Page 45 of Flyboy's Nightingale
Riley climbs into the driver side and adjusts the seat so she can reach the pedals and see out of all of the mirrors so she can drive safely. I reach over, touching her arm to bring her attention to me. She smiles at me before starting the van and falling into formation behind Smith, as Wesson pulls up the rear.
“Riley, I’m sorry for being an ass to you back there. I’ve just got so much going on,” I rush out, trying to find all the right words to express how regretful I am.
With every word spoken, Riely seems to flinch. “It’s all good. We’ll talk about you being an asshole when my maniac brother and father aren’t after us.”
“A true Nightingale you are,” I mumble under my breath, knowing that I’ll never deserve this woman and even though I try to be a better man, I never will be good enough.
We make it back to the clubhouse finally, and I’m itching to get into church. Before Riley manages to get the vehicle into park, I’m jumping out as quickly as I can with the fucking crutches. I make my way through the crowd and head toward the door that leads to the room where we hold church. When I broach the doorway, I see Prez, and Torch, our VP, talking quietly. I clear my throat to get their attention.
Prez peers over my shoulder, ordering, “Call the boys and let’s get this shitshow on the road.”
I turn back to the open room, hollering, “Church!”
All the officers stand at once, abandoning their conversations and coming into the room. I turn to go into the room myself when a fearful gasp reaches my ears. Looking back over my shoulder I spot a very pale Riley standing with her back plastered to the wall. Fuck, when we got back to the clubhouse I didn’t even pause to think about her being uncomfortable coming into a packed house. My need to find the assholes who were the masterminds behind today's lovely show was my only focus. I stand there trying to figure out what to do next. This was one of the reasons that I swore I’d never want an Ol’ lady. Having to choose between her and the club isn’t easy. Riley’s wide eyes fall on me, silently pleading for help.
A hand on my shoulder brings my attention away from her and to Blue standing behind me. “We’ve got her.”
I look back in Riley's direction not completely convinced that I should leave her. What I see is the reminder that I’ve needed, Edge and Vixen are standing so they block her view as they speak quietly to her. The terrified woman from just a moment ago is replaced with someone who isn’t necessarily comfortable, but not ready to bolt either.
“Thank you, Blue. I’ll come find everyone once we’re out of church.” I turn, going into church with the knowledge that Riley is taken care of and I can focus on what needs to be done.
Duck is the last man to file in and as he turns to close the door. Prez stops him.
“We need Noah,” Prez demands.
I know I’m not the only man that is completely shocked by this statement. It’s unusual to call a prospect in when there’s such sensitive topics to be discussed.
“Prez, he’s a prospect, they aren’t allowed in church,” Torch states in frustration.
Like you see in a horror movie, Prez turns ever so slowly and starts to stand, leaning his weight onto the table in front of Torch and speaks in a near whisper. He uses a voice that would scare even the bravest of men. “We’re going to start with the mother fucking facts. Fact one? I am still the motherfucking president of this chapter and what I say fucking goes. Two, we don’t fucking have time to do the song and dance of five dozen fucking meetings.” Prez stands waving his arm around the room. “Due to the fact that you lot of assholes seem to believe it’s your own personal fucking mission to bring pure fucking chaos to our doorstep and then stand around with your heads up your own fucking asses until someone either nearly dies or fucking does die. So, you can either sit here and do this my motherfucking way, or you can take those fucking patches off your ungrateful asses and get the fuck out of my clubhouse.”
No one moves. Hell, I would take a guess that not a single fucker in the room is breathing when Steel is done. The reason he got the road name Steel is because this man doesn’t lose his temper, doesn’t get bothered by mundane bullshit, he is solid as steel.
“Does anyone have anything that they would like to fucking say, or can we get church fucking started and come up with aplan?” Steel stares each and every one of us in the face, daring someone to fucking move or say something. Prez slams his hand on table. “I asked you motherfuckers a direct question. I expect it to be answered!”
Everyone answers at the same time with some form of, “all good,” before Prez takes a seat.
“Damn, that was nice to fucking see from someone who is as sick of y’alls shit as I am.” Noah claps from his place at the door.
Prez looks over at him with a glare. “Don’t start your shit. Just tell us what you saw today and then get the fuck out.”
Noah just smirks before he starts talking, “I drove the van with Flyboy, Riley, and Candy to Riley’s place. When we arrived, initially, everything looked as it should, that is, until Riley unlocked her front door and pushed it open. When the door was ajar, we realized that her home had been completely ransacked, her belongings had been ripped to fucking shreds. At that realization, Smith, Wesson, Duck, and Torch moved through the rooms clearing each one. Flyboy stood just inside the door. When the guys realized something was off, they sent Vixen, Edge, Candy, and Lil’ Red with Coin to stand at the back of the box truck. For some reason, Candy decided to ignore the men and came back to ask what the issue was. When I turned to tell her to go back with the others, that’s when I heard the sound of motorcycles. With everything that’s been going on, I made the choice to pull Riley to the ground just as the first shot was fired off. That’s when I yelled, “Gun,” covering Riley with my body.”
I’m slightly stunned by his exact account of what happened before all hell broke loose. This kid truly sees more than what we give him credit for. We all sit there astonished, taking in his words.
Standing from my chair, I grab my crutches and make my way over to him. When I get there, I reach out shaking his hand. “Thank you for protecting my woman.”
“Someone has to do it. You seem to be too hung up on your own bullshit.” He shrugs before returning my hand shake.
“That’s enough! You're free to go, Noah!” Prez barks. “Flyboy, sit your ass down before you fuck your leg up more than you already have.”
Deciding not to press my luck, I make my way back to my seat as Noah leaves the room. Cursing in pain as I take my seat, I alleviate some of my agony by leaning on my forearms on the table. “It was that good for nothing brother and VP. We all fucking know it was.”
“Razor, give me what intel you’ve got on these guys. Tell me you’ve fucking found them!” Prez looks over at him.
“I’ve been able to track several of their members’ movements. The guys at ‘Across the Line’ were able to follow them for a few days until they got pulled away on their own mission. We went by the hotel that they said they were staying at, and they had already checked out before we were able to arrive.” Razor sighs in frustration.
“You’re telling me, that between you and Edge, that you’ve not been able to get a damn thing on these assholes?” Duck’s harsh tone has me feeling edgy.
