Savage Love (Back Down Devil MC #7)(115)

She was about to become an accomplice to murder.





twenty-four.



Gaige sat at the table, his hands folded as the rest of the members placed their votes on the protection of Emily, the death of Max, and making sure the chief got his son back before all hell broke loose for Back Down Devil MC.

“We’re not going to discuss how or why,” Miller started. “I hear that once and you’re out of here. Got that?”

Everyone nodded.

“Aye,” Shay whispered.

“Emily made the phone call,” Gaige said. “I listened to it. This Max guy is alone and he’s an *. His mind is f*cked. He was running with a crew in northern California that fell apart. He’s been looking for Emily since she left. Like I said, he used to beat the f*ck out of her, okay? One night he went after her and she told him she was pregnant. It was the only way she managed to save her life. She took off and he kept chasing her, looking for their child.”

“And he doesn’t believe there’s no kid?” Blaine asked.

“No,” Gaige said. “He’s going to be out at the edge of town. Right where Strokner wants to poach our land. He said he’s there now, waiting.”

“For what?” Nate asked.

“For Emily to show up with their son,” Gaige said. He took a deep breath. “Or for a semi truck to pass by so he could throw the chief’s baby in front of it.”

“Dammit,” Miller said.

“What do we do?” Griffin asked. “Seems sitting here is a waste of f*cking time.”

“Vote,” Miller said. “Anyone against this?”

Nobody protested.

“Get it straight,” Gaige said. “We’re going out there to face this guy. Emily and I take the lead with Miller and Blaine for protection. The rest of you create an ambush. I get the kill shot on him.”

“What if it goes bad?” Jace asked.

“I get the f*cking kill shot,” Gaige said. “I made a promise to Emily. She and I will do it. We get the baby from him and then let us take care of him.”

“Anyone against killing this guy?” Miller asked. Silence filled the room. “Okay then. Let’s get moving.”

“Shay, bring the ride. We need to make sure he thinks there’s a kid with us.”

“Aye,” Shay said.

The room cleared out. Gaige finished his smoke and found Emily waiting at the bar for him. He took her hand and didn’t say a word. There was nothing left to say. Either this would go right or it would go very wrong. Death would be dealt; Gaige just hoped it was at the hands of Back Down Devil.

The crew loaded up on their motorcycles and set off. Miller and Gaige were side by side, leading the rest of the crew. Gaige didn’t like the idea of Emily sitting behind him. He worried she would feel too vulnerable, but there was no other option. It was risky going out like this, considering Gaige had killed a member of Eight Under and had another member alive in the underground garage. But if they couldn’t save the chief’s baby, then Back Down Devil would have to face investigations from the police and from Strokner.

All the thoughts caused Gaige to grip the handlebars of the motorcycle tighter. The ride felt like days, chasing the horizon with two wheels and the open road.

Once they started to approach the bend where Max said he would be, everyone except Gaige, Miller, Blaine, and Shay took a left and went up into the bare land. They knew where to go, when to stop, and how to approach Max with caution.

Soon Miller and Blaine began to slow down, hanging back so Gaige and Emily could take the lead. Shay stayed close to Gaige. The dark car windows would keep Max from seeing that nobody was actually in the car with Shay.

This would have to somehow work.

Gaige rode alone with Emily. It felt right, even if they were moving straight into a dangerous situation. Once around the long bend, Gaige saw a figure standing on the side of the quiet road. Gaige went to the opposite side of the road and stopped the motorcycle. He climbed off and Emily handed him the helmet. He looked at her and gave a quick nod indicating it was Max. There was no opportunity now for words of hopefulness. It was time to end it all.

As they crossed road, Max stood holding the baby in one hand and a gun in the other. He bounced the blue bundle in his arm, his eyes wide and bloodshot. This guy was high. Really high. The situation was much more dangerous now. A clouded f*ck of a mind would only make Max act crazier.

Max pointed the gun at Gaige. Gaige put his hands up.

“Take out your gun,” Max ordered. “Your knife, too.”

Gaige moved slow, reaching into his leather. He took out his gun and put it to the ground. He then took out his long knife and placed it next to the gun.

“What about you?” Max asked Emily.

“Max, I don’t carry anything,” Emily said.

“Come here, baby, I want to feel.”

Emily swallowed and sidestepped near Gaige.

“Go,” Gaige whispered. “Now.”

“Come on,” Max yelled. “I’d hate for something to happen here…”

He looked at the bundled blanket in his arms and smiled.

Emily stepped forward and stared at Max. Gaige wanted to ambush the scene. But he couldn’t. Even if Max just dropped the infant, he could be hurt. Gaige didn’t want that on his soul and he wanted to prove to the chief that Back Down Devil could take care of the outlaw justice that was sometimes needed in life.