“You’re inside,” I tell her. “Locks are on. I called my brothers. We have back-up.”
Her lips part. “Brothers?”
“Club brothers,” I say. “Damned Saints.”
Headlights sweep past the window. Then again.
A knock hits the door.
Carly goes rigid on the couch. I set the glass down and stand.
“Stay here,” I tell her. “Don’t move.”
I go to the door and open it.
Four men on the porch. No hesitation, like they showed up thinking this would be easy.
Their eyes drop to my chest.
My cut.
The one in front lifts his chin. “You alone?”
“Are you lost?” I ask.
He gives a thin smile and tries to look past me. “We’re looking for a girl.”
“You’re on private property,” I say. “Turn around.”
He shifts closer. “We can do this easy.”
I step forward, blocking the door. “Trust me. You don’t want the hard way.”
One of the others mutters something under his breath. They all keep looking at my patch like they just realized what it means.
The leader squares up. “You don’t know what you’re in.”
“Do I look like I give a fuck?” I say. “Last chance.”
He opens his mouth.
Engines slice through the night.
Two bikes. Fast. Close. Tires hit gravel. Headlights sweep across the trees. Then silence.
Ghost and Blade walk out of the dark like they’ve been here the whole time. Blade hangs back a step, eyes already moving.
Ghost stops beside me. “Doc.”
“Ghost.”
He looks at the men like they’re furniture in his way. “Something going on?”
The leader stiffens. “We’re just asking questions.”
Ghost gives him a slow once-over. “Four of you. Three of us. Funny how that still puts you on the wrong end.”
The man scowls. “That’s not how math works.”
