Page 522 of Devil’s Disciples

The sound grew louder and louder, until it was so intense the dishes were shaking in the cabinets. I hurried to the opening that led into the living room and peered toward the front door.

My mother’s face was plastered against the door, and her eye was at the peephole.

My father was standing in the living room, facing her with his hands on his hips. “What’s going on?”

“There’s motorcycles everywhere.” My mother gasped. “There’s two men coming to the porch. A long-haired giant and a man with a bushy white beard.” She turned toward my father with fire in her eyes. “Get the gun.”

Pee Bee and Bama!

“Father, no!” I screeched. “I know them.”

They both glared.

I ran to the door, nudged my mother out of the way, and pulled it open.

Pee Bee. Cash. Bama. Slacker. Rebound. Goose.

Behind them, men I didn’t recognize stood along the edge of the driveway.

Beyond them, dozens of motorcycles lined the streets, on both sides. Beside each motorcycle the riders stood with their arms crossed, gazing up each side of the street.

Reno was nowhere in sight.

My heart palpitated.

I swallowed heavily and met Pee Bee’s gaze. “Is Reno okay?”

“He’s tied up for a bit.” He brushed his hair away from his face. “I uhhm. I’m gonna need you to get whatever you need and come with us.”

“Uhhm. Okay.”

“All of you,” he said. “Mom, dad, brother.”

I swallowed a lump of fear. “Everything’s not okay, is it?”

The men each returned a blank stare.

“Carmelita Rosarita Garcia Lorca!” my mother howled. “What is going on?”

I knew the men didn’t come on their own. Reno must have somehow sent them. There was only one reason I could think that he would have done so. Angel must have been in the country. Sending three-dozen bikers was a precautionary measure that wasn’t necessary, but I felt warm inside knowing I was safe from harm.

“Carmelita!” my mother hissed. “I asked you a question.”

I looked at Pee Bee. “Is Angel here? In the country?”

Pee Bee looked at Cash.

Cash shrugged. “I ain’t sayin’ shit.”

“Nothing to worry about,” Bama said, leaning between the two men. “Goose got the octopus done, and we thought we’d come get you so you could sample it. Said it was your mother’s favorite, right?”

I appreciated the levity, but Bama wasn’t very convincing. I looked at Goose and raised my brows. “Well?”

A sigh escaped him. “He is,” he admitted. “We need to get everyone loaded up and get out of here. We’ve got a truck back there that ought to fit three of you. You can ride on a bike, can’t you?”

I thought I was prepared for the answer. I wasn’t. Knowing Angel was in the country I’d escaped to brought a tidal wave of emotion. My heart shot into my throat. My hands began to shake.

I cleared my throat and turned around. My parents each gave me a look of confusion.