Page 45 of Thunder

Trixie made herself scarce as soon as he started talking business. The club girls, the ones who wore property patches, knew when to step. If they didn’t, they didn’t last long. When shit was going down, the president couldn’t take his time clearing the room. They needed to clear themselves.

“Pound, I need you to watch the house.” Granite gave a pointed look at Thunder. Sure, he had to stay behind, but it wasn’t like he needed a fucking sitter. “You and Priest… keep those here, safe and inside.” Pound grabbed the stool next to him.

Okay, now he was being downright cryptic. Sure, the weak spots here who needed protection, but why say it like that? Thunder was getting a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach.

“Trip, I need you on Thunder’s sled.”

Thunder went to stand when Pound put his hand on his good shoulder, keeping him seated. “What the hell, Prez?”

Granite walked around the bar where just moments before, Trixie stood, and poured two shots.

“Drink.” They each downed their shot. “Andy called in a nine one one to me just minutes ago.”

“What did she say? Is she hurt?” He tried to stand again, but Pound held strong.

“Prez, we’ve got to get going.”

“Not we.” He turned to Trip. “I want you to pull around back. They’re expecting Thunder to come that way in about ten minutes. We’ll roll in the front, take out the threats while they’re waiting for you to walk in the unlocked back door.”

Trip nodded and held out his hands to Thunder for the keys.

“No fucking way. I am not letting you ride in my place to get hurt or get my girl killed. Prez, don’t leave me out. This is Andy we’re talking about.” He was willing to beg. “Please, Wes. I can’t.” The last four words were said with as much sincerity as he’d ever spoken with in his life. They meant everything. She meant everything.

“Look, Nick. You’re in no shape to help your girl. You’ll only distract us, and her. We don’t know who has her or how many or shit. I think maybe just one female from the way she emphasized her words, but I’m not counting on that. She could’ve just been nervous. All I know is she reached out, called me Thunder, and had to go to speaker. She’s still at Horns and spun a tale for those listening to get you there.”

When Granite’s words penetrated his brain, he almost lost the contents of his stomach.

“They’re using her to get to me?” Looking around the room, each brothers’ face held sympathy. They felt his pain, but Granite didn’t sugarcoat it.

“It would seem so, but they could just want you to get to the club. We don’t know yet. But it doesn’t matter who or why. We’ll get your girl back and they’ll answer for their actions.”

Granite turned to the rest of his brothers, the ones he tapped for the mission. “We go in silent, except Trip. I already called Ripley and got the code to unlock the front door. Styx is already at Horns, probably inside by now. Called her when she was pulling up to escort Andy home. Watch for her. They probably disarmed her. We’ll go in front as soon as Trip dismounts in the back. Goal, rescue the girls, take whoever it is alive. Check ‘em into the Hotel.”

Granite’s words soothed a minuscule part of Thunder’s soul. They wouldn’t walk away from Hotel California. Whoever they were, they deserved it for touching Andy. Thunder couldn’t lose her. Especially not before he even really had her.

“Prez, I’m begging you. Take me. I’ll stay in the shield. She won’t even know I’m there. I can’t follow your orders to stay here. I’ll knock Pound’s ass out and follow if you don’t take me. It’s safer for all concerned if I go. You can keep an eye on me and Pound will be here holding down the fort.”

“I’m going to fucking regret this, I know I am, but I also know your stubborn ass isn’t staying behind. Fine. Get in the shield, shut the fuck up and follow orders. If you don’t, I’ll have Taps knock your ass out and leave you in a smelly dumpster behind a Chinese restaurant along the way.”

Thunder didn’t say another word, just handed over his keys and strode outside to get in the armored SUV.

The drive wasn’t long, but it seemed infinite. His mind was rolling through all the ways this situation could go sideways.

“Prez?” When Granite shifted his attention slightly to Thunder, he swallowed the lump in his throat. “Thank you.”

An almost imperceptible nod was his answer. Thunder knew Granite understood, but he was getting in the right mindset not to fuck up, so Thunder turned away and watched the yellow line pass as they drove.

When they were a few blocks out, Granite turned off and parked out of sight of Horns & Halo. Trip rolled in behind them. He dismounted and came to the open window.

“Here’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to roll up closer in the shield, make a pass and see if we can see any activity through the front windows. We’ll relay that back to Trip ASAP. Then we’ll flip around and parallel on the same side, just back far enough that we can’t be seen from inside at any angle. That’ll leave the shield close enough to load up Andy.” Thunder noticed his hesitation and the look he gave him. “In whatever shape she may be in.”

Thunder hated the thoughts those words brought to his mind, but Granite was practical and thorough. He was grateful for that.

“Plus, we don’t know what kind of firepower they may or may not have, and that’ll give us somewhere to hunker down and cover our asses if it turns into a firefight.” Granite looked around and Thunder knew exactly what was going through his mind. The same thing going through all of theirs. Collateral damage. They hated the thought of civilians getting hurt.

Luckily, most of the businesses along that stretch were closed up tight for the night or vacant. Horns didn’t have the most desirable of addresses in Vegas. Ripley preferred it. She’d actually moved there on purpose. She still made money off the tourists, but she wasn’t about that being her bread and butter.

“We clear?” Everyone made a sound of agreement. “Okay, we are heading down now. Trip, wait for my signal, then head to the back. Maybe rev it a few times to get their attention. Announce your arrival, so to speak. That’s when we’ll come in through the front. Keep your head on a swivel for crossfire.”

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