“We will,” I agreed. “We need to make this huge. Go all out. Vendors. Food. Leatherworkers. As many clubs as we can find. Tell everyone this istheevent of the century. If you’re a club, you have to be there.”
“That’s my thought. Draw them in and wait for this club to show up with Thunder. If they got him, they’d bring him.”
“Has to be, Diesel,” I choked, fighting emotion. “We’re out of options. This is the last chance we got to find him.”
“I know.”
We exchanged nods. “Let’s get to work.”
A month later, Diesel showed up at the Crossroads and didn’t come alone. Lynx, the Steel Stallions MC president, and his ol’ lady Elle followed Diesel, Chains, and Scorch into the clubhouse.
Shouts and greetings erupted around the bar as we welcomed our brothers. Different clubs, but the same goal united us all.
Diesel accepted the beer thrust into his hand, sitting down at a table with me, Grim, Lynx, Elle, Rael, and Chains. “Got a list of clubs here that have given their R.S.V.P. There’s some I don’t recognize. Figured you all could help us with those.”
“Show me.” Grim reached for the list, scanning the names. “Fuck. Not a single club I don’t already know.”
“Fuck. I was afraid of that,” Diesel admitted.
Grim shoved the list toward Rael and me. No new names to us either.
“Shit.” I sighed, tossing back a shot of whiskey. I’d brought the bottle to the table. Feeling old and worn like a stripped tire on my bike, I fought fatigue and hopelessness.
“Hey,” Diesel rumbled.
I met his steady gaze. “We’re gonna find our boy. You feel me?”
Nodding, I let my body reply, but I didn’t believe it. Nine years stood in the way.
As the days brought us closer to the event, I grew angrier and more easily riled. My Reaper fought agitation, frustration, and the emptiness of Thunder and Ani’s loss. It aged me.
We rode for Georgia a week later. Most of the club decided to attend this event, and we left only a bare-bones crew at the Crossroads. We needed to make a big show of attending this event in case Thunder’s abductors showed up. No one would be turned away.
Less than three days before the festivities began, we found a new name registered on the attendance log. Hell Titans.
“You ever heard of them?” Diesel asked.
“Nope,” Grim confirmed.
“Anyone else?”
Not a soul could say yes.
“Justice,” Diesel called out, “Need you to dig into this club. Tell me what you find.”
“I’m on it,” she confirmed, retreating to her computer.
Diesel pulled me aside. “I know you’re hurtin’, brother. Can’t say I don’t know your pain. I’ve lived it.”
Blinking at him with weary, bloodshot eyes, I appreciated his honesty. “Artist.”
“Yeah.”
I knew some of the story since we’d met with the Ryders on occasion over the years, forming a friendship that forged from necessity and respect. “He’s been through some shit, huh?”
“More than I could say.” Diesel didn’t show emotion much, but when he did, it proved the trust we had formed. “He was taken like Thunder. Abused.” His voice broke. “Can’t stand the thought of another son going through that shit. Fuckin’ killin’ me, Diablo.”
I gripped his shoulder as he gripped mine. “We’re gonna get through this, Diesel. We’ll be strong for our boys.”