there with a bullet hole in his head and one through his eye.
Shotgun didn’t know whose bullet had done what, but understood that they’d both shot to kill.
“Are you okay?” he asked Thatch.
“Yup. Weren’t going to let him shoot my sister or the men she loves,” Thatch replied placidly. There was a coldness in Thatch’s eyes that sent a frisson of fear down Shotgun’s spine. Without a doubt, Shotgun knew Thatch had killed someone before. Allegra’s brother was hiding some serious shit.
Shotgun didn’t say anything as Thatch lowered his weapon, put the safety back on, and then set it down.
“Makes it easier for the cops,” he said before walking over to Allegra and wrapping her up in a tight hug.
Shotgun put his own down and looked up as he spotted Harleys riding towards him. He walked over to meet Chance and his club. This wasn’t the time or place to dig into Thatch’s mysterious secret.
Allegra
Despite Shotgun and Rain, alongside half my family, insisting I stay overnight at the hospital, I discharged myself.
I’d had a crack on the head, but there was no further memory loss, and apart from a headache, I was fine.
The police had taken our reports at the scene, though they needed a further, more detailed one from me.
Rain, Shotgun, and Thatch had all given statements and were waiting on me.
“I have to go home. The children need all of our support, but I have to see Jinx first,” I insisted.
Shotgun informed me what the prospect had done, and I’d cried. That poor man. He’d been admitted, and the doctors were worried about the condition of his feet. I already had Gramps flying in the best doctor for him.
Matthews had told me the plan. He’d planned to kill me and leave me for Rain to find somewhere, and then threaten Rain with the kids. Thanks to Jinx’s bravery, he’d foiled that.
The nurse informed me I had to use a wheelchair until I left the hospital, as it was policy. Growling all the way, I allowed Shotgun to push me to see Jinx.
The prospect had his own room, and Sailor sat outside playing guard. He nodded as Shotgun pushed us in.
“Hey,” I exclaimed, seeing Jinx awake. When I tried to get out of the chair, Shotgun held me down and wheeled me over.
“Sorry,” Jinx croaked, and his eyes filled with tears. “I had to choose and picked the kids.”
“You did the right thing. Never apologise for saving the twins. Anyone who says you should have done differently needs a bullet,” I stated.
“Did they hurt you?” Jinx begged.
“No. Just that initial blow to the head. I’m good, Jinx. Now listen. I’ve got a special doctor flying in to help heal your feet; you’ll do everything he tells you. When the doc discharges you, you’re coming home to us, not the clubhouse. We’re going to look after you,” I said.
Jinx shook his head firmly. “Allegra, I’ll be fine at the clubhouse.”
“Don’t insult me!” I snapped, and Jinx shut his mouth.
“You saved my life and my kids. That fucker planned to kill and leave me as a warning for Rain. Then use the twins to make Rain do as he wished. You taking them kept me alive. Now we’re planning to take care of you because we can’t ever repay you for your actions. ”
“Thanks,” Jinx whispered. His eyes filled with tears again, and I wondered when the last time Jinx had someone look after him. Sadly, I sensed it was a very long time ago.
“When you’re ready, we’re buying you a new Hog,” Shotgun said.
“Not got the money…”
“Didn’t say you were paying, brother. The least I can do is arrange a new ride, and it would be my honour. Ain’t arguing,” Shotgun stated. He reached out and clasped Jinx’s arm, and Jinx gripped his back.
“You saved my family. Doesn’t matter what happens, kid, we’re brothers. Ain’t nothing gonna change that.”
Jinx nodded, gratitude in his eyes mixed with fear. Shotgun didn’t question it; they all had secrets. Whatever Jinx’s was, he didn’t care. He owed Jinx everything. He’d stand by his side, come what may.