Page 55 of Shadow Strike
“You pulled a weapon on an unarmed woman.”Wade cut him off, his voice hardening.“You tried to kill my son.In front of witnesses.”He shook his head slowly.“You’re done, Ryder.As of now, you’re out of the Outlaws.”
“You can’t do that.”
“I just did.”
Ryder looked around wildly, searching for support among the gathered men.He found none.The faces that stared back at him were closed off, hostile.Whatever loyalty he’d commanded had evaporated the moment he pointed that gun at Regan’s chest.Or maybe before, when they’d heard the recording.
“This isn’t over,” Ryder said, voice tight and menacing.
“Yeah, it is.”Jimmy stepped forward, his arms crossed.“You heard Wade.You’re out.”
Another ripple of murmurs, these affirmative.
Ryder’s hands clenched into fists, but he didn’t move.He was outnumbered, outmaneuvered, stripped of everything he’d built.Regan watched him realize it, watched the rage in his eyes curdle into humiliation, the beginnings of despair.
Wade turned to face the gathered Outlaws.His balance wavered for a moment, but he steadied himself, refusing Jimmy’s outstretched hand.
“We’re going to need someone to hold things together while we sort this mess out.”His gaze swept the crowd, then landed on CB.“Any volunteers?”
CB held up his hands, blood still spreading from his injury.“Not me.”
A murmur went through the gathered men.Then the gray-haired Outlaw spoke up.
“We need you, CB.”
“He’s right.”Pete stepped forward, gave Regan a slight nod, and then addressed CB.“You’re the only one we all trust.”
More voices joined in.“We need you.”“Step up, Briggs.”“You’re Wade’s son—it should be you.”
Regan moved to CB’s side.There was so much blood.She placed her hand on his back.He looked at her, uncertainty flickering in his eyes despite everything he’d just done.
“It’s only temporary,” she said quietly.“And you’re good at this.At helping people.”
Wade nodded slowly.The other Outlaws murmured their agreement.
“Rangers lead the way,” Wade said, his voice rough.“And so does my son.”
The words had meaning, evidenced by the way CB went still.He was silent for a long moment, and Regan felt the tension in his body, the weight of the decision pressing down on him.
This wasn’t what he’d wanted.He’d spent years running from this legacy, building a life that had nothing to do with the Outlaws.
But this was different.These men and women weren’t asking him to become what Ryder had been.They were asking him to help them become something better.
“Okay,” CB said finally.“I’ll do it.But only until you find someone permanent.”
Wade’s face creased into something that might have been a smile.He wobbled slightly as he reached out with his good hand, still holding the cane, and touched CB’s shoulder.The touch was brief, awkward, but it said more than words could have.
Headlights swept across the parking lot as another vehicle arrived.Regan recognized the black SUV before it even stopped—Garrett’s.Claire climbed out of the passenger side, her badge visible, her hand on her weapon as she assessed the scene.
“Looks like we missed the excitement,” Garrett said, moving to CB’s side and eyeing the blood soaking his shirt.“You need a medic.”
“I need a lot of things.”CB swayed slightly, and Regan gripped his arm.“But yeah, a medic would be good.”
Claire approached Ryder and Denny, pulling handcuffs from her belt.“Ryder Briggs, Denny Crue—you’re both under arrest.Attempted murder, assault, extortion, and a list of other charges we’ll discuss on the way to the station.”
Ryder resisted, but Claire shoved him against CB’s truck and had him in cuffs before Garrett or any of the Outlaws could offer assistance.
Denny was still bleeding from his broken nose.He glared at Regan as Claire secured his wrists while reading him his Miranda rights.
