Page 113 of Rest In Pieces

As they get closer, I spot the cuts they’re wearing and feel my body relax. “Oh, thank God, it’s Raven Souls.” Relief washes over me, and I know everything’s gonna be okay. The blood rushing through my head blocks out whatever Havoc’s trying to say.

It was just an accident—it had to be—a freak accident that I blew out of proportion after today’s events.

But then why didn’t they stop when they hit us? And why are they driving a truck instead of their bikes? I thought they couldn’t wear their cuts inside a vehicle.

I focus on them. They’re only a few feet away now. They don’t look worried or shocked. They look like this is an everyday thing for them.

“I don’t recognize them,” I whisper, realizing they’re brothers I haven’t seen.

“Amity,” Havoc’s voice sounds off, like there’s a thread of panic running through it.

“What’s wrong? They’re your brothers, right?”

His breathing is ragged as he answers. “If you don’t recognize them, they’re not from the mother chapter. The only new arrival is me. There are no nomads or brothers who have been on runs or helping out at other clubs.”

“Okay, but they’re still Raven Souls, right?”

Silence.

“Havoc?”

Still nothing.

“Are they friend or foe, Havoc?”

They’re closer, and now they can see me. They walk faster.

“Friend or foe?” I spit out between gritted teeth as I watch them pull their guns and aim them my way.

As if ripping the answer from him, Havoc replies with a growl, “Foe.”

I don’t hesitate. I lift my gun and fire.

The first one falls, but the second one ducks and fires back. I throw myself down over G, covering his body with mine. Despite my ears ringing, I can hear Havoc roaring my name through the phone, but I don’t answer. All I can do is keep my head down.

When the shooting finally stops, a silence fills the air as each of us waits to see who’ll make the next move. I twist my head and ready the gun, waiting for the right moment when I hear the sweetest sound.

Motorcycles.

I hear cursing before the gunman runs back to his truck. I fire at him and hear him bellow, but he doesn’t fall. He hobbles the rest of the way; it looks like he’s dragging his leg. He makes it to the truck and climbs in, peeling out and firing at me as he passes. One of the bullets hits the ground near my leg. It’s so close I can feel the heat of it through my jeans, and then he’s gone. G’s safe for now.

I press my fingers to his neck, hating that he still hasn’t woken up. His pulse is still strong and steady, and that’s the only thing keeping me from falling apart.

I glance over at the guy I shot, but he’s not moving. I don’t know if I’m grateful or just too numb to feel anything. I’m sure the guilt will hit later. Just because I know how to shoot doesn’t mean I wanted to take a life.

I swallow the bile that rushes up my throat, focusing on the feel of thethump, thump, thumpunder my fingertips and the roar of engines getting closer. When the first bike comes into view, I allow myself to breathe.

More bikes pull up, along with a truck, but my eyes are focused on the man running toward me, who left his bike in the middle of the road. Havoc slides to a stop beside us, then drops down to his stomach, his face inches from mine as he reaches for the gun.

“It’s okay now, Amity. You kept him safe, and you kept both of you safe. Now, let me take over, okay? I won’t let anything happen to either of you,” he tells me in a voice softer than I’ve ever heard.

I hear the others surrounding us, but I keep my eyes on Havoc, my body still covering G’s protectively.

“Don’t. You’ll get your prints on the gun. I don’t want you to go back to prison.”

“Shh, don’t you worry about that.”

“I… I think I killed him,” I choke out, letting go of the gun.

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