Page 49 of Savage Angels
But I couldn’t just sit there while my people were in danger. Pushing myself to my feet, I move toward the open doorway of the café. A screech of tires causes me to turn, and I see a car speeding down Main Street.
Who the fuck would have the balls to try this shit?
Kade stumbles through the open doorway, gun in his hand. “Prez!”
Holding up a hand, I say, “I’m fine. I’m not hit.”
The metallic tang of blood fills my nostrils, making my stomach churn. Thea rises from behind the counter, her hands covered in blood. She looks at me and screams, but as if she cannot help it, her eyes lock onto something I can’t see.
In one fluid movement, I leap over the counter. The lifeless body of Howie is sprawled out on the old linoleum floor. He is face up with a gruesome bullet hole between his eyes. Blood pools around him, staining the world red. It is a fucked-up sight to see. Howie is a young man in his prime, his life cut short by some fucker trying to kill me.
Howie was always good to Kat and me. His laughter and easy-going nature made everyone feel welcome. The thought of never seeing his friendly smile again twists my gut into knots.
Thea is holding her hands up, her mouth opening and closing as though trying to speak, but the words won’t come. I move toward her, blocking her view of Howie’s lifeless body.
“Kade, take her out of here,” I order. “Don’t let anyone else in. The sheriff is going to have a fit as it is.”
“Got it, Prez.” He gently but firmly pulls Thea away from the carnage. “Come on, Thea, let’s get you outside.”
“Call Renny.” Kade nods at me as he takes her outside.
Thea is Renny’s old lady, and they have a son together.
Jonas, my VP, looks at me through the shattered window of the café. “What happened?”
“Drive-by,” I growl. My veins pulse with rage, demanding retribution. “Get your fucking asses on your bikes and track down that car heading out of town. Make sure they don’t get far.”
“On it,” Jonas says as he jogs back toward the compound.
“Kade, go with Jonas.”
“I’m not going to leave you here alone. Who knows if they’ll come back for another round?”
“They’re gone. I trust you and Jonas to find them. I know neither of you will let me down.”
Kade hesitates for a moment, looking torn, but then jogs after Jonas.
He yells, “You better stay put then, Prez. Don’t do anything stupid.”
“Go,” I urge him, my voice low and deadly. “And make them pay.”
Thea is shaking uncontrollably, so I pull her into my chest. Her blood-stained hands clutch onto my white T-shirt as she sobs.
The sirens from the local law sound down Main Street as their flashing lights pull up in front of Betty’s Café. Sheriff Carlos Morales steps out of one of the vehicles and stalks toward me. Although his expression is controlled, I know he’ll be angry at the turn of events.
“Have you sent for Renny?” Carlos asks, his tone firm but not unkind.
Still holding onto Thea, I nod. Carlos enters the café, eyes scanning the carnage as he walks behind the counter and finds Howie’s body.
He comes back to me just as Renny reaches my side. Carefully, I transfer Thea into his arms.
“Can she go?” I ask Sheriff Morales.
“Yes.” He places a hand on Renny’s shoulder. “I’ll need to talk to her later.”
Renny nods, sweeps Thea into his arms, and carries her across the street to where they rent a small apartment not far from the café.
Rebel walks into the café, and his face pales as he sees Howie’s body. “Jesus.”