Page 66 of Jackson

“So, we have a plan?”

We all look at Walker. “Can you get word to your father that we’re looking for Gerard because he took off? If he thinks he can find him...”

Walker nods. “You let him escape. I’ll make sure Hound gets him.”

This better work.

It has to.

"LET ME GO," GERARDyells, struggling against the chains on his arms, growing angrier by the minute in our basement.

His sister sits silently, unsure of her fate. She knows what her brother did, and I can see in her eyes that it has shattered her. I feel a pang of sympathy, but I can’t risk letting her go yet.

Not yet, at least.

"Shut up," I snarl, marching over to haul him up. "You're not leaving until you're behind bars where you belong."

"I won't let you do this," he bellows. "I refuse."

"You don’t have a choice. Sit still so I can fix these damn chains."

He ceases his writhing, chest heaving with heavy breaths as he glares at me. I wish I cared. My sole focus is getting Serenity back. I'll use this bastard to do it, no matter the cost. Even if it kills him, it's no concern of mine.

I unlock the chains to adjust them when chaos erupts outside, just as planned. My head snaps around as a gunshot echoes. Gerard’s sister jerks, looking around frantically. Another shot rings out. It’s just Cade outside, firing a gun, while everyone yells obscenities. But it’s enough.

"Jackson!" Spike bellows.

"Damn," I curse, dropping Gerard’s arms and rushing out.

I pull the door closed behind me, making sure it doesn’t latch properly in my haste to leave.

We let the chaos continue a bit longer until it grows quiet again, then head inside. By now, Gerard will have realized that he’s not completely secured. I didn’t fully undo his chains, just one arm, but with that free, he can gradually unscrew the bolt from the wall and pull the chain off. He’ll have to drag it with him, but that’s intentional.

"You think it’ll work?" Spike asks once we’re inside the club.

"It’ll work. Let’s ride. He needs to believe he can escape."

"Think the sister will go to the cops?"

I shrug. "Even if she does, what can she say? We abducted her and forced her brother to confess to murder? I doubt she’ll do it unless he persuades her. Either way, it’s a problem for another day."

"Fair point. Let’s move."

We mount our bikes and roar out, the loud engines echoing through the compound. Gerard will hear it and make his move. If he’s smart—and he is—he’ll seize the first chance to flee. It's his nature; he's slippery like a snake.

We ride to a prearranged spot with Walker, waiting for him. He had one job: ensure Hound knew we were looking for Gerard and that he was crucial to us. Hound will exploit any leverage he can find. If he thinks he can gain more, he'll try.

Walker’s role is to spot Gerard leaving the club and call it in. Hound will take it from there. It’s a perfect plan, provided Walker's as loyal as he claims. If not, it could backfire, but if he is, then he’s a weapon Hound won’t see coming.

His loyal son, the ultimate act of betrayal.

Walker arrives within the hour, stepping out of a car different from the one he drove yesterday. He approaches, slipping the burner phone we gave him into his pocket, and stops in front of us, arms crossed. "He got him."

The relief almost makes me shout.

"Did he suspect anything?" Spike asks, taking a drag on his cigarette.

Walker shakes his head. "No. I’ve been keeping an eye on your club when not taking care of Serenity, so he didn’t suspect I'd be there for no reason. I told him I overheard some members talking about searching for Gerard. Then, I just happened to be watching the club when Gerard sneaked out. I called him, and the rest is history."

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