Avenging Angel by Naomi Porter

21

Storm

After our private meeting, we gathered in the quiet bar. Conversations were dialed down. The air was full of smoke. Hell, even I toked on a joint to calm my nerves—something I didn’t do often—like when I was in my early twenties.

Plans were hatched to turn the area upside down. My dad didn’t know my territory, so he sat and listened. It was strange. I tried to focus, but it was hard not to wonder what he was planning. Selfish sonofabitch probably had some debt in mind that he’d make me repay for this help.

Sugar entered, making a beeline for me with three towering men following her—my cousins. David and I stood at the same time.

“Storm, I’m sorry about your girl.” Abe embraced me in a brotherly hug. His road name was Cobra. We used to raise hell together when we were young, along with his brother Micah—Bone, who was VP in their dad’s club. Haven’t seen much of them since we grew up. “We’ll get her back, cuz.”

“Cobra, I appreciate you coming.” I pulled back, turning toward Bone and Buff, and hugged them.

Cousin Ben’s family were aviation enthusiasts. Every one of them had their pilot’s license. They flew around the country and into Canada for their club’s business, predominantly drugs and guns. Ben’s five sons’ road names were after airplane types. His only daughter, the youngest in the family, was named Piper.

“Spectre wished he could come.” Bone gripped my bicep. “But you know how it is, Dad needed his Sergeant at Arms to stay close.”

I understood completely, now that my SAA was gone. “Having the three of you here means a lot.”

The bar was filled with my family, yet I felt utterly empty without Madeline and Hero here. Sugar and her boys were talking with Cobra and Buff. David and Bone were with Justin. This group of brothers was the best. I was damn grateful for them.

Boxer stalked toward me with a hardened gaze. “I got her!”

The room fell silent. I held my breath.

“Tell us,” I barked, heart racing with anticipation.

Boxer climbed on a chair, Mr. Dramatic, and yelled, “I have the location of where the Hunters are hiding. I believe that’s where the others are too.” Boxer cut his eyes to mine. “Get your kevlar on and load up. I’ll be in the arms room waiting for you.” Boxer hopped down.

“Are you sure this farm is where my woman’s at?” I gripped the back of my neck, wanting to believe him.

David and Justin stepped up beside me.

Boxer nodded, his laser ice-blue eyes showed his certainty. “Pretty damn sure. My informant followed the Hunter after he met with Miller. His gut told him to follow the dirty maggot and it paid off. Led him straight to the farm. He’s not left the location and has seen three Hunters go into one of two silos.”

“Fuck.” I put my arm around Justin. “Let’s get our girls back.”

As everyone scrambled to get ready, Track showed up with four others.

“Storm, this is Miguel,” Track introduced.

“Sorry we’re late.” Miguel shook my hand, looking around the room. “What’s happening?”

I smiled at Track. “Boxer’s informant got us the location of a farm he’s seen Hunters in and out of.”

Track shook my shoulder. “Hell yeah, brother.”

“We need to roll.” I cut my eyes to Miguel’s. “Do you and your brothers need anything? Kevlar vests, guns?”

“Nah, man. We’re ready.” Miguel patted his chest and flashed his weapons.

“I’ll drive them out in my truck,” Track said.

I nodded. “All right. Let’s do this.”

My council faced the rest of our brothers in the bar with the Heretics. My cousins, Maddox and Markey, were also present. I’d given them permission to attend the meeting if Sugar said it was okay. They were only observers and would not join in the rescue.

Not everyone was going to the farm. It’d look like a fuckin’ army of bikers if they did.

Instead, we’d have men strategically placed if any Hunter tried to escape. I did something unprecedented: I called Sheriff Hendricks because the farm was in his jurisdiction.

Here at the clubhouse, Sugar and Tina cooked up a feast with the kittens. Patch, the club’s doctor, was here setting up his medical room. Libby, a kitten, was helping him. She had her nursing assistant’s degree, but liked being a kitten more. Any time she helped Patch, she got a hefty bonus.

“You have your orders. Follow them,” Raul yelled, explaining how everything would go down. “If you fuck up this plan, Boxer will fuck you up. You hear?”

Grunts came from every direction.

“If you catch a Hunter, bring him here. Grizz,” he pointed to the corner where Grizz had his iPad with him, “he will tell you what to do with him. Listen to your leader. And leaders, follow the orders I gave you!”

“All right,” I shouted. “I’m counting on you to do this as quietly and inconspicuously as possible. We don’t shit where we eat, motherfuckers. Watch out for the locals. I don’t want any innocents caught in the crossfire. Hear me?”

Yeahs were yelled.

“Be safe. See you back here when this shit is over.” I hit the gavel on the table and watched them file out. I hoped to God we didn’t have any more casualties. I swallowed, flicking my eyes up as I thought of AJ. No time for grieving. We had four lives to save.

I’m coming baby, just hang on a little longer. I can’t live without you, Angel.