Page 56 of Chef
“Oh wow,” River whispers, eyes glued to the front windshield.
We all stare straight ahead, eyes on the giant blonde viking who has just let out a war cry and kicked open the doors to the clubhouse.
“OK. Looks like we’re doing this.”
Omen
I have no idea where the fuck River is, but I know where he isn’t. I’ve checked Church, his and Nell’s place, and now I’m headed to the cabin he had at the beginning. Where he lived by himself before Nell took him in. She’s a good woman. Super fucking timid, but I can’t blame her. I’ve seen her and her daughter’s file.
Looking around, I dart across the grassy area between the cabins. Gun fire is sounding out on the other side of the Keep, and I know I have fuck all time to find this kid before that gun fire finds me. Reaching the door, I knock gently, before trying the handle.
“Yo, River?” I hiss out as the door swings open.
The main room is empty save for a second hand couch and a coffee table. I dart my gaze around the room, noting everything I see. Or don’t see, in this case. River isn’t here. Before I turn to head out the door, I decide to do a quick sweep through the rest of the small home. The kitchen is clear, so is the bathroom. Thebedroom door is closed, but that doesn’t stop me rapping my knuckles quietly against the wood door.
“River?”
Turning the handle I push the door, letting it gently swing inwards.
“Holy shit.” I breathe as my gut drops into my ass.
I stand there and just…stare.
There, on the largest wall in the room is a mess of photos, names, notes, fucking string and question marks. There’s so much going on that I can’t focus on any one thing, not until I see my own face staring back at me. I remember that day. I was laughing with Damian over some stupid shit. Now, I’m on this weird as fuck wall with a creased yellow post-it note stuck to my picture. Stepping closer and uncurling the bottom of the post-it reveals a simple question mark. That’s it.
Shaking my head I step back, wondering what the fuck the kid has gotten himself into. Sliding my phone from my pocket I wake up the screen, scrolling to find my brother’s name.
A bang too close for comfort has me dropping to the ground, phone forgotten as I slide my gun from the back of my jeans, and lie in wait. Whatever the fuck is going on here can wait, I need to help secure my club.
Chapter Twenty One
Dex
“Prez!”
“I fucking know!” I bellow over the sound of gun fire.
Those fuckers have us pinned down in the clubhouse and I can’t get a hold of Omen. Who knows where the fuck River is, and for that matter, Damian and Justice.
“I don’t know how long we’ll be able to hold them, Prez,” Sniper says in a low voice from where he’s taking cover close to the basement door.
Gritting my teeth I check my clip. Something has to give, and I think it will be me drawing the gunfire away. We’ve got four Ashfall cocksuckers on the other side of the common room, hiding behind the pool table. Sniper, Flack, Vex and I are pinned behind the bar. Omen is outside somewhere, TumTum is on the roof with his rifle,and last check in, Saint was near the gatorsand the Matrix twins are downstairs with the guests. Although I’m not sure how much help they would have been up here anyway.
“The prophet only wants what belongs to him!”
“Fuck off!” Vex growls, lifting his hand in the air and firing in the direction of the voice.
“God has called her home! Don’t stand in His way!” another voice calls.
“Fuck!” Vex hisses. “I got three rounds left.”
“Six,” Sniper replies.
“Four.” Flack adds.
They all look at me, and I shake my head. They don’t need to know how bad it’s looking for us. Even with the extra clips I usually carry, there were more Ashfall men than we were expecting.
Vex curses under his breath, shaking his head. “What’s our play? We got people downstairs we gotta protect.”
