Page 89 of The Riders’ Reign

Before I can thank her again for what she’s done, she links her arm through Lex’s and pulls him away.

I take my cell from my purse and fire off a quick text message, relaying the information from Lex to my mother. With the location of the safehouse still a secret and the majority of Hector’s cartel taken care of, they should be safe enough to make it to the airstrip and be transported here.

I still want to congratulate Rook, so I go off and find him. He’s chatting to Ghost now, the pair of them looking comfortable in each other’s company. They’re both so handsome, I can hardly believe I get to call them mine.

I reach Rook and pull him into a massive hug. “Congrats, fully patched in member.” I kiss him, and he picks me up, swinging me around.

My heart is so full for him, and I’m about to say we should plan a celebration when something distracts me.

Powerful headlights appear on the other side of the main gates and an engine roars. I turn just in time to see a massive Ford F250 with huge grill guards plowing straight through the metal gates. The gates crash to the ground, and one of the ol’ ladies who’d been standing too close is flung a few feet to the side. A high-pitched scream tears through the air, and someone rushes to help her.

Oh, my God. What the hell? Is the driver drunk? But then two other vehicles roar in close behind, through the damaged gates, and my brain takes a moment to catch on.

“Get her the fuck out of here,” Ghost yells, pointing to me and already drawing his weapon.

Jack shouts at Zane to take Vani, but he’s already on it, literally carrying her as he runs for cover.

Gunshots ring out, and people start screaming, fleeing in every direction. It’s utter chaos.

Jack is running toward the scene. Why is he doing that? He just got shot, damn him. Acting on pure instinct, I try to follow, wanting to make sure he doesn’t get himself shot again, but someone grabs me by the wrist and pulls me in the opposite direction.

They aren’t gentle, and I turn around to tell them they’re hurting me. It’s Rook, and the look on his face is pure panic. Rook put himself in a terrible position to save me before, and now here I am trying my best, it seems, to put him in harm’s way again.

I should go with him and follow Zane and Vani, and Mack and her Devils, who are heading toward the outbuildings where we could hide. I should, but one look down the hill at Jack, Ghost, and now Ace running toward the damn vehicles has me acting on instinct. I kick out and scream, but when Rook still clings on, I twist and drop, and it mercifully works. His hold on me loosens enough for me to sink down and slide out of his grasp. Then I’m flying after the men, wanting to physically pull them out of danger.

Rook takes after me, his footsteps pounding the ground.

“Goddamn it, Camile. Why won’t you ever do what you’re fucking told?”

Rook is livid, his tone one I’ve never heard from him before. As we near the chaotic scene, he grabs me again, arms around my waist, and pulls me behind a massive dumpster.

“Rook, let me go. They could get killed.”

“They’re more likely to get killed if they’re worried about you.” His grip on me only tightens.

Shit!

I can see around the side of the dumpster, though, if I crane my neck. I feel someone’s face right by mine, and Rook is doing the same.

“What the fuck?” As he speaks, his hold on me goes slack.

This time I don’t take the opportunity to run because his voice is troubled and his fear scares me.

“What?” I demand.

A tall, rangy man jumps out of the truck and fires a shotgun into the air. When the shouting, gunshots, and other noise carries on, he leans into the SUV window and presses on the horn. The sound blares out, and the two groups who had been firing at one another—a couple of his men, and some bikers using a truck for cover—stop.

Thank God, too, because I realize with horror that Shelley and Megan were standing close enough to be hit. Although they are behind some of the bikes, and a couple of cars, hopefully offering them some cover.

“I don’t want no trouble.” The tall man shouts. “I’ve come here for one reason, and one reason only. To reunite with my good friend, Ryan. Ryaaan, oooooh Ryyyyaaaaannnn.” He sing-songs the name. “Come out, come out, wherever you are.”

Rook stands, and my heart lurches.

“Rook, no” I cry, trying to grab him before he does something stupid.

But he shakes me off and points back at me. “Stay,” he orders, as if I’m a dog. “This is my business.”

He walks around the side of the dumpster, into full view of the man who is shouting for him. The crowds part, giving space for Rook and this new guy to talk.