Page 72 of Fury

I find Duchess,Luna, and Tessa chatting in the bar. I head over sheepishly, unsure how they’ll react to my request. “How’s he doing?” asks Luna.

“Good. He’s saying a few more words.”

“That’s amazing news,” Duchess replies.

“Actually, it’s because of Fury that I’m here,” I say, and they all stare at me. “I have the biggest favour to ask.”

“Please let it be exciting. I am so bored,” says Tessa.

“Fury wants to go down to the basement.” They exchange wary looks. “He knows Donnie and Ripper are down there.”

“Are they?” asks Luna.

I shrug. “Apparently.”

“I wish they’d tell us stuff like that,” she complains. “What if I went down there and stumbled across them?”

“Why would you go into the basement?” asks Duchess.

“The thing is, this is sort of time critical,” I cut in. “Axel doesn’t know, and they’re all in church so . . .” I leave the sentence hanging.

Duchess is the first to stand. “I have a wheelchair,” she tells me. “We can get him as far as the steps in that.” I nod with a grin.

“I’m in. There’s not much else to do,” says Tessa.

“Great,” I say. “Meet me back upstairs.”

I find Fury standing, and I gasp. He shouldn’t be doing that without someone here in case he collapses, but he’s dressed in jeans and a shirt, and he already looks more like himself. I stepcloser, unable to stop staring at him. “I’ve got Duchess, Tessa, and Luna all in.”

“Thank . . . you.”

The door opens, and the three trail in. He takes one look at the wheelchair and shakes his head. “It’s easier for us,” I argue, “and quicker.”

“As long as the lift doesn’t get stuck. When was the last time that was used?” asked Luna.

“It works. I make the prospects check it all the time,” Duchess replies. “Now, if you want to do this before church is done, you better get your backside in the chair so we can go.”

He sighs before sitting in the chair. We take the lift and rush out the club before we’re spotted. One of the prospects is outside on the gate and he saunters over. “Good to see you, man,” he says to Fury.

“He needed some fresh air,” I lie, continuing to push him around the back of the clubhouse.

We get to the basement doors, and Luna holds up a set of keys. I frown, and she smiles. “Grizz left them beside the bed.”

She sets about trying various keys until the padlock clicks and opens. “Are you feeling okay to stand?” I ask Fury, and he nods, pushing to his feet but grabbing onto me for support.

Duchess moves the chair and takes his other arm. “What’s the plan here?” she asks.

“He wants to talk,” I lie, and Fury frowns at me. I didn’t tell them the truth because I didn’t think they’d help.

“Murder,” he says, and Duchess rolls her eyes.

“How the hell are you gonna do that in this state?” she asks.

He grins. “Watch.”

I turn back to Luna and Tessa. “If you help us get him down there, you can wait back up here. I don’t want to involve you in anything.”

Tessa scoffs. “Us old ladies stick together,” she says firmly. “You asked for our help, so we’re helping.”

---