I gripped his cut, but I couldn’t speak.
“Let’s get her outside,” Doc said, and Dash wrapped an arm around my waist and half-carried, half-walked me out the back door into a gravel parking lot.
“Willow?” Dash stroked my cheek. “I’m here. What’s wrong baby? Fuck, talk to me.”
I focused on Dash as my wrist was lifted. “Her pulse is racing,” Doc said.
“My jacket. Someone get my fucking jacket!” Dash demanded when I started to shake, and Olivia rushed back inside, returning with his leather jacket.
Dash placed it over my shoulders and I burrowed into the warmth and fell against Dash as though his leather protected me somehow. “The... the... man...”
“What man, baby?”
“The man... who... who shot Daddy. He’s in there.”
“What the fuck?” he snapped.
I shook my head. “I just heard... his voice. I... I...” I dropped my head to his chest and burst into tears.
“Take her home, Olivia.”
“No,” I argued. “No. I need to—”
“You don’t need to do shit right now, Willow.” Dash held me tighter.
“We might not have another chance to find this sonofabitch. You just tell me where you were in the bar when you heard his voice, and what he sounds like.”
“I heard him when Olivia and I walked by the bar. He’s somewhere towards the end, near the payphones,” I said, fighting back my tears as a feeling of rage started to burn in the pit of my stomach. “He’s in there, Dash. The one with the Appalachian twang and the lisp that I heard in my father’s office. He’s the one that shot my dad.”
Dash held me and kissed my forehead, before turning to Olivia. “I’m gonna get Gator to follow you home.”
“I came with you on your bike, Dash,” I reminded him.
“Liv can drive my truck,” Doc offered. “I’ll ride back with Dash.”
Olivia nodded.
“Have Gator meet me in front.”
Dash gave him a chin lift, kissed me gently, then headed back into the bar.
“You got your piece?” Doc asked Olivia as we walked.
“Yes,” she said.
“If someone other than Dash, me, or Badger want into the house, you shoot ’em. Ask questions later.”
“I will,” she said.
“Seriously—”
“Ohmigod, Tristan. I heard you,” she snapped. “If Gator’s with us, we’ll be fine. Stop with this alpha male crap. Please.”
He chuckled. “You’re cute.”
As they argued, I noticed there was something there under the surface... almost as though Olivia ‘doth protest too much.’ Doc treated her with total respect and I could tell he cared about her... and weirdly enough, Olivia seemed just as taken with him, but she was obviously fighting her attraction. Doc didn’t seem to care, though. I turned my back and tried to give them some semblance of privacy until Gator approached, and Doc released us into his care.
Dash
I had to slow my breathing and come up with a plan. If I rolled into the bar as hot as I was right now, I’d probably drag the bastard out to the street and kill him with my bare hands, but that wasn’t how our club operated, and the last thing they needed from me was to attract more heat. Besides, I knew my being in jail for murder would only leave Willow exposed and unprotected.
Doc walked back in and found me. “You good?”
I nodded. “Go on back to the pool tables and tell Badger to be ready for something to go down.”
“What exactly should we be prepared for?”
I shrugged. “Not sure. First I’ve got to figure out who this psychopathic hillbilly is and what crew he’s with.”
“How do you know he’s even with a crew?”
“Because Willow said she heard him at the bar, and if he’s sitting at the bar he’s with someone,” I said. “He’s either a club member or he’s in tight with one.”
Doc scanned the bar. “Yeah, but who?”
“I’m gonna go find out. You go talk to the guys but keep it quiet Doc. Remember this is Barney’s.”
Barney’s was sacred ground for any and all bikers. It was a holy temple built back when motorcycles first captured the imaginations of outlaws and outsiders all over this country. All crews were welcome, and the rules were simple.
No business and no violence—ever.
Should a member or an associate of a club spill blood on Barney’s property, that club would be banned for life. Not too long ago, a Savannah chapter member of the Spiders knifed a member of the Apex Predators. The Spiders were banned, which essentially ended any and all goodwill toward their club in the area. Eventually the Savannah chapter was closed and they’d doubled their club numbers in Portland... becoming the Dogs biggest pain in the ass.
We made our way back inside, and I headed for the bar. As I casually weaved through the crowd, I spotted the cuts of several Dogs, as well as Raptors, but not quite as many as I’d hoped. The long bar was lined with patches from Southern Devil’s Sons and Apex Predators, both one-percenter clubs filled with members capable of killing for profit. It’s about what I expected to see, but not what I’d hoped for.
“I’ll take a Grolsch,” I said, waiving to the bartender. I was near the end of the bar where Willow said she’d heard the shooter’s voice. I was also in a position to see Doc and the others by the pool tables. Doc saw me and gave me a slight nod. I was now swimming in very dangerous waters, but at least I knew my crew had eyes on me.
“You sure you’re old enough to drink that?” A Southern Devil’s Sons member with a long graying beard asked dryly.
I said nothing and handed the bartender a ten.
“Oh, lookie here boys, one of them fire pups wandered over to the bar. This little doggie must be thirsty, or maybe he just don’t know where his place is,” a whiney voice called out.
I took a slow pull from my beer and looked to my right. Seated at the bar was a man wearing an orange trucker’s hat and an Apex Predators cut with what looked like a brand new “1%” patch. His thick twang was unmistakably Appalachian, and he was missing several teeth, making him sound like an evil cartoon snake. Greasy, dirty blond hair hung down, framing his gaunt face.
“Just here to drink and shoot some pool like everyone else,” I said flatly, my eyes locked on him.
“Well, you boys sure as shit don’t do anything else,” he spat out.
I wanted to tear this fuckin’ shit stain apart, but had to keep my cool. I wasn’t even sure if this was the right guy, not to mention there was a second shooter at the church that we knew nothing about.
“Let me buy you a drink,” I said, in an effort to get closer to him. I needed to figure out as much as I could about who he was and who he ran with.
“I only drink with bikers. Real bikers. Not you fuckin’ pussy, candy-ass wannabes.”
I could smell his rancid breath from where I stood.
“Alright, Spike, remember where you are,” the bartender warned.
“I know where the fuck I am, godammit. It’s this little pup right here that don’t know where he’s at,” he said, now standing. “Besides, if his crew ain’t gonna take care of business like men out on the street, they sure as shit ain’t gonna spill blood in here. Here or anywhere!” he said to a round of laughter.
“Everyone knows the Dogs of Fire are fuckin’ boy scouts that never get their hands dirty. Candy-ass sonsabitches, every one of ’em.”
“You’d better get back over to your pool game, son,” the bartender said, motioning to Doc and the others.
“Yeah,” I said, then adding, “I’ll see you around,” as I walked by Spike.
* * *
Willow
I busied myself in the kitchen, trying not to obsess over what could be happening to Dash and the rest of the guys at the bar. Gator was on the sofa, glued to SportsCenter, and Olivia was at my kitchen island sipping on her second glass of wine.
I couldn’t understand how
they were both so calm and I said as much as I mixed a batch of chocolate chip cookie dough.
“Honey, why do you think I’m on my second... ah, no, third... glass of wine?” Olivia asked as she poured another.
“And why do you think I’m watchin’... the women’s doubles world tennis championship finals?” Gator challenged. “Relax. If Dash needs anything, he’ll let us know.”
I sighed, scooping dough onto a cookie sheet. “What if that guy hurts him?”
“He’s not gonna hurt him, baby girl,” Gator said. “Dash knows what he’s doin’. The asshole won’t even know he’s lookin’ at him.”
I bit my lip. “I wish I had your confidence.”
Before anyone could respond, the alarm beeped, and Dash called out, “It’s us.”
I left my cookies and rushed to the foyer. “Did you get him?”
Dash shook his head. “Couldn’t do it at Barney’s, so we’re watchin’ him for the moment.”
Doc smiled. “Don’t worry, Willow, we got you.”
Dash kissed me quickly.
“What’s that smell?” Badger asked.
“Chocolate chip cookies,” I said.
“You made cookies?” Doc asked, rubbing his hands together.
“Help yourself,” I said, and Doc left me and Dash in the foyer.
“Do you know him?” I asked.
“The guy who killed your dad?”
“No, the mailman,” I retorted in exasperation. “Yes, the man who killed my dad.”
“No. But I will.”
“Meaning?”
Dash kissed me again, wrapping his arms around my waist. “Meaning, I got you.”
“What’s the plan, Dash.”
“Well, I’m gonna get a beer, then once everyone leaves, I’m gonna fuck my woman.”
“Dash,” I hissed.
“You know I’m not gonna tell you that, Willow.”
I frowned. “Then we should call Lisa.”
“Not gettin’ the cops involved until we know more.”
“But she can help.”
He shook his head. “Not open for discussion, baby.”
“Don’t do anything that’ll get yourself hurt or killed, honey, okay?” I begged. “It’s not worth it.”
“Willow.” He cocked his head. “Who are you talkin’ to? I got this.”
I rolled my eyes. “One time, Dash, just once I wish you wouldn’t be so flippant with your safety. I fully understand you’re my big strong man, but even you can’t stop a bullet, and if anything happened to you, I’d be lost. I love you, honey. More than life itself.”
He sighed, stroking my cheek. “I hear you, baby. I promise I’ll be careful. I always am, but I’m a little extra cautious now that I have you. Got someone to come home to now.”
I leaned up and kissed him again. “That is the correct answer, handsome.”
He chuckled, and patted my bottom. “I’m ready for cookies.”
“Come on, then.”
We walked back to the kitchen and I washed my hands so I could go back to scooping cookie dough onto sheets.
“Holy shit, baby girl,” Gator said with a full mouth. “These are the best damn cookies I’ve ever had.”
I smiled. “It’s Nestle, so I can’t really take any credit for it.”
“You know what would make ’em better?” he said.
“Enlighten me, old man.”
“Pot.”
“Holy shit, yes,” Badger agreed. “Weed cookies would be fuckin’ amazin’.”
“It’s legal in Portland,” Doc said.
“So, we need a reason to visit the chapter out there, then,” Gator said.
I shook my head. “You people are insane.”
“You obviously never had it,” Badger teased. “Or you wouldn’t say that.”
“I only started drinking wine a year ago,” I admitted. “It was frowned upon in my house, so, no I’ve never tried it.”
“I don’t like it,” Olivia said. “It makes me paranoid.”
Doc wrapped an arm around her waist. “You could always try it with me. I’ll make sure you’re not paranoid.”
“Keep dreaming,” she said, and took a bite of cookie.
“You got more beer?” Badger asked with his head in the fridge.
“No,” Dash said. “Wasn’t expectin’ company.”
“You really should have a couple cases in the garage just in case,” Gator said.
“Should I?” Dash challenged.
“And a few bottles of wine,” Olivia said.
I giggled. “We’ll obviously need to plan better for the future.”
“That’d be appreciated,” Gator said.
“I think I need to plan to buy more food as well,” I said, nodding toward Badger who was currently double-fisting cookies, while one was in his mouth.
“Does that mean you’ll cook more?” Gator asked, hopefully.
I grinned. “You want me to cook more?”
“Yeah. I’ll eat anything you cook.”
“Aw.” I leaned over and kissed his cheek. “You’re the sweetest man on the planet.”
“Shit, baby girl. Don’t tell no one that.”
“My lips are sealed.”
The rest of the night was spent hanging with everyone, and after Dash and Doc made a food and booze run, I forced them all into a game of charades, which got dirtier and dirtier the more alcohol was consumed.
I’d never had more fun in my life. Despite the fact my life was in chaos, I’d never felt calmer than when I was with Dash, and even though I was in danger, I’d never felt safer than with him and the Dogs.
All my life I’d been around sinners dressed up as saints, and here I was being accepted, loved, and protected by the very “undesirables” the town had warned me about all my life. Even my father, who loved everyone, was completely wrong about the Dogs of Fire. These people may be sinners in the eyes of the church, but they were saints to me, and more importantly they were becoming my family.
Dash
I’d barely slept the night before. Willow, on the other hand, was out the minute her head hit the pillow. I’m sure the wine helped, but there was something more. She seemed happier than I’d ever seen her. There was a light in her eyes last night that I wanted to see every day. I, however, was awake all night thinking about how to protect the woman I love, and how I was going to make the people that killed her father pay.
My phone rang and I answered before it woke Willow. I’d tasked Badger with tailing Spike last night and had been waiting for his call.
“Hey, man. Whatcha got?”
“I followed him to a place out in the woods near Sugar Falls Creek. He’s holed up in a cabin with four or five other guys. I see three bikes parked out front and two trucks. They’ve got a couple of pallets of supplies and a guard posted on the front porch. It looks like a private party, and it looks like they’re fixin’ to be here a while.”
“Sounds like we just might need to crash that party.”
“I’m in,” he said.
“All right, text me the location and sit tight. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” I hung up and carefully slid out of bed. Willow stirred and I bent down and kissed her forehead. “Go back to sleep, baby, I just need to go check on something. I’ll be back before you know it.”
“What?” she grumbled. “Where are you going? What time is it?”
“It’s just past six a.m., go back to sleep. Gator’ll be here when you wake up.”
She muttered something incoherent and immediately began snoring again. Even when passed out she was fucking adorable.
I got dressed and hit the road. I loved riding in the early hours of the morning, especially on days like this, when there was hardly anyone else out. The past month or so had been a blur, and it was only during moments like this, riding alone, with only the sound of my V-twin motor to drown out the noise of the world, that I could clearly hear my own thoughts. It had been this way for me since the first time I got on a m
otorcycle.
It’s why I still ride, and why I belong to the Dogs of Fire crew. Our club believes that in order to ride free, you have to truly be free. That’s what guys like Spike and those shitty biker thugs will never understand. They love money, power, and violence, and there’s no freedom to be found in those things. That kind of life leads to a jail cell or a pine box, and you can’t ride when you’re inside either of those.
The sun was just starting to peek over the horizon when I reached the small road that led to the cabin. I checked my GPS and killed the engine. I rolled my bike to the thick brush where Badger told me he’d stashed his, and quietly made my way down the road where he was waiting.
“Dash, over here,” I heard him whisper. “Over here, man.” I followed his voice and found him hidden behind a small group of trees, with a clear view of the cabin.
“What’s the story?” I asked.
“The main road over there leads to the house. It’s the only way in or out and they’ve got a chain up.”
“What about personnel?”
“Well, that big fucker there with the shotgun has been on the front porch all night, and the rest of the crew is inside with Spike.”
“You’re still thinking there are five or six guys in there?” I asked. He’d texted me a few details earlier which was why I was coming in silently so to speak.
“As far as I could see when they pulled in last night. I had a pretty good tail on Spike when he left Barney’s around two in the morning. By the time I had snuck up to the cabin he was going at it pretty good with his crew. I couldn’t make out what they were fighting about, but they sounded pretty pissed.”
“Okay, thanks Badger, I’m gonna try to get close to the house to see if I can get a better headcount. Hang back here, but be ready in case anything jumps off.”
Cutting through the woods as quietly as possible, I made my way around the back of the cabin. I couldn’t see a guard posted at the rear, but proceeded with caution as I made my way closer. I could smell coffee brewing and could hear the sounds of heavy boots on the cabin’s hardwood floor as I approached. I crouched below an open window, careful to stay out of sight. The only thing we had going for us was the element of surprise.
Saving the Preacher's Daughter (Dogs of Fire: Savannah Chapter #1) Page 15