Page 24 of Wilder’s Mistake

“Stay inside until I come for you.”

“Go.”

He leaves at a run.

The compound changes within seconds. Kane and Judge emerge from church issuing orders. Tank crosses the yard toward the waiting bikes while brothers spill from the garage and clubhouse. Wilder points toward the east approach, and engines thunder through the opening gate.

Cash takes me back into the common room with two prospects. Smoke thickens beyond the front windows, orange flames flickering through the trees where a vehicle burns near the road.

Gunfire cracks from the east side of the property.

One prospect’s radio comes alive. He listens, then runs for the side door. The second is called away moments later.

Cash stays until another burst of gunfire rattles across the compound and his own radio crackles.

“Stay behind the bar,” he says. “Don’t move until one of us comes back.”

Then he heads toward the garage.

Several minutes pass. Engines roar beyond the gates, followed by more shots farther down the east road. Nobody returns to the common room.

I remain crouched behind the bar, listening to the fight move away from the clubhouse.

The rear door opens.

Chains comes through the corridor at a fast walk, his long gray hair tied at his neck and his Kingdom Come cut across his shoulders. He checks the empty room before looking for me.

“Wilder sent me,” he says. “We’re moving you.”

“But he told me to stay here.”

“The position changed. Front wall is too exposed.”

Another blast sounds outside. I flinch without thinking, and Chains holds out one hand. “Leave the phone and bag. They can track the phone, and we need speed.”

“But Wilder…” I look toward the window, searching for him.

“He’ll be fine. He just wants me to get you somewhere safe.”

Chains leads me through the corridor past the garage. Brothers move toward the main gate. Smoke and engine noise swallow the quieter side of the compound.

The rear service gate waits beyond the last building, guarded by two prospects. Chains’s bike is parked beside the garage, already facing the track. He pulls a spare helmet from the back of the bike and holds it out to me.

“Put it on.”

“Where are we going?”

“Farther from the shooting. Wilder wants you moved before Perdition comes around the back.”

The taller prospect steps forward. “Gate’s locked down.”

“Wilder changed the position.”

The prospect hesitates. “He said a patched brother would bring the word.”

“And here I am.”

Chains moves close enough to make the younger man lift his chin. “You questioning me?”