Page 23 of Chaplain

They don't seem to be buying it until Gabe straightens and whispers her name. "Luca."

It's safer if they don't know their whole operation is about to crumble at the hands of a woman.

Right on cue, the wail of sirens shatters the night outside. The Demons exchange panicked looks. Let them assume my "hacker" tipped off the cops. Their paranoia might buy me time until the real calvary arrives.

"Last chance - What the cops don't get, the Dark Angels will. The kid for your lives," I growl, aiming steadily at the leader's chest. His eyes narrow, calculation whirring. I brace for all hell to break loose.

Then he gives a terse nod. Two men cut Gabe loose and shove him towards me. The kid is shaky but mobile.

I catch Gabe's arm before he falls and pull him behind me, angling us toward the nearest exit without losing sight of the gang. Their guns remain trained on us as we edge away. They aren't stupid enough to fire with cops in earshot.

We're at the door when the ground rumbles with the thunder of approaching bikes. A shit ton by the vibration under my feet. Now, the fun is really kicking off.

"Outside," I growl in the boy's ear.

Gabe turns as if he's going to attempt an argument, but as he does, I shove him out the open bay door.

Outside, the club arrives like vengeance personified. Ronnie is at the front of the pack and easy to spot with his calculated glare. He's off his bike and passing Gabe to Cyrus for treatment before his boots eat up the pavement between us.

"What the fuck, Chap? Fill me in."

"Five or more members are inside being questioned by the blue. This place is cooked. They'll have members heading out to check their other stashes. We've got a ten-minute jump on raiding their clubhouse before all hell breaks loose."

Ronnie studies me before he yells, "Fuck it to hell, Chap. Leave it to you to play both sides and win."

He swings his massive arm in the air, and engines rev. I'm on my bike and falling into formation when I pass Gabe. I slow down by bike enough to throw him Eden's phone and keys and yell out my final message. "Tell her we won. And I'm sorry."

Gabe's confused as hell. But he still manages a nod.

Now, it's time to fulfill my oath to the Dark Angels. Tonight, the Demons will pay their debt in blood.

13

Eden

I'm on my third screwdriver and nearly have the deadbolt off when the rumble of approaching bikes stirs me from my panicked haze.

I run to the window in time to find three Dark Angels rolled up, with Gabe clinging to the back of one rider.

No Diesel. My heart sinks, but I don't have time to worry.

"Gabe," I yell, beating on the window until the glass cracks with a sharp bang, and the trio looks up.

Within minutes, I'm freed from the apartment and assessing my brother's injuries. All superficial, by the looks of it. Bloodied and bruised and shaken to hell, but he's alive and strong enough to trap me in a bear hug.

Once he pulls away, I find the strength to address the others.

"What about Diesel? He went after the men holding Gabe hostage."

The more familiar one nods. "Chaplain saved your brother. He made us bring Gabe to you before he and the rest of the brotherhood took off for Iron Demon territory."

I turn my attention to Gabe, trying not to let on I'm panicking inside. "We need to get you to a doctor."

"No docs," the less familiar member says. "They'll file a report for the kid and involve the law. Better come to the clubhouse and let Tap take a look."

"Tap?" I repeat, the name not registering.

"He's better at patching than any real doc I know," he answers softly.

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