Closing my eyes, I knew the decision I had to made and I didn’t hesitate. My head and my heart agreed. Torn up by the knowledge that I left us all with the same past, I clenched my fists and tried not to panic. This was the
only way. Sometimes the right choice was nothing.
I didn’t do a damn thing.
Five seconds later my eyes opened, and I was staring at Ghost, GQ, and Valan on their bikes, completely oblivious to the last few minutes. I had no idea how much time had lapsed. Maybe none at all. It didn’t matter.
I swung my leg out and planted my ass back on my Harley, glancing at my brothers. The men I trusted and rode with every single day. The MC was my life and I wouldn’t trade it for any reason. They had my back and I had theirs. We were family. Together with Rae, Cara, Hayley and the rest of the club.
Swallowing hard, I knew I did the right thing. Fate was on her own.
Chapter 16 – R.J.
The old Mill parking lot was empty as we rolled up, parking our bikes in a row. I didn’t see any other vehicles but that didn’t mean Maxwell wasn’t here. Cautious, I pulled my gun and ticked my head toward the front doors as my brothers did the same. There was no way we were walking into a trap.
Ghost went left and GQ right as Valan followed me inside, both of us scanning the vicinity. Nothing but dusty machines and clutter filled our vision. I glanced down and noticed the multiple footprints that had moved through the dust and disturbed the layers. By my guess, at least a half dozen guys were located in the building.
Valan nodded once and I knew he saw the same. We moved quietly, scanning the interior. Across the room was a door. On the other side I could hear a scuffle. They were ready for us.
Valan shrugged and we surged forward, bursting through the doors at the same time, our guns aimed at the center of the room. Maxwell Forman stood in my direct line of sight, his arms stretched out wide at his sides and an amused expression on his face. Several men with guns stood at his left, clearly his hired thugs. To his right, the surprise wasn’t all that shocking. Devlin and four other members of the SOMC had their own weapons.
Looked like he finally found a way to get his payback. Too bad Devlin wasn’t gonna last the night.
Ghost and GQ had their arms raised; guns pointed at their chests as each man was shoved into the center of the room. Maxwell nodded toward a tall, lanky guy with a ponytail.
“Crank.”
Max moved and four chairs I hadn’t seen before came into view. My brothers were shoved into them, Ghost and GQ tied down by the wrists, ankles, and chest by thick nylon ropes. There was no fear in their eyes. Guys like us weren’t afraid of death. We looked into that sick bastard’s face on a daily basis. When the reaper came for us, we’d go out with a fight.
Just like today.
But in the end, we were ready.
Sure, the odds were against us but that didn’t mean we would find a way to turn this shitshow to our advantage. Not to mention the fact that Mack, Edge, Tank, and Jake all knew where we were headed. If we didn’t return soon, they would send help. Didn’t hurt that we had a little backup either.
Beckett was watching the warehouse. Maxwell Forman was going down.
He just didn’t know it yet.
In the interim, I’d play along.
“Time we met. Don’t you think?” Max’s dark eyes assessed and dismissed me as if I was nothing more than dogshit on the bottom of his shoe. A mild nuisance.
“Sure. I’ve been wanting to kick your sorry, pathetic ass.”
His jaw locked as he smiled. “I think your overestimate your chances of survival.”
“I think you’re a fuckin’ worthless piece of shit and an abuser. But hey, that’s common knowledge.”
Even a couple of the Outlaws smirked at that. Devlin’s sneer didn’t leave his face. He was waiting on Max’s decision. Dumb fucker. He was too stupid to realize Max was only using him. Devlin had a long list of crimes and he was still wanted for Rae’s mother Sarah’s murder.
Justice would be served on multiple counts today.
“Put down the guns and sit down,” Max ordered, gesturing to the remaining chairs.
Valan already knew the plan. We couldn’t make this seem too easy, but we didn’t want to give in too fast either.
“Fuck off,” I replied, aiming for his head.