Page 40 of Revenant's Fire

She narrows her eyes at me. “Sunny Richards. I thought you knew better.” She tuts me. “Cars like this can’t make it up the holler where his momma lives. The roads are too rough.” I fake surprise, then disappointment in my stolen car. “Take him to your daddy, he’ll be able to get him home in his pickup.”

I brighten, smile even wider. “That’s a fantastic idea! I should have thought of that. No matter.” I say, bustling out of the car.

I scratch around the back passenger door, knowing there should be a handle here or something. How the hell do you open these doors? I tap the door, then knock on the window before poking what looks to be a handle, giving a little “Huzzah!” once it pops out.

I act as if I knew what I was doing the whole time, under Mrs. Feffercorn’s keen eye all while cursing this stupid car. Note to self: Steal something a little older next time.

“Come on, little buddy,” I coo at Split, helping him up as best I can. My best meaning I drag his limp-ish body toward the car.

“Oh dear, let me help you.” I grit my teeth and let Mrs. Feffercorn help me. It’ll be more trouble if I don't.

We get him in the backseat and I slam the door on his hand, not giving a shit.

“Well, thank you so much for your help, I better get him home to his momma.” I get in and slam the door. I have no idea if the car is on or not, but it moves forward when I hit the gas, good enough for me.

“Are you really taking me to my momma?” Split’s strained voice calls from the back.

“Hell no! We’re going to find that bitch Bubbles, then I got plans. Big plans.” My gaze lands on sky high bleached blonde hair, denim cutoffs and high heels. “Bingo.”

Revenant

I follow Pastor Richards as he winds through the lazy Winlaw streets. There’s never a lot of traffic. Mine and Brake’s rides are the only noise on the main street. Not that I care, I have tunnel vision. Sunny is all I see and nothing, not even the big man himself can hold me back from getting to her.

Richards turns a hard left to one of the abandoned buildings in this part of Winlaw. Vegetation creeps up the broken windows. The roof sags. An abandoned Tesla is parked haphazardly in front. He gets out of his pickup, not even bothering to slam his door. The only thing stopping him from getting into the rundown garage is my bike blocking his path.

“Stand down! We don’t know what we’re walking into!” I growl. I’ve buried enough men in my time. I’m not losing Sunny’s fucking father as well.

He gives me a curt nod, then turns away from me, hands on his head, his shoulders rising and falling as he takes deep breaths. I get it. Doesn’t matter what rank he once held. Here he’s just a father looking for his little girl.

Brake and I dismount, Brake craning his neck to look for any threats. Then I hear it. The deafening roar of bikes coming our way. Brothers.

Brake and the pastor hear it as well.

“They were quick,” Richards says.

“Probably helped that you ran over three Wolves on your way out the gate,” Brake quips.

We stand still, watching as one by one the Saint’s Outlaws pull in.

“You good?” I ask Prez.

He doesn’t answer, just eyes the building behind us. “We go in easy, clear the -”

“Whatcha doin?” All heads snap to the left and it feels like I’ve been punched in the gut.

“Sunny?” I blink once. Then twice.

“Babe!” She drops the ice cream in her hand and runs straight at me. I catch her in my arms before I even register her here. Safe. She’s safe. “You came!” She peppers kisses on my face before pulling back, searching my gaze. She stills a moment before she softens, pressing a gentle kiss to the corner of my mouth. “What happened?”

“You were fucking kidnapped,” I growl.

“No, not that. You look different.”

My brows pinch, wondering what she means.

“You look lighter.”

Realization hits me. “I listened to you.”