Savage Love (Back Down Devil MC #7)(102)

“More bullets?” Nate asked. “That’s a warning?”

“I wasn’t there for what happened,” the guy said. “You f*cking killed our men.”

“I’ll f*cking kill you,” Gaige said and stepped forward.

The rider cringed and put a hand out. “Okay. Okay. You want Vinny, okay? He was the one who got that whole thing together. He shot.”

“You rat out your crew that fast?” Blaine asked. “What a piece of shit.”

“I’m not ratting a thing,” the guy said. “Just sharing a name.”

“Stand the f*ck up,” Gaige ordered. He pulled at the guy’s shirt and brought him to his feet. “Look me in the f*cking eyes and tell me where this guy is.”

“I don’t know.”

Gaige sighed. “I’ll ask again. I’ll pretend falling f*cked up your head. Where the f*ck is Vinny?”

“I… I forget. I hit my head.”

Gaige curled his lip. From behind, Nate swung a fist and punched the guy. He crashed into Gaige and cried out in pain. Gaige grabbed the guy by the throat and kept him standing.

“I’m going to f*cking kill you right here,” Gaige said. “Unless you tell me…”

“We got company!” Shay cried out.

Gaige looked and saw the SUV flying toward them. He pushed the rider away and began to shoot. They all shot at the SUV even as the SUV shot back at them. Emily did the right thing by dropping behind Gaige’s motorcycle. Within seconds, the SUV was gone down the street, tires screaming as it made a hard left.

“Oh, f*ck,” Blaine said, pointing to the ground.

“What?” Gaige asked.

He turned and couldn’t believe what he saw. The rider was shot at least eight times. A bullet in his forehead, and several more down his body.

“They weren’t shooting at us,” Miller said. “They were killing one of their own to keep him quiet.”

“Jesus Christ,” Shay said. “These guys are sick.”

“No,” Gaige said, “they’re f*cking dead. He looked at Miller. We have a name now. Vinny. I want him alive.”

“We’ll get him,” Miller said. “Better take care of your girl.”

Gaige turned and saw Emily huddled next to the motorcycle, hugging her legs, staring at the dead body.

“Move this mess further back,” Miller said to Nate and Blaine. “Let’s get this out of sight and then get the hell out of here.”

Gaige dropped to one knee. “Emily, it’s okay.”

Emily shook her head. “I saw… the back of his head… it exploded…”

“It’s okay,” Gaige said. “You’re safe with me. Come on, stand up for me.”

Gaige helped Emily to her feet. She was shaking. She looked at Gaige as she was ready to burst into tears.

“This is life, beautiful,” Gaige said. “I can’t f*cking control it. I can only protect those in it that I care about. That I love.”

Emily slid her arms around Gaige and hugged him.

“Bro, we have to get out of here,” Blaine said. “I know it’s touchy…”

Gaige nodded. “We’re ready.”

Everyone got back on their motorcycles and peeled away from the scene of the crime. They rode back down to where they had their meeting with the Coast Road crew. Of course, those guys were all gone, obviously afraid to get involved with any bullshit. It pissed Gaige off but he kept his sights focused. He needed to get Emily back to the clubhouse and get her to feel safe.

When they pulled into the compound lot, Gaige found Chief Jerry standing at his cruiser, a cigarette hanging from his mouth.

When Gaige stepped off his motorcycle he pointed to Blaine and Nate. “I need a favor.”

“Anything, bro,” Blaine said.

“Take Emily inside to the bar. Get her a drink. We’ll be right in.”

Blaine looked at the chief and shook his head. “This guy needs to mind his own f*cking business.”

“Give it time,” Gaige said.

Gaige kissed Emily on the cheek and put his lips to her ear. “Beautiful, go with these guys. You’re safe, I promise.”

Gaige walked toward Chief Jerry and stood with Miller. Shay and Griffin walked slowly to the clubhouse, leaving Gaige, Miller, and Chief Jerry alone.

“What do we owe this honor?” Miller asked.

“Funny how witnesses see one thing but remember another,” the chief said.

“I see you’re smoking again,” Gaige said. “What’s the old lady think of that?”

“She doesn’t know,” Jerry said.

“Long nights with that baby I bet,” Miller said.

“Beautiful long nights,” Jerry said. “Nothing like being a man who provides for his family. An honest living.”

“Honest,” Miller laughed. “Nothing in this world is honest.”

“Yeah. Well, the junkyard over there had some blood in it. Really fascinating shit. Our victim’s blood was there. Other blood, too. Too much for us to afford to test, but I’m sure someone with deep pockets wouldn’t mind. Someone brokenhearted.”

“Strokner,” Miller said.

“Bingo. He’s pulling in heat, gentlemen. I’ve done my job as far as I’m concerned. We’re investigating with the resources we have. But Strokner…”