Page 12 of Running Alone

“Right now, those two idiots are in the old bunkhouse in the room that was designed especially for Shadow. Problem is, some of the townsfolk are kin to these two and Tink doesn’t want anything permanent to happen to them. So the officers are meeting as we speak to figure out what needs to be done. If this takes a shit or goes way left, I don’t want you to get hurt.”

I feel it as my mouth goes into a shit-eating grin. She doesn’t want me to get hurt. So if she didn’t care, why would she be worried about me? Maybe a little but not like this. This right here has made the trip worthwhile.

“Ruby, I’m on my way. Probably will get up to you either late this evening or early tomorrow morning.”

“Okay, I’ll let the guards at the gate know. What are you driving so I can give them that at least. Text me when close, and I’ll get you guys settled. Be careful.”

I tell her what vehicles we are driving then we say our goodbyes. I stay where I am, looking out at the Wyoming landscape. It’s gorgeous with a touch of wild in it compared to Cali. My head is going in all directions when I almost jump out of my skin and shit myself at the same time. Freddy busts out laughing.

“Who the fuck did you think it was? Bigfoot?”

Vito joins in as Jude walks out, eyes on me. He must see something on my face the other two didn’t even look for.

“Everything okay, Malachi? Was that your girl on the phone?”

Great, how do I explain this. I know Freddy and Vito know about the Devil’s Handmaidens Motorcycle Club but I know, for a fact, Jude doesn’t.

“Yeah, that was Ruby. Had some shit go down at the club’s restaurant last night and she’s worried we might get someblowback. Told her I was coming no matter what, but it’s up to you guys if you want to finish the trip. Ruby is part of a motorcycle club up there in Timber-Ghost, Montana, Jude. And when I say MC, I mean like you see on the news. So if you have any doubts, no hard feelings, promise. I’ll even pay for the trip back, including your lodging. Vito and Freddy told me no matter what they were making this trip, so it’s up to you, my friend.”

Jude keeps staring at me for a long bit then lets his head roll. What the fuck is wrong with him? When he lifts his eyes, I see something I don’t generally see…fear. Okay, this ain’t right.

“Tell me what’s wrong, Jude. Please, dude, you’re starting to scare me and that isn’t easy.”

He seems to struggle to get words out, so Vito runs to the car, grabs one of the waters out of the back, and brings it to him. We all watch him suck down half the bottle. His hands are shaking the entire time.

“Malachi, this club, is their mission to stop shit like human trafficking and domestic violence? And they keep it on the down-low, right? Son of a bitch, how could this happen and why didn’t I know about this? Your bitch is part of that club, isn’t she?”

Before he can continue, I walk right up to him and punch him in the nose again. Then I grab his T-shirt, pulling him close to my face.

“Jude, you ever call Ruby a bitch again, and I’ll personally ask Shadow to get rid of your remains, and believe me, that woman will do exactly that with a smile on her face. Now let’s go to our room and you can tell us what’s got your boxers briefs in a crunch.”

His nose isn’t pouring blood but enough that he’s taken his T-shirt off to stop the flow. Freddy is on one side of me with Vito on the other. They are looking back and forth at each other, then Freddy grabs my arm.

“Malachi, you might want to call your girl, Patti, and get some security up here for you. Something doesn’t seem right, and neither does Jude at the moment. Don’t wait ’til it’s too late.”

Vito is nodding his head vigorously so I reach for my phone, hitting Patti’s number.

“Yeah, boss, whatcha need? How’s the mini-vacation, you finally able to relax?”

“Patti.”

That’s all I say and I hear her start barking orders. Then she’s back with me.

“Need your location and what you think the threat is. I’ll put a call out to your parents and brothers. Still in Wyoming? I’ll get a few of the men on a helicopter, fastest way to get out to you. Stay right where you are, Malachi. Do you have your weapons with you?”

I see Vito and Freddy stop as they can hear exactly what Patti is saying. Jude took off up ahead to get to the room, which is kind of strange. I reach under my shirt to feel my weapon, thank God, I put it on.

“Yeah, Patti, got my firearm on me and the Wagoneer is locked and loaded, I’m assuming. We should be good until the cavalry arrives, and I hope I’m not making a big deal out of nothing.”

“Remember five months ago? Thank Christ you followed your gut. Your dad always tells you to listen and follow your instincts. Do that. I’ll text with an ETA. Keep your eyes open. It’s one of your boys, isn’t it? If I’m to guess, it’s that troublemaker Jude. Told you to kick him to the curb. Are you ever going to listen to me?”

Before I can even reply, she hangs up. Looking up, I see Vito’s eyebrows in his hairline and Freddy is looking at me, then toward the rooms.

“Malachi, what aren’t you telling us about Jude? Come on, we’re in this shit too. Shouldn’t we be prepared?”

Freddy’s right, so I tell them to follow me. We walk back to where we parked. I have the keyless entry in my pocket, so I unlock the Wagoneer and open the back end. Lifting the carpet and moving the spare tire out of the way, there is a specialized steel box that takes up the width of the car and is literally welded in. I put my fingers on the lock and the box opens.

“Holy fucking shit. Malachi, what the hell? Why do you have all that shit? Goddamn what’s going on, something is, I can feel it now.”

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