Page 73 of Gunner
Every day, I fought the urge to ask Kade or Dalton what was happening with the club. The last time I was at the compound, I could tell Smokey was on edge. I worried Skeeter’s death would have caused immediate fallout, and all these months later, I was still waiting for the other shoe to drop. They moved Gunner back to the gun range when Ruger had a mild heart attack two months ago, and I’ve delivered healthy food to him during his recovery.
Being an old lady means being there for every member of the club and helping where I was needed. Piper asked me to bring some sweets by the clubhouse on Friday afternoon, and I made a dozen boxes of assorted pastries, muffins, cookies, and pies for the club. I loaded the boxes into my car and waved to Racheal as I pulled away.
The owner, Ms. Yates, agreed to sell me the bakery at a steal last month, and the bank was willing to loan me the money with the new contract I brought in from the tech company. I felt better about myself than ever before and was eager to start the expansion of the bakery into the attached building. It would take a lot of work, but with Kade’s support, I knew I couldn’t fail.
The drive to the clubhouse took about ten minutes, and when I was a mile from the clubhouse, I saw two state troopers and three unmarked cars pulled over to the side of the road with two motorcycles parked in front. I slowed down as I got closer, and when I saw who was being dragged into the patrol cars, I felt a tremble in my hands as anxiety filled me.
Smokey and Bullet both had handcuffs on and were being loaded into the cars, so I kept my gaze in the mirror for as long as I could. The clubhouse was almost in sight, and I whipped my car in, wishing the gate was already opened. A prospect stepped out of the guard shack, and I rolled down my window as he approached.
“Let me in, then lock the gate,” I rushed, and he looked at me like I was crazy. Old ladies don’t have any power at the club to direct members, but as soon as I uttered the next words, he was rushing to press the button to let me in. “The feds are arresting Smokey and Bullet up the road. Let me the fuck in and lock down the compound.”
Speeding through the gate, I slammed my car into park and jumped out, yelling for Piper or anyone who could help. Claw, the club’s enforcer, ran out to see what the commotion was about, and I fought to control the tremor in my voice as I explained.
“Smokey and Bullet are being arrested up the road. I had the prospect lock the gate.”
“Local?” he asked, and I shook my head.
“I think federal from the unmarked cars,” I explained.
His eyes grew wide, and he hollered for the brothers to get to church. “Call everyone and tell them to use the back gate, but to get here NOW!”
“Sadie, I need you to get the old ladies and get to the cabins,” Claw barked at me, and I jumped into action.
There were a few ladies in the kitchen, and I ran to Piper, telling her what was going on. She began to cry as I guided her, Lilly, and the other old ladies into Kade’s cabin before I locked the door. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my ringing phone, seeing it was Dalton calling.
“Sadie, what the fuck is going on?” he yelled, and I could tell he was on his bike, racing toward the clubhouse.
I relayed what I saw to him, and he promised he and Kade would be here soon and to follow Claw’s instructions. Sniffles from the ladies sounded into the room, and I knelt to check on Piper. Her red eyes met mine, and I could see defeat in her gaze. If the feds had them, it would be near impossible to get them back easily.
“It’s going to be okay,” I said, hoping I was right.
Was the entire club in trouble?
Were they all going to jail?
What would happen to all of us?
I didn’t have any answers, but the questions kept spinning. The sound of motorcycles driving past the cabins, a place where bikes weren’t allowed, showed how severe the situation was. They were using the hidden road on the back of the property to avoid the cops, and I worried more brothers were going to be arrested.
For over two hours, the seven of us sat in Kade’s cabin with no word of what was going on. Piper and Lilly were huddled against each other, and the ladies took turns offering drinks, hugs, or consolations. Finally, my phone rang, and I answered on an exhale, hearing Kade’s voice.
“Have the ladies come to the clubhouse, baby. We have some things we need to tell everyone.”
“Is everything okay?” I asked, and all the ladies’ attention was firmly on me.
“As good as it can be, considering. Just get here.”
I hung up the phone and looked at six pairs of expectant eyes as I explained, “They want us in the clubhouse.”
“Did he say anything about Smokey or Bullet?” Piper asked, and I shook my head.
She linked her hand with Lilly’s, and the group of us walked down the path and used the kitchen door to enter the clubhouse. The smell of cigarettes, weed, and alcohol filled the room as we entered the bar, and the brothers turned their attention to us briefly before going back to their individual conversations.
Kade approached, and Piper pushed closer to the front, wringing her hands in from of her as she waited for him to explain. He guided us to some couches near the side, and Piper, Lilly, and I followed. The other four women found their old man and clung tightly to them as Kade, Claw, Needles, Hawk, and Skid pulled up chairs and sat down. I was in the middle of Lilly and Piper, holding both their hands.
“Piper. Lilly. I’m sorry it took so long to get any information, but the club’s lawyer had to see what was going on before we could make a plan,” Kade explained.
“What’s going on, Gunner?” Lilly asked as Piper wiped the tears from her cheeks.
