“And you’ll keep being sorry if this doesn’t end,” Gaige said. “Strokner is going crew to crew, shaking shit up.”
“We weren’t there,” Lenny said.
“Strokner won’t believe you,” Miller said. “We know you’re out looking. All we’re saying is to just keep your eyes open and give us a call when you see something.”
Lenny looked left and then right. “Yeah, okay, we’re looking. Pretty shitty what they did to one of my guys’ woman. Kind of hoping I can run a couple of them down for payback.”
“Perfect,” Miller said. “You see them and you call. We’ll come and collect and you run down whoever you want.”
“After we get our guys,” Gaige said. “I need them alive.”
“I heard you the first time,” Lenny said.
“Yeah, well fuck you,” Gaige said. “Just making sure you idiots can listen.”
The big men all stepped forward. Gaige opened his leather cut and showed his gun.
“Whoa, whoa,” Lenny said.
“It’s all good,” Miller said. “All good.”
“I get the pain of loss,” Lenny said, looking at Gaige and Emily. “But you can’t let it cloud your mind. We’ll be in touch.”
“These guys are fucking pricks,” Gaige said. “Skip the surf for a few days and find them.”
Mutty pointed at Gaige, his eyes on fire. Gaige wished for something to happen. He would love to take on Mutty, hand to hand, and prove that steroid muscles weren’t worth shit compared to real fists.
Before anything could escalate, Lenny yelled and dropped to his knees. Gaige turned his head and saw two motorcycles and a SUV rolling by. He saw the guns a second before the bullets starting flying. He wrapped his arms around Emily and had her on the ground in less than a second. Gaige heard the return gunfire and saw Nate standing tall, shooting back.
“Stay down,” Gaige said to Emily.
He jumped up and pulled out his gun, but the wasn’t able to take a shot as the motorcycles and SUV was already speeding away.
“Motherfuckers,” Gaige growled.
“What the fuck?” Mutt yelled.
“Eight Under,” Nate said.
“We have to do this,” Miller said.
The crew ran to their motorcycles. Gaige rushed back to Emily and helped her up. He looked her dead in the eyes and nodded. Emily nodded back, acknowledging what needed to happen next.
She was in for one hell of a ride…
eighteen.
The six motorcycles sped down the street. Gaige, Blaine, and Nate worked their magic, cutting in and out of traffic, across lanes when need be, cutting off other vehicles without fear. Gaige had a burning sense of guilt knowing that Emily was in grave danger, but there was nothing he could do about that now. They needed to get to end this.
At the next intersection, the other motorcycles cut to the right and at the last possible second, the SUV went left.
“Fuck,” Gaige yelled.
Back Down Devil went to the right. They could chase down the other motorcycles. This could easily became a hostage situation. Gaige could hold these assholes until the shooter came forward.
They were able to get within reach of the other motorcycles. Gaige wanted to smash into one of the bikes, but he had to think of Emily. So he had to hang back a little and let Nate and Blaine take care of the dirty work. Blaine got up alongside one of the motorcycles and the rider pulled his gun. Blaine did the same.
“Shit,” Gaige said.
Gaige pulled out his gun and shot the back tire of one of the motorcycles. It was instant chaos. The tail of the motorcycle started to kick left to right. The speed was decreased and Gaige hit his brakes. Nate and Blaine looked back and the other motorcycle took off.
The guy with the flat tire tried to take a sharp left and he dropped his motorcycle. He slid to the side of the road and Back Down Devil officially had someone from Eight Under.
Gaige came to a stop and went after the guy. The motorcycle was on his leg. He reached for his gun and Gaige took a shot, hitting the guy in his hand. He dropped his gun and screamed as blood sprayed everywhere.
“Check him,” Gaige ordered Nate and Blaine. “Maybe he’s the one we want.”
Miller, Shay, and Griffin all pulled up.
Nate kicked the helmet and the guy screamed again.
“Don’t kill him, bro,” Blaine said.
Blaine crouched down and pulled the helmet off the biker. His thick black hair and facial hair made it obvious he wasn’t the one who killed Emily’s friend.
“Fuck,” Gaige said. “Get the motorcycle off him.”
Nate lifted the motorcycle and then pushed it to the side. The rider started to scramble back, but Gaige and Blaine had two guns on him.
“Okay, okay,” the guy said. “I’m not going to move.”
“Fucking right,” Gaige said. “Where’s the rest of them?”
The guy shook his head. “It was nothing. Just a warning.”
“More bullets?” Nate asked. “That’s a warning?”
“I wasn’t there for what happened,” the guy said. “You fucking killed our men.”
“I’ll fucking kill you,” Gaige said and stepped forward.
The rider cringed and put a hand out. “Okay. Okay. You want Vinny, okay? He was the one who got that whole thing together. He shot.”
“You rat out your crew that fast?” Blaine asked. “What a piece of shit.”
“I’m not ratting a thing,” the guy said. “Just sharing a name.”
“Stand the fuck up,” Gaige ordered. He pulled at the guy’s shirt and brought him to his feet. “Look me in the fucking eyes and tell me where this guy is.”
“I don’t know.”
Gaige sighed. “I’ll ask again. I’ll pretend falling fucked up your head. Where the fuck is Vinny?”
“I… I forget. I hit my head.”
Gaige curled his lip. From behind, Nate swung a fist and punched the guy. He crashed into Gaige and cried out in pain. Gaige grabbed the guy by the throat and kept him standing.
“I’m going to fucking kill you right here,” Gaige said. “Unless you tell me…”
“We got company!” Shay cried out.
Gaige looked and saw the SUV flying toward them. He pushed the rider away and began to shoot. They all shot at the SUV even as the SUV shot back at them. Emily did the right thing by dropping behind Gaige’s motorcycle. Within seconds, the SUV was gone down the street, tires screaming as it made a hard left.
“Oh, fuck,” Blaine said, pointing to the ground.
“What?” Gaige asked.
He turned and couldn’t believe what he saw. The rider was shot at least eight times. A bullet in his forehead, and several more down his body.
“They weren’t shooting at us,” Miller said. “They were killing one of their own to keep him quiet.”
“Jesus Christ,” Shay said. “These guys are sick.”
“No,” Gaige said, “they’re fucking dead. He looked at Miller. We have a name now. Vinny. I want him alive.”
“We’ll get him,” Miller said. “Better take care of your girl.”
Gaige turned and saw Emily huddled next to the motorcycle, hugging her legs, staring at the dead body.
“Move this mess further back,” Miller said to Nate and Blaine. “Let’s get this out of sight and then get the hell out of here.”
Gaige dropped to one knee. “Emily, it’s okay.”
Emily shook her head. “I saw… the back of his head… it exploded…”
“It’s okay,” Gaige said. “You’re safe with me. Come on, stand up for me.”
Gaige helped Emily to her feet. She was shaking. She looked at Gaige as she was ready to burst into tears.
“This is life, beautiful,” Gaige said. “I can’t fucking control it. I can only protect those in it that I care about. That I love.”
Emily slid her arms around Gaige and hugged him.
“Bro, we have to get out of here,” Blaine
said. “I know it’s touchy…”
Gaige nodded. “We’re ready.”
Everyone got back on their motorcycles and peeled away from the scene of the crime. They rode back down to where they had their meeting with the Coast Road crew. Of course, those guys were all gone, obviously afraid to get involved with any bullshit. It pissed Gaige off but he kept his sights focused. He needed to get Emily back to the clubhouse and get her to feel safe.
When they pulled into the compound lot, Gaige found Chief Jerry standing at his cruiser, a cigarette hanging from his mouth.
When Gaige stepped off his motorcycle he pointed to Blaine and Nate. “I need a favor.”
“Anything, bro,” Blaine said.
“Take Emily inside to the bar. Get her a drink. We’ll be right in.”
Blaine looked at the chief and shook his head. “This guy needs to mind his own fucking business.”
“Give it time,” Gaige said.
Gaige kissed Emily on the cheek and put his lips to her ear. “Beautiful, go with these guys. You’re safe, I promise.”
Gaige walked toward Chief Jerry and stood with Miller. Shay and Griffin walked slowly to the clubhouse, leaving Gaige, Miller, and Chief Jerry alone.
“What do we owe this honor?” Miller asked.
“Funny how witnesses see one thing but remember another,” the chief said.
“I see you’re smoking again,” Gaige said. “What’s the old lady think of that?”
“She doesn’t know,” Jerry said.
“Long nights with that baby I bet,” Miller said.
“Beautiful long nights,” Jerry said. “Nothing like being a man who provides for his family. An honest living.”
“Honest,” Miller laughed. “Nothing in this world is honest.”
“Yeah. Well, the junkyard over there had some blood in it. Really fascinating shit. Our victim’s blood was there. Other blood, too. Too much for us to afford to test, but I’m sure someone with deep pockets wouldn’t mind. Someone brokenhearted.”
“Strokner,” Miller said.
“Bingo. He’s pulling in heat, gentlemen. I’ve done my job as far as I’m concerned. We’re investigating with the resources we have. But Strokner…”
“You have to stall him,” Gaige said. “Keep him happy with something.”
“Why?” Jerry asked. “The bikers are going to solve the crime?”
Miller put a hand up. “No need to get heated here.”
“That dead girl’s best friend just climbed off the back of your motorcycle, Gaige. What does that say?”
“That says nothing,” Gaige said. “Our business is private.”
Chief Jerry nodded. He pushed from the car. “Well, Strokner wants a bigger investigation on this. I can’t speculate much but if he pulls in bigger power…”
“We get it,” Gaige said.
“We appreciate your concern,” Miller said. “But I feel our consciences are clear right now.”
The chief let out a laugh. He tossed his cigarette to the ground and then pulled a mint from his pocket and popped it into his mouth.
“Gentlemen,” he said. “Have a good day.”
Once Jerry was in his cruiser, Miller leaned down and smiled. “Just to let you know… we were on a nice ride near the beach and I heard some gunshots. You might want to check that out.”
Miller patted the roof of the cruiser and walked away. He smiled and then Gaige smiled too. They walked back to the clubhouse together. Gaige looked over his shoulder and saw the chief peeling out of the parking lot.
Good luck, Chief.
nineteen.
Emily’s hands kept shaking. She was stuck between two bikers and she didn’t feel safe. She couldn’t help but feel like someone was going to just walk up and put a gun to her head. In her heart she swore she trusted Gaige and she trusted Back Down Devil MC, but a guy like Max would sacrifice his own life just to make sure Emily was dead.
“Drink up, babe,” Blaine said. “I’m telling you, it’ll calm your nerves.”
Emily lifted the shot glass and the whiskey burned her lips the second the liquid touched her. She shook her head.
“I can’t.”
“Sure you can,” Blaine said. “It’ll go down hard but that’s just life.”
“Cheers,” Emily whispered.
“Cheers, babe,” Blaine said.
Emily closed her eyes and took the shot. It was horrific and it burned all the way down to her stomach. She groaned and started to cough. Blaine gave her his beer. Emily drank from the bottle and then put it down. She blinked through the tears and looked at a smiling Blaine. There was actually a sense of sincerity in his eyes, for as sick as the man was.
“I don’t blame you for Rachel dying,” Emily said.
“Whoa,” Blaine said. “We need another shot.”
Two fresh shots were placed in front of Emily and Blaine. Emily took the glass and held it up. “Did you hear me?”
“I heard, baby.”
Emily took the second shot and it didn’t burn as bad.
“A third?” Blaine asked as he wiped his mouth.
“No. No. I can’t.”
There was a little silence and then Blaine sighed. “You know, I usually don’t give a fuck about much, but I am sorry for what happened. I carried her to her car and set her up. I looked at her. Touched her cheek.” Blaine smiled. “I even cupped one of her breasts, which got me hard.”
“Fuck,” Nate said. “What’s wrong with you?”
“I’m being honest,” Blaine said. “The point is… I looked at her and I felt bad for you, Emily. I’m glad you’re here with us. Whatever Gaige promises, he will make good on it.”
“I believe that,” Emily said.
“Good. He’s a good fucking guy. I’d take a bullet for him.”
“I think he’d take one for you.”
“We’d all take bullets for each other,” Nate said. “That’s what the outside world doesn’t get about it. It’s not about the leather, the motorcycles, the guns, the money… or even the pussy.”
“Hey, wait a second,” Blaine said.
Emily laughed.
“It’s about a brotherhood,” Nate said. He stared down at Emily. “It’s a deep connection.”
Emily took a shaky breath and flicked the empty shot glass. “One more.”
“There’s a girl,” Blaine called out and clapped.
He whistled and then two more shots were poured. Emily grabbed the shot glass and threw it back. Blaine cheered and whistled for her. It was the exact moment when all the shots started to hit her. She let out a deep breath and everything around her looked fuzzy.
Nate put one of his giant hands over the empty shot glass and put it to the end of the bar. “That’s enough for now.”
Emily looked at Nate. “You’re not that tough, you know?”
“Whoa,” Blaine said. “She’s a tough drunk.”
Nate smiled at Emily. “You’re lucky Gaige has you.”
“Why’s that?” Emily teased.
Nate stood up and walked away without responding.
“Don’t mind him,” Blaine said. “He’s stuck somewhere between here and hell.”
“Aren’t we all?”
Blaine laughed.
Gaige and Miller came into the clubhouse. Miller headed right to the bar while Gaige headed for Emily.
“Give me those fucking lips.” He kissed Emily and then licked his lips. “Were you drinking?”
“She took three fucking shots,” Blaine said.
“Really?” Gaige asked.
“Need to blur my mind.”
Gaige frowned. “Yeah, that was a fuck of a day, huh?”
Emily nodded.
“You know, one more shot and you could have ended up in bed with Blaine.”
“Never,” Emily yelled. She looked back at Blaine. “No offense.”
“Thanks,” Blaine said. “But trust me, babe, if you had it just once…”
“That’s enough of t
hat talk,” Gaige said as he put an arm around Emily. “Come on, beautiful, let’s go talk.”
“And fuck,” Blaine added. He stood up too and looked around. “Speaking of which… I smell pussy…”
“How can he be so gross one second and then kind of be normal the next?” Emily asked.
“It’s one of the mysteries of the universe,” Gaige said.
Before Gaige could close the bedroom door, Emily had the urge to fuck him. She rushed at him and grabbed his leather, pulling him in for a kiss. They kissed hard and deep.
“Whoa, beautiful,” Gaige said, pulling back.
“No,” Emily said. “Don’t be a fucking pussy, Gaige. Fuck me. Bend me over the bed and fuck me.”
“Did you just call me a pussy?”
“Yeah, I did.”
Gaige lifted Emily off her feet and carried her to the bed. His eyes were on fire. His lip curled. He was pissed off. Emily touched between his legs. He was hard.
“Turn the fuck around,” Gaige ordered.
Emily spun around and Gaige tore at her pants. Just like in the bathroom, he stepped where her pants were down to her knees, taking them the rest of the way down. He slid his hand into Emily’s panties from behind, forcing two fingers between her soft cheeks. He applied pressure at her other hole, making Emily jump and groan.
“You like that?” Gaige asked.
“Just fuck me,” Emily said. “Please.”
Gaige’s fingers continued down and around Emily’s sexist curve. He forced his two fingers into her wet pussy, massaging her tender walls. Emily threw her head and hair back.
“Everyone’s going to hear you,” Gaige said.
“I don’t care.”
He ripped Emily’s panties completely off her legs, and forced her to bend over. She looked back as Gaige unzipped his jeans.
“Just do it,” Emily said. “Bare…”
“Beautiful, I’m not going to be a fucking father…”
“Pull out and cover me,” Emily said.
She couldn’t believe what she was saying. The whiskey rolling through her veins made her feel wild. Looking at Gaige’s sexy face and then his perfect cock turned her on even more.
Gaige stroked himself once and then pressed his thickness to her body. With a grunt and a thrust, he was inside Emily. Losing her breath for a moment, Emily managed a couple weak whimpers before her breath came back and she cried out.
SAVAGE LOVE (A Back Down Devil MC Romance Novel) Page 30