Chapter 22
CHAPTER
TWENTY-TWO
LoneStar
We’ve used night goggles before, but this redesigned set is different and enhanced. Before we head out, we need a quick rundown on what’s changed and how to use the new features.
“These are a game changer,” Indiana says, admiring the new equipment.
I examine my pair, feeling for each button until I’m sure I can find them by touch alone.
As I think through all the bells and whistles Booker claims they have, I ask, “How do you think Booker got his hands on these? They’re still in their infancy, and they haven’t even been delivered to the military yet. ”
“He’s one of the original designers,” Riptide proudly informs us. “He gets to test them before they’re distributed. He and a few of his buddies own the legal rights, and they’re negotiating a sale of the model now.”
“Wow,” I whistle. “He’s gonna be a millionaire because these are the shit.”
“Makes one wonder what else he’s been up to that none of us know about,” Indiana replies. “This can’t be his first time designing shit that’ll help our armed forces.”
“He also designs games in his spare time,” Riptide discloses. “The only reason I know what he does on his own time is because he gives the club a percentage of his earnings.”
“That explains why we’re financially able to loan out money,” I announce.
“That’s one of the reasons. The other is because Kodiak, our treasurer, has been investing our money into some lucrative companies. Between him and Booker, we have quite the cushion to fall back on if something happens to our businesses,” Rip explains.
“Does that mean we can retire?” Indiana asks, teasing.
We all get a good laugh out of that because none of us do well sitting idle. Our hands have to stay busy or we get antsy and fights begin to break out.
Icer storming into the group, crossing his arms across his chest, and staring Riptide down has all of our spines going ramrod straight.
Icer grunts, “Wanna tell me why Sphinx is in the catacombs, pres?”
Instead of answering him, Rip asks a question of his own. “What were you doing down there, Icer?”
“I was covering for Shade,” Icer states. “He had a fucking migraine and asked me to take his shift. I went down because there’s only one reason we stand guard in the cemetery and that’s when we have a guest.”
“He’s like a goddamn cat. Curiosity gets the best of him and he can’t resist checking things out,” Indiana tuts. “His nine lives are running out because he can’t check himself and fall in line.”
I ignore him because I want to hear Rip’s answer. “I’m not ready to talk about it yet,” Rip says, mimicking Icer’s pose and temperament. This is not going to go over well.
“He’s our mole, isn’t he?” I inquire.
“Dammit,” Riptide growls. “There are extenuating circumstances that I’m trying to iron out. I can’t bring this to the table until I have all of the facts and my VP is here.”
“There are a lot of secrets in the club lately, Rip,” I accuse. “Keeping your brothers in the dark puts us in danger.”
“It’s not a secret,” Rip denies, his entire body shaking with anger. “I’m just putting all of my ducks in a row before bringing it to y’all’s attention. As the president, it’s my decision when and where that happens, LoneStar. Do not question me and do not disrespect me!”
I don’t let his warning deter me, my own anger is ruling me. “Is that why you were holed up in your office for days on end?”
“That I’ll answer, but you and I, we’re due for a come to Jesus meeting once we deal with this professor bullshit.
Yes, it’s why I was locked in my office, I was making calls and getting everything hashed out.
I still don’t know everything I need to and I don’t take a brother’s patch or life without knowing every goddamn thing lightly.
You’d expect the same consideration from me if it were you.
There are things he told me that I want to verify before taking any sort of action.
I’ve done nothing to earn your mistrust, LoneStar, and I’m fed up with this shit.
This is twice in so many days you’ve questioned my honor. ”
Being called out for my insubordination in front of my brothers is fucked up, but when I step back and look at it from his point of view, it’s well-deserved.
As Rip walks away, I go to follow only to find my arm gripped as I’m held back by Indiana. He gives me some damn good advice by saying, “Give him some time to cool off, he’s hot right now and it won’t turn out well for you if you try to talk to him while he’s that pissed.”
I nod my head but still don’t like that things are left unsettled between us. Especially when we’re going to be traipsing through the woods as we track down our enemy. We need to have each other’s back, not be at odds.
As we’re gearing up, I take a chance and approach Rip.
“You’re right about me, pres. I fucked up, more than once, and I’ll pay the repercussion for it.
My head has been all over the place, but that’s not an excuse.
Things have felt off with the club for a while and it messed with me and had me questioning things I have no right to. ”
“You ever disrespect me in my house again, LoneStar, and I’ll call for your patch to be taken. This is your last and only warning,” he cautions.
My heart drops into my gut and I stagger back.
My breathing becomes choppy and dark spots begin to dance behind my eyes.
I bend over as I try to catch my breath and find myself struggling to get enough oxygen into my lungs to keep from passing out.
“Fuck. I can’t breathe.” I drop to my knees as the world spins around me.
“Fuck,” Riptide hisses, hunkering down beside me and placing his hand on my shoulder in moral support. “I’m not taking your patch or kicking you out of the club, brother. But if the threat keeps you in line, I’m not taking back the threat.”
“What the fuck happened!” Icer demands as he comes marching over to us. He bends down and gets right in my face. “What did he say to you, LoneStar?”
“My patch,” I wheeze out.
“You threatened to take his patch?” Icer asks, his tone dropping to a treacherous level.
“I’ll take yours too if you keep using that tone with me,” Riptide threatens—there seems to be a lot of that going around as we’re reminded of what’s at stake and what we could lose if we don’t straighten out our act. Our patch. Our family. Our brotherhood.
“Icer. Don’t, brother,” I issue. “I earned it.”
“You didn’t,” he declares. “I think somebody’s forgotten his roots and who all helped him get here.”
“I haven’t forgotten a damn thing,” Riptide hisses.
“Just like I haven’t forgotten who was given the president patch and put in charge of you motherfuckers.
I don’t know what’s crawled up all of your asses, but I suggest you check yourselves because if I have to do it, you won’t like the consequences. ”
“He’s right,” I say, repeating myself, trying to be the voice of reason. Finally feeling steady enough to hop back onto my feet, I continue, “He’s never given us a reason to question him before and we should stop doing it now. I’m sorry, Rip.”
“Forgiven,” he states through gritted teeth, his eyes never wavering from me.
A relieved sigh escapes me as we turn our attention to our more stoic brother.
Icer doesn’t say anything, still looking surly but apologetic.
Instead, he releases one of his renowned grunts.
Rip’s frown turns into a quirky grin when he tells Icer, “Apology accepted.”
“Now that we’re all back on solid ground and are friends again, can we go hunting?” Indiana excitedly asks.
“Yeah, Indie, let’s go hunting,” Riptide answers, rolling his eyes.
“Remember the plan, we don’t know what equipment he’s using to spy on us with so we need to tread carefully.
We’re going to the backside of the property and will walk through it from there.
I’ve already gotten permission from the tribe for us to check things out.
They’re as unhappy as we are that they’ve got a trespasser. ”
Renegade, being our road captain, steps up and finishes giving us instructions.
“We’ll ride out so it appears we’re going on a run and drive around and come in through town.
There’s a gravel road off Market Street that leads to the back forty and that’s where we’ll park our rides and travel on foot.
It’s a mile hike through rocky terrain so make sure you watch your footing. ”
“Be on guard, we don’t know if he’s laid any boobytraps so watch every move you make,” Indiana adds. “Things could get tricky, so watch your brothers’ backs. You may see something he doesn’t.”
We all nod our heads and walk out to our bikes, firing them up.
We rev our engines and line up into formation, Rip leading the pack.
We made it appear as if we’re going on a run for the club like instructed, bumping knuckles as we sit astride our bikes like we do each time we hit the road for an extended trip.
Rip circles his wrist and points to the gates.
Slowly, we roll out and turn left toward the highway.
Now that we know to watch for signs of life, that glint of a flash I saw once has me keenly watching the direction I recall it coming from, and again, I see it.
It’s quick but noticeable now that I’m looking for it.
I relay that information to Rip through our synced Bluetooth so he knows that’s one of the places we need to check out.
As we ride through town, we circle it a couple of times before hitting Market Street and taking the back road that’ll lead us to the abandoned reservation. Rip pulls off on an abandoned county road and we all glide in behind him, shutting down our bikes.
“Is it me, or does this land feel haunted?” I ask Icer as I dismount.
“I bet there’s still a lot of residual energy plaguing this land,” he retorts. “A lot of blood was shed here and I’m sure spirits are still residing here, protecting their home.”
Letti is spiritual and since they got together, she’s opened his eyes to things that are there, but not visual to the naked eye.
It’s eerie as fuck but I don’t question someone’s heritage or beliefs.
Who am I to say what’s right and what’s wrong?
I don’t know all of the mysteries of the world, for all I know, our relatives that have passed still watch over us.
“Hopefully, they figure out we’re here to keep their land sacred and not because we’re here to desecrate it.”
His statement has cold chills racing through me. “They know, they always know,” he mumbles, causing goosebumps to erupt across my skin.
“You two are giving me the heebie-jeebies,” Indiana accuses. “Stop it.”
Icer and I share an amused look before joining the others.
This is going to be a crazy night. If there are spirits watching over us, I hope they lend us a helping hand and keep each of us safe from the lunatic we’re hunting.