It was a deep rumble that woke me. And at first, I couldn’t see a thing. Night had crept through the windows, engulfing the flat in an oppressive darkness. And still, outside, the deep rumble continued. But now that I listened, it wasn’t just one. It was two engines I could hear, right out on the front street.
For a moment, I sat there still. Listening. Wondering whether I was imagining it. Wondering whether I was losing the plot. But in the dark, they were still out there, engines idling. If it was Ryan, he’d brought a friend.
I crept through the house to the bedroom that faced onto the street and the deep tones of the bikes outside. Carefully, I glanced out. The bikes boxed in my car. One in front, one behind, the riders chatting like this was a casual place to stop. Across the other side of the street, a curtain twitched, a sliver of light from where someone else peeked out into the night.
The nearest streetlamp was a few feet away, and although the road was bathed in an orange glow, it wasn’t enough to work out what they looked like. But it was enough to catch a white, semi-circular marking up one side of them both. Cuts. Of that, I was certain.
Their heads moved in tandem, looking up towards the tall, three-storey house I lived at the top of. I darted backwards, hiding in the shadows, my throat tightening and a familiar pressure building in my chest. The thump of my heart started in my ears, deep and almost painful, but I still stared out into thestreet, but not close enough now to the windows to see what they were doing.
For a long moment, I couldn’t move. I only listened to the race of my heart in my head and the rumble of the bikes still waiting outside. This wasn’t coincidence.
You don’t get this many coincidences without someone watching you.
My chest tightened further, the words settling deep, cold and certain. I didn’t think. My hand was already reaching for my phone. Because this wasn’t my world. It was his.
again.
Chapter Twenty Two
There was a rapture of voices. Low cheers and grunts, and then hands slapping backs. When Tyne Thunder MCC entered theDog on the Tynetonight, we all knew what was happening. Our invitation had been accepted. Old patches were sliced off the front of the cuts they wore, and Indie handed over something new. Now they would wear our colours. Not all. Just a prospect badge on the front and the black and white rocker reading Newcastle upon Tyne.
The Kings had just doubled in size, but only half of us were fully patched. And that was a gamble. Even the old Tyne Thunder members had to serve their time as prospects. And those that didn’t make the cut wouldn’t wear a Kings patch at the end of it all. But now we had numbers. And people who wanted to prove their loyalty and worth.
I glanced around at the bodies that filled the ground floor of the pub. We knew Tyne Thunder. They were our closest MCC ally. That stood for something, at least. But were they ready to become an MC? This was a whole different ball game, and I wasn’t sure it was the right thing to do. But the club had voted. And I trusted Indie. Always had. So, I slapped backs and hugged new brothers like everyone else.
TheDogwas full of leather, but no women. We were following orders and so far, even Mamma Dot was staying home. Security Sam had eyes on Emmie through the hospital security team, without them even knowing they were working for the Kings.
I glanced at my phone again. At the message that hadn’t been answered, and deep inside me, my stomach felt heavy, that lump of dread and disappointment sinking lower and lower. Sam had reported in on Sophie a couple of times that day, so at least I’d had proof of life.
A pat on the back caught my attention.
“You reckon this’ll help?” I didn’t know who it was. I could never tell them apart.
“Dunno mate. Can’t make it any worse. Least we got two clubhouses now, I suppose.”
“Aye, and more eyes on Ciara,” Demon grumbled into the short glass of whisky.
“You still not convinced her to quit?”
He shook his head. “Tried everything apart from tying her up to a chair at home and leaving her there. Apparently that’s unreasonable,” he shrugged before taking another gulp.
“What about Suzy?” the unidentified twin asked Magnet.
“To be honest, the morning sickness is taking it out of her. Left her in bed this morning. Said I’d bring all the patches and cuts back to her to sort out.”
“Bet she loves you,” Chaos or Carnage or whoever the fuck he was laughed.
“You know she loves sorting it out for the club. She’d be well pissed if we went anywhere else.”
“True. And we don’t need to see that again,” Demon smiled.
Inside my jacket, my phone vibrated. At first, I ignored it. It stopped and then started again. This wasn’t a brother ringing for help. They were all here. With me. Something tugged at my stomach, and I fished the device out of my pocket.
Sophie.
I hadn’t even saved her number into my phone. But she’d been right. I still remembered it.
Pushing through the crowd, I waited until I got outside to hit the button and answer. As the doors closed behind me, and the deep drone of voices and laughter quieted, I tapped the screen.
