Two things stand out. One, the Mojave Devils want to take over our compound and start a new chapter right where we are. In fact, they want everything we have as we’re in a good position for them to move product, that being, of course, poor trafficked souls taken to be sold over the border. Of course, we already know Griz would have given our main route to them, the details of how we get our shit into Mexico, but subsequently, they obviously made a decision they wanted our land as a convenient stop on the way as well.
The second, and very related, point is that our compound isn’t just an item on some wishlist. They’re already planning an attack to take us all out. That is coordinated to coincide with their next transport ofproduct.Exactly when, though, Doc doesn’t know.
Freak, Tempest, Prez, and I share horrified glances, while Doc, oblivious to the bombshell he’s just dropped, continues talking.
When he runs out of steam, he’s given us so much to digest, and all of us are silent. I, for one, had no idea when we brought Doc in that it would be to hear that the very heart of our club is under threat.
“I’ve told you everything!” Doc cries out. “Now can you let me go? I won’t say anything to anyone about how I got hurt.”
Prez tilts his head toward me. “I got everything I want, Short.” Under his breath, he mutters, “And a fuck load of shit I wish I’d never heard.” Then raising his voice again, he tells me, “Over to you.”
Let off the leash, I scream at Doc. “Where does Trip come into this? And Bronwyn?”
“They’re my kids. They’re nothing to do with you. I can do with them what I want.”
Without me asking,Freak doesn’t wait for permission, just chops the forefinger off Doc’s dominant hand.
Again, Doc screams, but I’ve no compassion. I wonder how many times Bronwyn made a similar sound when he was abusing her, or whether she’d sounded like that when she was forced to give birth to his child.
“Start talking,” I snap.
To encourage him, Freak takes a firm hold of his bleeding hand.
“They’re coming to collect Trip as soon as he’s found. As for Bronwyn? I can’t stop what’s already in hand. There’s a contract out on her,” Doc informs us, his mouth going tight. “The MDMC knows she’s the only one who can cause a problem when Trip disappears, so they want to clean house.”
“When?” Prez demands, taking over from me as I’m suddenly having trouble breathing.
“I don’t know,” Doc yells. “That’s the truth, but soon. I believe they already have someone in town.”
What the actual fuck?Prez nods at me. I leave the barn, wasting no time to pull out my phone. After dialling a number, I’m relieved when it’s answered after only one ring.
“Knight, you got your eyes on Bronwyn?”
“Well, I’m sitting in the parking lot.”
“I’m going to ring her now, tell her to claim an emergency and get her out of there as soon as I can. Follow her straight back to the club, yeah? And make sure she stays here once she’s arrived. Keep on a sharp lookout. There’s a credible threat to her. If anything happens to her?—”
“If anything happens to your ol’ lady on my watch, I’ll fuckin’ walk without waiting for my patch. I got her, Short.”
“You better.”
I end the call before he can reply. Next, I summon up another number and am soon speaking to my woman. She takes a little persuading, as I don’t dare tell her the truth, not over the phone. She agrees to plead a family emergency and to leave work as soon as she can.
My last call is to Heathen, instructing him to bring Trip and Trixie to the clubhouse. I impress upon him the urgency and threaten his patch.
Then I return to the barn to see what’s gone on in my absence.
Uh uh. Doc seems to be down a hand, and I’ve missed all the excitement.
He’s screaming. “Put a tourniquet on, or I’ll bleed out.”
“No worries, Doc, I’ve got something to sort that.” Freak moves out of his sight and returns with a blow torch. “I might not have the medical qualifications you have, but I believe cauterisation would work just as well.”
The sounds out of Doc’s mouth start to crescendo, and reach their peak when Freak applies the flame not only to his stump, but halfway up his arm, leaving serious burns.
“Whoops.” Freak looks totally unapologetic. “My bad, Doc. I haven’t got a good aim. You reckon you might have something in your medical bag to steady my hand?”
I don’t think he’s even aware of the question, as Doc’s eyes roll up in his head, and he looks like he’s going to pass out. But Tempest has got a cure for that, and picks up the hose, turns a tap, and blasts cold water straight into his face.
