ChapterFive
Preacher
The parking lot is packed when I pull up and wave to the guard posted in the newly installed tower. The cops’ impromptu visit had us tightening up our security and emergency protocols. After driving inside, I park in my reserved spot and rip off my helmet. Holding out my hand, I help Queenie down. She stumbles, falling into me, and I take off her helmet for her. Her eyes are wide and dilated.
I palm her face. “Are you with me, Flower?”
“Yeah. I just …. She could’ve killed me.” Her breathing quickens.
“I know, love.” I wrap my arm around her and pull her into my warmth. “But she didn’t. I wouldn’t have let that happen.” I brush my lips over her forehead, wishing I had more time to bring her away from the ledge, but the sea of chrome and bodies rushing past us inside of the club has me pulled in another direction.
“We need to get you inside and get something warm in your belly.” I pull away, and she clears her throat.
“I’m fine. I just need a minute.”
“You’re not. And I’m not letting you out of my sight.” I wrap my arm around her waist and keep her pressed to my side. We step inside after the two prospects in front of us. People are gathered into small clumps talking loudly. Tech is seated at a table against the wall with three screens. His fingers move furiously over the keys as numbers I can’t begin to understand scrawl across the screen.
“Preach. How did it go?” Grimm yells.
I focus on the man surrounded by his council. Aries and Ice look grave.
“Bad. Byer wasn’t there, and Barnes made it clear he flipped.” I run a hand down Rian’s side.
“What’s wrong with you, Queenie?” Ice asks.
“Where should I start? I got subtly threatened because I wouldn’t say I saw a Sinner kill Flint, and then I was attacked by a drug addict in the hallway of the police station.” Her voice shakes.
“What the fuck?” Aries whispers.
Grimm steps closer. “Tell me everything.”
Clearing her throat, she straightens and relays the tale. Every threat adds another tally to reasons why I want to rip Flint’s head off his shoulders the next time I see him.
“When I told him he could kick rocks, he made it clear your time on top was over,” Queenie whispers.
“He thought wrong,” Grimm snarls, and Queenie flinches.
“Looks like they made their move,” I say.
“There are fires everywhere. We have people calling us telling us they’ve received threats and want protection.”
“Is that why we have such a full house?” I ask.
Grimm nods. “I want everyone on the same page, and I need up-to-date reports on what they’re seeing on the street. Normally I’d say this is the safest place for you. But we’re looking at going to war. I want you as far away from this as possible. Depending on how deep this coup goes, the cabin is the better location.”
“You want me to drop her off?”
Grimm nods. “Take a van so she’ll be able to leave if she needs to.”
“Has someone discovered the cabin’s location?”
“Not yet, but I always err on the side of caution.”
“Can you shoot a gun?” Ice asks.
“Of course.”
“Does a 9 millimeter work for you?” Aries asks.