Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 40637 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 203(@200wpm)___ 163(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40637 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 203(@200wpm)___ 163(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
“On it, Prez.” Tiny confirmed the order as Vic jumped into the back with Flagg along with Knuckles. “This oughtta be fun.” Tiny slammed the tailgate shut, then stomped around to the driver’s side, climbed in, and took off.
I turned to Carrie. She looked shell-shocked. Like none of this was what she was expecting. I wanted to get her home and away from everything to let her process, but I knew she wouldn’t want to wait. Less than a fucking day and I was already in tune with her. “We need to get back. You ready to ride?”
“That was… disappointing,” Carrie mumbled. “Not sure what I expected, but I thought it would be harder than this to catch him.”
“Christ, baby,” I pulled Carrie into my arms and held her tightly. “You took a header off the bike and you’re complaining the chase wasn’t exciting enough?” I kissed the top of her head. “Ain’t sure I could take your brand of excitement.”
Gage cleared his throat. He’d been standing on the edge of the group watching, scowling at Flagg the whole time. “Father’s having a difficult time accepting that his control over us is slipping. He’s been making increasingly erratic decisions.” He looked at Carrie. “When you disappeared, he lost it. Started raving about traitors and how he’d kill anyone who helped you escape.”
“I didn’t escape. I left.” Carrie’s voice was firm, but I could feel her trembling against me. “There’s a difference.”
“Not to him,” Gage replied grimly. “Look, I know you don’t trust me right now, but I swear I wasn’t trying to hurt you or Vic. I was trying to get you to move out of Flagg’s line of sight so he wouldn’t take another shot at your man. He’s slipping, but I don’t see him missing a shot like that twice.”
Carrie was still for a moment before she nodded slowly. “I believe you, Gage.”
“I’m not asking you to trust me, Hawk.” Gage’s expression remained neutral, but his eyes were sharp, like he was assessing every movement I made. “You don’t know me. But Carrie does.”
Carrie looked up at me, her expression conflicted. “Gage was always… unpredictable. Father never knew what to do with him.” She addressed her brother. “Why? Why betray him now when you haven’t all these years?”
“Honey, as hard as you had it, it was worse for us boys. We all learned to cope and avoid a beating in different ways. I went along with him, doing what he asked when I had to. Other times, I mitigated the damage and worked out something I could live with.”
“We need to get back to the compound,” I said, not wanting to be out in the open too long. “Knight will have the place locked down tight, but I don’t want to take chances if there are more of your father’s men around.”
“There aren’t.” Gage said.
“Get in the back with Knuckles and Vic,” I told him.
“No.” Gage shook his head. “I’ll get in touch with Vic later, but I’ve got to let my brothers know what’s going on. There will be a power void in the city if we don’t move to shore everything up.” He paused. “I’m assuming Flagg won’t leave that compound.”
“No clue.” He absolutely would not be leaving that fucking compound. “Come with us and find out.”
“Let me check with Vic first.”
“Tiny.” I spoke into the radio, hoping the road captain could answer me. Should be an uneventful drive to pick up some passengers, but things were always easy until something went to shit.
“Yeah, Hawk.”
“Give Vic your radio.”
“Stand by.”
A few seconds later, I heard Vic’s voice. “What is it, Hawk?”
“Do you want Tiny to swing back by and pick up your brother?”
“No.” The response was immediate. “He needs to prepare for what happens next. Otherwise, it’s going to fuck with everyone’s business.” I knew Vic was being deliberately vague and I approved.
“He said as much. He’s leaving now unless you have instructions.”
“Gage knows what to do.”
“Copy that.”
Gage reached for Carrie, but I stepped in front of her, not wanting him near her. Carrie put a hand on my arm and stepped around me. “It’s all right, Hawk. I see it in his face. Gage isn’t going to hurt me.”
“You’re too trusting, honey.” But she still moved past me and into her brother’s arms.
Gage heaved a big sigh and hugged her tight, kissing the top of her head. “I’m so sorry, Carrie. We should have taken better care of you.”
“You guys weren’t much more than teenagers yourselves. You helped me when it mattered. All of you, though, I admit I wasn’t sure what to think of you guys. Half the time it seemed like you hated me. The other half like I was an obligation you had to do right by for whatever reason.”
“That was to keep Flagg from using you against us. We all adored you. Still do. But if he knew he could control us by threatening you, things would have been so much worse.” He let her go and I felt like I could finally breathe again. “Go on. Your man there looks like he’s about to lose his shit.” I growled but Gage just gave me a half smile. “Take care of my baby sister. I know where you live.”