to Wrath, they’d been doing the same to Demons Blood, randomly targeting lone members of both clubs. So far, no one had been injured, and not because the Disciples hadn’t tried.
If they’d ended up killing an opposing club member, war would’ve broken out. Zeus and Big T might want to get revenge for their botched run, but neither of them were prepared to go head-to-head with two well-armed clubs. The results would be disastrous for everyone, including the town.
Making another turn, Gunner glanced behind him, seeing the three about two hundred yards back. An escape route materialized in his mind.
Increasing his speed, he took three tight curves, slowing to make a sharp left turn onto a wide, one lane drive. Twenty yards up, he made a U-turn, switching off the lights, and waited. Less than a minute later, the three continued past his location.
Counting to ten, he rolled back down the lane, backtracking toward town. At the highway, he again throttled out, releasing a ragged sigh. Seconds before reaching the main street, he slowed, spotting headlights in his peripheral vision. Two single lights coming straight at him.
Before he had a chance to react, a bullet blew out his front tire, sending Gunner flying over the handlebars. Covering his head, he crashed to the ground, rolling several times. Sonofabitch, was his last thought before blacking out.
Wrath continued to wait for Gunner to join the group of men around the conference table. If he didn’t arrive within a few minutes, they wouldn’t be able to wait. Grayson’s orders were clear. Deploy by 0200 hours.
“Gunner should’ve been here by now,” Ghost said as Wrath’s phone rang.
Normally, he wouldn’t answer. He glanced at his men before taking the call. “Yeah, Ethan.” Wrath’s hand tightened on the phone as he listened to his brother, the local sheriff. “I’m on my way.” Standing, he slid the phone away, nostrils flaring.
“Ghost, you’re in charge of the op. Rock, you’re second. I’ll call Grayson on my way to the hospital. Gunner’s in serious condition.” The room fell silent until Rock stood.
“What the hell happened?”
“I need details, but Ethan says he was in an accident. Keep me posted on the op. I’ll be available on the secure line.”
Rushing to his office, Wrath put in a quick call to Grayson. Five minutes later, he maneuvered his truck toward the hospital. The Brethren had never lost a man during an op. To have one of his men fighting for his life after a street accident cut him to the core.
Heading through the open doors, he went straight to the ER department. “Can you give me an update on Lucas Henson?”
“Are you a relative, sir?”
“His brother,” Wrath lied. “He was brought in after a traffic accident.”
“Here he is. Your brother is still being checked over. There’s a waiting area through that door.” He started moving when he saw Ethan emerge from the emergency surgical center.
“What’s the news?”
Ethan settled a hand on his oldest brother’s shoulder. “They’re still working on him. Come on. I’ll get you some coffee.”
Unable to sit, he followed Ethan to the vending machine, resting his forearm against the side. Holding the cup in his large hand, Wrath took a scalding sip. “Damn, that’s hot.”
“Usually is.” Ethan selected two chairs, motioning for his brother to take one. “We need to talk.”
Leaning forward, Wrath rested his arms on his thighs, cradling his cup with both hands. “What have you learned?”
“My deputies interviewed several people. Their stories were pretty consistent. Gunner approached the main street from the highway. His turn signal was on. As he began the turn, two bikes rode straight at him.”
Wrath straightened. “Are they here in the hospital?”
“No. They didn’t crash into him. At least one of them shot out his front tire.”
“What the hell? You’re certain it was a bullet?”
“You know Deputy Vela Bettencourt. She was the lead at the scene. Three people are sure they heard more than one gunshot. Two witnesses said they saw one of the riders holding a handgun. The tire blew, Gunner flew over the handlebars, rolled several times before the shooters blew out of there. The witnesses told Vela he had enough time to cover his head as he rolled. When they reached Gunner, he was out. Stayed that way while they loaded him into the ambulance.”
“Did anyone get a good look at the riders?”
Ethan scrubbed a hand over his face. “Tell me how two people could identify a handgun but have no idea what the guy holding it looked like?”
“Nothing?”
“Black leather