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CHAPTER ONE: WILDCARD

“That went well,” Alisa says to me as we watch Viper and Max lead Angela and Angelica through the rear doors of 1%.

“Better than we thought. Adding the study room was a brilliant plan,” I complimented Alisa.

She grins at me. “Once I saw she had her teaching license, I thought she might jump at the chance.”

“Now I know where Elina learned how to manipulate others so well.”

Alisa chuckles and shakes her head. “I wish I could take credit. I think I’m the one who’s learning from her. Besides, we really have had parents asking for it. I have plans to ask Angela to move into the clubhouse and homeschool the kids.”

I open my mouth to respond, but spot Reggie rushing out the door. I take off after him. He’s dashing through cars until he drops from view. When I reach him, he’s kneeling next to Max’s body. Blood coats Max’s arm, and he has a bullet hole in his kutte.

“What the fuck happened?” I ask as Reggie presses down on the wound. Pulling out my phone, I call Splint, who is on duty as the hotel medic. “Need you in the parking lot now! Someone shot Max.” I don’t wait for his response, knowing he’s on his way.

“Two men grabbed the women and Angelica. I was watching the four of them leave the hotel on the security screen. Angelica tripped and fell, which gave the bastards their opportunity. One knocked Viper out while the other shot Max. They shoved the girls into a black van and took off.”

“Did you recognize them? Were they wearing kuttes?” I ask.

Reggie shakes his head. “They had on masks and were wearing black. I didn’t see any kuttes.”

“Okay, I’ll get Spark looking for them,” I say, pulling out my phone just as Splint drops next to Max and gets to work on him. He glances behind him at two security guards who followed him out. “Get him on the stretcher and get him to my office.”

We work together to load Max onto the stretcher before carrying him inside. Once Spark has him in his exam room, I contact Chill and Puma to let them know what’s happened. I then call Rafe. I never thought I’d willingly call a cop about a crime, but since someone took Viper, he needs to know. Besides, maybe he can help find her. When he doesn’t answer his phone, I try again. I try a third time before leaving a message.

Alisa comes into the office and sits next to Reggie. She’s staring at the door with such intensity, I can feel it. She’s willing the door to open and for Max to step through.

“Any word on the girls?” she asks me.

“Spark’s tracking the van and he’ll let us know what he finds. Puma has the guys ready to go. Whoever did this either has balls of steel or they’re desperate.”

“Do you think it’s a rival club?” she asks, then holds up her hand. “Never mind. Club business. I just hate this.”

“I know. As for who did it, I don’t know.”

We wait for close to an hour before we hear anything, and then everything hits at once. Spark calls me while Splint steps back into the room. I tell Spark to hold for a second and wait for Splint to give us his update.

“He’s fine. Lost some blood, so I want to take him to the clubhouse and set him up with an IV. I got the bullet out and stitched him up. He’s conscious. Need someone to drive us to the clubhouse.”

“I’ll drive them,” Reggie offers. I nod. As our newest prospect, I’m glad to see him step up. However, I know part of the reason he wants to go to the clubhouse is so he can be closer to the search for Angela and Angelica. Can’t say I blame him.

“What have you got?” I ask Spark.

“Found the van and trailed it out of town. I lost them around Red Rock Canyon. They got off at one of the park exits. No traffic cams in that area. Puma’s assigning groups to go out and search the area.”

“Fuck, okay. I’m heading back to the clubhouse. Max is on his way back, as is Alisa. Reggie’s driving them. Keep me posted.”

After helping Splint and Reggie load Max into a club SUV, I follow behind on my bike, keeping an eye out for another attack. I don’t expect one, but better to be vigilant. Once behind the gate, I leave Reggie and Gears to help Splint move Max into the infirmary. If I know Max, he won’t be in there long. Not with his sisters and Angela in danger.

“If he doesn’t cooperate, let me know,” I tell Splint, who just smirks.

“I’ll get him patched up, but we both know he won’t stay out of the search. I can’t blame him.”

Nor can I, so I just nod before making my way to Spark’s office. Inside, I find both him and Juliet studying traffic footage.

“We tracked them on 95 all the way to 159, but lost them soon after. I think they got off at Calico Basin Road, but none of the side roads have cameras. Puma took everyone and split up to search. But it’s like looking for a needle.”

“Fuck,” I mutter and he nods.