Page 69 of Lockout

“Demo could dismantle that fucker,” he said. “We just have to get his ass up here.”

“Uh, Lock.”

I glanced over when Priest called out to me. He’d been slowly picking his way across the room. There, piled up in the corner, partially hidden from the view of the door, was the C4. Priest motioned toward the shit and I groaned when I saw the flashing clock.

Even if Smoke hadn’t stepped on that plate, the shit was rigged to blow and we had just over five minutes.

“Okay.” I raked a hand through my hair and looked at my brothers. “All of you get the fuck out of here. Warrant, call Demo and leave me your phone. He’s going to walk me through this.”

“We’re not leavin’,” Hush said. Everyone else started objecting at the same time.

“Knock it off,” I barked. “We don’t have time for this and I’m not letting all of you die if I fuck this up. Get the fuck out. Now!”

“At least he won’t be alone,” Smoke told them with a lopsided grin.

“Yeah, I will,” I replied.

Now they all looked perplexed. Walking over, I put my foot on the plate, next to Smoke’s. Before he had the chance to figure out what I was doing, I shoved him off the plate and let my own weight settle. It was a risk. I could have just blown us all sky high, but there was no way Smoke would leave on his own if Iwaited for the others to get out of the building. He’d stay here and I’d have no way of forcing him to go.

Not gonna lie, the move made my asshole clench a bit. I let out a heavy breath as I settled on the plate and nothing happened. Meeting Hush’s shocked gaze, I said, “Get them all out of here.”

“Lock-” he croaked, shaking his head.

“We’re not fucking leaving,” Idaho said, glaring at me.

“If I don’t dismantle this thing, it’s going to blow,” I growled. “You have women and kids at home, waiting for you.”

“You have one, too,” Rip reminded me.

Swallowing hard, I nodded. “Tell her I’m so fucking sorry. But I’m not letting the rest of you die like this.” My gaze bounced between Rip, Priest, and Hush. “Please. Get them out of here.”

Warrant stepped behind my brother and wrapped his arms around his neck. We all watched as Idaho struggled before going out like a light in the Berserker’s sleeper hold. He grinned at Butcher. “Something I learned from your girl.”

“That was cold,” Toxic said, grabbing Idaho’s legs.

“You think he was going to leave any other way?” Warrant asked.

“No,” Toxic grunted, hefting my twin’s legs. He paused, looked over at me. “You better fucking get this done, Prez. Otherwise…”

“I will if you’d fucking leave so I can focus.” Glancing over at the clock, I swore. “Four minutes, guys.”

Warrant dug in his pocket and handed his phone to Hush. “Demo’s number is in the favorites.”

Everyone shuffled out, Hellfire had Smoke in a headlock, but it was obvious that the huge man didn’t want to leave either. Still, he did what I asked and wrestled his friend out of the room.

Hush handed me the phone. “Lock, you don’t have to do this.”

“What am I supposed to do, Hush?” I asked. “Was I supposed to leave Smoke to die? Forget about the wife and baby he has at home? About your wife and kid?”

Hush swallowed hard and looked over at Rip and Priest. “I don’t know. This is just…”

“Fucking stupid,” Priest said. “How the hell are we supposed to leave you?”

“By thinking about the kids you have waiting back at the clubhouse for you,” I snapped. “You going to leave them all behind?”

The guilt and grief on their faces was clear. They’d do this for two reasons. One, because I’d ordered them to. And two, because of their kids.

“Lock-”