“What do you need me to do?”I ask.
“You and War are going to find a way into the hotel without being noticed.Orion says that four rooms are occupied.Two on the third floor, one on the second floor, and one on the first floor.The place is so old that their computer system is archaic at best.The rooms are designated to Jones, Smith, Clark, and Robinson.I figure they’re going to have Logan on the third floor, but that’s just my guess,” Hawk says.
“Makes sense.It’ll be harder for Logan to escape if he makes a break for it,” I respond.“Do we have room numbers?If it’s around the back, it faces an alley, and I can scale the building and get a look inside.”
“Scale the building?Who are you, Spider-Man?”War jokes, nudging my shoulder.
“You’d be surprised at how much Motown knows how to do.”Hawk grins.He’s remembering the time when we were up against rebel forces, and they were perched on top of a building, ready to pick us off one by one.There was only one way out of town to where we were headed.We knew where the enemy was, but disarming them would mean climbing up through the back of the building and catching them off guard.While the rest of the team did their best to keep the rebel soldiers busy, I climbed to the top and opened fire, taking them all out.I had Lady Luck on my side that day.
“We can’t leave Logan alone in there.He came to us, and we promised to have his back,” I say.
“Sundown,” Guard says.
“That’s too late.He could be dead by then.”
“It’s dangerous and stupid to do it in broad daylight.”Hawk stares me down.“We’re going to get one shot, and moving in too fast could result in multiple deaths.”
I know he’s right, but my gut clenches at the thought of what they may be doing to Logan.It could be really good or really fucking bad.Bronson might see the value of Logan’s connections and decide to pull him into the fold.Or he could decide to get rid of the middleman, meaning Logan, and work directly with his supplier.Logan is only safe as long as he keeps his supplier’s name secret.
“The good news is that Bronson hasn’t shown up yet,” Demon says.
“How’s that good news?”I ask.
“If a guy comes and offers a way for you to make a shitload of money, you’re going to check him out.I think it proves that Orion’s got Logan covered,” Hawk says.
“Which means we’ve got time to put our plan in motion, but not much,” War says quietly.
“Risk is going to take over for you,” Guard says to Demon, who is not happy about it.Before Demon can add his two cents, Guard continues, “You’ve done an all-nighter.When this goes down, I need you fresh.Go back to the club, get some sleep.You need it.”His tone indicates there’s no room for compromise, so Demon backs down.
“I want to see if I can scope out the back of the hotel.I’ll lie low and stay out of sight.Logan is a soldier.He’ll know how to give us a sign if he can,” I tell Hawk.I can see he’s mulling it over, not convinced.“C’mon, brother.I’ll be discreet.”
“Not alone,” Hawk orders.
“I’ll go with him.”Demon offers.Guard grumbles, but Demon says, “Then I’ll get back to the compound.”
“Don’t fuck around.I want you back in an hour,” Guard warns.
“I’ll hang back at the barn until Risk arrives, get him set up, and meet you all back at the compound after,” War says.We take turns exiting to not cause suspicion, and head off to do what needs to be done.
Demon and I find an alley that takes us close to the back of the hotel.Demon scans the windows through his binoculars.
“Do you always walk around with binoculars?”I ask.
“Nope.But when I saw them come out with Logan, I grabbed the pair I had in the trunk.Didn’t think I’d need them this soon, but I’ve learned to expect the unexpected,” he answers.I make a mental note to get a pair and have them tucked away.
The Redemption Riders have come up against some nasty characters and situations, but Satan’s Pride has a long history of being thrown into turmoil, and in every instance, they’ve come out on top.I know enough to listen and learn.I’ll suck in all the knowledge I can from Demon, knowing he’s been through hell and back and is still standing.
“See anything?”I ask.
Demon hands me the binoculars and points up to the third floor.“Check out the fourth window from the left.”I see that the blinds are partially closed, and someone is standing near the window.The man is turned away from the glass, but the body composition is very much like Logan’s.
“Looks like him, can’t be sure though,” I mutter, wishing that the man in the window would move to the right just a little more so I can get a better look.
“It’s him.Before he went in, we made up a signal to let me know he was okay or if he needed help.He’s given me the sign he was okay, but he’s also giving me other signs, and I don’t know what he’s trying to tell me.Watch his hand,” Demon says.I can hear the frustration in his voice.
I peer through the lens once again.“It’s sign language,” I tell him.“When I was in juvie, there was a guy who was deaf and signed.I learned from him, but that was a while ago.”I try to make out the letters he’s signing.“Write these down.”I call out letters one by one.I notice when the letters start over.
Demon and I look at what we’ve got written down and decipher the message.
