Page 42 of Hatter

“Jo knows you’re here with her,” I said. “The rest of you are with me. Let’s end this. Everyone armed and ready?”

They nodded, and I double-checked my own weapons. I had two nine millimeters, and four extra clips. Walking over to a nearby table, I picked up my AR and slung it over my shoulder so it rested against my back.

I led the way out to our bikes and let Cheshire guide us from the clubhouse. Pausing at the gate, I looked back over my shoulder. Jo stood at the front door with Mock behind her. I stared for a moment, wanting to memorize everything about her, then I turned and revved my engine, taking off into the night.

* * *

Jo

I watched as Hatter drove off into the inky blackness, each roar of their engines a gut-wrenching reminder of the impending danger. Mock stood like an unyielding sentinel behind me, his gruff exterior hiding a fierce loyalty.

After about five heartbeats, I turned around and walked back into the clubhouse, the heavy wooden door creaking shut behind me. I could feel the atmosphere of unease pressing down on me, but I squashed it down, refusing to crumble.

Beside me, Knave was already scanning our surroundings with hawk-like precision. The new bodyguard from Shake’s crew, who introduced himself as Striker, patrolled the perimeter of the clubhouse with a grim expression.

I’d promised Hatter I’d stay in my room, so that’s where I went. Once I was inside, and Knave had followed, I shut and locked the door. Although, I didn’t know what good it would do. It wasn’t like it was made of steel. If someone wanted in, they’d get in.

The following hours dragged into what felt like an eternity. My thoughts were filled with terrors too unspeakable to voice aloud -- of losing Hatter, of Eddie returning stronger, of reliving the horrors of my past. I pushed myself to remain strong. If they were risking their lives to protect me, I owed them that much.

Chapter Fifteen

Hatter

The wind roared like an angry beast, clawing at my face as I gripped the handlebars tighter. My heart was pounding, adrenaline pumping through my veins. Every turn, every curve brought me closer to Eddie Lewis.

“Almost there,” Cheshire’s voice crackled in my ear through the comms. “Ready for this, Hatter?”

“Born ready,” I said, my mind set on what was ahead. Whether the people in this town would admit it or not, they needed us. Otherwise people like Eddie Lewis would take over and ruin their lives.

As we drew closer, the darkness of the night seemed to thicken, swallowing us whole. But our headlights cut through it, slicing the shadows apart as we approached the lair of the devil himself.

Eddie’s hideout loomed before us. My gut churned with anticipation, remembering the last time I saw him -- that sick grin, those cold eyes. He thought he was untouchable, but tonight, he’d learn just how wrong he was.

Time to end this. We pulled up to the gates, and I could feel the tension radiating from my brothers, each one carrying the scars of our past. Tonight, we’d make new ones -- but this time, the pain would belong to Eddie.

“All right, boys,” I said, my voice steady as I addressed my family. “Stick to the plan. We get in, take care of business, and get out.”

“Roger that, Hatter,” March responded, his voice filled with grim determination. We were a well-oiled machine, forged by the fires of war and hardened by life’s cruel blows.

Together, we descended upon Eddie’s place. The air was ripe with anticipation and fear. Only an idiot wouldn’t be scared right now. When we walked into situations like this, there was always a good chance we wouldn’t go home. Not on our own two legs at any rate.

I couldn’t help but let a grin split my face. It was time.

“Stay sharp, boys,” I said, my voice low and dangerous. “No fuckups.”

“Got it, Hatter,” Tweedle muttered, his eyes hard as steel. We all knew what was at stake. Failure wasn’t an option.

“Shake, you and your crew take the front and rear. We don’t want any surprises,” I told him.

He nodded, his eyes full of fire. “Consider it done,” Shake replied, already climbing off his bike. His men followed suit, their movements swift and quiet as they fanned out. They would handle the guards -- we had bigger fish to fry.

“Rabbit, Cheshire, stick with me,” I said. They nodded, their faces twisted into grim determination. The game was on.

“Let’s go,” I said, getting off my bike and walking up to the hideout. There was no turning back now. We were knee-deep in hell, and we were going to burn this motherfucker down. And I possibly meant that literally. Depended on what Shake thought about the cleanup. Knife wounds would burn away in a fire, but bullets? Not so much.

As we reached the door, gunfire erupted in the night. Shake and his crew had started their assault, taking out the guards with brutal efficiency. The sound was deafening, a symphony of violence that made my heart race even faster. The dumb fuckers hadn’t even noticed we were the enemy until it was too late. Eddie certainly hadn’t bought the smartest of men if they were any indication.

“Move!” I shouted, the darkness closing in on us, but we didn’t need light -- we had something better: vengeance.

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