Joker stops them, then says to all of us. “No killin’. A stray bullet might catch one of the kids. Everyone walks away alive, us and them. Don’t draw on them unless they draw on you. Don’t pull the fuckin’ trigger unless you have no choice.” To Selkie, he says, “You got a piece?”
“Yeah,” she says as she digs under her jacket.
I’m proud of her for being ready, for being as tough as she is.
“We go in two ways,” Hangman says. “You.” He points at Trigger, Rocky, King, and Hash. “Get there quietly and come in on foot. Coyote will let you know where the entrances are. King, you assign positions. Surround the building. Jawbone, stick with Coyote.”
“Let’s go,” King says to the others. They mount their bikes and head out, King leading. No throttles, no breaking the sound barrier.
Joker picks up where Hangman left off. “Reaper and Zero, you take out the guards when Coyote gives the word. No fuss, no death throes. Put them to sleep for a while but make sure they’re gonna wake up.”
“Stand guard on the door,” Hangman says. “No one goes in or out. They try, it’s bedtime for them too.”
Reaper nods and heads to his bike. Zero lingers. “I suppose if we just tap them lightly with our guns, that’ll work or choke them until they pass out. Won’t have to do it for long, will we? You’ll be right behind us, so we only have to contain it for a few minutes, then?—”
“Would you shut the fuck up and go,” I snarl. Used to be our brother, Jawbone, who rattled on like he was an auctioneer, but he’s got nothin’ on Zero.
Zero looks at me with murder in his eyes and if I wasn’t so agitated, I’d be proud. He’s smart, thinks on his feet, but still a little soft. It’s good he isn’t takin’ shit.
“See ya, then.” He stalks off.
“Ya think he’d be used to getting interrupted,” Stark mutters. Stark and Zero got their colors at the same time. Before that, Stark had to spend a lot of quality time with Zero. His ears must be tired.
Hangman lets out a grunt of laughter. “We go in the front door. Softly. Me first?—”
Joker interrupts. “Me first, then you. Eight’s got your back.”
Joker’s right, but Hangman doesn’t see it that way. “You forgot your place in the world order, you cunt? I’ll do what I fuckin’ want.”
Joker blanks his face. “Not when we’re on a raid. What the fuck are we supposed to do if you go down?”
“Jesus Christ. You’re the VP. I gotta tell you your job now?”
“My job is to protect you,” Joker hisses. “If we have a dead president, it’ll be a slaughter.”
Hangman glares at Joker. “I don’t need fucking protection.”
“Would you just get on with it,” Selkie snaps. “This isn’t the time or place to measure your dicks.”
“Let’s send her in first,” Hangman says bluntly.
Even though I know Hangman isn’t serious, I step in front of Selkie. “No. She’ll bring up the rear with Stark.”
Selkie opens her mouth to protest, but I drag her away. “Ain’t about you being protected. It’s how we do things. Front guard. Rear guard. Someone has to have our backs.”
She clenches her jaw. “Fine.” She glances at Hangman. “He should be careful not to turn his.”
Hangman gives her a look that would usually make people piss their pants. Selkie meets his eyes and ups him.
He clenches his teeth, then says to her, “When we’re in and have the place secure, you and Eight find your brats and get them out of there.”
“Yeah. Like I needed to be told,” Selkie retorts.
“Get in the truck,” I mutter, giving her a light push between the shoulder blades.
I turn back to the rest of them. “I’ll follow.”
Hangman straddles his bike as he glares at Joker. “And you’ll fuckin’ follow me.”
