Page 69 of Storm's Deliverance

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

HENDRIX

The church doorsslammed shut behind us with a heavy thud that seemed to echo through the entire clubhouse. No one speaks; the usual banter is gone. Rusty’s blood is still stained the ground outside. Ghost stands at the head of the table, his hands planted on the scarred oak table, his face unreadable. He isn’t Storm’s dad in here. He is the President. Around him, every patched member waits. The silence stretches. Then Ghost’s phone vibrates. Every head turns as he looks down at the screen, his jaw tightening.

“Beast,” he calls out.

Beast steps forward. “What’ve you got?”

Ghost slides the phone across the table. “Anonymous tip.”

Beast frowns as he reads. “Old quarry... East ridge... black pickup... possible sighting.”

The room erupts.

“Could be bollocks!” Spider points out.

“Or a fucking trap,” Hawk adds.

“What if it’s him?” Enzo counters.

Ghost’s eyes slide to his son. He holds up a hand, and silence returns instantly. “It’s a trap.”

No one argues.

Ghost continues calmly. “But that doesn’t mean we ignore it.” He looks around the room. “If it’s Zeke, we end this.” His eyes harden. “If it isn’t...” He swallows, a chink in his armour when talking about the man that hurt his daughter. “...we lose nothing but petrol.” He begins pointing around the table. “Cash, Hawk, and Beast, take the East ridge.” He pauses before continuing. “Hap and Spider, take the south road.” His eyes flicker to the rest of us. “Everyone else covers the surrounding woodland.” His gaze landed on me. “Drix.” I straighten. “You stay.”

“What?” I ask in disbelief. I want to get my hands on Zeke as much as them, and the thought of not getting that chance causes my blood to boil.

“You heard me,” he states firmly.

“I should be out there,” I argue.

“You should be exactly where you are,” he says through gritted teeth.

My temper flares. “He’s after Storm.”

Ghost’s eyes met mine. “No.” The room falls silent. “Not just her. He’s after me, this club, and this family.”

I frown as Ghost looks at every brother in the room. “He murdered one of ours. He sent a message. He wants us distracted.” He looks back at me. “So you’re staying with my daughter.”

Relief hits me. Fine. If I can’t be out there hunting him, then I’d rather be with Storm anyway.

Ghost looks around the room one last time. “No heroes. If you find him, you call. We move together.”

Every patched member nods in agreement. “Let’s ride,” Enzo states, getting to his feet. Chairs scrape back and boots thunder across the clubhouse. Within seconds, engines roar outside.

I wait patiently until Ghost reaches the doorway. “President.” He stops. I hesitate, then quietly continue. “I’ll keep her safe.”

For the first time that day, Ghost looked tired. Not angry. Not ruthless. Just a father.

“I know.” He claps my shoulder once before disappearing through the doorway.

I watch him go, then head towards my room. The hallway felt strangely empty with everyone gone, and the clubhouse was almost silent apart from the ol’ ladies’ chatter.

Storm has probably fallen asleep. She’d had one hell of a day. I smile to myself. She’d probably stolen one of my shirts. The thought makes me hard.

I reach my door, turning the handle. It’s locked. I frown, wondering why she locked it. I pull out my key and unlock and push the door open. “BB?” Nothing. My smile fades. “Storm?” Silence. The light from the hallway casts a glow around the room; the empty room. That’s when I see the bathroom light is on. I roll my eyes. “Very funny.” I walk further inside. “You trying to scare me?” Still nothing. A knot tightens low in my stomach. “Storm.” No answer.