“What’s the plan?” Ash asks.
“We storm the compound, guns blazing, and pull her out.” The words come out fast and sure because it’s the only plan that makes sense to me.
“That’s suicide.” Ghost loads magazines with smooth, practiced movements. “They outnumber us ten to one. We’d be dead before we made it through the gate.”
“So what’s your brilliant idea?”
“We don’t know where she is,” Ghost says. “Could be in the woods, could be on the road, could be anywhere betweenhere and the compound. We need intel before we charge in like idiots.”
“He’s right.” Ash straps on his own vest. “Jackal told her to run, which means she’s not sitting still waiting to be caught. If we’re lucky, she made it out of the compound before they locked it down.”
“And if we’re not lucky?” I ask.
“Then we go in anyway.” Ash’s voice drops. “But we do it smart.”
“Smart how?”
“We head toward the clubhouse first,” Ash says. “See what the situation is. If Savage Legion is still there, we know she’s trapped. If they’re gone, it means they’re out searching. That tells us she got away.”
Ghost nods. “And if they’re searching, they’ll be spread thin. Easier for us to find her before they do.”
I don’t like it. Every instinct I have screams to get on my bike and ride straight for that compound. But Ghost and Ash are right—charging in blind is how you get killed.
“Fine.” I grab my helmet. “But if we waste time with reconnaissance and she gets caught because of it, I’m blaming both of you.”
“Noted.” Ash heads for the door.
We pile out to where our bikes sit waiting. The afternoon sun beats down, too bright and cheerful for what’s about to happen. I throw my leg over my Road King and fire up the engine.
Ash pulls up beside me. Ghost flanks my other side.
“Stay together,” Ash says. “Radio silence until we know what we’re dealing with.”
We ride.
The cabin disappears behind us as we hit the main road. Trees blur past. Wind whips at my vest. My mind won’t stop racing through worst-case scenarios—Bonnie caught, Bonniehurt, Bonnie dead in a ditch somewhere because we weren’t fast enough.
No. Can’t think like that. She’s smart, she’s tough, she’s been training with all of us for years. If anyone can survive being hunted by Savage Legion, it’s her.
The clubhouse appears ahead. We slow down as we approach, taking in the scene.
The parking lot is half-empty. Most of the Savage Legion bikes are gone. The few Ruthless Devils members standing around look confused and worried. No sign of Iron, which makes sense if he’s in federal custody.
We pull up and kill our engines. Danny rushes over immediately.
“Thank God you’re here.” He looks terrified. “Everything’s gone to shit. Iron’s arrested, Bonnie ran, Savage Legion is tearing up the countryside looking for her?—”
“Start from the beginning.” Ash’s voice carries authority now. With Iron gone, he’s acting president whether he wants to be or not. “What happened with Iron?”
“Feds grabbed him in Phoenix this morning. He was at that meeting with the Tucson chapter, coordinating supply routes. They were waiting at his hotel.”
“What charges?” Ash asks.
“Don’t know yet. RICO maybe? They had warrants, evidence, the whole deal. Someone fed them information.”
Ash’s jaw tightens. “Did you call Martinez?” Our club lawyer.
“First thing. He’s driving to Phoenix now but says it doesn’t look good. Whatever they have, it’s solid enough for federal charges.”
