Page 52 of Bolt's Flame
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
THE NIGHT WASsupposed to wind down, but itfelt like a match had been struck. I paced the clubhouse, my thoughts gnawing at me, replaying the argument with Fiona, the anger with Jenny—a taste that left my mouth dry and bitter. This place, loud with laughter and music just moments ago, suddenly felt too small, too close. My chest tightened, my thoughts undercutting everything until the phone behind the bar shattered it all.
The ringing sliced through the noise, stopping the chatter in the air, and I didn’t miss the way Devil’s face changed when he answered, going stone-cold. His jaw tightened, his eyes flickering around like he was already sizing up the next move.
“Everyone who isn’t a brother—out,” Devil commanded, his voice carrying through the room, sharp as the edge of a blade. Chairs scraped, whispers died down, and in seconds, the room was clear, leaving just us, the core.
“Dragon Fire.” Devil tossed the phone onto the bar, his voice low, but we all felt it—the raw fury beneath. “They beat the hell out of Jacob and Drake, left them for dead, just like Spinner, at our Southside spot. Jacob managed to call, but Drake... he’s hurt real bad.”
A wave of anger rolled through the room, men clenching fists, jaws set. This wasn’t some random hit—they were pushing, looking for blood. And taunting us to make a move, but the problem was they were somehow getting past the eyes we had placed around our territory.
“Is Drake gonna be alright?” Chain asked, voice hard as steel. For a prospect, Drake was one of our best, tough as hell, but young.
Devil’s eyes darkened. “Jacob called it in, but he passed out while I was on the line. He’s hurt too, but he’s hanging in there.” Devil looked up, his gaze landing on me, as if he’d already decided what came next. “Bolt, Thunder—you’re taking point on this. Secure the area, pull ‘em since they’re down. Josie, you’re on the van.”
I nodded, the familiar rush already locking me into the moment. Thoughts of Fiona, Jenny, all the problems—all of it burned away in the fire of what lay ahead. It was all action now; the hunt taking over.
Devil moved to the door, leading the way, each of us falling into place, the unspoken understanding binding us. In minutes, we were on our bikes, the engines rumbling to life. I felt the weight of the night air, heavy, charged with the promise of payback. This was why we were here—loyalty, defense, and blood, when it came to it. As we roared out of the lot, theclubhouse behind us faded, replaced by the dark roads and the mission ahead.
We hit the south side fast, the smell of burned rubber and smoke in the air before the flames even came into view. Two bikes were lit up, the fire a furious blaze against the black night, casting eerie shadows on everything it touched. My chest clenched as we rolled in, the sight hitting deep. Drake and Jacob—the best prospects we had, both down.
I parked, springing off my bike and heading straight for them as the others spread out, guns drawn, eyes sharp. “Jacob,” I called, kneeling beside him, my hand pressing down on his shoulder to steady him. “You with us?”
A groan escaped him, his eyes barely fluttering open, blood caked on his face, voice weak but full of fire. “They doubled up on Drake... those bastards... came outta the fuckin’ dark like demons.”
“Don’t talk,” I ordered, glancing at his wounds. “We got you and Drake.”
Chain and Thunder moved in to lift Drake. The sight of his battered body hit hard—these were prospects, not yet ready for this level of hell. My anger seethed as I stood, scanning the shadows for any trace of Dragon Fire. They’d struck and run, leaving us with the damage that told me everything I needed to know—they were fucking cowards. Striking and then hiding so we couldn’t retaliate.
“Load them up,” Devil barked, his voice like steel, as he watched the flames consume the bikes. “Get ‘em back. Chain, Gatsby—you two sweep this place for any clues, check the warehouse, see if they took anything.”
My eyes lingered on the flames, the scent of burning rubber cutting deep before I moved with the others, hauling Drake and Jacob into the van. The call went out to the doctor, who knew the drill and kept his mouth shut.
The ride back was tight with anger, every man silent from the memory of Drake’s shallow breaths, his life hanging by a thread. As we pulled into the lot, the doctor was there, ready, his bag already open. He didn’t need to ask; he could see what he was up against, and we would be ready if Drake needed to be taken to the hospital.
We carried the men in, laying them down while Doc got to work, but my mind was elsewhere—on the audacity of Dragon Fire, the breach of our territory, and the trail of blood of our men.
My gaze shifted around the clubhouse, the brothers, and the dark corners. There was no question now—we had a big fat rat.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
THE FARMER’S MARKETwas bustling, the sound of peoplechattering and the distant buzz of the radio filling the space as I made my way down the grassy aisle. I had come out with Josie to check it out and possibly consider it for the future. Plus, I needed something to occupy my mind, something to keep my hands busy so I wouldn’t have to think about Bolt, James, Jenny, or the mess my life had become.
But it wasn’t working.
I grabbed some fresh berries and moved toward the checkout, trying to focus on the simple task at hand. But my thoughts kept drifting back to Bolt, to the way he looked at me when I saw him with Jenny. There was something in his eyes,something that didn’t match what I thought I saw, yes it looked like they were getting cozy, but his eyes were cold, his face angry.
But how could I believe anything else?
Men were always trying to explain things away, and I just wasn’t that trusting anymore.
I shook my head, trying to push the thoughts away as I paid for my things and headed back toward the car to wait on Josie, we had agreed to meet back at his car, and he’d given me a key in case I got there first.
I was about to reach for the car door when I heard it—a voice that sent cold shivers down my spine, freezing me in place.
“Fiona.”
I turned slowly, my heart pounding in my chest, my blood turning to ice as I saw him. James. Standing just a few feet away, his eyes fixed on me with that familiar, predatory gleam that I knew all too well.