CHAPTER 15
HONOR
It’s been a long-ass day, but the boys have been checked over, given fluids and stronger meds. Hopefully their temperatures are finally under control.
There’s a nasty flu going around that they must’ve picked up somewhere. No clue where, considering we’ve barely left the clubhouse.
I’m exhausted as I strap a sleeping Mason into his seat, while Tru does the same with Reed before climbing in, and squeezing herself between the car seat and the door.
“Ugh, you need a bigger car,” she grumbles, as she wedges herself in.
“It’s all that ice cream you’ve been eating.” Janis smirks at Tru from the front seat. “It’s all made its way to your ass.”
Tru glares at her sister and mouths, “Fuck you.”
These two are hilarious. I’ve loved spending time with them. They’ve been a godsend today.
“I’ll think about it,” I promise with a laugh. She’s not wrong. If Spook and I keep this up, I’m going to need a bigger car, because I absolutely plan on having more children.
Closing the back door, I look over at Muppet and Ash, our shadows today.
“We’ll be going straight back to the clubhouse,” I tell them.
They salute and start their bikes, waiting for me to take the lead.
Getting in, I start the engine and ease out onto the main road.
Not that it’s busy. It may be bigger than our town, but it’s not a metropolis.
I have precious cargo in my vehicle though, so I take it slow and easy.
It’s an hour’s drive back; hopefully the boys will continue sleeping and be feeling better by the time we get home.
“Find us some music, Janis,” I say, tapping my finger on the steering wheel as we wait for the traffic light to turn green.
“Sure,” she replies. “As long as you like classic rock.”
I wrinkle my nose at her and shrug. “I don’t care what I listen to. I grew up on classic rock, so that suits me.”
“Classic rock it is.”
Soon we’re rocking along to the beat, heads bouncing.
It’s been a smooth drive home, and we’ve only got half an hour to go before we get back to the clubhouse.
The boys are fast asleep, and Tru, Janis, and I are singing badly along to the music.
It’s keeping me awake, for which I’m grateful.
I glance in the side mirror and see a black SUV coming up fast.
I tap my brakes to alert Ash and Muppet; they look over their shoulders.
Ash lifts his arm, and motions for me to go.
I put my foot down. I’ve never been more thankful that we live in the middle of nowhere, and don’t have to contend with a bunch of traffic.
“What’s going on?” Tru asks calmly.
Janis peers in her side mirror. “We’ve got company,” she murmurs. “Coming up fast.”
I keep one eye on the mirror while reaching beneath my seat with the other hand, pulling free the handgun I keep there and settling it in my lap. A deep calm washes over me. I know what I have to do. My father, God rest his soul, went over this kind of situation with me several times.
“Janis, call Axle, Spook, or even Maverick. Explain what’s happening. Make sure they know the boys are safe for now.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see her doing as I ask. “Tru.”
I meet her gaze in the rear-view mirror, and when I see she’s calm, I continue.
“Get in the back and pull up the carpet. There’s a lockbox set in the floor.
The combination is forty-four twenty-two.
You’ll find a bulletproof jacket, put that over the boys, then grab whatever guns you want for you and Janis. ”
While I’m speaking to Tru, I hear Janis relaying the information. I’m going as fast as I safely can. Ash and Muppet are keeping up with me, never leaving my back.
The black SUV is less than a hundred meters away.
I overtake a car and swerve back into my lane. I know before long, someone’s going to report us to the Sheriff. I can only hope he’s a friend of the club.
The road is clear now, and I ignore Spook’s shout, as I put my foot down. I need space between us and the SUV. I know they aren’t looking to make friends. Not with the way they’re riding our ass. I’m also worried about Ash and Muppet. They don’t have much protection on bikes.
“Love you, Luca. I’ll keep the boys safe, but you need to get your ass to us. Like yesterday.” I tell him calmly.
I swerve around another car and grip the wheel tighter, forcing myself to stay steady.
“Fuck,” he shouts. “Love you, baby. We’ll be there soon. Just keep doing what you’re doing.”
Damn right I will. What does he take me for? I’ve got my boys in the car. Ignoring Spook for now, Janis can deal with the brothers.
I catch Tru’s gaze in the mirror. “Tru?”
I don’t have to explain. She knows what I’m asking.
“The boys are covered and still sleeping,” she replies calmly. “Here, Jan.” She hands her sister a handgun. Janis checks it to make sure it’s loaded. I knew the girls weren’t unfamiliar with guns, but I’m pleased to see they’re careful too.
“When this is all over,” Tru says, gripping the back of the seat, “we need to talk about this setup you have in the boot of your car. I fucking love it. You’ve got hand grenades. I so want to be you when I grow up.”
I chuckle tersely. “It’s why I insisted on having my car,” I admit, then hiss, “These motherfuckers are really starting to piss me off.”
The SUV swipes at Muppet, who manages to avoid them. A hand comes out the passenger window, and fires a shot at Ash. It misses, but they hit the vehicle on the road with us as I swerve around it.
There’s a bend up ahead. If only I can get to it before them, we can set up an ambush.
“Fucking shit,” Tru whispers as Reed lets out a whimper. All my instincts are screaming at me to reach for him.
Instead I ask, “What did the club say?”
Janis snorts. “Your man was spitting fire. They’re on their way.”
“Oh shit,” Tru shouts. “Muppet’s down.”
Her shout wakes the boys up, and they start to cry. It’s hard to ignore when all I want to do is comfort them.
I look in the mirror and see Muppet lying on the side of the road, not moving. Ash is still behind me. Until they shoot again and he goes flying like a rag doll. His bike goes one way, and he goes the other. With the way he flops, I’m not sure that he’s alive.
I’m strangely calm. There’s nothing we can do for either of them right now. We’ll come back for them. Right now, I have to keep those with me safe. Especially my boys.
And the only way I can do that, is to take out the vehicle behind us.
“This is what we’re going to do,” I say. “There’s a bend coming up. I’m going to bail. Janis, you need to get your ass in this seat, and keep going.”
“Fuck that. We’re not leaving you,” Janis growls.
I slam my palm against the steering wheel, reigning in my temper as frustration burns through me.
“Listen. The boys are the most important thing in this car. You need to get them to safety. I don’t have time to argue. Muppet is down. Ash may be dead for all I know. I need to give them another target. I’m not arguing with you. Get your ass ready to move.”
Between the shots fired and the car swerving, Reed and Mason are now screaming blue murder, not happy under the bulletproof jacket. I know they must be boiling under there, but better that than shot.
I’ve managed to gain distance that I know will be eaten up in no time. Slowing down, I open my door, and hang on as Janis slides into my seat.
“Don’t die,” she whispers as a shot rings out and hits the fender.
“I’ll try not to.”
I let go of the door, and duck and roll. It’s been years since I’ve done this, but muscle memory is an amazing thing. It still jars, though. I spring to my feet and take aim. My one thought is to keep the boys safe and take these dickheads out.
“Go for the tires if you can,” I whisper to myself. “You can do this, Honor. Dad trained you for this.”
I sent up a little prayer to my parents to look out for us.
Taking a deep breath, I aim and fire, managing to take out one front tire and slow them down. I see the brake lights come on as they swerve.
I can hear the bikes in the distance, and know the cavalry is on the way. I don’t have time to wait for them, though. I want to know who these assholes are who put my boys in danger.
I run toward the stopped SUV, surprised, when Muppet shouts my name.
I stumble to a stop and see him limping toward me, one arm hanging oddly and a gun in the other hand, blood coating one side of his face.
I’m glad he’s alive, but he’ll have to wait.
I have my mission, and it’s to kill these motherfuckers who dared threaten my family.
I continue on my path, gun raised, as the door opens.
“Fuck’s sake, Honor, let me go first. Jesus Christ, Spook is going to kill me.”
Ignoring him, I shout. “Hands up, and I won’t hurt you.”
I know it’s a waste of time, but hey... they can’t say I didn’t try.
A gun comes up, and I don’t think. I just shoot, hitting him straight between the eyes.
“One down, one to go,” I mutter, turning my gun to the driver’s side.
But Muppet is already there, dragging the driver from the car and stomping on his hands to get rid of the gun.
“Drop it,” he orders in a harsh voice, one I’d never have thought would come from the happy-go-lucky prospect. Seems even he has limits.
“Keep an eye on him,” I say to Muppet.
Not wanting to be taken by surprise, I yank open the back door, gun ready, but find it empty.
The bikes are on top of us now. When I see Spook in the lead, Axle and Maverick right behind him, with the other brothers fanning out, only then do I start to shake.
Spook gets off his bike, and runs toward me, grabbing me up and gripping me tight, his hand buried in my hair. I’m not sure who’s shaking more, me or him.
“Fuck, Honor,” he whispers. “Thought I’d lost you, baby.”
“The boys?”
“They’re okay. My crew are with them. I put Rowena on them as protection.”
I sag, then sob. “Thank God. I was so worried they’d be hurt.”
He cups my face and kisses me hard. I melt into him. I can relax now that he’s here. I’ve done my bit. Time to let the brotherhood take over.
“Jesus, Honor,” Maverick whistles.
Spook lifts his head, and I look at Maverick as he walks around the car and stops at the dead guy.
“Fucking amazing shot, woman.” He looks right at Spook. “Seems she’s not too soft for this life, brother.”
Spook looks down at me, his eyes soft. “Seems not. Love you, Honor. I’m so damn glad you’re safe. The brothers will deal with this shit, but before I get you home, I think there’s someone else who wants to make sure you’re okay.”
Spook lets me go, and I turn to Axle, who is pale, his lips pressed together and a sheen of tears in his eyes.
I stumble toward him and breathe a soft sigh as he enfolds me in his arms. “Jesus, sweetheart, thought we’d lost you when we’ve only just found you,” he whispers, pressing his lips to the top of my head.
“Thanks for coming.” I give him a wobbly smile.
Axle kisses my forehead. “I’ll always come, Honor. You just have to shout, and I’ll be there.”
He hugs me one more time, then releases me.
“Go on home now. Angel and the others are waiting to get eyes on you, and I know you’ll want to check on your kids.”
“You’re right. I do,” I admit.
Turning to Spook, I take the hand he holds out to me.
“Let’s get you home, baby’,” he says, leading me to his bike.
“Ash is hurt. I’m not sure if he made it.” I whisper, “And where’s Muppet?” I ask looking around.
“He’s already been taken to the clubhouse. BB and Carnage have gone to look for Ash. Muppet filled them in,” Luca replies, handing me a helmet.
“Oh, good,” I give a small nod of acceptance fastening the chin strap. Once the helmet’s secure, I wrap my arms around Luca’s waist, and tap his stomach lightly. We ride away, leaving the brothers to deal with the aftermath of the car chase—and whatever law enforcement shows up.
I hold myself together until we reach the clubhouse, and I see Angel, Siera, Tru, and Janis waiting for me. One of my boys is in Angel’s arms, the other in Tru’s.
Angel hands Mason to Siera and rushes toward me, pulling me into her arms the second I climb off the bike.
The first sob hits me out of nowhere.
Then I break in my mom’s arms, all the fear, worry, and tension flooding out of me.
“I got you, baby girl,” she whispers. “Let it out.”
I do, because I know there’ll be no judgment here. Not from my family, because that’s exactly what they are. We may not all be related by blood, but that doesn’t make them any less my family.
Until this moment, I hadn’t realised just how much I’d missed having that.