Page 15 of Running Alone

“Damn, Nova, didn’t expect to see you so soon. Not sure what’s up, but you need to hear what we just did from him.” I point my finger at Jude.

“Malachi, got no time, pack your shit, we’re outta here. One of my guys heard some shit on the dark web that mentioned this place and four soon to be DOAs. So unless you want to be cold and stiff real soon, we need to move the fuck out. I’ll fly you guys to Montana, then we’ll talk to Tank and his daughter, Tink, since you’re bringing this shit to their home.”

Those words make me feel like a piece of shit. I had no bad intentions. All I wanted to do was to see what’s up with Ruby and then figure out if there was some way to fix what’s going on between us. How it’s turned into this, I have no clue. Vito and Freddy are already in their rooms getting their shit together. I glare at Jude, who jumps up and runs to his room.

“He the fuckup, Malachi? Got the look of one dumb-ass prick, that’s for sure.”

“Yeah, seems to be, Mayhem, though not sure he’s telling the whole story.”

“Well, once up in Montana, we can turn him over to Shadow or Wrench and see what they can find out.”

As I go to grab my computer and stuff to put back in its case, I realize I’ve not reached out to Ruby. Damn, I totally suck at this. So I send a brief text, trying to be honest and open.

“Hey, Ruby, something’s come up and we are coming in hot. Tell your president that I’ve got her dad’s friend, Nova, with me that should be able to explain we might be bringing in a ton of trouble. See you soon. Be safe. Keep your eyes open, and don’t go anywhere by yourself. Please do that for me.”

Then I turn to Nova to see what his plan is, since I’ve worked with these types of men before when I’ve had issues with different corporate companies implementing my software, or worse, when some of my patents were almost stolen from me. The intention that time was to steal my work and leave me for dead.

After packing my computer, shit, I go into my bedroom to see my stuff thrown all over the place. That motherfucker will be lucky to get out of this shit alive. I’m so pissed. Gathering everything, I throw it in my duffel bag then walk out to see everyone’s ready. Nova turns to me with a grimace on his face.

“Malachi, according to that one, these men were sending a few guys here to entice your cooperation. Mayhem is already back at the helicopter. Once I give him the signal, he’s going to do a quick takeoff and land right behind this building in that low field behind this place. If we go out the patio doors, it’ll be a mad dash of maybe a couple of hundred feet, if that. Then we’re gone. You all ready? If you get shot, drop your shit and keep heading to the chopper. We ain’t getting a second try at this. I’ll bring up the rear. Malachi, I assume that computer bag has to make it, no matter what, correct?”

I nod as I put the strap across my chest so it’s like a bandolier. The rest of my shit I’m not too worried about. I mean,clothes, tablet to read on and play games, as long as I have my phone and laptop, I’m good.

Looking around, I can tell my three friends are freaking the fuck out. Well shit, so am I ,but we gotta do what we gotta do.

“All right. We’ve been playing games all our lives about death and dismemberment. The only difference is this time it’s for real. Get your heads on straight and, no matter what you do, you listen to that man over there. Nova will do his very best to get us out of this shit unharmed, if at all possible. No, Jude, shut your trap, don’t want to hear it right now.”

He lowers his head but not before I see him wipe wetness off his cheek. Goddamn it, I kind of get where he’s coming from. I’d do just about anything for my family, though I know for a fact my parents would never put me in this situation. When I look at Jude, his eyes are on mine and he mouths “I’m sorry” right before Nova tells us it’s time to go now. I pray this situation doesn’t get out of control and no other folks on vacation are injured, or worse, killed. That’s my last thought as the door is opened and Nova is screaming for us to move our asses. I follow Freddy, who’s running like his ass is on fire. Once we all hit the helicopter, Mayhem lifts up and just as he makes a quick left, we see a bunch of SUVs driving down the path like maniacs. I look to Nova and he nods, letting me know we just made it out by the skin of our teeth.

TWELVE

‘KITTY’

RUBY

Something wakes me and I don’t know what. When I hit my bed, immediately I fell into a dead sleep. Don’t even think I’ve moved since I first got into it. I throw my covers off as I look to my nightstand to see light, which means it was probably my phone that woke me. Grabbing it, I scroll up and see a text from Lachi. When I read it, I immediately jump up, grab some yoga pants, and then a sweatshirt to put onto of my sleep shirt. I run down the stairs and off to the left where Tink and Noodles’s suite is Feeling bad but knowing I have to do this; I pound on the door.

Takes about maybe five or so seconds and Noodles is at the door, jeans pulled on, one top button open, and trying to get his arms in his T-shirt. Tink is a little slower but coming up behind him. When she sees me, she pushes her ol’ man out of the way.

“Kitty, is Addie okay? What’s up?”

She never gets pissed or mad when we bother her, which is why she’s not only a good president but also an awesome sister.

“Sorry, guys, got a text from Malachi, the guy I told you is a friend of Presley’s. He said something is going down. He called your dad’s friend, Nova, and they are trying to hightail it out of Wyoming as they have a group called somethingbrotherhoodontheir ass. Yeah, Tink, thought the same thing. He said they’ll be coming in hot.”

She turns and looks around until she sees what she wants. She reaches for her cell phone and is immediately pushing buttons.

“Pops, we got a problem. Yeah, how’d you know? Well, would have been nice if you would have thought to forward that warning here, since they are coming to my ranch. Yeah, I know, it’s just I hear any form of that group’s name and it sends shivers down my spine. I’m going to put a call out for Zoey, which means Panther and Avalanche at least will be with her. The rest will start doing recon. Okay, see you when you get here. Hey, sorry, didn’t mean to be a biotch. Yeah, I love you too, Dad.”

When she disconnects, she motions for Noodles to get dressed as she grabs a long sweater and makes her way past me.

“Send out an emergency text, Kitty. Tell the club we got incoming and it could be bringing in a shit ton of trouble heading our way. No, it ain’t your man either, sounds like it might be our nemesis again. The goddamn Thunder Cloud Knuckle Brotherhood or maybe a smaller sister club. I’m going to call my dad, make sure they’re ready too. Someone reach out to Raven to let her brother, Ollie, know at the Blue Sky Sanctuary. You know how these assholes think, so make sure everyone is on the same page.

I immediately do as my prez told me to, by first sending out the alarm text and then another text to Raven, telling her to let her brother know about the chance of a threat. When I’m done, I make my way to the kitchen, which is bustling with more coming in every few minutes. I’m shocked to see Addie already up and helping Kiwi try to throw some breakfast together. Tink is dressed and sitting at the corner table, phone to her ear as she listens intently.

My phone starts vibrating so when I pull it out of my back pocket and see it’s Malachi, I let out a loud shriek. Everyone looks my way and I shake my phone back and forth.

“Tink, it’s Lachi. I’ll put it on speakerphone.”

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