The cop eyes us, but Whale doesn’t blink. Nico keeps his helmet facing straight ahead. I can feel sweat prick my back as Rodriguez approaches, his steps slow and deliberate. This is the first time I’ve seen him up close since the day they dragged us out of the courtroom. Every muscle in my body is ready to snap, but I force myself to keep still.
Rodriguez stops right in front of me, so close I can smell his cologne over the engine oil. He leans down, peering into my helmet, searching my face for anything familiar. I don’t flinch.My jaw is tight, anger simmering under the surface, but I don’t give him a word.
The air crackles between us. Just when I think he’s about to say something, a burst of static breaks the tension. The radio on the police cruiser hisses and a voice comes through. “Dispatch to all units, possible suspect vehicle found—two towns over. Need backup.”
Rodriguez straightens, glancing over his shoulder at the officer by the car. The cop hesitates, then looks back at Whale. “You boys aren’t in any trouble, are you?”
Whale shakes his head, casual as ever. “Just picking up some supplies.”
Rodriguez stares at us for another second, his suspicion clear, but he finally steps aside. “Go on, then. But don’t leave town.”
We wait for the signal, then ease the bikes past the barricade. My hands are shaking, but I keep my head down, focusing on the road ahead until we’re clear. It’s not until we’re a few blocks away that I finally let out the breath I’d been holding.
We pull up at Wilson Decker’s place, a tidy brick house with flowers out front and a new mailbox. Whale parks his bike by the curb, and Nico and I follow, helmets still on. We walk up the steps and head straight through the front door.
Wilson’s in the kitchen, coffee mug halfway to his lips, the breakfast table set with toast and eggs. His wife stands by the fridge, startled. She opens her mouth to say something but falls silent when she sees three bikers in her home.
“Excuse us, ma’am,” Whale says with a forced politeness, never dropping the edge in his voice.
Nico nudges me, and we walk straight for the den, crowding Wilson ahead of us. The old man’s eyes dart between us, nervous but not sure what’s happening yet.
It’s only when the den door closes behind us and I pull off my helmet that Wilson’s jaw drops. Nico follows suit, tugging off his helmet, and Whale stands by the door, arms folded.
Wilson’s face goes pale. His hands start to shake. “Levi? Nico? What the hell—how did you?—?”
I don’t give him a chance to recover. “Sit down, Wilson.”
He drops into the armchair, still staring like he’s seen a ghost.
Wilson tries to speak, stammering, “Look, I’m sorry about what happened, I tried to?—”
I cut him off, stepping closer. “Cut your bullshit. No more stories. You’re going to tell us everything, and you’re going to do it now.”
Wilson’s knees are bouncing. He glances at the closed door like he’s hoping his wife will barge in and save him, but Whale just blocks the exit and stares him down.
I take a slow step closer. “Start talking, Wilson. Why did you disappear on us? Where’s all that loyalty you promised?”
Nico stands over him, eyes cold. “You said you had our backs. But the second we got hauled in, you vanished. You working with Jinn now too?”
Wilson shakes his head, sweating. “No, no—listen, I swear, I’m not part of that. I—I got threatened, all right? I was told to keep my distance or I’d end up in a cell right next to you.”
I cross my arms, not buying a word. “By who?”
He swallows, voice barely a whisper. “Rodriguez. The ATF guy. He showed up at my office after you were arrested. Said he’d make me disappear if I tried to get involved. Told me to forget about you three.”
Nico grits his teeth. “And you just listened? All those years, Wilson. You folded that easy?”
Wilson wipes his forehead, looking desperate. “I didn’t have a choice. You don’t know what that man’s capable of. He made itclear this went deeper than the club. Jinn had something on him—I don’t know what, but Rodriguez did whatever Jinn wanted.”
“What do we do next?” Nico says, voice low. “We need to find Jinn and soon. He needs to own up to what he did.”
Wilson shakes his head. “Impossible. He’s vanished. Rodriguez is making sure he stays that way. Trust me, I’ve tried.”
I clench my fists, frustration knotting in my chest. “We’re running out of time, Wilson. You have to help us. Carrie risked everything. She broke us out of jail just to warn us. We owe her more than a prison sentence.”
Wilson’s eyes widen. “She did what?”
Nico nods, jaw set. “She broke us out. The plan was all hers. Without her, we’d be dead.”
