Page 69 of His Road Dog

"Damnit it to hell," mumbled Rio. "I don't like this. I don't leave my Harley for anyone."

He looked at each of the men. "Ready?"

Receiving everyone's nod, he went to his motorcycle. He waited until everyone signaled, and as one, they started their engines.

He hated taking the Harley off the asphalt. The bike's street tires were made for asphalt, not gravel and dirt.

He lifted his chin and led the men forward. It was slow going. He kept his eyes on the surroundings, looking for anything out of the ordinary.

There were tracks on the dirt road. Some areas burdened with deep ruts that kept him paying attention.

A squirrel ran across his path. He brought his gaze up and caught movement ahead at a bend in the road. The form took shape, and he recognized a rifle in the hands of a man.

He braked hard, fisting his hand down at his side to warn the others. Without making any fast movements, he toed his kickstand, hoping the dirt would hold the weight of the bike, and then put his hand in the V of his thighs.

Wrapping his fingers around the pistol, Priest kept it hidden as the man approached. Peace lovin' hippies were supposed to be non-violent. Wasn't that what they protested during Vietnam?

"Turn around and leave." The man stopped thirty feet from Priest and kept the shotgun in front of him. "This area is off-limits."

At least he wasn't staring down the end of the barrel.

"I'm looking for a woman." He paused, and when the man made no movement, he continued. "Her name's Nicole Bennett."

"Move on out, the same way you came. There's nobody here."

He raised both of his hands, showing the guy he wanted to talk. "I brought her here about five weeks ago. If you could let her know I'd like to talk with her, I'd appreciate it."

Not one who waited for other people to make decisions for him, he'd give the guy two minutes to decide before he forced him by gunpoint to lead him to Nicole.

The man raised his rifle. Priest grabbed his pistol and had it aimed at the man a split second later.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Priest slowly moved off his motorcycle without lowering his weapon. "There are six other guns aimed at you, and we've had a hard ride. We're tired. I'd hate to lose my patience with you, son."

The guy never put his rifle down and yelled, "Come on out."

More men filled the road. Every one of them armed. They were outnumbered.

"Fuck," said Roddy behind Priest.

The others had the advantage, carrying rifles. The accuracy of the pistols carried by Tarkio members went down at the distance they were standing. The others also had the benefit of knowing their surroundings. One step into the woods and everyone with him would be lost.

"Hold your weapons down." Priest lowered his arm to his side. "We won't shoot."

The others remained on guard. His skin crawled. He'd had many face-offs with other motorcycle clubs. Usually on his turf and he knew what to expect.

The men in front of him were strangers. They sure weren't hippies out picking mushrooms.

"All I want is Nicole Bennett." He kept his finger on the trigger in case he needed to raise his arm. "Then, I'll take my men, and we'll be on our way."

"You need to turn those motorcycles around and leave. You're free to park in the clearing." The man lifted his chin. "We'll escort you out."

"They're not going to disappear," whispered Roddy. "We'll go back to the clearing and figure out our next move."

"I'm not leaving without Nicole," said Priest, loud enough the others heard.

"Prez," muttered Rio. "What if she's not here?"

"We could be wrong," said North.

---