Chapter 25: Flint

FLINT

Ileft the clubhouse after dinner and headed to my apartment to grab a few things before I went to Byte's house for the night. Thankfully, everything Shaker and Ranger requested was in their rooms at the clubhouse, saving me from driving all over town. Not that I would have minded. The driving part wasn't the issue. I wasn't exactly comfortable going into their homes and going through their personal belongings.

When I pulled into my designated parking space in front of my apartment, I immediately realized something was off. It took me a few moments to realize the welcome mat my mother bought when I moved out was folded over on itself like someone tripped on it. Then I saw movement through the blinds. Someone was in my apartment, and I had a pretty good idea who it was.

I pretended like I was looking through the center console for something while I quickly placed a call to Shaker instead of my dad. I knew Dad would tell me to leave or wait for the club to arrive, and I didn't want to take a chance of this prick getting away again.

"Hey, Flint," Shaker answered.

"I don't have time to talk. I'm at my apartment, and I'm pretty sure Chad's inside. If I'm right, we'll be headed your way shortly. Be ready," I said and ended the call before he could utter a single word.

I took in a deep breath and got out of my truck before I could really think about what I was doing. Then I unlocked my front door and stepped into my apartment. I was right. Chad was sitting on my couch with a pistol aimed directly at me.

I tried to play the part of an unsuspecting victim and raised my hands in front of me. "Who are you and what do you want?"

Chad snorted. "You know who I am."

I shook my head. "No, I don't." And that was the truth. I had no idea who he was. None of us did.

He gave me an appraising look. "I suppose that's true, but you know what I want."

I wanted to roll my eyes. I wasn't interested in playing his games, but I also didn't want to let on how much I knew. And I didn't want to piss him off and get shot. I was already walking a dangerous line.

"It'd be easier if you just told me," I said carefully.

"It'd be easier if you just told me," he said in a mocking voice.

Instead of responding, I remained silent with my hands still in the air and waited for his next move.

He huffed and walked over to where I was standing. "Turn around and put your hands behind your back. If you even think about trying anything, I'll put a bullet in your brain."

I did as he said and wondered if I was making a colossal mistake while I willingly let him tie my hands behind my back.

"Where are the keys to your truck?" he asked once he had my hands secured.

I wanted to tell him he should have asked for those first and checked me for weapons. Instead, I said, "In my right front pocket. It's a fob, not keys."

He quickly retrieved the fob and turned me toward the door. "Let's go."

In any other situation, I would've been praying one of my neighbors would see what was happening and call the police. But as I dutifully walked to my truck, I hoped no one was watching.

He tossed me into the back seat with a command to stay down and hurried around to the driver's seat. Once he was in, he didn't waste any time and peeled out of the parking lot with squealing wheels. He was either a total dumbass or didn't care about attracting attention. I voted for total dumbass.

I thought about trying to maneuver my hands to my front and then using my bindings to strangle him from behind, but that would likely result in him crashing my truck or shooting me since his hands were free. It went against everything I'd ever been taught, but I stayed quiet and patiently waited for us to arrive at Byte's house. Since I'd been there so many times, I could tell exactly where we were without being able to see out of the windows. I almost sighed in relief when he turned into Byte's driveway.

As expected, he dragged me out of the back seat and used me like a shield as he positioned himself about twenty feet away from the front porch. Once he was where he wanted to be, he yelled for Byte to come outside.

Shaker opened the door and cautiously stepped out onto the porch. "What in the hell is going on out here?"

Chad pressed his gun to my temple. "Where's Gabby?" he demanded.

"She's not up for having visitors right now," Shaker said.

Chad tensed, and I could practically feel the rage rolling off of him. "I'm not fucking around!" Chad screamed. "Send her out here, or I'm gonna kill your friend!"

Shaker raised his hands in a placating manner. "Hang on a second. Let's talk about this."

"Send her out here! Now!" he yelled and pressed the gun harder against my head.

"I'm sorry, I can't do that," Shaker said and made eye contact with me. He glanced to the ground and then back to me before he returned his attention to Chad.

"I'm fucking serious, man! If she's not out here in the next five seconds, your friend is dead!"

Shaker looked directly at me and said one word. "Drop."

I did exactly as he said and crumbled to the ground in an instant. The crack of a rifle sounded through the air not even a second later, followed by a dull thud that I felt more than heard.

Shaker leaped off the porch and pulled me to my feet. He wrapped me in a bear hug and started patting me down to check for injuries. "Holy fuck! Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I think so," I stammered.

Before I could give it any more thought, Ranger came through the front door with his trusty rifle in his hand. He walked right over to Chad, or what was left of him, to inspect his work. "Yep, I still got it."

"Was there ever any doubt?" Shaker asked.

Ranger shrugged. "No, but I try to be modest." He clapped me on the shoulder. "That was a pretty ballsy move, son. You okay?"

"I'd be better if one of you would untie me," I said.

"Oh, shit," Shaker said and pulled out his knife. "Sorry about that. Turn around."

I rubbed my wrists once I was free and was surprised at how sore they were even though I wasn't restrained for very long. "It'll take a day or two for the soreness to go away," Shaker said in a way that made me think he knew from experience. Before I could ask, the sound of motorcycle pipes and sirens approaching filled the air.

"My dad's going to be pissed," I said.

Shaker nodded. "Your dad will be, but your president will be proud. How'd you know he was in your apartment?"

"The welcome mat my mom gave me was all messed up, like someone tripped over it."

"The one you complained about?" he asked.

"Yep, that's the one. And now I'll never hear the end of how the ugly-ass welcome mat she got me saved my life, as well as yours, Ranger's, and Gabby's."

The club arrived first, with my dad leading the way. He barely managed to get his kickstand down before he was off his bike and in front of me. "You scared the shit out of me," he said as he engulfed me in a hug.

"How'd you know?" I asked.

He stepped back and shook his head as if I should've already known the answer. "I was on the phone with Ranger the whole time."

Before he could chastise me for putting myself in harm's way, Byte was shoving him out of the way and hugging me. "Thanks, brother. I fucking owe you."

"I'm just glad it worked out the way it did," I said.

"You got lucky," my dad said.

"I know," I admitted. "But I didn't have much time, and it was the only plan I could think of. I knew Ranger would have his rifle and would be able to take him out.

"I get it," he said. "I don't like it, but I get it."

"Did he say anything to you?" Byte asked.

I shook my head. "Nothing of significance. He told me not to do anything stupid, tied my hands behind my back, and drove me here. Then, he demanded they send Gabby outside. That was it."

"So we still don't know who he is or what he wanted," Byte said.

"Nope, and we can't ask him," I said, and gestured to the mess that was once Chad. Ranger had taken him out with a shot to the head and the end result was the most disgusting thing I'd ever seen.

"Do we really care?" Ranger asked.

"No, I suppose we don't," Byte said. "Gabby's safe, and that's all that matters."

One of the police officers approached with a friendly smile. "Hey, Phoenix," he said and held out his hand. "Are your guys ready to give statements?"

"Sure," my dad said and turned to me. "Tell them everything."