Page 46 of Jack

Four bikes come around the curve two blocks down the street. The lead rider, without a doubt, is Trace. I’d know that low-life piece of crap and his bike anywhere. Tracy Coombs and I were born hating each other. Our families' clubs have been rivals long before we were born. We’ll die hating each other, too.

Jay, Cloudy, and I stand firm, waiting for their arrival. Jay already has a knife hidden in his palm. I should have known he’d go for a knife first. The Mavericks slow but don’t pull into the drive. Jay and I keep our eyes on Trace as he rolls by.

“Hit the deck!” Cloudy shouts.

I snap my head toward our brother. Cloudy throws his soda toward the street and dives into the grass between two cars on the other side of the drive. The last rider throws something toward us. The ball of smoke sends Jay and me scrambling to the other side of my truck. Was that a bomb? The sounds of gunfire echo through the streets. Customers at the market scream and run for their cars or back inside.

“That’s not gunfire.” Jay’s on his feet and heads to the center of the smoke.

“Jay, wait!”

He doesn’t listen. He’s not wrong, either. The last couple of pops come, leaving only a cloud of smoke. Cloudy walks through the smoke, waving his arms. It’s not that bad. The wind’s already carrying it across the street.

Jay meets me at the back of my truck. He places a brick in my hands. “They had at least two or three strands of firecrackers around this.”

“That’s a lot of smoke for firecrackers.” Cloudy glares down the street. Trace is long gone.

“From the ashes on the pavement, I think they had paper wrapped around the brick.” Jay leans back against the truck and shakes his head.

“What does this mean?” Cloudy takes the brick and looks it over. “Why are the M&Ms messing with us?”

“It means they’re toying with us.” I rub the back of my neck. This is a childish prank.

“It means we call Uncle Jacob and have church. I’m closing the shop.” Jay storms away.

“Guess this confirms we’re who they’re pissed at.” Cloudy places the brick back in my hands and follows Jay.

Once again, my cousin isn’t wrong. I haven’t apologized to my father yet. As much as I don’t want to do this, I pull my phone from my back pocket and make the call. Within seconds of ending the call, a text demanding church went out to every member in Willow Creek.

Chapter 20

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Jack

While Jay closed the shop, I picked Lily up. Emily had no problem letting her leave early. All it took was a quick call saying there was trouble and Church. Emily doesn’t have a family member in the club. She’s not dating one of my brothers, either. She’s ours, though.

Emily grew up in Willow Creek and went to school with Maci. Unlike her parents, she’s been a loyal friend to us and knows how the club operates. I trust her with my life. Of all the jobs Mom could have gotten for Lily around town, the bakery was the best choice.

The Viking Den’s already packed by the time we arrive. Brothers are making their way toward Church. Ole’ ladies and a few kids are scattered around the commons room. Prospects are playing pool in the corner. Jenny steps away from one when I walk in. I groan. Of course, club bunnies would come runningwhen they noticed a lot of activity at the Den. I ignore the bunny and guide Lily toward the bar and kitchen area.

“What’s going on? Why’s there a party on a Monday?” Lily scans the room several times.

“Not a party, angel. It’s Church.”

She looks up at me over her shoulder with her eyebrows pulled together. “You go to church? Most people have that on Sundays, by the way.”

I laugh. “Not that kind of church, angel. It’s a club meeting. We have them once a week and for important matters.”

Her steps slow. “Is this a weekly meeting or an important matter?”

“Um.” I swallow hard.

“That wasn’t firecrackers earlier,” she says softly.

I place my hands on her shoulders, bringing us to a stop in the middle of the room. I stay behind her and lean forward so she can see my eyes. “It was really firecrackers. There was just a little something attached to them.” Her body stiffens. “Relax, angel. It had nothing to do with you. Club business. Promise.”

She nods, and we start walking through the crowd again. I intend to take her to the kitchen. Mom and Nana are here. We don’t make it that far, though.

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