Page 59 of Property of the Hellfire Riders

“They’ll be here soon,” Tank says. I was so lost in thought that I hadn’t noticed his approach. He’s got soot on his chin, nose and caked all over his chest. At some point, he ripped off his shirt due to the unbearable heat.

"Get everyone back to the clubhouse once this is under control. We need to regroup and figure out our next move."

“Boss?”

Jacks emerges from behind Tank like a shadow. They’re all wondering why the hell this happened. No one should be this bold to move against us. No one.

“What is it?” I ask him. He’s nervous, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.

“I talked to a few of the guys that were down at the warehouse. They were there right before the place got burned to hell. It wasn’t Dead Demons,” Jacks says.

The ember of my cigeratte glows with each inhale and I keep it in the corner of my mouth. No surprise there.

“Who’d they see?” I ask slowly, waiting for the inevitable drop.

“It was hard to tell, but they’re best guess is the police.”

Fuck. All the signs point to Izzy. I can’t believe I ever trusted her. I push back a handful of hair. So, after years of trying to get into my crew, they decide to send a hot, little blonde with a wild story to tell. Still. It doesn’t sit right with me. None of it does.

“Thanks, Jacks.”

“How can we know for sure?” Tank pushes, staying with me while the others leave.

“We don’t, but the only information we have is what’s in front of us currently.”

I take another drag then flick the cigarette butt into the ground, my boots crunching in the charred remains of what was once our harvest. I suck in a deep breath.

If Izzy is a part of this hit, she took the bait and ousted herself so goddamn fast.

These feds are getting sloppy. Or maybe I am.

I turn sharply as the distant roar of a motorcycle approaches, the sound growing louder. My blood boils with the sight of Izzyclinging to Vance’s back, her golden hair whipping in the wind. Anger surges through me, but beneath it, something deeper and more complicated twists in my gut.

I dust myself off slightly, when Vance’s bike skids to a stop.

Fuck staying calm.I don’t have time for calm.

“What the hell’s going on?” Vance starts to ask, but I don’t wait, striding over as every stitch keeping my anger in check rips apart.

I grasp Izzy’s wrist, lifting her off the bike with one heave. Her hair is disheveled from the ride, falling in loose waves around her shoulders, framing a face that’s both stunning and infuriating.

“Hawk, wait?—”

“What the fuck are you doing?” Vance roars.

“Shut the hell up, Vance!” I growl, glaring daggers at him. His jaw locks, and every part of him is fighting to hold back, but I don’t have time to give Vance my attention right now. I need to speak with my little problem. “You’re with the feds, aren’t you?” I snarl, shaking her so hard she stumbles.

“Hawk, stop it!” Tank rushes over, attempting to wretch her from my grip, but I shoulder him off. God damn it.

Why are they so set on being knights in shining armor? They’re still competing for her heart like horny teenagers.

“All of you get the hell out of here and clean up this fucking mess!” I shout.

Izzy’s face pales as she watches me with wide, terrified eyes.

“Hawk, please. I didn’t tell anyone,” she starts, but I stop her by holding up a finger to her lips.

“Wait.”

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