13
Lynx
I broke every traffic law on my Harley to get to Sadie and Jaynee. When I heard the chaos ensuing on the phone, I turned into a crazy man, passing cars and leaving Storm in the dust.
Prez had come with the crew and me. He didn’t trust I’d keep a level head. I guessed he was right.
Behind us, Copper drove my truck. Grizzly and Maddox were with him. Taking up the rear were Ire, Track, and Wolf. A crew of eight should be enough… I hoped.
I didn’t give a shit who came or stayed behind. I was prepared to go alone if needed. When I’d grabbed my coat and helmet, my only thoughts had been to get to Sadie and Jaynee.
Saint Paul was an old city with narrow streets and allies. The plan was to go into the club from the back if we didn’t see any hogs.
Luck wasn’t on our side. Viper bikes were lined up out front. A couple of prospects checked me out as we passed. We weren’t wearing our colors, but our Harleys might tip them off that we weren’t hobbyists.
Storm and I slowed down to turn right. With at least a dozen Vipers in the club, this wasn’t an ideal situation, but none of us thought it would be. TC Vipers were a club we avoided when possible. They weren’t reasonable men. Their porn business was anything but voluntary.
How in the fuck could Jaynee be in their club? And with Sadie?
Peanut’s words tormented me. She wanted to keep her clothes on. I didn’t want to imagine what she meant, so I forced myself to not go there. I should’ve warned Jaynee about the bad parts in the Twin Cities, as Maddy had suggested. I would never forgive myself if anything happened to either of them.
Screeching tires came from ahead as we entered the alley. A van hit a trashcan, swerving a little. It could be a drunk or someone screwing around, or maybe they were in a hurry, desperate to get away fast.
The tightness in my chest squeezed the air of my lungs. Something wasn’t right about this.
I pointed toward the van and gunned it. Storm gave me a thumbs up as we followed the runaway cage.
In my side mirror, Copper stayed with us. Ire and Wolf stopped at the Vipers’ back door, probably to confirm Sadie and Jaynee weren’t there. I didn’t imagine more than one kid was in the bar, so they shouldn’t have a problem figuring out who they were looking for.
We got onto the main road.
Copper veered to the left, then took the lead, blocking the van’s view of us. I couldn’t hear anything being said on the Bluetooth between Storm and the others because I stayed connected to Sadie. I wished I knew what was going on.
Why couldn’t I hear her? Whoever was in the van wasn’t a friend. I needed to play this cool, even though I wanted to bash some heads.
Adrenaline pumped in my veins, amping me up more than before. I trembled, but not from the cold fall air beating against my body. It was fear swelling in my belly, reminiscent of my childhood. The gut-wrenching, muscle-coiling type some got when they thought the boogie man was real. Mine stemmed from my father.
I squeezed the hell out of my handlebars, my throat constricting as it had the last time I saw my old man… the day I took the law into my own hands. I was prepared to do whatever it took to protect Jaynee and Sadie, just as I had for Mom all those years ago.
Track approached, but no Ire or Wolf. Usually, we stayed in threes in situations like this. I couldn’t worry about my brothers right now. They’d have to take care of themselves.
For ten fucking minutes, we followed the van through West St. Paul, then got onto Interstate 35E. We drove past Eagen, the Minnesota Zoo, and Apple Valley before heading south onto Interstate 35.
There was still no sign of Ire and Wolf. I’d have to trust that Storm knew their whereabouts.
There weren’t a lot of cars on the road, so I decided to get ballsy. Anything could be happening to Jaynee and Sadie in the van.Anything. I punched the gas, digging my gun out of the holder on my belt. Storm caught up to me, waving his hand for me to stop.
No dice, Prez.
I’d had enough of this bullshit. Blowing a hole in the tire would slow them down. Of course, I had no idea how many were in the van or what kind of weapons they might have, but I didn’t care.
Getting into position, I aimed for the back driver side tire. Once a couple of cars from oncoming traffic passed, I fired.
Tires screeched.
The van swerved.
I grinned. “That’s right, motherfuckers! I’m tired of playing.”