“I talked to him yesterday. I usually checked in every few days, but as of yesterday, he wanted me to start checking in every day. He didn’t say why and I didn’t ask. We kept things to a bare minimum.”
Copper rubbed his chin and stayed silent for a few moments. “I’m thinking he was onto something. Do you think he knew about Pete?”
“No way. He would have never sent him with us if he did.”
Copper scoffed, “I know that. I meant, do you think Phoenix found out in the last day or two?”
Dash was shaking his head no before Copper even finished speaking. “Phoenix would have come up here himself if he had discovered the truth about Pete.”
Copper nodded, continuing to rub his thumb and forefinger over his chin, the same way Phoenix did, “Yeah, yeah, suppose you’re right about that. I’m just thinking out loud here, trying to piece it together. So, by the time we get there, it will have been 28 hours since there has been any contact with Phoenix. You try any of the other brothers?”
“Just Badger. My orders were to try Phoenix a second time five minutes later if he didn’t answer my first call. If he didn’t pick up on my second try, I was to call Badger. If Badger didn’t answer, then I was to call you.”
Copper pulled out his cell phone and dialed, “Bronze, see if you can get in touch with anyone from Croftridge.” He paused for a moment. “Yeah, man, we got the sons of bitches. Heading to Croftridge now. Phoenix and Badger are MIA.” He paused again. “Thanks, man. Talk in a few. Yep.” He turned back to Dash. “Got Bronze trying to get somebody. Let’s assume he can’t get anyone on the phone. How do you want to play this? We can’t go bursting in there guns blazing with her in tow.”
“I say we leave Ember in the car with some of your guys. The rest of us take Octavius and his goons in through the front door, guns to their heads. If anybody is in there waiting to ambush us, they won’t unless they want us to kill their precious leader. If we do get attacked, we can use them as shields and your boys can take Ember back to Bronze.”
Copper nodded, “Phoenix will be proud of you, Dash. I know you’re an officer, but you’re a relatively new officer. Today, you’ve essentially been functioning as the club’s president. You’ve handled your shit and thought things through as well as Phoenix or me.”
I think I saw a little color appear on Dash’s cheeks. “Appreciate that, Copper.”
We rode in a tense silence until Copper’s phone rang. “Whatcha got?” “Uh-huh.” “What did he have to say?” “Who the fuck is that?” “Yeah, yeah, fuck me, man, really?” “All right, I will.” “Thanks, brother.”
Copper turned back to face us, “Bronze called every brother in the Croftridge chapter and Duke’s phone was the only one that was answered, except it wasn’t Duke, it was some chick named Reese.”
I sat up straight in my seat. “Reese? Is she okay?”
“Don’t really know. Bronze said she didn’t even give him a chance to tell her who he was. She just told him her name was Reese and Duke couldn’t come to the phone. He said she then proceeded to cuss him for all he was worth and hung up. Who is she and why does she have Duke’s phone?”
Dash leaned forward and pinched the bridge of his nose. He sighed, “You know Reese, she’s Carbon’s little sister.”
Copper grinned, “Little Reesie Piecie?”
Dash chuckled, “That’d be the one.”
“Excuse me,” I cut in, “Can I call her? She’ll talk to me.”
Copper looked to Dash, who made the correct choice and indicated for Copper to hand me the phone.
“What’s Duke’s number?” I asked.
Dash dialed for me. I wanted to cry when Reese’s voice filled my ear. I had missed her so much over the last two weeks. “Reese, it’s Ember.”
“Ember! Holy shit, girl! Are you okay?” she yelled into the phone.
“I’m fine. Listen, I don’t have much time, but I need your help.”
“I don’t know how much help I can be. Carbon told me not to leave Duke’s room for any reason whatsoever until he himself said I could.” Her next words were whispered, “He said it was a matter of life and death.”
“What? When did you talk to Carbon?” Both Dash and Copper leaned closer upon hearing Carbon’s name.
“I didn’t exactly. He sent me a text about five hours ago, I think.”
“Okay, and you’re in Duke’s room?”
“Yeah, at the hospital.”
“Are you the only one there?”
