“Of course you do. I need my wing-girl with me.”
There’s suddenly a loud rumbling sound coming from outside.What the heck is that?It sounds like a pack of motorcycles is driving down my street. Not a usual occurrence for our part of town. And the odd part is, the noise doesn’t seem to be passing by. It’s growing louder. Sounding as if they’re now right outside my house.
I rush to my window to see, startled to find six huge men on bikes idling by our front gate, waiting to be let in. They look dangerous. Terrifying actually. I don’t know what they could possibly want, but I’m guessing my dad is calling the cops right now. As soon as he saw them on the camera, he probably picked up the phone and started dialing.
“Earth to Zoey?”
“Teag, a bunch of sketchy biker dudes just showed up at my house. They’re waiting by my gate to be let in.”
Suddenly, our gate opens, and my stomach plummets. Fear creeps up my back as each one starts to drive through. Single file. One by one getting closer to our house. I don’t understand why my dad would let them in. It’s not like they were holding a gun to his head. He was shielded by a heavy iron fence. He was protected from the threat.
“Biker dudes? Like old guys driving Harleys?”
I wouldn’t exactly call them old. Two of them look like they could be in their early thirties, and a couple might be in their twenties. The leader of the pack is the eldest, but by no means old. Then there’s the one at the very back of the line. He has a skeleton gaiter covering most of his face so I can’t tell how old he is, but he looks to be the most terrifying one out of the bunch. He’s covered in tattoos from wrist to neck, and there’s one etched above his eye, dipping below the mask. Running along his cheek.
He’s dangerous. I can feel it from here. Everything about him alarms my nerves.
“Zoey, you still there? Tell me what’s going on.”
“They aren’t that old,” I say, as they all park and climb off their bikes, gathering in a gang formation, like a pack of rebels. “They look like the type that kill for sport, Teag.”
It may be my angle from up here, but I swear I’m staring at giants. Every single one of them looks awfully tall. And strong. There isn’t a single beer gut or wrinkle on any of the terrifying men.
I need to know what’s going on. My dad doesn’t usually consort with men dressed in black leather jackets who look like they belong on death row. Usually, the men my father deals with are dressed in polo shirts and visors, showing up to negotiate government contracts over a round of golf. Or politicians dressed in cheap polyester suits wanting to discuss funding for some new project. Whatever these men want, it’s not good.
The eldest turns to speak to the others, and fear washes through me.
“Oh my God. They’re Savage Knights.” The insignia is stamped on the back of his jacket. “Teag! What do I do?”
I can’t breathe. Everyone knows how dangerous those men are. It’s a known fact, not just rumored throughout the city, but known in this state. Those men call the shots. Even the copssteer clear of them. What I don’t understand is why they’re here. And why on earth would my dad knowingly let them in? He’s even warned me of how dangerous they are.
“Holy shit!” Her shriek amplifies my panic. “Are you serious? Those men are dangerous, Zoey.”
She’s preaching to the choir here. I freaking know that. What I need to know is what I should do.
“What are they doing there?”
I wish I knew.
“I have no idea. But my dad is coming out now.”
He’s walking out our front door, and I brace my windowsill as he approaches the men. I don’t want him getting hurt. But then the leader turns and steps forward, greeting my dad like an old friend. They give each other one of those manly hugs. My father pounding him on the back like it’s good to see him. The others move in and take their turn shaking my father’s hand. There’s a familiar comfort amongst them. Like they’re good friends.
Yet, my dad has never mentioned being associated with them, not once. In fact, all I’ve ever been told was to stay away from them.“If you see a Savage Knight coming, you walk the other way, Zoey. Don’t ever want you seen with them.”
“I need to find out what’s going on, Teagan. My dad’s acting like they’re all good buddies.”
“Are you crazy? Don’t go out there, Zoey. You need to stay locked in your room. Those men could kill you.”
I’m aware of that. I can see the guns strapped to their hips. But my dad isn’t packing. He walked out without his piece to protect him, and now he’s leading them right into our house.
“I’ll call you back,” I tell her, my curiosity killing me. I need to find out what’s going on.
“No, let your dad deal with them.”
“I’m just going to go in the hall and listen. I’ll call you in a few.”
I crack my door open, holding my breath so I can hear what’s being said. It’s like the rumble of motorcycles inside my house. Deep baritone voices echoing in the foyer, making the chandelier rattle. My nerves are rattling along with it. I tiptoe out into the hall, wanting to get a closer look, and the floor creaks as I step to the top of the stairs. I freeze in place, praying no one heard.
