“That’ll be up to Prez. He’s called church.”
And just like that, my plans for an easy, chill night with Presley went flying out the window. I let out a breath, then toldhim, “Let me wrap things up with Presley, and I’ll follow you over.”
He gave me a nod and waited as I made my way back over to Presley.
She’d just finished shoving all the coins into her purse and was completely unaware that my world had just tilted on its axis. The sight of her smiling made my chest ache in a way I didn’t have time for.
Not tonight.
Presley's smile faded when I announced, “Sorry, doll, but I gotta cut things short.”
“What?”
“I’ve gotta get to the clubhouse.”
“Oh, okay.” Disappointment marked her face as she muttered, “Is everything okay?”
“No, but it’s nothing we can’t handle.”
“Anything I can do?”
“Just get home safe and text me when you’re settled.”
“I can do that.”
I leaned in and kissed her on the forehead. “I’ll make this up to you.”
“I’m going to hold you to that.”
“I’d expect no less.”
I hesitated, and this was not the time for hesitation. My brothers had been through it, and I needed to get to them. But I felt torn in a way I never had before. I didn’t know what the hell to do with that.
Presley noticed my pause, and with a soft smile on her face, placed her hands on my chest and inched up on her tiptoes, kissing me. “It’s fine. Go do what you need to do, and I’ll text you when I get home.”
I nodded, then forced myself to turn and head back over to Memphis. He didn’t waste time with chitchat. He simply started for the door, and I followed.
The ride to the clubhouse was a blur of headlights and adrenaline. I kept my eyes trained on the road, but my mind was all over the place. I’d heard about the Coyotes. I knew I had, but I couldn’t place when or where or even what was said. That was fucked up.
I should’ve known when and exactly what was said.
It was my job to know. It was all over our jobs, and we’d slacked off. We’d let in too many distractions, and now, it had cost us. I eased the throttle back, and mile after mile, I was running through faces, territory lines, and every rumor we’d brushed off and shouldn’t have.
By the time we rolled through the gate, most of the brothers had started to file in. Bikes were lined up in their usual spots, and more were pulling in by the second. Like me, they were eager to find out what the hell had gone down.
Memphis and I parked, and as I stood and took off my helmet, I couldn’t help but notice how tense the air felt. We headed inside, and it was unusually quiet.
No music playing in the bar.
No laughing.
No talking.
Just the sound of our footsteps as we started toward the infirmary. I didn’t bother looking back as I continued down the hall. I knew Memphis was right behind me. When we reached the infirmary door, I paused, swallowed hard, and did my best to collect myself before stepping inside.
It was a waste of fucking time.
The second I saw my brothers, broken and bruised, I nearly lost it. Memphis stood behind me as he hissed, “Holy shit.”
