You could say it was the fire that took us in the right direction. Putting as much space as possible between us and the rogue flames, suddenly Hammer stops so fast I run into his back. He shoots out my arm to stop my forward movement, and points to a shape lying prone on the ground.
For a moment I don’t understand what I’m seeing, then through the smoke the shape in yellow takes form. It’s Nicole.
Switching into medic mode, Hammer’s beside her while I radio it in, checking and giving the co-ordinates of where we’ve found her. I keep one eye on the fire, whose approach seems to have slowed, and having run out of combustible fuels is starting to change direction, suggesting that at last our luck has turned. It’s now burning away from us and down. I update the captain on the situation. Nicole’s just about conscious, but I’m worried about her—she’s moaning, and there’s no recognition in her eyes.
Slade responds quickly. “They’ve cleared a helispot at base, and hoping for a lull in the wind to bring a helicopter in. We need to bring her down.”
“Can you come by and get us?”
“You in the black?”
“We were,” I tell him. “But we’ve just outrun a blow up. We’re now in the dead man zone.”
I look over to Hammer, who leans toward the radio and nods grimly. “She needs oxygen, and fast.”
“We’re on our way.”
I eye the fire, knowing we’re in unburned ground and that it could change its mind and come after us again. “I’m going to burn a fire line.” Without waiting for his nod, which I’m sure would be coming, I light my drip torch and start setting a line of burning fuel between us and the fire, hoping to slow or stop its progress if it starts moving back our way before Slade and Truck manage to swing by and pick us up. All being well, I’ll earn us precious moments.
Having had to pick their way carefully, it’s some time before the captain and Truck appear with the ATV. Hammer picks Nicole up and passes her to Truck, who cradles her in his arms, then we start taking the best route we can find back to base, having to detour around a couple of hot spots which are still blazing furiously.
At last we leave the fire behind and come to the cleared helispot. The wind drops briefly, allowing the helicopter to land. Medics jump out, already prepared with oxygen, and take over. When Nicole’s been transferred into their care, Hammer holds out his arms to me and brings me in for a quick hug. That had been close, for all of us. Relieved everyone’s safe, Hammer then pulls Truck to him and slaps him on the back.
As my friend is air-lifted away, I look up into the paramedic’s eyes. “What are her chances, Ham?”
“She’s breathing, she’s still alive. I think she may have taken a blow to the head. She’s not got burned but must have inhaled a fuckload of smoke. It depends how much damage has been done to her lungs.”
Slade allows us a moment, but not too long. “Ready to get back into it?” It’s only then that I notice people packing up around me as he continues, “Fire’s moving fast, and we’re relocating base. Forecast is for the winds to pick up again.”
“They’ll need our help setting up a new fire line.” The bat chief’s joined us. “Your crew good to go, Captain?”
“What we waiting for?” I say cheekily, trying to park my worries for Nicole for the moment. All my concentration is needed for the next phase of us against the fire. There’ll be time enough later to worry about things that, for the moment, I can’t control.
Even this fire line we’ve returned to is significantly lower than the one which we left to rescue the firewatcher, and already has to be moved down again. Gradually the fire’s beating us back, and we need to do all we can to ensure it’s not the inferno that retains the upper hand. As we retreat with the other crews, the roar of the fire sounding like an express train coming down hill almost drowns out the shouts and instructions as firefighters all over are packing up, jumping into vehicles, and making a hasty withdrawal as decisions are taken on the next place where to set up next, quickly analysing wind speed, direction, and the type of fuel in its path. It’s frightening how fast the fire’s started moving, now quicker than a man can run and straight downhill. Worse, the wind’s rapidly picking up again.
As I get moving with the rest of my crew I realise, although it’s hard to see through the smoke and if I haven’t got disorientated, where the conflagration is heading. Its trajectory is taking it straight toward the Satan’s Devils Compound. And Peg.
I come up alongside the captain and shout in his ear. “Slade. The fire’s heading…”
“Straight for your new friends. We’ve just been discussing that.” He nods over toward the bat chief as we make our way to the engine. “And we’ve more trouble too. We’ve had reports that a finger’s shot out from the head, found fast burning fuel, and has veered around their compound. It’s burning right across their escape route.”
“Have they evacuated?” If they haven’t, they’re in trouble.
I’m holding my breath as he tells me gently, “The police have been in radio contact with their president. They didn’t get out. Women, children, and bikers are there. They’ll be making their own stand.”
I gasp. Stupid. Why didn’t they get out while they had the chance?
“Cavanaugh.” The snapped use of my surname brings me back to my senses. When he sees I’m thinking again like a firefighter, he adds, “They’ve been taking their own precautions. They’ve got a hundred-foot cleared area around the perimeter. Hopefully sufficient to hold the fire, and one we’ve decided to utilise. That’s going to be our safety zone. We’re heading down that way now. The way this fire is moving, it’s going to surround us as well. We’ll use the compound as our retreat.”
I appreciate the time he’s taking to explain to me, he knows I’ve got a vested interest in this. My heart rate, which had finally slowed once Nicole had been safely airlifted out, now starts beating fast again. I’m tired and running on adrenalin. But this fire is giving me no chance to relax. “What about the fire that’s already swept around them?”
“Their firebreak seems to be holding for now. New crews have arrived from Phoenix, they’ll start tackling the blaze from the road. So far it’s burning its way past the compound and heading for the interstate.”
Jeez.
Reaching the engine, I hop on and we head down the foothills to the biker compound, making sure we get there in front of the flames. The air is thick with smoke that’s being blown in advance of the fire by the strong westerly wind. I hope they’ve got the sense to stay inside. This air isn’t healthy, especially for children, and now the fire has cut off their escape.
As we come below the tree line I can see the back gate to the compound has been opened, and surveying the work that they’ve done, nod when I see they’ve done a decent job of clearing all the fuel from around the perimeter. Then my eyes narrow as I see a bunch of what must be a dozen or so bikers standing outside, bandanas pulled up over their faces. They’ve got a digger, bulldozer, and other machinery including a rotovator that’s turning the soil, making sure nothing but earth is in the fire’s path.
Captain Slade jumps off the engine as it comes to a stop and marches up to the bikers. He starts gesticulating and talking, but from their stance what he’s saying is not what they want to hear.
Unable to contain my curiosity, I go over and join him.
The biker president’s facing off against my captain. “Our compound. We will protect it. The firebreak should stop it coming straight through, but we’ll be on hand to stop any flare-ups. This is our home.”
“All you’re going to do is give us more injuries to deal with. You could suffer from smoke inhalation, burns, or injuries and keep our medics tied up.”
“Peg,” I call out, and see his eyes flare as he recognises me.
“Thank fuck, Flash. You’re alright.” He pushes past his brothers and comes to give me an awkward hug. Automatically I return it, pleased to see him safe as well, and determined to keep him that way whil
e part of me says I shouldn’t encourage him. For three days I’ve been fighting this fire. Utilising my training with no time for any other thoughts in my mind. Apart from being worried about the people in the club, I’ve barely had a chance to give a thought to Peg. What happened between us seems a lifetime away, that he called me his woman was in a completely different world. My whole existence is consumed with fighting flames, smoke, and heat. I’m shaking with exhaustion, but beating this fire is the only thing on my mind. This is my life. This is what I do.
“Peg.” I pull back, unwilling to admit to a relationship that was doomed from the start. Trying to put space between us, I treat him as any other civilian and try to make him understand. “You’re the sergeant-at-arms, you need to keep your club safe. We’ll be doing everything we can to save the compound, you’ve done your part clearing the ground. Now let us get on with what we do best. At the end of the day this is just bricks and mortar. The club you should be protecting is the human one, your brothers and your family.”
I pause and glance up, and from the expression in his eyes, know I’m getting through to him. “You’re not equipped, you’ve haven’t got protective clothing. And you will get in the way. Leave this to us. Stay inside the gates. Keep your eyes out for any small fires starting up. That will be the most help to get this fire under control.”
“She’s got a point, Peg.” Drummer walks up, giving me an appreciative nod. “Let your woman and the rest of the firefighters get on with what they’re trained for. We’ve done all we can here.”
Peg growls, the sound resonating from deep in his throat. He’s not happy, I can see that. He’d rather fight by my side, or for me, and doesn’t care for me fighting this foe on his behalf. Then his eyes look at me from head to toe, seeing my blackened soot covered uniform, and one side of his mouth turns up in a smile as he leans forward to tell me, “You still look sexy, even in that.” His hand comes up to wipe soot from my brow, and I can’t help myself flinching away. Don’t touch me, Peg. I’ll weaken.
“Ask her to wear it so you can fuck her in it later, Peg.” Beef’s comment raises a laugh.
Anxiously, I take a peep at my captain, who’s studiously not looking at me but at Drummer. “We sorted?” he asks.
“Sorted,” Drummer confirms. Then after a fit of coughing, he straightens and waves his men back inside.
Chapter 23
Peg
Earlier
The fire I’ve seen surrounding the compound scares the shit out of me, and I want to jump out of the Jeep and hurry to see what we’re dealing with. But I also feel responsible for Ma Jones, who Viper is carrying into the clubroom and settling down on the couch. Trusting my brothers are doing whatever’s necessary, I watch as Viper rubs his muscles and flexes his shoulder, while I give him a rueful grimace. I wish I could have helped him, but wouldn’t trust myself to take her weight on my prosthetic leg.
Ma’s looking around her with interest, her eyes widening in surprise at the fairly clean surroundings and couches, tables, and chairs only a couple of years old. The décor had refreshed with new paint recently as well, old ladies finding jobs for the prospects even when us men don’t see it needs doing.
I see Sophie with Ollie hanging on to her hand, which gives me an idea. Looking at Ma, I ask, “Can you use a wheelchair?”
She tilts her head to one side. “Probably can if someone can lift me in and out. Didn’t at home, as I’m too heavy for Sarah.”
“’ere. Soph!” Sophie, always curious about strangers, almost runs across. I put her out of her misery before she can ask. “This here’s our neighbour, Ma Jones, and her great-granddaughter, Sarah. We brought them here as they couldn’t evacuate themselves. Can you get your wheelchair for Ma? And show them some hospitality?”
“You one of their whores?” Ma’s examining her intently.
Sophie bursts out laughing. “No way, Ma. I’m the VP’s wife, and this is our daughter, Olivia.” Said daughter is currently hiding behind her, sucking her thumb.
“I’ve got to go and see Drum…”
“They’re in church, Peg. Well, those who aren’t watching out for the fire.” The look of concern she doesn’t quite hide shows me they already know no one’s getting out of here anytime soon. She shoos me off. “You get along, Peg. I can handle Ma Jones.”
As I follow Viper into our meeting room, I grin, wondering if she can. The mirth’s soon wiped from my face by the sombre faces greeting us.
“What do we know, Drummer?” I ask, as soon as I sit down.
“Fire has circled around us. Burned down by the track forming a barrier between us and the road. We’ve no option but to stay and fight here.”
“Done any damage?”
“Nah, didn’t come close. The firebreak did its job and it just circled around us. Luckily the wind’s blowin’ it down toward the interstate. Moved fuckin’ fast though. Accordin’ to the firefighters, fire’s just unpredictable like that. Went through the grassland as though it was a truck mowing it down. No one expected it to break out at that point. We’re just unfortunate I guess. Dollar’s taken some brothers to keep the shop dampened down in case anything else flares up. But for now, we’re stuck here.”
“Well, we were going to stay put in any event.” I can’t see it makes much difference to our plans.
“Women and kids are still here, Peg.”
I nod, frowning at the reminder. That wasn’t part of our plan.
“What about the Jeep. We could go cross country…. Evacuate them that way.” Slick’s looking concerned.
“Have you seen how fuckin’ fast that fire’s comin’ down the hill?” Blade asks sarcastically, pointing with his knife in the general direction of the back of the club. “Too dangerous now. Wind blows up and changes wind direction and even the Jeep won’t be able to out run it on uneven ground.”
I pull on my beard. We’ve no other option. “So, we stay and make a stand.”
“Only thing we can do.” Drummer’s hands run through his hair. “Mouse got on the radio and we made contact with the police. There’s a hotshot crew on their way to us, and the crews working above us are going to head on down.”
“They want to help protect our compound?”
Prez huffs a strangled laugh. “No, they want to piggyback on our fuckin’ endeavours. We’ve made a decent fire break, and they want to use it as a safe zone for them.”
“But we’re still susceptible to the odd spark or burning ash fallin’. Wind’s still blowin’ a bitch out there.”
As Rock makes his observation, I’m thinking fast. “It’s our compound. We do what we can to protect it.”
“With you there, Brother.” Viper’s comment is mimicked around the table, and looking at my brothers my eyes land on Joker, who’s face has softened as he shares yet another one of his silent exchanges with Lady. Christ, if they don’t want to come out into the open, they better put a stop to their private moments at the table.
“All children to stay inside. And the women. Clubhouse is the safest place, it’s in the centre of the compound and slightly away from the blocs.” Drum makes the announcement, but his face twists, presumably remembering his house is right at the top. If the fire gets hold it will probably be the first to go.
“My house is most at risk.” Wraith’s frowning. “Only got the timber frame up.”
“We’ll damp that down, keep it wet. Will soon dry out, but don’t want to feed that fuckin’ fire.”
“I suggest we get on with it. Damp down anything that might burn.” I nod at Drummer as I speak. “That fire’s movin’ as though the devil’s behind it.”
Prez scowls. “Well, it’s going to find more Devils waiting. Want brothers at all points around the compound. See a fuckin’ piece of ash, you stamp it out fast.”
“Ride Satan’s Devils. Satan’s Devils Ride!” The cheer goes up around the table. Invigorated by our battle cry, and ready for the battle ahead, we stand and leave the room.
I take a moment
to check on Ma. Sophie’s brought her wheelchair down, so I wave Beef over and ask him to move her. As he goes to pick her up, she looks at him and smirks. “Been some time since a sexy young man had his arms around me.”
“Ahh, can’t be that fuckin’ long, can it, Ma?” Beef says with a wink as he lifts her.
Seated in the chair, she bats his hand away. “Mind your language, young man.”
Looking suitably chastised, Beef stammers out an apology, looks at me and shrugs, then wanders away.
“Where’s Sarah?”
“She’s in the kitchen helping Sam get some sandwiches.”
“And that’s where I’m going if someone will push me.” Ma looks at Sophie.
“Nah, Soph. I’ve got this.” I know why she’s hesitating. Ma’s a big woman, and Sophie’s like me, relying on a prosthesis to walk. But as I’m bigger and stronger, it’s not the same problem for me.
Ma’s obviously used to giving orders. “Why can’t you do it, girl?”
Sophie’s no longer ashamed of her injury. She pulls up the leg of her pants. I bite back a smile when I realise, for once, Ma looks chastened herself.
I push her into the kitchen, wondering how quickly Ma will try to take charge. There’s been a change in her since she arrived. She seems to be invigorated and enjoying herself. It’s easy to see why. Fuck knows how long it’s been since she’s had company other than that of her great-granddaughter.
While I’m wondering how the women will get on, my eyes fall on Marcia. She’s got both hands flat on the counter, and her face is red. Her cheeks are hollowed, then bowed as she seems to be puffing air in and out.
“You okay, Marcia?”
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