Chapter 41
ZANE
I’ll never get over the amount of high-tech gadgets the Rogue Angels MC has at their disposal—or rather we have at our disposal. I think it’s because Creed who controls the funds is a total gadget freak.
Either way, Rogue is setting up to address the Hydras amassed beyond the wall via a loudspeaker system that is built into the walls.
Why that was installed in the first place is beyond me, but it will sure come in handy tonight.
It will let him speak to them without actually exposing himself, which is a very good thing because I’m pretty sure I saw more than one sniper rifle in the hands of the men outside the wall.
“OK, here goes nothing,” Rogue says as he grips the microphone of the speaker system. But the way he’s grinning suggests he thinks this will be a lot more than just nothing.
“Just go for it,” I tell him.
I left Sienna inside where it’s safer and I very much want to get back to her as soon as possible.
Rogue grins even wider and presses a button on the side of his microphone.
A wave of ear-piercing static passes over the wall.
The Hydras on the other side, which we can see via the live camera feeds on our phones look around, searching for the source of the noise.
Some are cocking their guns and aiming them at the wall.
But I bet they can’t imagine the noise is coming from the wall itself. No one could, because it’s crazy.
“It’s time to talk,” Rogue says in his clear, commanding tone. The kind priests use. He’s very good at channeling that voice. Always was, ever since the time his mom was dead set on him becoming a priest one day. And he’s clearly honed it to perfection over the years.
“The time for talking is over, biker,” a voice comes from the other side of the wall, clear and loud as though the man is standing right next to us. Does the wall have microphones too? Or did the Hydras bring their own sound system? Who the hell cares, as long as they hear what we have to say.
“You’ve been messing up our plans long enough,” the guy continues. “If the men come out, we might spare your women and children.”
“Your boss isn’t too big on sparing children from what we’ve seen,” Rogue says, that grin of his clearly audible in his voice.
The chatter that goes over the crowd outside sounds like the wind rustling autumn leaves.
“Let me play you a clip,” Rogue says and holds his phone up to the microphone.
He presses play and the Hydra boss’ nasal and whiny voice as he begs for help in making the problem of the girl’s body go away fills the night.
Once the clip is over there is no more chatter from outside. Only dead silence.
“Now I’m sure most of you know whose voice that is,” Rogue says.
“It’s probably the very man who sent you here to deal with us tonight.
You should call him and have him reconsider.
Otherwise, this video and all the other evidence we have hits the news and police station desks.
It will be hard to operate an underground crime network with his face and crimes known to all, won’t it? ”
The silence that follows his words is still absolute.
“That won’t be a problem if we just wipe you all out tonight,” a Hydra says.
It’s a different man than the one who answered Rogue originally. That one is just staring at the wall like it contains the answers to all his deepest questions.
“We don’t need to be alive for this to be made public,” Rogue says. “And if you don’t clear out in the next five minutes, we will begin sending it.”
“You’re bluffing,” the Hydra says, but the one in charge signals him to be quiet.
“Did Kurt give you this video?” he asks.
“Sure,” Rogue says. “And there’s a lot more where that came from. He will also testify in court against you if it comes to that. Anything to save his own ass. You really should’ve made better friends. And less dangerous enemies.”
Rogue is lying about Sienna’s husband giving us this stuff or being willing to testify. But I will make sure these lies turn true before I am done with the man.
“You’ve had long enough to think,” Rogue says. “Leave. Now.”
“We—” the other Hydra starts to protest, but the guy who seems in charge cuts him off with a sharp hand gesture.
“This is your lucky day,” he says. “We’re leaving.”
He starts signaling his men to get going.
“But we will be back, biker.”
“I’ll be expecting a call from your boss, so we can discuss the future,” Rogue says. “And if any of you so much as looks at one of mine the wrong way, all this will be made public immediately. I trust that is clear.”
I’m actually seeing Rogue the MC president for the first time in all his glory right now, and I’m strangely proud of my childhood best friend. And in awe of him. But I’ve always been that.
“This isn’t over,” the Hydra in charge says, but it’s almost drowned out in the noise of them packing up and leaving.
“Oh, it’s over for you all right,” Rogue says, but not into the microphone, just to us standing here with him.
We stay there in silence until the last of the Hydras leave and the only sounds are those of the night—chirping, the wind and a hum that’s somehow always there in this city.
“That went well,” Creed says.
“Yeah, but I don’t think we bought ourselves more than a little bit of peace,” Rogue says. “It’s enough to celebrate, though. Let’s go inside and share the good news.”
The only celebrating I actually want to do is with Sienna, in my bed, naked.
But I’ll raise a glass to our president Rogue first. I’d already follow him anywhere before all this, but now, I’d do it without thinking. Because he’s the kind of leader you want to follow, in bad times and good.
“Is it done?” Sienna asks from the doorway into the clubhouse as we approach.
I told her to stay inside where it’s safe, but, of course, she didn’t listen. And I love her all the more for her independent spirit and strong will. And her brave soul. Always have.
“Yeah, it’s done,” I tell her.
Then I pull her into my arms and kiss her.
And there could be no better end to the night we just had. None whatsoever. Sienna in my arms, the MC safe and the happy music playing loud.
It’s time to make the toasts so I can spend the rest of the night kissing Sienna and forgetting all the ways things can still go very wrong.
But then again, nothing really can go wrong as long as I have her to call mine.