Friction (Oath Keepers MC Book 5) (24 page)

“2 Piece, I want you and Cain to go out front, make sure no one’s going to pick us off one by one as we drag this bitch boy out front.”

“No problem,” 2 answers, squeezing Ares’ shoulder briefly and they take off around the building.

Ares unlocks the shed again, and Blaze is still out of it on the ground.

“You two drag him out to the front; I’ll watch your backs.”

“No problem,” Snake answers.

“Gee thanks,” I mutter and grab Blaze’s legs. His feet and hands are together so we have to drag him by the ropes. He’s not heavy; it’s just the point that my back is starting to bother me a little more as I get older. Probably all the riding, but I’m never giving that up.

“We should just string him up and smoke him like a hog,” I suggest and Spin gags.

“What
is
it with you and food right now? Usually it’s Cain goin’ on about food and being hungry,” Ares grumbles and I shrug.

We’re dragging him along when the back door opens and Avery pops her head out back, her eyes growing wide. “Oh shit!”

Ares huffs, “Angel, get the fuck back inside and stay there please.”

I almost laugh hearing him say ‘please.’ Avery’s got him so wrapped around her finger but we’ve gotten used to it. The first guy to talk shit about it got punched.

Her hand flies to her mouth when she sees us drag Blaze and she rambles, “I didn’t see anything!” then slams the back door closed as she hurries back inside.

Snake laughs behind me until Ares sends him a glare, causing him to shut up. We get Blaze out front to the pole and wrap a chain through his ties a few times and then through a metal opening in the bottom of the flag pole. He can’t go anywhere unless the ropes and zip ties are cut, then he’s unwrapped from the chain, so hopefully it’s plenty of time to get to whomever decides to be brave and rescue him.

Spin clears his throat, glancing around the compound. “Now what? Where do you want us positioned?”

Cain and 2 Piece approach us. “If they’re here, then they’re hiding pretty damn good. We walked around all the buildings and didn’t see shit,” Cain grumbles.

“All right, now we go inside and wait.” Ares treks toward the bar entry, with Shooter catching up to us quickly, just coming from around the back. I’m guessing he’s late to see the text message.

“We’re just leaving him out here alone? After all the trouble with that club, no one’s staying?” he asks Ares.

We all stop, waiting for Ares to put Shooter in his place, and he doesn’t disappoint.

“Look, Shooter, you may have just got voted in, but two things: One, I’m the fucking VP, so shut the fuck up and watch. Two, you don’t have that patch sewn on yet, so don’t fucking push it. Now, it’s too fucking hot to be standing around out here. Do you want to stay outside and sweat your nuts off? It may have been cooler yesterday, but this
is
Texas. One minute it’s nice, the next you’re sweating to death.”

“I’m cool.” Shooter backs off, standing beside Snake and we snicker.

Just because he’s the Prez’s son doesn’t mean shit, he won’t protect Shooter from getting his ass chewed either. We’ve never treated Snake any differently as a prospect, and he won’t get special treatment once he’s patched either.

Shooter clears his throat, speaking up, “When will I get my patch?”

“Whenever London has time, I reckon.” Ares shrugs and goes inside, leaving us to follow in his wake.

I’m finally about to fall asleep for a quick nap when Avery barges into the room, “Sadie!”

“Shhh!” I whisper-yell, not wanting her to wake up Cyle.

“Oops! Sorry!” she responds quietly, her hands flying to her face in surprise. “I didn’t know he was sleeping! I came to tell you the guys said to stay in the room and lock the door. They think something might go down and they want to make sure everyone’s safe.”

“Okay,” I answer, not really paying attention to what she’s just said. “Is the new girl okay alone in Spin’s room?”

“She’s actually in Cain’s room with London and Jameson. I’m going to camp out in my room to be with Lily. Scratch just took her for a walk, but I need to feed her dinner. That dog eats like crazy.” She grins and I can see right through it. She’s acting calm and blasé, but I know she’s just as nervous as I am about hearing that something may happen here today, and we’re all stuck inside with no idea what that is exactly.

“Okay, we’ll stay put,” I comply, and she nods, closing the door behind her.

I swiftly jump up and lock it, then lie back down in my warm spot in the middle of the bed. I was so close to sleep. Maybe I’ll get there again if I try.

I close my eyes and count to three hundred seventy-nine before my eyes fly open again. There’s no way I can take a nap now. I’m too wired wondering what’s happening and if Twist will be okay. I’m sure he will be just fine; he’s a strong man, but I still worry.

And what could be happening today anyhow? Frankly, I’m surprised Avery gave as much away as she did. Usually I’m kept in the dark about absolutely everything. I wonder if it could have anything to do with Ghost.

His texts magically stopped coming around the time I had Cyle. It had been in the back of my mind that Twist was looking for Ghost when he went on the run with all the guys, but then he came right back. I guess the other guys could have found Ghost and left Twist out of it, but I find it hard to fathom that Twist would sit back after Ghost came into the club threatening everyone. Twist and I could both hear all the shouting and fighting that went down that day. I was terrified that anything would happen; luckily after a fist fight and some crazy threats later, Ghost left. He
did
say he’d return.

Maybe I should grab Cyle and lock us in the bathroom too.

No. Who knows how long we could be in there. I’ll wait, and if I hear any strange noises, we’ll go in there. I can’t believe Twist didn’t come back here and let me know anything. I would’ve preferred hearing it come from him to gage how serious he thinks it could be.

I’m doing my best to adapt to his and my brother’s world. I’ve even grown accustomed to all the big scary guys here all the time, but I’m still not a hundred percent comfortable living here. Twist is planning on moving us into the apartment that Silas rented me once this all blows over; I just hope that ends up being soon and Twist doesn’t go crazy being around me and Cyle all the time. He’s with us now, but he has the club right outside the door to escape into if needed.

I want to have Twist all to myself sometimes and here I never feel like we’re alone, even if we do have our own room. Well, Twist has his own space; I just sort of overtook it. Then Cyle came along, and as I gaze around the room, I see he has taken over nearly every surface.

Twist declares he doesn’t mind, but he needs to have room to breathe. I don’t want to smother him so early on in our relationship, especially since things seem to be so amazing between us right now. Except for not being able to have sex. Being on this mandatory break is driving me just as crazy as it is him. I have to give my body time to recuperate, but honestly that’s the last thing I want right now.

Earlier in the hallway, when he pulled on my nipple, I thought I was going to cream my panties. I was so turned on. He’s beyond sexy. I don’t even have an accurate description of my feelings for him at this point.

My brother has backed off some. I’m guessing because of the baby coming. He’s been really excited about Cyle, more so than what I was expecting. I figured he’d be grouchy about it, but he’s been coming to visit him a ton.

Whatever his reasons are, I’m grateful. I keep falling a little bit more in love with Twist each day that passes and Silas needs to learn to accept that I plan to have Twist in mine and Cyle’s life as long as he’ll have us. He’s a good man, with a kind heart, who deserves nothing but to be loved, and I plan to be the one to give it to him.

Your mind is a powerful thing.

When you fill it with positive thoughts, your life will start to change.

-Kushandwizdom

I send Avery back
to let Sunshine know to stay put and lock the room door. I doubt shit will happen to be needin’ her secured back there, but you can never be too careful when it comes to pissed off bikers. That woman and little boy in my room mean the most to me, and I’ll die before I let any motherfucker get past to harm them.

“Still nothing,” Spin grumbles, holding his shot gun as he peers out the cracked open club door. He has an opening large enough to push his shotgun through, ready for whomever.

“Maybe we oughta send 2 Piece’s pretty ass out there, see if anyone will come steal him,” Cain chortles and we all chuckle, minus 2. He just glares, attempting to puff up, like he’s a badass.

We all know he’s the pretty one, getting the women to chase after him. Even being all hung up on Avery, women still try to get to him. Avery takes it in stride though as 2 Piece happily pushes them all away.

London comes in carrying food, making Cain flip out that she’s not locked away with Jameson in the room.

“Sugar tits, the hell you doing out here?” he grumbles.

“I brought you guys some sandwiches.” She smiles and sets a platter on the bar.

I give her a small hug. “Thanks, Cupcake.”

She kisses my cheek in response and walks back toward the rooms.

Snake and Prez both eat the food while the rest of us keep a look out.

After Prez chews his food, he speaks up, “I needed to talk to y’all about Smiles.”

“What’s the deal?” Snake asks, and the Prez continues.

“I was able to pick up his ashes. I was thinking about letting a little free when I ride over a different road. That way he’s out on the road like he enjoyed so much.” He clears his throat as emotion overcomes him, discussing his oldest friend and brother.

Ares nods, “I think that’d work pretty good.”

The brothers voice their agreeance, and Prez continues eating, putting the subject to rest.

“By the way,” he grumbles between bites of his sandwich, “we’re gonna have words eventually over you doin’ as you please with Blaze.”

Ares shrugs and we all pay closer attention.

“You can get upset if you want, but I’ve been looking after this club for awhile now, and Blaze was my decision. I was in charge of the California run along with handling the Iron Fist issue. You told me to take care of it and I’ve been doing that.”

“Yeah, brother, guess I’m not used to someone else callin’ the shots.” Prez nods and I think everyone’s heart rate slows down slightly at them coming to terms about the issue so quickly.

2 Piece glances around, talking to no one in particular, “All the Nomads take off after church?”

“Yup,” Spin answers.

“They gone or just hitting the bar?”

“Fuck if I know dude.” He shrugs and looks back out of the door.

“This fuckin’ blows, I feel like a sitting duck or some shit. I should go try to find this motherfucker myself,” I grumble and Ares shakes his head at me. I know he’s looking out for me, but it’s fucking annoying.

He turns to Snake, gesturing him over. “You watch here,” he orders, then turns to me. “Twist, you can go check out back with me, since we only have a few windows on that side.”

“Bet.” Pulling my Glock out, I follow behind Ares, making our way out the back door. We keep quiet, in case we sneak up on someone.