Page 40 of The Riders’ Reign

She nods frantically and scurries from the room. A second later, the rear screen door bangs shut. I don’t think she’ll cause us any trouble.

I spot one of Jarrod’s discarded white Nike socks. It’s filthy, the sole brown with grime, and I ball it up and shove it into his mouth. He jerks his head back and forth, trying to avoid me, but it’s no use. Then one of the guys hands me some black electrical tape, and I slap it over his mouth and wind it around the back of his head, ensuring there is no possible way it can come loose. We can’t risk having any slipups.

One of the others had gone back to recover the clothes we’d taken from Ledger’s body. They’re filthy and they stink, but they’re all we have of his. And anyway, Ledger would realistically be filthy and stinky if he’d been kept by us in the same clothes for days, so it doesn’t really matter.

Jarrod’s fear and confusion deepen as we start to strip off his sweatpants and t-shirt and replace them with the filthy clothing. I’m glad he’s afraid. He deserves everything that’s coming to him.

Cash drove one of the trucks here, so we drag Jarrod out of the house and into that. I can sense that we’re being watched, and I bet there are curtains twitching in the neighbors’ houses, but no one interrupts us or asks what we’re doing. I highly doubt any of them are on the phone to the cops, either. In neighborhoods like these, people are asking for trouble if they willingly stick their noses into other people’s business.

Once we shove Jarrod into the back of the vehicle, we force the bag we’ve brought specially for the occasion over his head and work on binding his feet. He’s completely helpless now, and I’m happy not to see his face anymore.

Cash screws up his nose. “Christ, he smells like he shit himself. Do I really have to drive with him in the back?”

I smack Cash on the shoulder. “Put the windows down. You’ll be fine.”

He rolls his eyes. “Sure, Rookie. Or should we all be calling you Prez by now?”

“There’s only one Prez, and you know it,” I say, a warning in my tone.

I know he was only screwing around, but we don’t even want to joke about shit like that.

We don’t yet have a definite time or place to carry out the exchange. We’re going to have to keep hold of Jarrod until we know where and when to do the swap. Because we don’t have a contact number for Hector, we’re reliant on him getting in touch with us.

My stomach churns with nerves at the thought. This is going to happen, and it’s going to be rough. The moment Hector realizes Jarrod isn’t his son, all hell will likely break lose. Assuming he has at least twelve men with him, like Ghost indicated, and all of them are armed, including Hector, it’s going to be one hell of a shootout, and the odds are that not everyone is going to make it out alive.

17

JACK

I’m already sick to fucking death of lying in this hospital bed. I know I’m an impatient motherfucker, but I hate being kept out of the loop and not being involved with what’s going on.

Vani left a short time ago, and I haven’t seen anyone else, other than doctors and nurses. Speaking to the doc at least gave me some hope that I wouldn’t be this way forever, but the thought of the recovery isn’t fun either.

A light knock comes at my door, and my favorite person pokes their head around the corner.

My day just got better. “Hey, Baby-girl.”

“Hey, yourself.” Camile slips into the room. “I was hoping I’d find you alone.”

She takes a seat on the edge of my bed and leans down and kisses me. “How are you feeling?”

I shrug. “I’ve been better. How’s everything going back at the compound? Any word on Ghost?”

“Things are in progress. Rook is on top of it, and everyone is helping. They have a plan. It’s dangerous, but it could work.”

I nod at that, then a thought hits me and I frown. “Tell me you did not come alone?” No one else is with her, no Ace or Big Mike.

She shakes her head. “No, of course not. Ace sent three bikers with me, Tank, Zoo, and Becker. I feel like a burden.”

“But you’re safe,” I say, squeezing her hand.

Tears glisten in her brown eyes. “I am, but at what cost?”

“Hey, it’ll be all right.” I pull her down for another kiss.

I’m grateful I was able to get up earlier, albeit slowly and in pain, to use the bathroom to freshen up. I’m not perfect, but I’m better than I was.

“I hope so. I just feel so helpless.”