Nomad Kind of Love Page 15

  “Just call me Maverick. Listen, we got ourselves a situation. If he's not ready to move on his own, then I need you to move him. Tonight.”

  Emma looked stressed. She'd done a bang up job helping my brother cheat death. Only trouble was I needed her on standby for more shit bound to go down anytime.

  “Move him? Where?”

  Tank lifted his huge head and caught the nurse's eyes. “It's okay, boss. Feels like a bad flu. I can get up and move on my own...”

  He tried to sit up higher, and grunted. I winced as he fell back, making the whole table squeal with his weight.

  “Bullshit. Listen to the lady, Tank. You've already done plenty for this club. Right now, we need you to rest where you'll be safe.”

  “We both know he can't go to a hospital. You mean you want me to bring him...?” She stopped just short of saying it.

  Home.

  Emma shifted uncomfortably. Her cheeks looked bright and pinkish. Fuck, it was like watching a couple high school kids dance around an inevitable prom date.

  “Do it,” I ordered. “We'll pay you extra when all this is over. If he can be alone, I'm gonna need you back here ASAP. If things don't go our way, then Tank's probably not gonna be the last guy to get hurt.”

  The nurse nodded solemnly. Satisfied, Tank and I exchanged nods too, and I stepped outside the tiny infirmary. Way too fucking small for any of us, including a giant like him, but it would have to do.

  Blaze came running up to me as soon as I was out. I threw my hands up because I swore he was gonna crash right into me.

  “Whoa. Where's the fucking fire?”

  “Up by Kalispell! Throttle's latest trial run up to Alberta got intercepted. Two Dakota boys and fifty pounds of coke in Grizzlies hands.”

  “Shit! He should've suspended the runs as soon as things ramped up. We don't control shit north of Missoula with the bears stalking us. Did they make it out?”

  Blaze shook his head. “Bypassed the clubhouse this morning. The Grizzlies don't take prisoners if it won't do them any good. They were beaten and cut up, patches missing. Boys told me they were heading straight to Dickinson without stopping.”

  “I don't blame them. Has anyone gotten in touch with Cassandra?”

  “Yeah.” Blaze's brow wrinkled, telling me I wouldn't like what he was about to say. “Warlock, their VP, took it in stride. Told me he'd put a stop to more runs, but we better get this shit under control fast. Any way we need to.”

  “What about Throttle?”

  “Nobody can reach him wherever the fuck they went way out in the wilds. Looks like you're alone on this one, Aaron.” He made a fist and pounded me on the shoulder. “You're the President, and the head cheese is AWOL. It's not too late to change course if tackling the Grizzlies head on isn't looking so pretty.”

  “It's our only fucking choice. Don't see how we can do anything else at this point. Any news from Missoula?”

  “Nothing since we hauled Tank back here. Keeping the scouting up there limited. Your orders. Locals say our buddies are still strangely absent.”

  I snorted with frustration. Didn't understand how the hell I was supposed to hit them if I couldn't even find them.

  I'd been awake for three solid days since Tank was shot. My eyes were burning something fierce, and my head buzzed like I'd been knocked on my ass a few too many times.

  Blaze followed me over to the bar and grabbed a drink. I poured myself a single shot of Jack, something to take the edge off all this shit.

  There was no time to get drunk. On the other hand, a little medicine cleared the head, helped me think.

  “Take over for awhile,” I told him. “I'm gonna be fucking useless if I don't get some shut eye for a couple hours.”

  It was late. June didn't even hear me come in. She was curled up in bed, wearing the sexy new nightgown she'd gotten right before things went crazy.

  I crashed, burying her in my arms. She murmured and shifted, spooning her sweet ass into my hips, instantly making me hard.

  Couldn't wait until the bullshit outside this clubhouse was over. Holding her in the darkness, it seemed like a million miles away.

  Outside, an uncertain hell and bloodshed waited. In here, snuggled up against my babe, it was heaven.

  My phone rang sometime just before dawn. Must've taken two or three calls to get me out of my stupor.

  I rolled and bolted up, stepping outside before I woke up June.

  “It's Blaze,” the voice said on the line. “We found the Grizzlies.”

  “Where?”

  “Pink Unlimited.”

  It took a second for the meaning to click. “What? That fucking place is supposed to be shut down.”

  “It is, brother. You better come out here and see this for yourself.”

  I cursed. Listening to those angry words hiss back at me in the empty bar was the last thing I heard before I ran outside and grabbed my bike.

  A short ride later, I pulled in next to the strip club. Those flashing lights up the road told me it wasn't gonna be pleasant. I pounded my Harley with my right fist, furious because I knew those fucks had gotten the drop on us again.

  “What the fuck? How did this happen?” I practically spun my brother around by the neck when I found Blaze on the sidelines.

  “The patrol crew caught them just in time. Shatter and the Dakota bros chased them off, but not before one of Vulture's fuckers threw a lighter. Whole fucking backside was soaked in gasoline and went up like a bomb.”

  “Motherfuckers!” I turned away from him, staring at the faint outlines of the mountains.

  They took me away from this place, away from this insane guerrilla war with fucking barbarians. I took a good, long look at the mountains, knowing it was gonna be the last time to savor them before I was barraged with questions from the fire chief, insurance, and my own damned MC.

  We didn't return to the clubhouse until early afternoon. June jumped out of our way when she saw us filing in, heading straight for the meeting room. Nobody was in any fucking mood for the drinks and snacks she sweetly offered.

  “Not now, babe. Not this fucking century,” I growled.

  Knew I'd regret it later, but right now we had serious business on our plates. If something didn't change drastically very, very fast, then I'd be the first Prairie Devils' President in a generation to be chased out of my own territory.

  I quietly vowed I wouldn't live that humiliation. Hell no.

  It was the four full patch members in the room, along with ten Dakota boys, one of them offering to proxy for Tank if things came to a vote.

  With everybody assembled, I stared at all the faces in silence, waiting to hear just how pissed my guys were.

  “Shit's not going well, Prez. Not at all.” Shatter was the first one to open his mouth.

  I wanted to rip his beard off for stating the obvious. Hard to do that when it was absolutely fucking true.

  “What's next?” Blaze asked. “The tattoo parlor? This clubhouse? Hell, maybe they'll roll right by and do a raid in North Dakota. The Snakes MC up in Canada are bitching about losing this shipment. This shit's gotta change. If our partners are getting restless, we're gonna lose –”

  I slammed my fists on the table. “We fucking know it, brother!”

  All eyes were on me. I'd let everybody express their concerns, but I wasn't letting anyone else make the decisions here.

  “Look, they've gotten the drop on us – what? – three or four times now. Bastards are running fucking circles around us, hitting our income, and we can't hit theirs in this territory because we can't find them. Bastards are like ninjas on bikes.”

  There were a couple chuckles behind me. I let it go. Too fucking serious to bother giving a couple Dakota boys the evil eye.

  “Blaze, you said something last night that I threw out like an idiot at the time. This isn't the same war this MC fought against them in Sturgis, or even against the Skulls last year. We're dealing with an enemy who'll keep doing hit and runs until
their buddies show up. They're biding their time, waiting for reinforcements. Then they'll spring the trap. We've got to set one for them first.”

  Blaze's expression froze. My brother and VP probably couldn't believe I'd admitted he was right.

  Wasn't fucking easy. Of course, coming up with the specifics was down to me, and I'd spent all damned morning thinking about it while I pretended to give a shit about the county's arson investigation.

  “There's one way we can lure them out, but it means this club will have to do the unthinkable. And if it succeeds, then it needs to be total. Every last one of them better be dead, buried deep. Any leaks, any survivors, will cost us our reputation and our honor.”

  Everybody around me stood a little straighter, waiting with baited breath. I said the word.

  “You can't do that! Are you fucking crazy!” Blaze led the room's explosion in violent protest.

  I let the chatter fly back and forth, insults that would've meant I'd need to beat the ass of anyone who said those words to a club President in ordinary times.

  These weren't fucking ordinary times. Far from it.

  “You guys done?” I asked, pounding the table lightly with both fists for emphasis. “Every Devils' charter says this kinda shit goes up for a vote. I'll give you that, my brothers, but let me tell you this. I'd rather die than have us branded as despicable pussies, just like the rest of you, if this doesn't go the way I think. Only thing I'd like better is to have the other sorry bastards dead first.”

  “There's got to be another way...” Blaze muttered, running a tense hand through his thick hair.

  I waited, along with everybody else. He didn't have a damned thing.

  The plan was fucking crazy, and it was all we had because there wasn't a Plan B.

  Nothing but retreat or going down fighting, and neither was too appealing when we still had a ghostly chance at shattering the Missoula Grizzlies.

  “Nobody? Well then, let's vote. We'll start with you, Shatter, and go down the line...”

  “Wake up, babe. I need you to get dressed and ready to run. This is a big day for all of us.”

  I shook June awake the next morning. She hadn't slept well either, the same as me. Probably all my shitty energy rubbing off on her.

  My guts were still tangled in painful knots. Couldn't remember the last time that had happened. Probably not since I came back to Iowa to help Aimee. It hurt like hell knowing she was hooked on that crap, and I was afraid I'd find her dead when I pushed my way inside our old house.

  Familiar rage and worry rippled through my system, like some nasty animal down my throat, clawing at my insides. Stroking June awake by the hair made things a tiny bit better. But only a little.

  “Hmm? Aaron, what the fuck!”

  The object I held out got her attention. She jerked up and pulled the sheets over her, protective and scared.

  “You need to take this. I'd show you how to use it the right way, but we've run out of time. Take it, June. It's your last resort in case anything fucking crazy happens here.”

  Her hand shook a couple times, and then steadied. I held the razor sharp dagger out to her, and watched her soft fingers wrap around the handle.

  “If anybody without a Prairie Devils patch lays a single finger on you, don't hesitate to jab it in his throat. Kill him, and run. You're welcome to do that now if you've changed your mind about staying – “

  “No!” She shook her head vigorously, powerful sadness replacing the fear in her eyes. “This is the day it comes to a head, isn't it? I want to be around for this...I'm staying. Just like I promised.”

  Violent adrenaline shot through my heart. I had to shove back the caveman instinct to knock the knife out of her hands, put her on the back of my bike, and drive her far, far away from this fucked up place.

  But she was hellbent standing her ground. And for all I knew, it was already too late.

  The call I'd placed last night after the club's vote went my way was the hardest I had to make in my life. I sat through every slurred insult and nasty fucking chuckle coming out of Vulture's mouth on the other end of the line.

  June threw herself into my arms. It should've been sweet, comforting, loving.

  All I heard when I held her close were his words.

  Sinister, sick, and evil.

  Vulture's promise made me want to hunt and kill, instead of torturing myself by being patient. But I had to. Nothing else mattered except protecting the beauty wedged against my chest.

  Prairie Pussies! You little cocksuckers get nothing if you're gonna go bitch. Do you hear me?

  Nothing!

  Keep your cunts warm for us tomorrow. We're coming, and we're gonna take everything from you. Everything.

  We'll piss on your fucking colors and send you back East with your useless cocks between your legs.

  Got it?

  “Yes, sir.”

  Good sissy boy. Don't have any second thoughts now, Maverick. If anybody flashes a gun or raises their fist, I swear I'll kill every last one of you right in your own clubhouse.

  Including the mopey little cunt we turned over as collateral. Keep your word, boy, or I'll shoot her in the fucking spine right in front of you.

  “What's wrong? Can't you tell me anything, Aaron?” June felt me trembling unevenly as she clung to my embrace.

  Fucking nerves. I clenched my jaw and flexed my muscles to steady myself, so hard I thought they'd break.

  I wouldn't – couldn't – say a damned word.

  “Let me guess...club business?”

  “Damned right, babe. Whatever happens, I need you to know I love you, and this is a one-time deal. You never get to do this again. Having you in danger's killing me.”

  She cocked her head, uncertain what I meant. The pained expression on her face made me hold her tighter.

  “Soon as this shit's done, I'm never, ever putting you in harm's way again. I'd rather die a thousand times first.”

  IX: Margin of Error (June)

  My heart rode wild in my chest when I heard bikes roaring in. All the guys were gathered near the front, and I was behind the bar, exactly where Maverick told me to wait.

  Something big, crazy, and terrifying was going on.

  Nobody had said a word all morning. They just stood like soldiers near the front entrance, Maverick a little ahead of them. All their patches were turned toward me, a show of strength and also a creepy reminder that it hadn't been enough.

  Not yet. The Grizzlies had the club by the balls, and I was scared they were about to rip them clean off.

  The strange bikes by the garages. Men climbed off, walking toward the clubhouse.

  No...

  A familiar face came striding up to the door. Skinny, bearded, and filthy as ever. Vulture and his men streamed inside, and I slid down on the little chair, hiding as much as I possibly could behind the counter.

  Now I understood why he'd given me the knife. I reached to my side and fingered it, wondering if I'd have to use it on myself.

  Never. I shook my head, forcing myself to look at the man I hated as he squeezed my lover's arm. I won't kill myself like Clara. I'll go down fighting instead, dying with everything I've got.

  The Presidents didn't shake hands as equals. Vulture grabbed at Maverick's forearm like he owned him, digging his dirty fingers into my love's beautiful tattoos.

  “Shall we?” Vulture finally broke the handshake and waved to the big table in the center of the room.

  It was the only one standing with all the others folded up or cleared to the sides. Ice nipped at my veins, but I wouldn't let it freeze me or make me sob. Not in front of them.

  The Grizzlies lined up behind their leader, and the Devils did the same. Didn't look good that our guys were outnumbered two or three times.

  God, the rival MC looked as disgusting and wicked as I remembered. Half their cuts were dirty, and some of the guys looked full on high, shifting their weight every few seconds to stay awake.

  I couldn't believe
these tweakers had caused so much damage. Then I remembered how they lived by brutality. Atrocities were just part of the game to them, the one thing distinguishing them from another one-percenter MC like the Prairie Devils.

  They were dirty, ugly, and crude, but the Grizzlies were efficient. Experts in pain and fear.

  “I won't waste time patting your boys down. There'll be plenty more humiliation to come,” Vulture said with a smile. “First thing's first. I need you to turn over the nice little arsenal your buddies dropped off from out East.”

  Maverick's teeth appeared as he tensed his lips, holding in a snarl.

  “Fine. I already told you, that's yours. Everything here, as long as you allow us safe passage out of here. With no reprisals.”

  “Everything?” Vulture cooed.

  Hearing such a dangerous looking man talking like a grandpa playing coy sent chills up my back. I shook my head. Didn't want to draw attention to myself, but I couldn't fucking help it.

  Jesus Christ, Aaron. What have you done?

  “What else do you want?”

  “The bikes. My club always needs a few extra hogs for riding, or for keeping on hand for scrap. Yours are a little newer than ours...gonna enjoy trying something a little more sleek and stylish.”

  Vulture grinned, intentionally looking past Maverick's cold expression. Behind him, his brothers looked like they were going to explode. Blaze craned his neck, staring halfway up at the ceiling, probably to keep him from jumping the asshole taunting and demanding everything.

  “It's done. We agreed to that on the phone. I'll have my guys show yours the way right now.”

  Several Grizzlies started to move, walking toward the door. Vulture's arm shot up.

  “No. We haven't gone over all the fine points yet. I have more demands.” He paused, produced a cigarette from his pocket, and lit it. “Gotta keep my men here to make sure you boys don't do anything retarded. We've kicked your asses without our full force, but I'm not taking any chances. No more double crosses from the Prairie Pussies.”

  Vulture took a long drag on his cigarette. He held it out, intentionally flicking ash past the tray on the table. He blew it toward Maverick, against the PRESIDENT and 1% patches on his front.