Page 27 of My End (Iron Fiends #10)

Stretch

I pulled the bike around front and parked it just shy of the steps. The sky was starting to dim. The whole house looked still, calm, like nothing was about to go sideways inside it. That was good. That was what we needed.

Everyone I passed in the hall before slipping out back to grab the bike was acting like it was any other day. Jim gave me a grunt and a nod. Kevin asked where the extra damn coffee filters were.

But I felt it.

The kind of tension that made your spine itch.

The front door creaked open, and there she was.

Tilly.

A bulky black backpack was slung over her shoulders, and her arms were wrapped tight around a canvas nearly as big as she was. Her dark curls were up in a messy bun, and her eyes were wide, scanning the yard like she half-expected someone to jump out and scream that she couldn’t leave.

“Sweetheart,” I called and stepped toward her.

She didn’t break stride. Just hugged the canvas tighter to her chest and stormed down the steps like she was on a mission.

“I’m not leaving without this,” she swore, defiant as hell.

She turned the canvas to face me, and I felt like I’d been gut-punched.

It was the painting.

Of me.

All shadows and light. A look in my eyes I didn’t recognize until now. Vulnerability. Strength. Something she’d seen long before I let myself see it.

“You’re gonna have me. The real thing,” I said and tried to keep my voice steady. “You don’t need the painting.”

She shook her head hard. “The painting comes with us on the bike, or I am walking.”

I stared at her. At the oversized bag, at the delicate way her fingers curled around the canvas like it was her lifeline.

I chuckled and rubbed the back of my neck. “You’re not going to get very far on foot.”

“Then you better let me on the bike,” she countered.

I grinned.

Fucking hell, I loved her.

“Let’s go.” I got on the bike, and she slid on behind me with the canvas between us. This bike did not have as much room as my Harley, though I wasn’t sure a big-ass canvas would have fit on the Harley either.

I knew we looked ridiculous, but I didn’t have time to argue with Tilly about bringing the damn painting.

The gates were just ahead—freedom. Freddie was just going to need to buzz us through, and we would be on our way to the clubhouse.

My hope died quickly when the gate came into view, and Kevin was standing on front of it.

“Fuck,” I muttered.

“What is it?” Tilly asked. She couldn’t see anything past that damn painting.

I rolled to a stop ten feet from Kevin and killed the bike. “Just stay behind me,” I said to Tilly. I slid off the bike, and Tilly dropped the painting to the side.

“Going somewhere?” Kevin asked. His was tone casual, but his eyes were sharp.

“Yeah,” I said. “We’re leaving.”

“Boone didn’t say shit about you leaving. Or her.” He lifted his walkie. “I think I better check in.”

“Fucking try it, and I’ll shove that walkie-talkie down your fucking throat,” I said and stepped forward slowly.

Tilly stayed by the bike with the canvas hugged to her chest like it could shield her from what was coming.

Kevin tilted his head. “Why so tense, Stretch? Thought you were just the muscle. Hired help. Didn’t know bodyguards got to ride off into the sunset with the boss’ sister.”

I took one more step forward. “You gonna move, or are you gonna make me move you?”

Kevin raised a brow. “That supposed to scare me?”

“No,” I said. “This is.”

My fist shot forward before he could blink.

Kevin reeled back and stumbled into the keypad post.

I didn’t wait; I reached past him and slammed the override button.

The gate stuttered, then began its slow slide open.

Kevin shoved off the post, but a sound stopped him—and me —in our tracks.

The unmistakable roar of motorcycles.

A black sedan came into view first, leading the pack, and parked at the gate that was opening.

And behind it, six riders wearing black cuts pulled in.

The Iron Fiends had arrived.

My brothers.

The gate hadn’t even finished opening when the sedan slid to a stop in front of us.

The back door opened, and out steppedLeo Banachiin a sharp black suit, looking every bit like the ghost you prayed never showed up on your doorstep. Beside him,Brynnclimbed out in a long coat hiding her curves and sunglasses masking whatever plan she had burning behind her eyes.

Kevin staggered back a few steps. “What the fuck?”

The bikes fanned out behind the car. Yarder took the lead, face stoic, unreadable, but his eyes locked on mine with laser focus. Dice pulled up next to him, then Cue Ball, Throttle, Smoke, and Pirate, each one scanning the area, the gate, and then me.

Kevin reached for his walkie again. I stepped in, knocking it from his hand.

“Not today.”

Leo adjusted his cufflinks. “Kevin, was it?” His voice was cool, bored. “You can run back inside and warn Boone and Gibbs that their little party’s over. Or we can do it for you.”

Kevin looked ready to shit himself.

Yarder cut his engine and climbed off the bike. He strode straight for me.

“You good?” he asked, voice low.

“We’re good.” I nodded. “Tilly’s with me. She’s why I’m still alive.”

His gaze flicked to her, then back to me. “Then she’s ours now, too.”

Dice dismounted. “Stretch, you’re a fucking sight for sore eyes.”

I grinned and realized how good it was to see the club. “You have no idea.”

Yarder clapped a hand on my shoulder. “We’ve got a lot to talk about. But first, let’s get you two out of here.”

“What the hell is she holding?” Throttle asked.

Tilly clutched the canvas to her chest. “I’m not leaving without this.”

Throttle held up his hands. “I’m not saying you need to leave it, doll; I was just wondering what the hell it was.”

Leo’s driver got out of the car, and Leo snapped his fingers toward Tilly. “Murphy, take that from her and put it in the trunk.”

The guy nodded and moved to Tilly. Tilly moved toward me warily.

“He’s not going to hurt you, sweetheart. He’ll make sure the painting gets back to the clubhouse,” I promised.

She reluctantly gave it to him, but not before she told him not to bend it.

Murphy smirked and moved to the trunk of the car.

Kevin took a step back toward the house. Cue Ball and Pirate flanked him immediately.

“Where you headed, sunshine?” Pirate asked and flipped a butterfly knife in his hand.

Kevin froze.

“Take him,” Yarder ordered.

Pirate and Cue Ball shoved Kevin and walked him up the driveway to the house. The guys got back on their bikes, and Leo and Brynn got back in their car. I peeked into the gate house and saw Freddie on the ground.

I knew that Kevin had to have knocked him. I checked his pulse, and thankfully he was still breathing.

I got back on the bike with Tilly behind me, and we all made our way to the house. It felt a hell of a lot better having Tilly on my bike without a painting between us.

Once we got inside,Brianstood in the foyer. “Jesus Christ,” he muttered, throwing his hands in the air. “I was asking for too much when I just wanted you two to ride off into the sunset, wasn’t I?”

Leo stepped in and glanced around. “Nice, but it’s no Wyndemere.”

“What the hell is a Wyndemere?” Cue Ball asked.

“One of our properties,” Brynn replied smoothly.

Cue Ball nodded. “Yeah, you guys are definitely in a different tax bracket than us.”

“You couldn’t just give me a couple more weeks?” Brian said to Leo.

Leo lifted a brow. “Pretty sure Boone and Gibbs pushed our hand when his sister sounded the alarm.”

Jimcame skidding into the foyer withTerranceon his heels. “What the fuck is going on?” he demanded.

Brian drew a gun from his waistband and aimed it squarely at Jim. “The gig is up, asshole. Lead the way to Boone and Gibbs.”

Jim reached for his own piece, but Yarder beat him to it with his own gun drawn, aimed, and steady.

“It’s ten against you, dumbass,” Yarder growled. “Try making the right choice.”

Terrance instantly threw up his hands. “I don’t know what the fuck is going on, but it ain’t got shit to do with me.”

Brian nodded to Terrance. “Gather the rest of the guys and stay in the kitchen,” he ordered. “Any of you run, and I will track you down like a bloodhound. You’ll spend the rest of your life in prison if you set foot out of the kitchen.”

Freddie didn’t hesitate and took off.

“That wise?” Yarder asked.

Brain nodded. “They aren’t going anywhere. They’re fucking clueless.” He focused back on Jim. “Can’t say the same for this prick, though. Hands up,” he ordered Jim.”

Jim’s jaw clenched. Then, slowly, he raised his hands.

“To his office,” Brian ordered.

Jim turned stiffly and led the way down the hall, the rest of us falling into step behind him. Brian pulled out his phone and sent a single text.

“Agents are surrounding the property,” he said. “We’ve got five minutes to make it count.”

We reached the office. Jim stopped outside and glanced over his shoulder.

Yarder leaned in close and whispered, “Say one fucking wrong word, and I’ll blow your fucking head off.”

Jim swallowed hard.

“Who is it?” Boone called from behind the door.

“J-J-Jim,” he stammered.

A click. The door unlocked.

Jim opened it, and Yarder shoved him inside.

He stumbled to his knees.

We filed in.

Booneleapt up from behind his desk with his face red, ready to scream.Gibbs, seated in a leather chair across from him, looked like someone had just doused him in ice water.

“What the hell is this?” Boone roared.

Brian kept his gun on Jim. Yarder raised his on Boone. Dice flanked me, and Throttle moved to the far corner, ready if shit popped off.

“We thought we’d drop by and see how you’re doing,” Yarder said coolly.

“You can’t be in here,” Gibbs spat.

I snorted. “Pretty sure your days of calling the shots are over.”

“As if we’re afraid of a bunch of dirty bikers and a shitty chef,” Boone sneered. “I’ll have you all arrested for breaking and entering. You just made the move that’s going to end you all. You played right into our hand.”

Yarder laughed. “He just called you a biker,” he said to Leo.

Leo took a slow step forward. “If I ever doubted the guy was an idiot, now I know for sure.”

Gibbs blinked fast. “You, you’re Leo Banachi,” he stammered.

Leo tipped his head. “At least one of you knows who I am. And I’m not a biker.” He glanced at Boone. “You might not know me, but maybe you’ve heard of my wife.Brynn Maragna?”

Boone paled like someone had pulled the blood from his body.

“There it is,” Yarder said with a grin.

Brynn laughed softly. “I do have a way with assholes.”

“I can offer you double,” Boone said to her, desperate now. “Whatever they’re offering you, name your price.”

Leo rolled his eyes. “He thinks we’re getting something out of this.”

Brynn’s voice sharpened. “We are—peace of mind knowing we’re putting two corrupt bastards exactly where they belong.”

Brian cleared his throat. “Think it’s my turn now?”

Leo shrugged. “Sure. It’s all yours.”

Brian stepped forward, gun steady on Jim. He reached into his back pocket and pulled something out.

He flipped it open, and it was his badge. “FBI,” he said.

Boone staggered back.

“You’re both lawyers,” Brian continued. “So you know what that means.”

“Don’t say another fucking word,” Boone growled at Gibbs.

Jim sputtered. “You’re the fucking chef!”

Brian chuckled. “Exactly what I wanted you to think. You’re also under arrest, dumbass.”

Jim grunted but didn’t fight.

From the hallway, Kevin shouted, “I’ll talk! I’ll tell you anything you want to know!”

“Damn,” Pirate laughed. “He’s ready to sing like a fucking bird.”

Brian checked his watch. “Leo, you’ve got three minutes before this place is crawling with agents.”

Leo nodded. “That’s all I need.”

Yarder looked at us. We all knew it was time to move.

Tilly moved beside me, but Boone’s voice lashed out.

“Where are you going?” he snapped. “She’s a part of this, too.”

Brian shook his head. “Nice fucking try. She’s not.”

“I didn’t know anything,” Tilly said, standing tall. “Not about the money, the threats, the revenge. Nothing.”

“So you’re running off with some dirty piece of shit biker?” Boone snarled.

Cue Ball grumbled, “Why do they always gotta say we’re dirty?”

Tilly turned, cool as ice. “I hope you never see the light of day again. You’re the dirty one. You’re the one who’ll rot. Goodbye, Boone.”

Leo and Brynn turned and walked out. Cue Ball and Pirate stayed behind with Brian. The rest of us moved out of the house.

I could already hear the rumble of distant sirens.

Outside, Leo and Brynn moved toward their car.

“Thanks for the help,” Yarder said.

Brynn nodded. “I think it’s going to be a long, long time before we hear anything from Boone and Gibbs.”

Leo opened the sedan door. “Let us know if you need anything else. Otherwise, we’ll just see you on the TV.”

Tilly tipped her head. “TV?”

I pulled her close. “Just add that to the list of things I need to tell you.”

“The list is very long,” she said dryly.

Everyone laughed.

Leo and Brynn got into the car and drove off.

Two minutes later, the house was swarmed with FBI vans and agents shouting orders, guns drawn.

The Iron Fiends had never done anything to get on the radar of the feds.

But the Banachis? That was a different world.

Pirate and Cue Ball came jogging out of the house.

“If you’d asked me a week ago if having Boone and Gibbs arrested would satisfy me,” Dice said, “I’d have said no. But I gotta admit, there’s something about doing it legally. Now we can just go home and… live.”

“Home sounds fucking good to me,” Yarder said.

The guys mounted up.

I turned to Tilly.

“Ready to go?”

She looked up at the house, the gates, the ghosts we were leaving behind. “Go home?” she echoed.

I nodded.

“I don’t know if I have one of those anymore,” she said quietly. “This was home for the past six months. But my apartment? Doesn’t feel like anything anymore.”

I leaned down and kissed her. “Then come home with me, Tilly. You helped end all this. And now we can all be free.”

She didn’t hesitate. “Then let’s go home, Stretch.”