Page 54 of Flyboy's Nightingale
“Oh, that sounds amazing! Just need to add some cheese and it’ll be heaven.” Lil’ Red’s excitement makes me laugh.
“I’ll make you one with cheese. I don’t think I’ll be putting any on mine.” I crinkle my nose because; gross.
“Don’t you go judging my pregnancy cravings. Just make the sandwich.” She laughs, plopping down into one of the stools at the island.
“No judgment, I swear. Just know that it’s not for me, and not something I’m going to be trying anytime soon.” I cut the tomato, focusing on the task at hand
We finish our snack, and when Lil’ Red asks if I want to hang out with everyone, I decide to go to bed. It’s been a long few days. I need time to process everything and get my emotions in check. As I make my way back to Flyboy’s room, my phone starts ringing. Looking down, I see that it's an unknown caller. My stomach drops and my head spins, reaching out, I place a hand on the wall to keep myself steady. My phone stops ringing, only to start up again just as quickly. I hit the red button to ignore the call. This time, I receive a text that makes me want to throw up.
Unknown: If you don’t want someone else to die, you’ll answer the phone right now.
Attached to the message is a picture of the gate to the clubhouse with a scratched red cross emblazened on the back of Noah’s head. Bile forces its way up my throat. Everything that I’ve eaten today comes rushing out onto the floor in front of me. I want to run outside and give myself over to that psycho just so he’ll leave everyone else alone, but the logical side of my brain is telling me that it won't help or change anything. I turn down the hallway, not worrying about the vomit on the floor, and go in search of the guys.
Making it to the entrance of the hallway, I look around for one of the brothers that I know can help me. The front door flies open, and I let out a steadying breath when Noah comes through the door, looking pissed. I start toward him when the doors to church flies open, and the brothers start pouring out. Changing directions, I make my way over to the men, not caring that they’re going to be surrounding me.
The first brother I come in contact with is Pretty Boy, and for the very first time, I take him in. He looks like a shell of the man that I’ve always known. Sadness curls around him. When I make it to him, I open my mouth but the words won’t come out. We stand there for a long moment before he shakes his head and scoots around me.
“What’s wrong, Riley?” Torch inquires, a look of concern written on his face.
“They were here.” I’m being louder than necessary, shoving my phone in his face so he can see the picture. “They threatened the club.”
Torch gently takes the phone from my hand, looking at the image that had been sent to me. It takes about three seconds before a cloud of pure rage falls over him. “Smith, Wesson, and Duck, get out to the gate and check things out. Pretty Boy, you and the two prospects start checking the outer perimeter. Razor, you better have all the fancy shit online and ready. We’ve got rats roaming too close to home.”
An echo of, “Yes, sirs,” and “You’ve got it,” ring out before everyone is on the move in a flurry.
Torch turns away from me with my phone still in his hand, heading back into church. I start to follow him but I’m pulled to a stop by a hand landing on my shoulder. My body freezes at the touch. Slowly and shakily I turn to see who is there touching me without permission. My eyes land on Vixen who stares back witha stony look. Squaring my shoulders, I raise my eyebrow at her in question.
“Only brothers are allowed in church,” she says without remorse.
“He walked away with my phone. I just wanted it back,” I reply, simultaneously pointing in his direction.
“You’ll get it back when they're done with it. Let’s go take a shot or two while we wait.” Vixen shrugs like it’s no big deal.
Looking back at the now closed doors, I turn to follow Vixen to the bar where I fully intend to drink until I can’t fucking remember anything. I don’t want to think about my past, the fear, anxiety, or loss. I just want to let it all go—if only for a moment.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-SIX
Flyboy
I makemy way into church seeing that everyone is in attendance but Coin, who is still in the hospital. I knew us being called back wasn’t good, and by the look on the faces of Steel, Razor, and Smith, I know that whatever they’ve got to say, isn’t going to be anything I want to hear. I take my seat, crossing my arms on top of the table, waiting for this to get started. Steel drops the gavel on the table, bringing us to attention.
“There are several things that we need to go over. First, we’re going to start with Smith, tell us what Theo was able to find.”
Smith leans back into his chair, crossing his arms across his chest. “At first, he wasn’t able to find much more than Razor was able to until he caught wind that the club was looking to move from drugs to girls. The Irish and Russians out of Vegas are still working to figure out who the top player in the trafficking ring is that took their women and ours. Once he was able to get that information, it opened the club up for him to slide his way in as if interested in the same things as they are.” Smith pulls a thumb drive from his pocket, sliding it to Razor.
Razor drags it to him, sticking it into his laptop. Once it’s plugged in, files and documents start to flash onto the T.V. that’s always Bluetoothed to his laptop. Razor starts clicking through the information faster than what I ever imagined was possible. As he clicks on an image, it catches my eye, drawing all my attention to the screen.
“Wait, go back,” I insist as I point to the screen.
“What? What did you see?” Torch questions, not breaking his concentration from the screen.
“Is this the image that you’re talking about?” Razor asks, bringing the image back up for us all to see.
“Yeah! That’s it.” I lean forward, looking closer at it.
When the photo comes up again, a few of us let out a curse.
