Page 84 of Jack

“Not that we can prove. One is from Alabama. The one that was killed was from Georgia. The third one is from Murfreesboro. The two in custody aren’t talking.” Dad runs a hand over his mouth and beard.

“How many got away?”

“That we don’t know. The only information the cops got from the two they have in custody is that it was just the three of them,” Worley Bird says.

“That’s a lie.” There was too much gunfire for me to believe three men pulled it off.

“We all know that but can’t prove it.” Jay shakes his head.

“Camera? Surely, Nick got on video how they got in. How many there were, and what they destroyed.” I can’t believe we have nothing.

“The cameras from your house to the side of the fence they cut and entered through went down two minutes before they opened on your house.” Dad’s words drop me into a nearby chair.

How could we just lose these guys? Nick’s good, but can he find them with little or no info? How will we find the rest if the two in custody don’t talk? Too many questions. Not enough answers. If they really wanted to cut us open and destroy us, why not open fire on the clubhouse during the party?

I look up at Dad. “How many more buildings and houses did they hit?”

He presses his lips together and shakes his head. “Just yours.”

Mine. My house. My room. My woman. I spring to my feet and pace the room. I stop and lock eyes with Jay. My cousin won’t lie. He might hide information for a while, but he won’t lie.

“So I was the target.” It’s not a question. I feel it.

Jay dips his chin. “I think so.”

Lily was shot because of me. I grab my head with both hands and squeeze as tight as I can. I’m gutted clean to my soul. My hands clench into fists, but I don’t let go of my head. If I could apply enough pressure to shut my thoughts down, I would. I can’t. I don’t yell. I search the shadows inside for the darkness that’s always clawing to consume me. I find it and make it my friend.

My eyes meet Jay’s. “Guard her.”

“Where you going, Ghost? Jay, unlike the others, sees what I’ve unleashed.

“Chattanooga.”

Dad steps in the doorway. “Son, that’s not a good idea. We can’t prove it was the Mavericks. We got nothing right now.”

“That’s not true!” Okay. I lied about yelling. “We’ve got plenty. We’re just not connecting yet. We know Trace was there when the first firecracker prank happened. He was in the bakery before that. Buck was helping Clark at the library. They. Were. There. It’s them! We know it!

“They came for me. I don’t know why I’m his target. They shot my ole’ lady!” My voice rises with every sentence. “In my house! Our bedroom! In my bed! They shot her! I’m going to Chattanooga! You’ll have to kill me to stop me! If it were one of your wives, you’d already be halfway there!”

“Okay, son.” Dad slowly nods. “You’re right. We would. I won’t stop you. But I have to ask you an important question first.”

“What’s that?” I snap. Not a good idea on my part. Thankfully, Dad lets it slide.

“Son, are you officially claiming Lily as your ole’ lady?”

My head jerks back slightly. Jay snickers. I guess I walked into that, didn’t I? I wanted to talk to Lily about it first. Explain what it means. My world confuses her. It doesn’t matter now. It’s fine. If she never wakes up, she’ll never know. But I will. For ever how long she has left in this world, and I do hope it’s years, she’s mine.

“Yeah, Dad. I am.”

“Vikings, Church,” Dad calls out.

My brothers stand and surround us. All our patched members aren’t here. There’s enough for it to be official, though.

“Jack, are you officially claiming Lily Harman as you’re ole’ lady? Are you granting her the rights, protection, and responsibilities of the title?”

“I am, Pres. I claim Lily as my ole’ lady.”

“All in favor?” Dad asks.

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