Page 99 of Havoc

“Like what?”

“Like it’s goodbye.”

32

Havoc

The clubhouse is awar tent. Guns are laid out on every surface. A map of the city marking the Iron Sinners operational strongholds is up on the TV behind the bar so we can go over the plan again.

Every member is stirring.

Restless.

Running on coffee and adrenaline as we prepare to take the fight to our rivals.

We’ve been at war with the Iron Sinners for years. Playing this game with Titan and his men. Chipping away, seeing who breaks first. But neither club has officially crossed the line we are about to. Once we start, there’s no going back.

I tuck a gun into the holster at my ankle, ready to make this final stand. The room is buzzing, so I know I’m not the only one who feels it.

An end nearing.

A beginning we all hope to see this time tomorrow.

The patch bunnies are in their rooms, sticking to the hallway where the kitchen sits. They avoid the main body of the clubhouse on days like this without anyone having to ask them to. Blood is in the air, even if the battle is yet to begin.

Old ladies stick to the other side of the clubhouse. Tempe, Reagan, Luna, and the kids will spend the day in the ranked members’ quarters.

Steel and Legacy don’t want the kids around this many weapons, but it’s safer to pull everyone into the clubhouse at a time like this so we don’t have to stretch our protection efforts too thin across the compound. If anyone needs anything, Tempe pops out to grab it. But the girls keep the kids occupied with movies and distractions.

Aimee is the only one of the old ladies lingering with the men. She sits on a stool in the back of the room, running through the plan with Chaos for the tenth time this morning.

Titan requested Aimee come alone, but Chaos will be giving Aimee a ride to the meetup, so he has an excuse to linger. I thought about trying to hide other men around the building where they’re meeting, but I wouldn’t put it past Titan to have already taken precautions.

It makes me uneasy, but it’s also for the best. The more effort Titan puts into retrieving Aimee, the less he’ll be focused on us when we make a move.

Chaos meets my gaze over the top of Aimee’s head, and he nods, indicating she’s ready. I nod back, but there’s more in my gesture.

Don’t let her out of your sight.

Don’t let her get hurt.

Stick to the plan.

Chaos dips his chin in understanding, and I know, if I can trust anyone, it’s him.

He would take the fall for any of us. He’s done it before.

And for Aimee, I have no doubt he’d happily go to prison or take a bullet if it meant protecting her.

I sweep through the room, stopping at each group of members and breaking down the plan again. I confirm everyone is clear on their positions and what they need to hit. The meeting between Aimee and Titan is at high noon on the Strip, so we don’t have the luxury of operating under the cover of night.

After briefing everyone inside, I head out to the front porch to touch base with Steel. “We roll out in forty-five minutes.”

“What about Chaos and Aimee?” He watches prospects load a van out front.

“They leave in thirty.”

Steel nods, and when I don’t say more, his gaze cuts in my direction. “It’s the middle of the Strip. She’ll be fine.”