Page 42 of Loch
“Tomorrow,” I said, suddenly feeling too spent for anything other than sleep. “No holdin’ back.”
“Okay,” she agreed. “No holding back.” She let out a long yawn. I kissed her forehead and was sound asleep not long after.
I woke to a pounding on the door. I jolted awake, feeling something warm against my side. I smiled knowing it was Reagan. Last night replayed in my mind and I knew everything was coming together the way I had only hoped it would. There was still a lot of things to talk about but I had a feeling it would lead us in the direction I wished for.
“Loch, get the fuck up, now. We got trouble at the gate.” Cal’s voice shattered through my happy bubble.
I rolled off the bed and looked down at groggy Reagan as I pulled on my pants. Her body was half covered by the sheet, one breast exposed and taunting me. Her eyes flicked to the door as she pulled the sheet up to cover herself. I rushed to the door, opening it just enough to see Cal.
“Yeah?” I asked, forcing myself to fully wake up. He nodded his head to the left and I stepped out of the room, closing the door behind me.
“We got a problem at the gate. Body was thrown out of a van. Get the others up and meet me out there.” His tone was stiff and tense. I gave him a firm nod and slipped back into the room.
“Everything okay?” A worried expression filled Reagan’s face as she looked up at me.
“Stay here. Don’t leave this room until I come and get you.” My voice was hard and demanding. She bit her lip and nodded once. I bent down and placed a quick kiss on her lips. “Don’t worry. I’ll handle it. Everythin’ will be fine.” I headed out of the room, glancing one last time at her.
I banged on Crow’s door. Once I had him up, I woke Bocca next. I told Bocca to get up everyone else as I hastily made my way out of the club and out to the front gate.
Dane, one of the newer prospects, was covered in blood and I could see he was shaken up a bit. Cal was off to his left bent over something on the ground. Lake and Brand were beside him, hindering my view of what they were looking at. As I stepped closer I saw a limp, mangled arm. Tattoos ran the entire length of the arm and I recognized the artwork.
“Fuck!” I roared, picking up my pace.
There on the ground was a beaten and bloodied Race. Someone had taken down the president of the Dogs of Wrath and sent him to us as a message. He choked and coughed up blood. He may have still been alive, but I knew it wouldn’t be for long.
“Get him up and inside!” Cal barked. “Get fuckin’ Patch. Now!”
I scanned the road, but whoever dumped him here was long gone. Brand and Lake picked up Race’s body and hauled it inside. I watched helplessly, wishing there was something I could do.
“The fuck happened?” I barked as I walked up to Dane. He shook himself out of his shocked state quickly. He pulled out a cigarette and lit it before he attempted to speak. I let him have his thirty seconds.
“I was standing there at the gate, about to do another round.” He blew out smoke as he spoke. “This white van. No windows on the back. No marks. Drove up and the door opened and out tumbled that.” He pointed where the body had been. The dirt that covered the ground was stained red. “I looked up and saw two guys wearing cuts I don’t recognize standing in the open side door. Then they closed it and drove off. There were at least three of them.”
“You read the name on their cuts?” I asked. He closed his eyes and shook his head.
“Skull with a bullet hole in the middle. Two skeleton hands wrapped around it. Maybe roses on the bottom or something.” He opened his eyes like that was all he remembered. I nodded.
“License plate?” He nodded and his mouth fell open to tell me. “Go tell Bocca, now.” I pointed to the clubhouse as he ran off.
I had no doubt these were the same people that had shot at us on the run. This was another piece of the puzzle. With the new information, I prayed Bocca could get us closer to finding out who was behind it. I scanned the area one more time before moving to the road. I knew there wouldn’t be anything left behind, but I had to check just in case. As I suspected, there was nothing to be found. Not even tire marks in the dirt. I closed the gate and headed back inside.
Everyone was gathered around the Med room we had set up. I pushed my way through right as Patch was walking out of the room shaking his head. Race was gone. I knew there was no hope for him from the start, but we still had to try.
“We need to handle this shit now,” Cal barked. “Go, make sure Bocca stays on top of this. I need to know who the fuck that was. Diesel, call everyone else in. Crow and Axe, clean this shit up and see if there is anythin’ else on him. Let me know what you find. I’ve got to call the other chapters.” Cal growled with rage as he made his way through the crowd.
I followed Cal. Once we were away from the majority of everyone, I stopped him with a firm hand on his shoulder.
“Reagan’s here,” I said, as soon as he faced me. He nodded.
“Can’t have her here right now, brother.” He paused, thinking of the best thing to do. I was conflicted. I wanted her as far away from this as possible, but at the same time, I wanted her there where I could protect her. “Take her home. By the time you get back Bocca should have somethin’.”
I nodded and took off for my room. I opened the door to find her sitting on the bed, wearing one of my white v-neck shirts. Her back rested against the headboard and her legs were pulled tight into her body. She looked up at me, eyes full of concern.
“I’ve got to take you home now,” I said, regret filling my voice. She nodded and stood up.
She yanked on her pants and shoved her feet into her shoes, not even bothering to change out of my shirt or put her bra on. I could tell she was doing her best to hurry. For a split second, I wondered if she was pissed, but when she looked up at me, all I saw was concern and warmth in her eyes. I took a second to let my eyes rake over her body. She looked sexy as hell wearing my clothes. My head was so messed up with everything going on and all the things I wanted to do to her.
“I’m sorry…” I breathed out.
