Page 6 of The Riders’ Reign

The door pushes open and Zoo strides in, holding two large plastic bags which he puts on the desk. “That’s most of the phones, and I have the passcodes for them all written down and stuck to the backs. There are only a few people’s phones we don’t have yet. A couple of guys and two ol’ ladies who are all at work. We’ll get their phones when they return to the compound. Of course, there’s also some of the sweetbutts who aren’t here. We might need to pay them a visit.”

“I need to see Jack,” I blurt.

Everyone turns to look at me. I feel awful because I care just as much about Ghost, and Rook, who looks like he might shatter. But right now, Rook has his brothers with him, and we don’t know where Ghost is. I don’t know what else I’m supposed to do to help find him.

I can be there for Jack.

“I’m going to the hospital.” It’s not a question, and I’m not asking permission. I am going, and none of them can stop me.

“I’ll go with you,” Ace says. “Listen, Mike, why don’t you come with us, and we can grab Tank, and Zoo. We can’t risk going alone, and we need to be armed. Phoenix, Rook, Saul, you guys investigate all of this. I still say the best thing to do is find where the fuck Ghost is, arm ourselves to the max, and go bring him back in a show of massive force. We need to prove to whoever has done this that they can’t mess with us, and most of all not on our territory.”

“That gets my vote, too,” I say, though I’m not actually sure I get a vote.

“Mine as well.” Rook’s jaw is set firm. “Those bastards deserve to die.”

Phoenix nods. “Fine, then, let’s get on with it. I’ll see if I can get into the cameras. I’m not as good as Ghost at hacking shit, but I’m not bad. Saul, can you go through the phones?”

“Absolutely,” Saul says. “You guys message when you arrive at the hospital.”

Ace touches two fingers to his head in a salute gesture, and we leave the office to head for the bikes. They’re all parked outside of the clubhouse, and the men talk in low voices for a moment as I climb on with Ace, wrapping my arms around his middle and pressing myself as close as I can to his back. Tank takes out his phone, which Saul had thoroughly checked before returning it, and types something before pocketing it and winking at Zoo.

Twenty minutes later, and my head is spinning. We’re about two minutes out from the hospital, and I can’t believe the number of weapons the men have on them. How they think they can get them into a hospital is beyond me.

We park in the lot nearby and jog over the small access road to the main entrance to the building.

“Okay, you’re not getting in there with those weapons,” I say.

Tank grins. “Yeah, we are. I have a sister who works at the desk here, and she’s on shift today. I’ve already messaged from Zoo’s phone. She’s going to wave us through and distract the security guard.”

God, they have tentacles everywhere. I’m only just beginning to truly understand the power of the club.

True to his word, Tank greets a pretty and surprisingly petite blonde woman, and she waves us through via a turnstile. Thank God this place is too small for heavy security.

“Take the stairs,” she says, her voice low, “and keep that shit hidden. Be quick. Nigel, the guard, is taking a leak, but he won’t be long. Jack is on floor five, room seven, but he’s in surgery right now.”

My heart lurches at the thought of Jack being under the knife, but I push my feelings down. I’m here for him, and for that I need to be strong.

When we step out onto the floor, there’s a nurses’ station right in front of us, and a corridor that goes left and right, with rooms off it in either direction. Right next to the nurses’ station, on the left, is a room with a sign on the door that reads “Visitor Lounge.”

“Whoa.” The nurse looks up from her files and frowns at the sight of all the big bikers standing there. “Can I help you all?”

“We’re here for Jack McGrath.” Ace offers her his panty-dropping smile, but it doesn’t work.

“You can’t all be here. No way. This is too many people. He already has his next of kin.”

My heart drops at those words. Shit, why hadn’t I thought of that? She’s my friend, but I doubt Vani will want me here. Of course, they called her. God, I’m so stupid.

“You have to leave,” the nurse states firmly.

“No, we’re staying,” Ace says. “Tank, Mike, you guys go down to the cafeteria or something, but I’ll stay here with Camile.” He looks at the nurse. “Happy? There’s only two of us now.”

She sighs but nods. “You can wait in the visitors’ room. Mr. McGrath is still in surgery. We’ll update you when we know more.”

“Thank you,” I tell her sincerely.

Bracing myself, I push open the door and walk in to find a red-eyed Vani, with Zane by her side, and Saint looking out of the window. I wonder where Lex is, but then Vani looks up and sees me. She pushes up from her chair, and I rush to her, opening my arms to hug her. My natural affection for her overrides anything else.

But she shakes her head and steps back. “What the hell are you doing here, Camile?”