Chapter Nine. #2
“If you want my badge, Capt., you can have it. But I won’t inform on my woman. I’ll set up as a PI and investigate cold cases, if it comes to it,” I replied.
“Keep that option open, brother, because it might come to that,” Hatton responded. That one comment revealed whose side he was on—mine.
Priest
I stared at the warehouse in front of me.
Everything screamed trap. Brielle wasn’t here, but even so, I needed to eliminate the possibility.
I checked my weapons, climbed out of the SUV, and locked it.
On guard and alert, I surveyed the building’s perimeter.
My senses tingled; I wasn’t alone, and this was a damn ambush.
It wasn’t the first time, but this told me something. Other people were aware Brielle was missing and were searching for her. That meant it became even more urgent to find her. If someone had Brielle, they controlled me. That was unacceptable.
Moving silently, I slid through an open window. Voices murmured, and I shook my head. Damn amateurs. But this felt wrong, too obvious. I searched for cameras or a clue. Nothing stood out, but there was something.
“He should have arrived by now,” a guy commented.
“We wait, Marco. She told us he’d come.”
Interesting. She who? These fools weren’t working for themselves; they were working for another person. Someone had discovered who I was and was stupid enough to try to kill me.
“He’s one of the Royal Bastards from Maine.”
“And? So what, Stew? That means he prances about in his leather shit. He ain’t nothing to worry about. He’ll probably cry for his daddy.”
They were in for a shock.
“Ya think so, West? Gotta say, she didn’t seem bothered about him.”
“He’s an old guy. What’s he going to bring to the mix?”
“Sal, yeah, we can take him.”
Fuckin’ idiots. I finally spotted a camera.
This bitch wasn’t that dumb. If I let these brainless fools beat me, she’d have it on film.
If I killed them, she had blackmail material.
Shame I didn’t play by the same rules. I pulled a small black box and hit the first button.
The pulse went out and fried every nearby electronic device. Then, for security, I pressed a jammer.
“Which one is Stew?” I demanded, strolling out.
Four guns aimed in my direction, and I smirked.
“I’m Stew, Grandpa. What ya gonna do about it?” a gaunt, yellow-skinned guy boasted.
The knife left my hand before anyone saw it appear and stabbed straight through his eye. Before he hit the floor, Stew was dead.
“Stew? Stew! You killed him,” West cried.
“I took offence to the comment about leather. Now, you’re here to kill me?
Let’s get going.” I yanked out my gun and shot West. Sal and Marco finally seemed to realise the danger they were in and belatedly started moving.
I hit Marco, spun him around, and my second bullet exploded brain matter everywhere.
Sal began screaming and firing wildly. I ducked behind a post and let the idiot empty his clip. He yelled in panic and tried to insert a new clip.
“Who hired you, Sal?” I demanded, stalking forward and shoving my gun into his head. His hands trembled violently. His gun clattered to the floor, and his eyes were wild.
“A woman.”
“Name.”
“I didn’t get one. Stew dealt with her.”
“You know something, Sal,” I pushed. They didn’t realise it, but they always did. Sal shook his head, and I yanked a knife with my left hand and stabbed him.
“I swear I don’t know nothing,” Sal cried out as I knifed him again.
“Sal, I can make this painful or quick, your choice, kid,” I warned and held the knife to his groin.
“She wore a coat like you. And rode a bike. I don’t remember anything else!
” Sal screamed. He lashed out, and a knife sank into my side as I pulled my trigger.
Sal fell backwards, yanking the knife upward, and I cursed violently.
It was a lucky move for him. I danced away, and the blade came free.
But now my blood and DNA were on scene. That was a huge fuckin’ problem.
Annoyed at my clumsiness, I leaned back against a pillar. A slow clap made me look up, and I saw Outlaw standing there.
“You just became all types of interesting,” she called.
“And you’re on my hit list,” I retorted.
Outlaw smirked. “You have no idea who you’re messing with.”
“No, you don’t, and that’s your big mistake. You thought I was nobody special.” I smiled at her, and a momentary doubt crossed her face.
“Oh, you’re one of a kind. You’re a Harlot whore. I know about you and Nun.”
“Then you know nothing. And that confidence will be your undoing.”
Outlaw snarled, her prettiness turning ugly.
She whipped out a gun, but I was already moving.
I dived across the floor, landing hard, but shooting as I did.
A pained scream rang out, and Outlaw’s shoulder jolted back.
She fired again and missed, and I took her hip next.
My luck was crap today; one of her stray bullets ricocheted and hit my ankle. Fuck. More DNA evidence.
“This isn’t over, Priest,” she spat and began moving away.
“No, I’ll come for you,” I promised.
“You better find that pretty little cousin of yours before we do. Some of my sisters love to break in a new bitch!”
“I won’t break anyone who touches her; I’ll annihilate them,” I guaranteed.
“See you around, Priest,” she called and disappeared.
I’d chase her, but I needed help. I yanked a case from inside my cut and pulled out my phone. The case protected it against EMPs and jamming signals. I dialled Nun.
“I need assistance.”
“We’re already riding.”
“Need a cleaner,” I replied and told her where I was.
“Thought you might. We’re coming, Priest, hold on.”
“Ain’t going nowhere, babe,” I said and closed my eyes.
Nun
Priest was hurt. I could hear it in his voice.
I was behind Sparrow, Blade, and Dagger, with Maid at my side and Stitch following her.
Ace had tracked Priest and then lost his signal.
As soon as he did, Sparrow called for support, and we rode out.
We only had a vague location, so it was a relief when he contacted me.
I revved my throttle and moved ahead. Sparrow glanced at me, and I thumped my chest and pointed forward.
Nodding, Sparrow let me take pole position, and they followed me. As I closed in, I saw Priest’s SUV, which confirmed I was in the right place. We parked up and, weapons drawn, entered the warehouse. We witnessed four bodies first, then I spotted Priest propped up against a post.
“He won’t be driving out of here,” Sitch declared, hurrying over. Sparrow was already typing on her phone.
“Don’t clean up there,” Priest said, pointing. “I hit Outlaw twice. Her blood splatter is up there.”
I immediately realised what he was saying. We could frame her for these deaths.
“I’m going to have to clean down here,” Maid muttered, looking around.
“Yeah. I came in from that direction,” Priest pointed as Stitch ripped his tee open and stopped the bleeding.
“I need to get him back to the clubhouse now,” she exclaimed.
“Fume and Jazz are coming.”
“Not got time. Nun, drive us back.” I nodded as we helped Priest to his feet and into the SUV. He passed out as we got there.
“Let’s ride,” Stitch said, getting into the rear seat. I didn’t say anything but drove off.