Page 65 of The Riders’ Reign

In convoy, we drive to the clubhouse and pull up in front of it.

The engine goes silent, and Ghost climbs out first, then helps me out. I stretch and yawn. Sheer exhaustion has claimed me, and all I want is to sleep for ten hours. It’s a bone deep tiredness that makes my limbs ache and my mind foggy.

Ghost helps Megan out of the car. The poor woman remains curled in on herself, her shoulders rounded and head down, as though she’s been beaten by the world.

A cry comes from farther away, and Shelley comes running down the hill toward us. She’s sobbing, and the minute she reaches us, she pulls Megan into a tight embrace. Megan starts to cry, too, and they both stand there, weeping as they hold one another tightly.

Finally, Shelley pulls away and turns to Big Mike, who is loitering nearby. “Can someone please get a blanket for her? She’s shaking like a leaf.”

Everything seems to be a blur. They wrap a blanket around Megan, then she’s led to the clubhouse with Shelley’s arm still around her shoulders, and Phoenix on her other side for support.

I really just want to go to bed, but this isn’t over yet. There needs to be a debrief, and there’s one person in particular who hasn’t been told that everything has gone to plan. Jack. He’s probably losing his mind, and perhaps we should have called him from the airstrip, but making sure we all got back to the compound safely first took priority.

We follow Megan, Shelley, and Phoenix into the clubhouse. The bar is empty, but one of the men gets Megan a glass and fills it with scotch before placing it in front of her. “For the shock,” he says.

Phoenix sits on one side of her, and Shelley the other. Megan lifts the glass, her hand still trembling, and takes a sip.

I drop into a chair at the table beside them, and Ghost and Rook both join me. Saul has taken charge and is ordering people around. Bear arrives, pulling Shelley to her feet and hugging her tightly, before showing the same affection to his sister-in-law. It’s good to see the family reunited. People move in and out, conversations are had, and I realize it’s all happening around me as if I’m watching through a thick wall of glass.

I stifle another yawn.

Shelley can’t seem to let go of Megan’s hand and keeps squeezing it as if to reassure herself that she’s there and not an apparition or a figment of her imagination.

“What did they do to you?” she asks softly.

“They hurt me, Shells.” Megan wipes more tears from her cheeks.

“They won’t be hurting anyone else,” Ace states. “They’re all dead. Those motherfuckers.”

“I want you to stay with us for a while,” Shelley says to Megan.

Megan frowns. “I need to call home. I want my husband and my boy. They must be so worried.”

“I know.” Shelley takes her hand. “Just for a couple of nights, until we know the threat is well and truly dealt with. I’d hate for any of this trouble to follow you home and affect that darling little boy.”

Megan sniffs, and nods. “I guess that does make sense, but I need to talk to them.”

“Of course.” Shelley leans over and passes Megan the bar phone, then looks around at Saul and the other men. “Can she stay? On the compound for a few nights?”

Ace glances at Saul who nods.

“Don’t see why not.” Saul’s brows shoot up. “Hey, did anyone think to call Jack and tell him the update?”

He’s saved me from having to bring it up, which I was just about to do.

“Fuck, no.” Ace takes out his phone and hands it to Saul. “You do it.”

Saul just chuckles. “No, son, I don’t think so. I’ll let you have that privilege.”

Ace calls through to Jack, who answers immediately. “About fucking time. I’ve been losing my goddamned mind over here waiting for information.”

Ace shoots me a look and pulls a face like he’s a naughty kid who’s just been told off by a teacher. “Um, boss, we have Shelley’s sister back safe and sound. The cartel are neutralized. Camile is safe, and we’re all home safe and sound, soon to be tucked up in bed.” He frowns. “Shit, I need to feed the cats and check on the snails. Oh, and the porcupine. Can’t forget him.”

“The what?” Jack snarls.

“Got to go, sorry, Prez. Sudden need to take a piss. I’ll hand you over to Camile.”

“Ace? Ace, goddamnit, stop rescuing things. Do you hear me?”