Hawk (24 page)

“What do you want to do?” Grayson chimed in. “I am in the mood to kick some primordial ass. Just say the word, P.”

“Stay put, Gypsy. We have another reason for being on the road today,” Kaleb said. “You think we need to worry about a trap, Viper?”

“It’s a definite possibility. We need to keep aware. You want to take the rest of the trek on foot?”

“I’m willing to ride out front,” Grayson volunteered.

“No fucking way, Gypsy. We aren’t on a suicide mission. I agree with Viper. We only have about five miles left, let’s take it on foot. There’s a rest stop just around the bend. We can park our bikes there and hoof it the rest of the way, stay to the forest and off the main road.”

“If she’s here, she’ll follow us.” Grayson voiced Kaleb’s exact thoughts. “Better to be on foot, I guess, than worry about another steel cable stretched across the road.”

“She won’t have the guts to face the three of us at once. That’s why she’s using cowardly tactics.” Kane started his engine, then pointed down the road.

They followed him down the highway about a half mile to a stone alcove where they parked their bikes, just out of the line of sight from anyone happening to travel along the same path. Kaleb hung his skull cap on the handle grip, pocketed his keys, then looked at his brothers.

“I’m no longer catching the scent of a primordial, but in this weather that doesn’t mean much,” Kaleb said.

“She’s still out there.” A muscle in Kane’s cheek ticked. “I can feel it in my bones. She knows we’re aware she’s here. Let’s take the opposite side of the road. If we head straight up that hill and then take a right, we should be in Florence in about five minutes time.”

Grayson was the first to cross the road and head into the foliage. He wasted no time as he took off on a dead run. Kaleb and Kane followed Grayson into the thick of trees, jumping effortlessly over downed logs and ducking low hanging branches. Forest critters scurried out of their way, giving them a wide berth as the trees became but a blur. Grayson’s long legs kept him easily ahead of Kaleb and Kane. The vampire ran like a gazelle, easily running and leaping over the rough terrain, while Kane and Kaleb’s larger build made the trek a bit more treacherous. Grayson may have been shorter than their six-foot-four frame, but his more lean body allowed him the faster speed.

The first to clear the woods, Grayson took the steep hike down the path and into the back parking lot of the Blood ‘n’ Rave. Draven’s bike sat near the back door, telling the trio that he had already arrived. The rest of the parking lot sat empty, as the club was hours away from opening its doors. They’d have plenty of time to talk to the barkeep without interruptions. Kane had wanted to bring along Cara, since she would play a major part of the scheme, but Suzi needed her more at the moment. Tamera’s change had started and Suzi had no idea how to help the woman through the excruciating pain. Of course, in the end, there really wasn’t much that could be done, but offer comfort. At least Cara knew what Tamera was going through firsthand. Kaleb couldn’t help but think that by the time the three of them returned, Suzi might ruminate long and hard about wanting to mate with him and going through the pain herself. Even childbirth couldn’t compare to the agony.

Kaleb and Kane came to stand beside Grayson.

“What the hell took you boys so long,” Grayson asked, a cocksure smile on his face.

“No problem with your ego, Gypsy,” Kane said as he walked past the shorter vampire, the twins having a good two inches on him, and headed for the back of the club. “Let’s get this over with. I still have a meeting with Red later today.”

Kaleb glanced at his twin. “He won’t be happy.”

“No, he won’t. But club voted to stop the gun runs.”

“Not our problem. He’s the one with a mole.”

Kane turned and looked at Kaleb. “We have yet to prove that, so Red won’t see it that way.”

Truth be told, Red would likely be livid. Kane would be the best person to diffuse the situation and smooth things over. After they found the son of a bitch helping Rosalee, then maybe they could revisit the Sons relationship with the rival club.

“You get with Red and Bird, tell them the gun deal is off. Later we can revisit the issue of running guns again.”

“Fuck that,” Grayson said. “I’ll go with Kane. I’d love to visit with Bird.”

“What is it between you two, Gypsy? You have a hard-on for that biker?” Kaleb asked.

“Something about him doesn’t sit well with me. I’d just as soon rip his throat out than sit down and have a chat with him.”

“I’ll go alone.” Kane shot down Grayson’s offer. “You two can take care of the women.”

“Jesus, Viper … suddenly I regret that decision allowing you to tell Red. You stay with the women.”

Kane laughed. “Not on your life, Hawk.”

Grayson grumbled beneath his breath and headed for the back of the nightclub, telling Kaleb his thoughts on the matter of babysitting the women. He had a strong feeling Grayson would use every excuse not to be at the clubhouse. Moments later, Kaleb rapped his knuckles on the steel backdoor. Within minutes Draven opened it and motioned them into the club. The three followed the barkeep through the backroom and into the bar area.

“Whiskey?” Draven took down four highball glasses from the shelf above the bar. “On the rocks?”

“Straight up,” Kaleb said.

Draven poured two fingers into all four glasses, then slid one across the bar to each vampire. All four of them quickly downed the tumblers’ contents and Draven refilled them.

“So, what’s up with the impromptu meeting today?” Draven asked.

“Gypsy told us you’re officially out of the drug selling business,” Kaleb said.

Draven nodded. “As of last night.”

“Good. We need you to keep it that way. Heat is coming down from not only the locals but the feds. Word is, they want your supplier.” Kaleb twirled the amber liquid around in his glass. “We don’t need the Blood ‘n’ Rave getting caught up in the mess. We’re here to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

“Detectives Hernandez and Brahnam were pretty clear on wanting my supplier’s name—”

“And you’re going to give it,” Kaleb finished for him.

“That would be a death wish and you know it, Hawk,” Draven said, the anger evident in his tone. “It’s not just the Devils I have to worry about. Those fuckers get their drugs from the cartel.”

“Which is why we’re involved,” Kane spoke up. “That same cartel is responsible for the death of my son. It’s payback time. And you’re going to help us.”

“And why should I do that, Viper?”

“Because if you don’t, I’ll give Cara full license to come after you. The Blood ‘n’ Rave will be shut down and you’ll go to jail. Don’t think we can’t find a new haunt. Our donors go where we go, you ass.”

“You going to give me around-the-clock muscle?”

“If we have to.”

Draven nodded again, no doubt weighing what little options he had. Finally, after taking another shot of whiskey, he said, “Tell me what I have to do.”

Chapter 24

Rosalee trailed Bird from the small alcove as he pushed Kaleb’s chopper to the center of the highway. Kane, the son of a bitch, had managed to catch her scent even in the spring drizzle, masked by the smell of wet dirt, pine and animals. She had hoped the weather would camouflage it. His power had undoubtedly gained strength. Had they ridden another half mile down the road at the speeds they were traveling, Kaleb would’ve encountered the steel cable that strung across the highway and nothing short of a miracle would have kept his head attached to his broad shoulders. While eavesdropping at the clubhouse, Rosalee had heard their plans to head for the Blood ‘n’ Rave. She quickly contacted Bird and set the plan into motion.

So fucking close.

She was beginning to think Kaleb had more lives than a damn cat. Curse his good luck. Sooner or later it was bound to run out. But Rosalee wasn’t about to be dissuaded from her goal. On the contrary, she would see Kaleb dead and then Bird would outlive his usefulness. She watched as he slowly moved the chopper to the center of the highway. The fool! Once her mission here was completed, she’d take the dirtbag’s head herself. Rosalee couldn’t afford to leave loose ends. And Bird was definitely a threat to her exposure. She fed from him, fucked his brains out, and promised to turn him for his help in taking down the president of the Sons of Sangue. Stupid man. She’d not saddle herself with him for all eternity, even if women had the ability to turn humans into vampires. She couldn’t turn Bird if she wanted to. That right belonged to the men of her species, only their DNA could cause the change in a human.
Talk about an archaic race.
Hell, their damn DNA made women inferior to them.

In the end, Kaleb would die and Kane would pay the ultimate price. He had not only banished her to Italy but acted as though she no longer existed, easily replacing her with that blond detective bitch. She was a primordial, for fuck’s sake, and as such she should be revered. Instead, Kane, the ungrateful ass, thought he could take another in her role as his mate … even went so far as getting Mircea’s blessing. When she was done with Kaleb, she’d take out the little detective next with great pleasure.

Cara Brahnam would be no match for someone of her age. And now that she’d returned to her role as detective, she’d no longer be hiding in Kane’s shadow, making her an easy target. Rosalee would get Kane Tepes’ attention one person at a time until she beat him down and forced him to turn to her in penitence … or death. The choice would be his.

If Kane Tepes did not belong to her, then no one would have him.

“Light it,” Rosalee said.

“With pleasure,” the biker said, a slick smile on his weathered face.

Bird took a small can of lighter fluid from the satchel he carried and squirted the liquid liberally over Kaleb’s beloved bike. Bird took a few steps back, took out a pack of matches, pulled one free, and slid it across the strike plate. The match flitted to life, flickering in the damp wet air. He took the match to the rest in the pack, watching it as the fire began to burn bright, then flicked it toward the motorcycle. The bike burst into flames, quickly engulfing it due to the accelerant. Bird’s face glowed from the light of the fire as he watched it grow in intensity.

Rosalee wished she could stick around to see the look on the younger Tepes’ face when he saw his prized bike blackened and charred. But she couldn’t risk being caught … not today. Soon, she would capture Kaleb unaware and when she did, she’d take his head personally. No more fucking around.

“Time to cut our losses, Bird. Kaleb will live to see another day.”

And with that, the two of them disappeared into the foliage and headed for Bird’s bike, left hidden about a half mile down the road. The quicker she got him away from the scene, the less chance the three Sons would have of catching them. Not that she cared what happened to Bird, but she wanted to be the one to drain his sorry ass dry.

* * *

Kaleb led most of the trek back through the dense Siuslaw National Forest, heading for the small alcove where the bikes were parked. Draven had given them his word to work with them on laying a trap for the rival MC, the Devils, and the cartel that fed them their stash of drugs. With Cara’s help and feeding the feds the right leads, they’d be able to take down those responsible for his nephew’s death … and give Kane the much needed closure. Hell, he needed to avenge Ion’s murder for Suzi as well, not to mention the man Ion had loved. Why the hell hadn’t he seen the signs? Because Ion hadn’t wanted him to and because he used Suzi to hide behind. All these years he had hated Suzi for choosing Ion over him, when in fact she hadn’t.

Pissed?
Damn right.

Ion should have taken the blunt of that anger. He should’ve trusted in both him and his father, should’ve known they would have never judged Ion for his preference.
Damn!
It galled him to think that Ion went to his death thinking so little of them. Kane had a right to know. But for now, he’d keep Ion’s secret and allow Suzi to tell his twin in her own time. He owed her that much.

As they drew nearer to the rest area, the strong stench of lighter fluid, gasoline, and smoke clogged his sinuses, long before the forest provided him a view of the orange glow. The fire crackled, sizzled and popped. Had it not been for the smell of gasoline, Kaleb might be tempted to believe the forest was ablaze. 

“What the hell?” Kaleb ducked under a couple of branches and leapt over a large fallen tree as if it were nothing, advancing on whatever had gone up in flames.

A quick glance back showed Kane and Grayson quickly on his trail, obviously detecting the conflagration as well. Dread sat in the pit of his stomach the closer he came to the cause. And just as he cleared the woods, his chopper tank blew. The explosion knocked him off his feet and onto his ass about twenty feet back into the forest covering.

“Jesus,” he blasphemed, his mouth left agape.

Kane pulled him to his feet. “You all right, bro?”

Kaleb stepped back out of the woods and stared at the fire licking the remains of his chopper. Parts littered the tarmac. “Well, if that isn’t a pisser. I will so kill that bitch of yours—”

“Not mine.” Kane followed Kaleb onto the road. “I got rid of that long ago. Looks like she’s made herself your best friend, though.”

“She’s gotten my attention, all right. And the next time I see her, I’ll rip her fucking head off.” Kaleb walked an arc around the charred remains of his chopper as it continued to smolder, his stomach stuck somewhere mid-chest. “I have to hand it to you, Viper. You really know how to pick them.”

Kane smirked. “At least it was your ride.”

“Seriously, Viper?” Kaleb turned and glared at him. “You did not just say that to me? All this anger that bitch is harboring should be aimed at your sorry ass.”

“You killed Alec.”

“You sent the bitch back to her stepfather and then annulled your mating. I think that trumps taking Alec’s head.”

Kane shrugged, not doing a very good job of hiding his humor. He ought to cold-cock the son of a bitch. All this shit should be aimed at Kane. But no, instead she wanted his head. What the hell had he ever done to the spoiled brat to earn her scorn? Alec Funar might have been a primordial, but he was most definitely a douche. She should have thanked him for getting rid of the pompous saddle bag. Instead, here he stood staring at the remains of his beloved chopper.

“So what are we going to do, Hawk?” Grayson asked, chuckling. “You riding bitch with Viper back to the clubhouse? He’s got the extra seat.”

“Fuck you, Gypsy.”

Kaleb was certainly in no mood for his wise ass either as he listened to Grayson chortle at his own joke. He pulled out his cell and called K&K Motorcycle’s land line. After a few rings the phone was picked up.

“K&K,” came Alexander’s deep voice. “What can we do you for?”

“Bring the box truck.” Kaleb damn near growled. “Highway 126, about fifteen minutes out, heading for Florence.”

“What you need with the truck?”

“Just do what you’re told, Xander. Don’t leave me standing here all day either.”

He heard the dark-haired vampire take a deep breath. What the hell did he do? Interrupt his fucking nap?

“Give me a few minutes, got a customer here—”

“You the only one there?” Kaleb’s voice rose in irritation.

“No. Blondy, Wolf and Kinky are in back.”

“Then get one of those losers to take over. Bring me that fucking truck … now!”

Kaleb hit the END of his smartphone, glared at a smiling Kane and Grayson and curbed the urge to chuck the cell phone at them. Fifteen minutes later, the box truck rounded the corner, then rolled to a stop just a few feet away from what was left of his chopper. Not very damn much. He’d kill the bitch for that alone.

Alexander stepped down from the cab of the truck, his dark gaze fixated on the charred cycle. “What the hell happened?”

“Rosalee,” Kaleb grumbled. “Grab the leather gloves from the glove box and let’s get this thing loaded.”

Alexander walked around the cab, opened the door and grabbed the gloves along with the fire extinguisher. Walking over to the center of the road, he aimed the spray nozzle from the canister, pulled the safety pin, then squeezed the lever and dowsed the bike, extinguishing what might be left of heat and flames. Kaleb’s heart sank to the pit of his stomach as he stared at the mess. Gone was the seat, gas tank and damn near everything else. He had the blackened frame, motor… Hell, even the tires had melted to the rims, making them unusable. Part of him wanted to pitch the whole sorry excuse for a chopper and start over. The other part needed to rebuild it, piece by piece because he loved that bike. He’d not allow Rosalee to win this round.

Damn that bitch for drawing breath.

He made a promise right then … he’d see her dead by his own hand or die trying.

* * *

The large, white box truck pulled onto the paved lot of K&K Motorcycles, the wipers on delay swiping at the continuing drizzle. Much the way Kaleb felt. Gloomy and dismal. He supposed he needed to snap out of his present mood. It wasn’t as if he couldn’t rebuild his chopper. Or better yet, create a whole new radical design, but he’d had that Ironhead chopper since 1979. He had made a few restorations over the years, but for the most part, it had remained intact. He hated losing the old girl. Kaleb jumped from the cab after it rolled to a stop, then headed for the back of the motorcycle shop.

Alexander alighted behind him, but went around back of the truck to retrieve the frame and what else was left of it. Kane and Grayson had beaten them back to the shop, their motorcycles parked in the front lot. Using the keypad, Kaleb punched in a series of numbers, waited for the beep, then swung open the back door and waltzed into the parts room, florescent lights illuminating the room. He heard the laughter, long before he saw the five vampires standing in a semi-circle, no doubt sharing humor over the demise of his chopper. Asses. Every single one of them.

“Nobody has anything better to do?” Kaleb rounded the corner of a row of silver racks containing parts and accessories. “Now we pay you to stand around and bullshit?”

“My, aren’t we in a snit.” Grigore flashed him a smile filled with humor. “You don’t pay us enough to begin with, Hawk.”

“There’s the door, Wolf, if you have a better opportunity.”

“Fuck you, Hawk. Viper would just hire me right back.”

“So why not ride your Ironhead chopper back?” Joseph asked, not bothering to contain his humor either. Along with Alexander, he was also one of the quiet ones, never speaking unless he had an opinion on something.

Comedians, all of them.

“Maybe you’d like to rebuild it for me, Kinky?”

“I’ll be glad to detail it out for you, but you know as well as I do, no one would build one to suit your picky ass.”

“What do we have on the floor in the meantime?” Kaleb would need a ride while he rebuilt his chopper.

“Ask Xander. He was the last one in the showroom,” Joseph said.

The back door to the parts room opened and slammed shut, indicating Alexander had brought the frame in. The smell of the burnt parts hung heavy in the room. He needed to take care of this issue with Rosalee. No more fucking around.

Anton walked over to where Alexander set the charred remains and whistled. “Not much left, Hawk. I would’ve had Xander deposit this shit in the Dumpster out back. Ain’t worth saving, if you ask me.”

“No one did, Blondy. Xander, we have anything decent out there? Or did you sell the best bike on the floor to whomever was occupying your time when I called?”

Alexander pulled off the leather gloves and tossed them on one of the stainless steel counters. “Go take your pick. You interrupted a sure sale. We have a showroom full of sweet rides.”

“We going to get that sale back?”

He shrugged. “I suppose she might be back.”

Kaleb’s gaze swung from his chopper’s frame to Alexander. “She?”