Tarin: Chapter 22
It had been two excruciating days waiting to see if Outlaw and the other Warriors could find Wade. When they sent the PI Petrillo looking for him in Atlanta, he was gone. Re-reading his last text led us to believe he had to be somewhere close to Hunters Creek. He’d mentioned that big bastard with black hair and their cuts. He was talking about Outlaw and his brothers. Where else would he have seen him, other than here in town.
Bull had placed the women and babies on lockdown, unless they had to work. Those who did, had guards with them. Those guarding them came from the Ruthless Marauders and Pagan Souls. They were close, and they didn’t have women or kids to protect like Hunters Creek and Dublin Falls did. Wade hadn't threatened those in Dublin Falls, but the club wanted to take every precaution.
I’d overall recovered from the wreck that I caused to take out April. I had bruises and aches, but that was it. Outlaw tried to get me to stay in bed, but I balked at doing nothing. While he worked at his computers, I spent time working on the wedding and helping Ilara with Hope. She was getting ready to go back to the hospital for her monthly chemo session. She hated those and would start to get moody and cranky before she went. Who could blame her? I know I would be too.
We’d taken a break to grab some lunch. I was helping Hope with hers when Outlaw and my dad came rushing into the house. I jumped to my feet. Ilara was staring at them in surprise. Outlaw came over to me. He took me in his arms. “Baby, we need to leave for a little while. We got a lead on where Wade might be hiding out. I want you to stay here with Ilara and Hope. Your dad is coming with me and a few of the other guys. If you need anything, call Tank or Joker. Tate and Jake are also going to be here. I’ll let you know once we have him or we’re on our way back.”
He gave me a kiss. I clung to him. My heart was pounding. I was afraid of what might happen. Wade was obviously not all there. When he let go, I held on to him for a few seconds longer. “Please, be careful, both of you and the others too. You don’t know if he has help or what kind of weapons he has. He’s not right in the head.”
“We’ll be careful. Try not to worry.”
While we were talking, I could hear Dad murmuring to Ilara, and he was holding her while he kissed her. He gave Hope a kiss then me. We watched them out the front window as they headed back to the clubhouse. Guys were getting on their bikes. I saw they were putting things in their saddlebags. I wondered if it was guns or other stuff. Ilara wrapped an arm around me.
“Come on, let’s finish lunch, then if it’s still nice outside, we’ll take Hope for a walk. That should get her ready for her nap. While she’s napping, we’ll watch more of those wedding videos.” I nodded. I let her lead me back to the table. I picked at my food. I wasn’t hungry anymore.
The next two hours seemed to crawl by. I had my new phone in my hand at all times, just waiting for it to get a text or call. Nothing. I noticed Ilara was doing the same. It was almost five o’clock when I got a text saying they were on their way back. He didn’t say if they had Wade or not. I thought they probably didn’t. If they did, he’d have said so.
We couldn’t stand to stay at the house, so we headed over to the clubhouse to wait for them. When we heard the roar of bikes, we went outside to wait. It was a bedraggled bunch who pulled into the compound. They were covered in soot, dirt and a few had some cuts and scrapes. I ran over to Outlaw as soon as he stopped his bike. The others went to their men. Ilara was at Dad’s side, fussing over him.
“Oh my God, what happened, Outlaw?” I gasped. He looked worn out. He got off his bike wearily. I went to hug him but he held me back.
“Tarin, I’m filthy. Don’t get yourself dirty. Let’s go inside and we’ll tell everyone together, okay?”
I frowned. He wasn’t acting like himself. I didn’t argue, I just followed him. He did hold my hand, which made me feel a tad better. Inside, we all got settled in various chairs. I waited impatiently to hear what had happened. Once we were all settled and quiet, Bull was the one to start the conversation.
“We found where Wade has been staying. He was at this house on the edge of Sparta. We’re not sure how long. We’ll have to find out from the owner.”
“Was he not there when you got there?” Tank asked.
“Oh, he was there. The little fucker barricaded himself in the house. He wouldn’t come out. Said if we didn’t leave, we’d be sorry. We were about to breach the damn doors when the bastard blew it up! He blew that damn house to pieces,” Bull growled.
All the women, including me, gasped. “Are you hurt?” I asked them.
“We’re fine. Some ringing ears, bruises, and shit, but nothing major. He blew it too soon. If he had waited a few more seconds, we would have been closer and it would have either seriously injured or killed most of us,” Outlaw said with a snarl.
I hesitate to ask, but I had to. “Was he still inside when he blew it up?”
“I don’t know, babe. I don’t know. It hadn’t been that long since we spoke to him. The only way he wasn’t is if there was a secret tunnel out of there. We had the doors and windows covered. That’s one of the reasons we need to find and talk to the owner. We left before the cops or fire department got there. They’ll have to extinguish the fire and then let the stuff cool. We’ll find out if they report a body was found.”
“Would he have been crazy enough to kill himself?” Ilara asked. The guys all looked at me.
“I have no idea. I mean he was always a little off, but to kill himself, who knows? Jesus, how long do you think it’ll be before we find out if he was in there or not?”
“I’m gonna have Scarelli call down and offer assistance to the Sparta department. They’re small. He’ll get us the information. Until then, we’re going to go on the assumption he somehow got out. No one is to leave alone. Outlaw, you and Smoke get to researching who owns that property. We’ll contact them as soon as we know. The rest of you, get a shower, have a drink, whatever. On second thought, Outlaw, you do the same and then once you’re good, start working on the property owner. I have a few calls to make,” Bull said. He turned and left the common room. I saw Jocelyn go after him.
After I checked to be sure Dad was okay, we went our separate ways. At the house, I told Outlaw, “Strip and give me those clothes. I’m putting them in the wash. They smell like smoke. Take a long, hot shower.” He didn’t argue. He stripped as the water heated.
“Alright, I’ll be down as soon as I’m done.”
I gave him a peck on the lips then took his clothes. He was already under the water. As soon as I put his clothes in the wash, I went to the kitchen and got out the leftovers. I heated them up. He had to be hungry.
Twenty minutes later, he was in the kitchen. I pushed him to the table and made him take a seat. “Sit down and eat.”
“Tarin, I need to get to the clubhouse and start searching for that owner,” he protested.
“You can do that once you eat. You can’t keep going on fumes, Damian. You've been getting next to no sleep, drinking coffee all day and night, and barely stopping to eat. I need you healthy. Eat and then we’ll both go back to the clubhouse.”