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“The Flaming Skulls,” said Ace standing at the front of the conference room. “More than two-hundred members spreading across six states. They’re being closely watched by the FBI and the DEA. They’ve been investigated numerous times for drug running, trafficking, and murder. The only conviction, or pending conviction, so far has been for sexual assault and attempted murder by Weaver Crup, a.k.a., Banger. He raped, brutally beat, and left for dead, Sister Agatha Brooks.”

“A nun?” frowned Kane.

“A nun. A fifty-three-year-old nun who was attempting to save young women who had run away from the club,” said Ace.

“Don’t we have enough men to just go out and destroy them?” asked Flip.

“We do but let us get some intel on them first. It says they have two-hundred or so members, but we don’t know if they have any affiliate clubs or gang affiliations,” said Skull.

“Right. Sorry,” frowned Flip.

“Don’t be sorry, brother,” said Miller. “Everybody’s ideas are heard here. Sometimes you’ll have expertise that we do not. Believe me, we’re smart enough to listen to what you have to say.” Flip nodded.

“Do you guys ride?” asked Ghost.

“We have in the past,” nodded Kane. “Hawke and David are usually able to find what we need on foot or in the air.”

“So, how does that work?” asked Alec. “Do you become the bird?”

“Sort of,” smirked Hawke. “I find a bird and it allows me into its brain. I can guide it with suggestion but I see what the bird sees. I’ve gone hundreds of miles in a duck and a goose. Hawks work best for seeing though. Although eagles are pretty damn amazing.”

“Do you think you could find a bird and find our gang?” asked Nine.

“Yeah, definitely. It helps if David is on the ground on foot. I can guide him to different locations to double check things for me.”

“Can you do that without being seen?” asked Ghost.

“From what I understand you have a stealth suit that could help me,” smiled David. “Plus, remember that Griffin can leave the property. He isn’t seen by anyone unless he chooses to allow them to see him.”

“Let’s go with that one first,” said Kane. “Hawke and Griffin can see if they can track where they’re hanging their hat at night. I can’t see them in a hotel.”

“It’s doubtful. I’m not doubting they would have the money, but they don’t want to be seen by everyone and they damn sure don’t want to draw attention to themselves. They might be camping or staying in a motel on the backroads. I want to know why they’re here.”

“They want the bikes,” said Juan. “Isn’t that what they said?”

“It’s what they said, son. But I don’t believe them for a minute. They could have just as easily ordered a bike online, given their request and specs, paid for it, and we would have delivered it. There was no need to come all the way down here and make a scene.”

“I think we should speak to Sister Agatha. She’s going to be terrified of us, most likely but we have to find out what happened with her,” said Ian. “This is a delicate situation and we can’t just have people running up to her interrogating her. The question is, who should we send?”

“Mama,” said the Robicheaux boys in unison. They smirked at one another and they all nodded.

“I will go with her,” said Trak.

“Me too,” said Angel.

More often than not Trak and Angel or Trak and Miller were paired together. Their styles were similar, yet different in so many ways.

“Alright, the two of you and Mama.”

“Mama what?” asked Irene standing in the door. She had on a pair of navy capri pants with a light-weight, white cotton blouse and a white cardigan. Her purse was draped over her arm and she looked ready to go wherever they were sending her.

“We’ll tell you on the way,” laughed Angel. “Ace? Send us the address through comms.”

“I will. She’s not far. She was part of the Carmelite Monastery west of Baton Rouge.” They nodded, leaving the others but Irene stood in the door staring at the men.

“You okay, Mama?” asked Miller. She gave a sad smile and nodded.

“Yes. Just looking at all my boys, thinking about how lucky I am.”

“Irene, we can send someone else if this is too much for you,” said Nine. “I could send Erin or someone.”

“No. No, this one needs to be me,” she said. “We’ll be back soon.” They watched as she, Angel, and Trak left and then turned to look at one another.

“You think she’s okay?” asked Luc looking at all the men, but mostly his siblings. Gabe nodded.

“I think she’s mama and knows more than we do.”

“That seems obvious,” smirked Kane.

“Oh, big man is funny,” laughed Ghost. “Let’s go. We need to find these assholes before they hurt someone else.”

“She doesn’t live at the convent any longer,” said Angel. “The address is an apartment about a mile from them.”

“I can’t imagine it would have been easy for her to go back to the order after what happened to her,” said Irene.

“They would have allowed her to return, right? I mean, they wouldn’t have held it against her would they?”

“No. No, I can’t believe they would. But she would have felt different. Ace says he contacted Father Hebert and he reached out to her to let her know we were coming. He wasn’t sure how helpful she could be.”

“I can’t blame her if she’s terrified,” said Trak. “I don’t want to push or cause fear in a nun.”

A little while later, they pulled into the parking lot of a small row of apartments with six on the bottom floor and six on the top. They weren’t luxury by any means, but they appeared clean and well-maintained.

Stepping out of the vehicle, Trak turned his head, lifting his chin as if he were sniffing the air. Knowing him, he probably was. Angel looked at him and nodded.

“You go in,” he said. “I want to check something out.”

Angel knew exactly what he would be checking out. He could see the old motorcycle parked beside the gas station across the street but didn’t see the owner. He would lay odds that a member of the Flaming Skulls was nearby.

Irene gently knocked on the door and Angel stayed back a few steps, trying not look intimidating. Usually women thought his face was beautiful, even with the long scar. But this woman had been traumatized so there was no telling how she could react.

“May I help you?” she whispered opening the door just a crack, the chain still holding it in place. Angel knew that if someone wanted in, that chain wouldn’t hold them back.

“Sister Agatha, I’m Irene Robicheaux and this is my son, Angel.”

“Oh, yes. Father Hebert said you wanted to speak with me. One moment.” She closed the door and they could hear her letting the chain off and then the door re-opened. “Please come in.”

The room was simple with a small sofa and one side chair. There was a gently used coffee table with a bible and several other books on it. A small television was on the wall and in the open space they could see a small kitchenette. There was a hallway that they assumed led to a bedroom and bathroom.

“Please have a seat. May I get you a coffee, water, or tea?” she asked.

“Nothing for me, ma’am,” said Angel taking a seat to lower himself to her eye level.

“I’m fine, child,” said Irene reaching to pat her hand.

Sister Agatha pulled back so quickly Angel’s heart nearly stopped. Her face flushed and her eyes filled with tears.

“I’m so sorry,” she whispered.

“No. No, it’s my fault,” said Irene. “I should have known touch might be difficult for you.”

“It’s a nightmare,” she said shaking her head. “I was teaching at the school affiliated with the convent and even the children hugging me sent me into a tailspin. My life is over as I knew it. I thought this was my calling. I thought God needed me for something special.”

“He did, Sister Agatha,” said Angel.

“It’s not Sister Agatha any longer,” she said shaking her head. “I’ve given up my habit. My name is Jenna. Jenna Brooks.”

“Alright, Jenna. How are you doing?” asked Angel.

“Terrible,” she said shaking her head and wiping the tears. “I’ve been sitting in this apartment for six months waiting for this case to go to trial while that horrible man is behind bars. There’s a member of his gang always watching me to be sure I don’t speak to anymore police or any lawyers beyond the terrible one that was appointed for me. I was supposed to have a meeting yesterday with a man from the FBI and he called and cancelled. Said that he was busy.”

“The FBI said they were too busy?” frowned Angel. She nodded and Angel heard the comment in his ear.

“Checking on it now ,” said Ace.

There was a soft knock on the door and Angel stood, gripping the weapon at his waist. She gasped but Irene turned to her and smiled.

“It’s alright. One of my other sons is outside. He was checking on something,” she said.

Sure enough, Angel opened the door and Trak walked in with a small smile for the frightened woman.

“This is my other son, Trak,” she said proudly.

“You have a lot of sons?” asked Jenna.

“Dozens,” smiled Irene. “Some are blood, some not. But they’re all my boys.”

“I’m sorry I reacted that way. I thought you were that biker across the street.”

“No,” said Trak. “He’s gone.” Angel and Irene knew what that meant but poor Jenna was lost.

“They’ll send his replacement in a few minutes. I’m never left alone.”

“Can you tell us what happened, child?” asked Irene.

“Wrong place, wrong time, or wrong place, right time. I’m not sure any longer. I saw the motorcycles at the grocery store when I went in to buy supplies for the convent. I didn’t think anything of it. Frankly, I find them fascinating. Loud, but fascinating.

“I was standing in the produce section and turned to put the tomatoes in my cart. This man grabbed my arm and pulled me close to him. I was in my habit. I would have thought that would matter but it didn’t,” she said shaking her head.

“Take your time sweet girl,” said Irene.

“I asked him to let me go but he refused. Jeremy, the boy who works at the market tried to help me but he-he shot him. No thought for his life at all. He just shot him. I could hear people screaming and running. Then-then he started pushing up my skirt and pushing me to the floor.

“I started screaming for help but no one came. No one. I gripped my cross and began praying as he ripped off my undergarments. He hit me with something, I’m not sure what but I blacked out.”

“Maybe that was a good thing,” said Irene.

“I think it was a blessing,” said the woman softly. “When I woke, I was in the hospital and they said they hadn’t expected me to live. While I was knocked out, he beat me severely. Most of my injuries are healed, although I hurt when it rains. I had several broken bones.”

“That’s normal,” said Angel. “I have had a lot of injuries as well and hurt when it rains. So has Trak.”

“I am faster than he is. I do not have as many injuries.” She couldn’t help but smile at their attempts to ease her discomfort.

“Are you police officers?” she asked.

“We were in the military and now we run a security agency,” said Angel. “We heard about what the Flaming Skulls did to you.”

“Th-they won’t leave me alone. Parishioners bring me food but I don’t leave the house at all.”

“Why did you leave the convent?” asked Irene. “You weren’t to blame for what happened. No one blamed you. You didn’t have to leave.”

“I’m different now,” she said shaking her head. “I-I have different thoughts.”

“You’re frightened,” stated Trak.

“I am. But I’m also filled with thoughts of vengeance. I have no way to give it but I’m consumed by it.”

“Miss Jenna,” said Angel, “the man across the street is taken care of. His people won’t find him.” She eyed Trak who just stared at the woman, trying to reassure her that all would be well.

“They’ll send more and blame me. They’ll make it worse for me.”

“You’ll come with us,” said Trak. She stared at the strange native, titling her head at his tone. These two men didn’t make her fearful, instead made her feel as though she would be alright.

“Come with us, child,” said Irene. “You’ll be safe on our property and no one will know where you are. If you need legal help, we can provide it.”

“That would be helpful,” she said shaking her head. “My lawyer informed me yesterday that he didn’t think handling my case was a good idea. He said that I wasn’t listening to his advice and if I wanted him to stay, I had to do what he told me.

“I’m not doing what he tells me. I refuse. I would have to find another lawyer and that only delays the trial again. I’m not sure how much longer I can do this.” Her hands were shaking and tears rolled down her cheeks.

“Then come with us now,” said Irene. “You’ll be safe, we have attorneys that can help you, and we’ll fight this with you. These men are trouble and we believe they’ll be lookin’ for trouble around New Orleans, real soon. Let my boys keep you safe.”

“What if I put you in danger?” she asked. Angel and Trak both gave a small smile, shaking their heads.

“It’s not possible.”

“I think you underestimate these men. They’ve made my life a living hell for the last six months and I am a woman who has studied hell intimately.” Irene gently gripped her hand, hoping she wouldn’t pull away.

“Then let’s give you back a little peace and a slice of heaven.”