Page 10 of Reaper

"No choice." I gun my engine, leading my crew through a series of turns designed to lose any tail."But she knows what she's doing."

"Yeah, that's what worries me." Timer's voice carries years of wisdom."Treasurer or not, that girl's still carrying your mark.Makes her a target."

He's right. I haven't told the crew about Sandy's revelation earlier yet, but Sandy being a fed doesn't change the fact that she still wears my old shirts under that cut.Still has my ring on a chain around her neck--I felt it this morning when things got heated.And if my guys can sense it, the Kings will too.And they will not hesitate to hurt me through her.

Two hours of tactical riding brings us to an abandoned gas station near the Colorado border.I signal for a rest stop, knowing we need to refuel before whatever's coming.

My burner buzzes as I'm checking the crew's bikes.Sandy's code name flashes on the screen.

R

Kings took the bait. Moving into position.Watch your six.

Another text follows immediately.

R

Be careful. Please.

Somethingin my chest loosens at those two words.Her concern for me is real.

I'm typing a response when engines roar in the distance.Lots of engines.

"Incoming!" Doc shouts from his lookout position."At least fifteen bikes, coming in hot!"

"Defense positions!" I bark into the comm."Timer, get those supplies secure.Doc, you're on exit strategy.Everyone else, prepare to move on my mark."

The Kings appear like demons out of the desert haze, their bikes kicking up dust clouds that turn the sun blood-red.I count twenty riders, all armed, all carrying the kind of artillery that means business.

"Quite the welcoming party." Big Mike's voice carries across the lot as they surround us."Though I gotta say, I expected both crews."

"Just passing through." I keep my tone easy despite the adrenaline humming through my veins."No trouble needed."

"See, that's where you're wrong." He dismounts, hand resting casually on his sidearm."Trouble found you the moment you let that federal bitch into your convoy."

Ice fills my veins. My crew tenses around me, confusion and disbelief rippling through our ranks.Timer's sharp intake of breath tells me he heard it too.

"Don't know what you're talking about." But my hand inches toward my weapon, mind racing to process this revelation."Devil's Wings run their own business."

"That what you think?" Big Mike's grin is all teeth as he circles closer."Your pretty little treasurer's been playing us all.Setting up a nice federal sting on our weapons shipment.Guess she fooled you too, Road Captain."

Tank edges his bike forward, positioning himself at my three o'clock.I can feel the questions radiating off him, but he keeps his mouth shut.Good man.

"Sounds like paranoia talking." I shift my stance, buying time while scanning for options.We're outgunned, surrounded, and my mind keeps spinning back to Sandy.Federal agent. The words hit different now that everyone knows."Why don't we discuss this like reasonable men?"

"Nothing reasonable about a fed whore infiltrating our ranks." Big Mike spits, hand tightening on his weapon."But don't worry. We'll make it quick.For old time's sake."

The first shot cracks across the lot before he finishes speaking.Doc goes down with a grunt, clutching his shoulder.Timer dives for cover as bullets start flying.

"Kill them all!" Big Mike roars."But save the Road Captain. He watches his crew die first."

I duck behind an ancient gas pump, mind racing.Twenty armed Kings versus my eight brothers.Sandy's nowhere in sight. If she really is a fed, she's probably long gone, mission blown.

Then I hear it. The distinctive rumble of bikes approaching fast.Lots of them.

"Incoming!" Timer shouts from his position behind an overturned picnic table."North ridge!"

My heart stops as Sandy's familiar silhouette appears against the setting sun.But she's not alone. Her crew fans out behind her, moving with military precision as they take tactical positions around the lot.

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