Page 65 of Property of Rattler

Emotions slam into me. I stand. “I love Flynn.” It’s the first time I’ve admitted that to myself, let alone out loud. “Fuck your tricks, Bullseye. I want my man back.”

His grin disappears. “Then we better go get him for you.”

Elation sweeps through me at the positivity in his tone. Then I stare down at the paperwork he’d presented me with. “Why this?” I ask. “Malachi needs me dead in order to get my money, and me being married doesn’t affect where the inheritance goes when I die. He’ll get everything.”

Bullseye grimaces then shrugs. “That’s what I can’t work out. He wants you, Ames, that hasn’t changed. By why want to dissolve your marriage? I’m afraid I can’t answer that.” He leans forward. “But I’m going to find out.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

BULLSEYE

“Everyone clear on what we’re doing?” I ask, casting an eye over the men who are now mounted on their bikes. Two teams, one led by me, one by Saint. With me are Tempest — who wouldn’t let his prez go anywhere unprotected — Short, Woody and Winchester. Going with the VP are Freak, Genie, Stalker and Paint. Piston and Words are staying behind with two of the prospects just in case Malachi hedges his bets that we won’t be bringing Ames with us and either comes to collect her himself or sends his remaining men. The ones Rat hadn’t put bullets in.

The answer to the question I asked comes by way of nine chin lifts.

My phone pings. Glancing down at the device I’m holding, I see the message is from Pippa, who, when I left the clubhouse, was just about to send Stone the pin. From her message I see confirmation, Stone had indeed downloaded it. His location glows on my screen.

“He’s at the old Bates’ place,” I call out. For years it was an abandoned property until some asshole bought it and turned it into a luxury vacation rental. It’s set in its own grounds, backfrom the road. I’d ridden past it, seen it being renovated, and on occasion watched happy families settling in. But then it all went tits up when it didn’t deliver what it promised. Apparently, maintenance was shit. A few too many bad reviews and the visitors stopped coming. The asshole moved out leaving a ton of unpaid bills. The place was left abandoned while the legal wrangling sorted itself out. I have to admit it’s ideal as a place to hole up.

Saint gives me a sharp nod, then starts his engine. It’s a sign for all of us to do the same. The VP’s heading to the meetup point Stone thinks he’s going to, just in case he leaves Bates’ place early to scope the location out. If so, he’ll have Rat with him. And one way or another, today we’re getting our brother back.

But I’m hopeful that as the location we’d sent him as the place for the exchange is only a half hour away from his location, he won’t set out before we come calling. Midday is still two hours away.

I turn my bike toward the gate, nodding at Knight who opens it for us. I allow myself one quick smile, stealing just a moment’s pleasure for myself as I anticipate his delight when we tell him we’re patching him in, then my frown reappears as I refocus on what we have to do before that. Take Stone out and get Rat back.

Tempest rides on my left, the rest of my group pan out behind me, and bringing up the rear is Dee in the crash truck to transport Rat back. Five miles under our belts, and we’re coming up on our destination. Half a mile out, I wave my hand up and down, indicating I’m slowing down. There’s an entrance to a vineyard, I turn into it. The ground is baked and hard despite the monsoons, and for now the flourishing vines will hide our bikes from sight.

We park up, kill our engines. The truck’s harder to conceal, so Knight just stops it on the track and raises the hood. He evengets out a toolbox for good measure. Then he hands me a tablet he’d carried with him.

Consulting it, I see Pippa’s furnished us with the schematics of the building we’re approaching. Gathering the brothers around me, I come up with a plan.

“Short, you and Woody go around the back. You can use the cover of the trees to get to here,” I point to a location. “There are no windows on this side the of house, you should be able to approach from here and make your way around the back. Keep your eyes and ears open. I want to know how many men are with Stone.”

“How are you going to approach unseen?” Short asks.

Well, yeah, he’s got a point. Casting my eye behind me, I beckon Knight forward. “Let’s have the truck break down close to the house. I’ll be in the passenger seat, Win and Tempest can hunker down in the back. Drive as close as you can. Stone’s car, and those of any men he has with him should be in the parking lot.” I rub at my face. “Stone doesn’t know me from Adam. I’ll knock on the door to get someone out to say we’ve broken down and need someone to call the AAA for us….”

Tempest’s eyes grow heated, his jaw clenches and his nostrils flare. “Don’t like it, Prez. Neither of you have a fuckin’ phone?”

Fuck it.“Okay, Knight, you get in the back with Win and Tempest and keep yourselves hidden. I’ll go knock them up by myself. It’s believable that there’s only me in the truck and that my phone died.”

Knight steps up and gets in before Tempest can let loose the rage he’s barely holding onto. “I’ll do it.” He shoots a look my way. “No offence, Prez, but I’m younger than you, and can more easily pass for an idiot.”

Saint snorts and backs away holding his hands up. “I’m not touching any of that.”

Tempest doesn’t give me a chance to refuse. “Okay, you’re up, Prospect. Same rules. We need to know how many fuckin’ men, and where they’re holding Rat if you catch sight of him.”

“Just don’t make it obvious you’re looking for him,” advises Short.

And this prospect will have earned his patches when we hand them to him. Later tonight, if all goes well, and we’re celebrating Rat being home.

It’s time to remind them who’s in charge. “Once we know what we’re dealing with, we’ll make a joint attack and go in all guns blazing. Remember, they’re not expecting us.

Win, you’ll stay back in the truck, lay down covering fire.” We’re armed with AK 15s, and we’ll be shooting to kill. I’ve one final instruction. “Short, when you and Woody get by the tree line that’s what? Fifty feet from the motel? You call me, and that’s when we’ll make our move.”

With a mock salute, Short sets off running with Woody close on his heels.

While we wait for them to get into position, my plan is solidifying. “Take off your cuts.” I’m already sliding out of mine. “Knight, you leave your weapon behind. Remember you’re an ignorant hick who’s no danger to anyone.”