8. Hunter
Chapter Eight
HUNTER
The Search and Rescue operation takes longer than expected. A family of four trapped on the far side of a washed-out bridge, the youngest kid with a broken foot. By the time we get them to safety, I'm soaked to the skin and dead on my feet.
“Hunter… good job today!” Axel calls out as I'm loading gear into my truck.
I nod, too exhausted for conversation. All I want is to get home to Trinity, maybe convince her to join me for a hot shower. The thought of her waiting at my cabin is the only thing keeping me moving.
My phone buzzes as I pull onto the main road. Viper, from the club.
“What's up?” I answer, steering through the rain.
“You home yet?” His voice is tight.
“Heading there now. Why?"
“One of our prospects just called in. Says he spotted Holloway's truck headed toward the county line. Had a young female passenger. Dark hair. She didn't look happy.”
My blood runs cold. “When?”
“Twenty minutes ago. They were headed west on Route 16.”
I'm already pressing harder on the gas. “It can’t be her. Trinity's at the cabin.”
“You sure?”
I'm not. I haven't heard from her all day.
“I'll call you back,” I growl, ending the call.
The cabin comes into view through the rain, and I know something's wrong before I even cut the engine. No lights on. No smoke from the chimney despite the chill. Risky's frantic barking from inside.
“Trinity?” I call, bursting through the door. Risky nearly tackles me, whining and circling, heading toward the kitchen and back to me like he's trying to tell me something.
The note sits on the table. My hands aren't steady as I pick it up, my heart pounding as I read it.
“Fuck!” I slam my fist into the wall, leaving a dent. She ran. Again. And now Holloway has her.
I dial Viper back. “It's her. Holloway's got Trinity.”
“Shit. You sure?”
“She left. There's a note. And your prospect saw them, so yeah, I'm fucking sure.” I pace the kitchen, rage and fear battling for control. “Where on Route 16?”
“Near that burnt-out tree. Headed toward his place, most likely.”
“Rally the brothers. Now.”
“Hunter, we need a plan?—”
“No plans. That fucker has my girl. We move now .”
There's a pause. “Meet at the clubhouse. I'll make the calls.”
I change quickly into dry clothes, strap my knife to my ankle, and grab my gun from the safe. Risky watches me, still agitated.
“I'll bring her back,” I tell him, scratching his head briefly before heading out.
The Rusty Nail is already filling with MC members when I arrive. Viper, Wolf and Hawk are huddled around a map spread on the bar. I do a double take at the sight of my twin Marcus. He’s sitting at a table, laptop open, looking out of place among the cuts and tattoos but no less determined.
“Talk to me,” I demand, pushing through to the front.
“Holloway's property is here,” Viper points to a spot on the map. “Rental. Three acres, most of it wooded. House sits back about half a mile from the main road.”
“Any neighbors?”
“Nearest is a couple of miles. He's isolated.”
“Good.” I study the map, noting access points and terrain. “Any idea what we're walking into?”
Marcus speaks up. “According to records, he's got a main house and two outbuildings. One's a garage, the other's listed as a workshop. Hasn’t paid his rent in a couple of months. Also, I've been monitoring police bands. Nothing about Holloway today.”
“What about his cartel connections?”
“Unlikely they're at his place,” Hawk says. “His meetups with them happen over county lines. Never at his property.”
“How many of us?” I ask, looking around.
“Ten ready to go right now. It’s less conspicuous if we take vehicles, not bikes.”
I nod. “Let’s go. We handle this ourselves.”
No one argues. They've seen me like this before, but never over a woman. It's different this time, and they all know it.
Prez arrives, his imposing figure commanding immediate respect as he enters. “What's the situation?”
I fill him in quickly. His face hardens as I describe Holloway taking Trinity.
As we walk outside, I brief the others on what we know about Holloway. His possible cartel connections. The domestic abuse cases that were mysteriously dropped.
“This isn't club business,” I tell them bluntly. “It's personal. I'm not asking anyone to put their ass on the line for my... for Trinity. Anyone who wants to walk, do it now. No hard feelings.”
No one moves.
Prez crosses his arms. “When one of us has a problem, we all have a problem. That's what brotherhood means.”
“She's under your protection,” Viper adds. “That means she's under ours.”
We take three vehicles, approaching Holloway's property from different directions. The rain has stopped, but dark clouds still hang low, perfect cover for what we're about to do. My heart pounds as we pull onto the dirt road leading to his house, lights off, moving slowly.
“You good?” Viper asks from the passenger seat.
“I will be when Trinity's safe.”
“And after that?”
I grip the steering wheel tighter. “After that, I make sure Holloway leaves town and never comes back.”
The house comes into view through the trees. A run-down two-story with peeling paint and a sagging porch. Light glows from the downstairs windows. Holloway's truck sits in the muddy yard, confirming he's home.
We park at the edge of the clearing and approach on foot.
Viper and I creep toward the house, weapons ready. The rain has turned the yard to mud, muffling our footsteps. Through a front window, I catch a glimpse of Holloway's back as he moves around what must be the living room.
We reach the porch steps when a scream pierces the night. Trinity's scream.
Fuck the plan. I'm up the steps and through the door in seconds, Viper right behind me. Holloway whirls at the intrusion, eyes widening in shock, then rage. Trinity's eyes are wide as she backs away from him toward the fireplace, her hands raised in front of her.
“Blake,” Holloway spits. “Should've known you'd come sniffing around after what's mine.”
I barely hear him. My focus is on Trinity, who's staring at me like she can't believe I'm real.
“Hunter?” Her voice breaks on my name.
“Stay down, sweetheart,” I tell her, my gun aimed steadily at Holloway's chest. “This'll be over soon.”
Holloway laughs, an ugly sound. “You think I'm scared of you and your biker buddies? This is my property. You're trespassing.”
“And you're a dead man if you don't step the fuck away from her now.” My voice is perfectly calm despite the rage boiling inside me.
“She came with me willingly. Tell him, bitch.” Holloway’s voice is a sneer, but there’s a shakiness underneath.
“After you grabbed her at the bus stop.”
His eyes narrow. “Been following me, Blake?”
“Got eyes everywhere, Holloway. Including whatever you're running for the cartel.”
That hits home. His face pales slightly. “Don't know what you're talking about.”
“Sure you do. And so will the DEA, unless you step aside now.”
For a tense moment, I think he's going to make a move. His hand twitches toward his waistband, where I'm guessing he's carrying. But he glances at Viper, who's moved to flank him, and seems to reconsider.
“Take the whore,” he finally says. “She's more trouble than she's worth anyway.”
I pass my gun to Viper and cross the room in three strides. My fist connects with Holloway's jaw before he can react, sending him crashing into a side table. I'm on him immediately, hauling him up by his shirt front.
“Her name is Trinity,” I growl, punctuating each word with a jab. “And she is worth everything .”
It takes both Prez and Viper to pull me off him. Holloway slumps to the floor, bloody and semi-conscious.
“She's safe,” Prez reminds me.
I shake them off and turn to Trinity, who's being helped to her feet by Hawk. She's trembling, tears streaming down her face.
“You came,” she cries out as I approach.
“Of course I came, beautiful. I'll always come for you.”
She collapses against my chest, sobs wracking her frame. I hold her tight, murmuring reassurances, my body still thrumming with adrenaline and rage.
“Let's get her out of here,” Viper suggests, eyeing Holloway warily.
I nod, scooping Trinity into my arms. Her arms wind around my neck like she's afraid I'll disappear.
“What about him?” Hawk asks, nudging Holloway with his boot.
“Make sure he understands what happens if he ever comes near Trinity again. And that it’s time to leave town and never come back.”
Hawk's grim smile is all the acknowledgment I need. He and Viper will make the message crystal clear.
Outside, I carry Trinity to my truck, settling her in the passenger seat. The rest of the MC and Marcus keep a respectful distance.
Prez approaches, his expression grim but satisfied. “We'll keep an eye on Holloway. Track him and make sure he leaves.”
I nod my thanks, the words caught in my throat. This is what brotherhood means. This is what family means.
As I slide behind the wheel, Trinity reaches for my hand.
“I'm sorry. I thought I was protecting you.”
“It’s okay now,” I say, wrapping my hand around hers. “Let’s get you home.”
I don't know what's coming next. Rennick is still out there. But as I drive away from that hellhole, Trinity safe beside me, I know one thing for certain.
I'd burn the world down before I'd let anyone take her from me again.