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Chapter Twenty-Nine

Throttle chuckled. “Thefuckin’ badges think the Grave Diggers are responsible for the massacre, and knowing them, they’ll take credit for it on the outlaw grapevine.”

The Grave Diggers MC was a small outlaw club in Illinois that was the Demon Riders’ rival. They had been sparring for years over drugs, arms, and prostitution. In the past, they’d had a war between them, but they’d called a tenuous truce three years back. There’d been rumors that the Demon Riders had dipped into Grave Diggers’ territory to set up shop, just like they’d done in Alina.

“Works for us,” Hawk said.

“They’re that fuckin’ stupid to think anyone will believe them. What a bunch of pussies,” Brutus said.

“As long as it keeps the fuckin’ badges outta our business, they can take all the credit they want.” Banger took out a joint and lit it.

Diablo pulled the SUV into a gas station while Steel scrolled through his phone. He rubbed the back of his neck, his chest tightening when he saw the slew of missed calls and texts from Chenoa.

“What the fuck?” Diablo said from the driver’s side. Hawk, Banger, Throttle, and Brutus paused their conversation. “I’ve never seen anything like that.”

Steel looked out the windshield and darkness invaded him. About sixty black crows gathered on the tops of the gas pumps, the telephone wires, and the large rocks near the station.

“It’s like a fuckin’ scene from Hitchcock’s movie about all the crazed birds. What the hell’s the name of the movie. Damnit. I can’t remember,” Brutus said as he straightened from his slouched position.

“The Birds,” said Hawk.

“Yeah. Real hard to remember that one.” Diablo sniggered, and Brutus lightly punched his arm while the other brothers laughed.

Except for Steel. He stared at the black birds as the hairs on the back of his neck prickled. Iciness rode up his spine. His heart pounded. “Fuck,” he muttered under his breath.

“What’s up?” Hawk asked as he opened a bottled water.

“The Navajos believe crows to be bad omens. They’re considered helpers of the evil spirits and the witches.”

Banger laughed. “I get a kick outta all those superstitions.” He turned around and looked at Steel. “You don’t believe that shit, do you?”

“I’ve got a bad feeling. I’ve had it for a week now. For me, the crows are confirmation that the universe is outta balance. At least mine, or my family’s. I gotta call my daughter.” He opened the door as Diablo slowly pulled next to one of the pumps. He jumped out and Diablo honked the horn. The frenzied fluttering of wings filled his ears as he walked away from the station.

Several hours before, under the cover of night, they’d pulled into a rest stop, washed off the blood from their bodies, and changed their clothes. They’d burn everything when they got to the Insurgents’ clubhouse. He pushed up his clean T-shirt and slid his phone out of his pocket. He plugged in Chenoa’s number but she didn’t pick up. Then he sent her a text. Nothing. He called again. Another text. Again, nothing. He called Mika.

“Where the fuck is Chenoa? She’s not picking up her phone. She called me a bunch of times but I didn’t have any goddamn reception.”

“What’s your problem? She’s with someone from school working on a project. She just called me maybe thirty minutes ago.”

“What student? And where are they studying? Is she at the student’s house? I want the address.”

“Fuck, Steel. Get a grip. She has a project due for her history class. She’s fine.”

“So you don’t know where she’s at?”

“I figured it was at this girl’s house. I’m sure your mom didn’t know where you were every second of the day when you were seventeen.”

“I wasn’t a fucking addict.” He pinched his lips together as the tightness in his chest intensified.

“She’s been doing great. She has that all behind her.”

“Do you really believe that, Mika? I know you’re not that fucking naïve.” He blew out a loud breath. “She should’ve called or texted me back by now.”

“Maybe she has her phone on silent or her battery’s dead. She’s famous for that. Don’t think the worst. She’s been doing great.”

“Call me the minute you hear from her or she comes home. I gotta go.”

He kicked the dirt under his feet as he stared numbly at the looming mountain peaks.Call me the fuck back, sunshine. Next, he called Breanna and got her voicemail. “Fuck!” he yelled aloud. He sent a quick text.