Nerd throws his head back in a fit of laughter. “Yeah, Ray, you’ll fit in around here. And as for my name, it’s Nick,” he chuckles.
“Nick, I like it. Why do they call you Nerd anyway? Were you one of those kids who got picked on?” I ask.
“No, I wasn’t. I actually was one of those jocks as you mention, but I didn’t pick on anyone. I’ve never condoned bullying and actually defended the nerds,” he smiles.
“Then how did you get your name?” I push.
“When I was prospecting, your uncle gave me my road name. Said I was a ‘know it all’ when it came to facts and finding anything out using my computer,” he says.
“Interesting,” I giggle and groan as pain radiates through my body.
“Why don’t you get some rest, Ray? I’ll wake you soon as I know anything, okay?” he suggests.
“That’s a good idea. I’m really tired and my body feels like I was run over by a train,” I mutter as I close my eyes.
“Stoney will get them for you” are the last words I hear before passing out.
Chapter Thirty
Stoney
You know that saying, you see your life flash before your eyes when something traumatic happens? Well, I refuse to let that happen. Fate and destiny and all that bullshit can kiss my ass.
It’s why I’m crouched down in the shrubs next to the Lucifer’s Heretics clubhouse property, lying in wait as Gadget goes to work his magic. My plan had been to grab some toys from Gadget and do this on my own with only Blaze, Coyote, and Shadow. We could have done it, but when Gadget brought out his newest toy with a smirk on his face, plans changed.
“I’ve been dying to test this baby out,” he said the moment we pulled off to the side of the road a mile away from the Lucifer’s Heretics clubhouse.
“What the hell is that thing?” Blaze asked in fascination.
“This here is my latest explosive that is designed to automatically ignite itself within a fifteen-minute time frame,” Gadget stated.
“How the hell do you know it will work?” I demanded.
“Because I may or may not have done a test trial on it in one of the abandoned houses out in the boonies near our clubhouse,” he shrugged.
Fuckin’ hell, Gadget could be nuts sometimes, but he is the best damn person to have at your back when it comes to needing explosives made quickly. Hell, the man keeps them in stock. ‘Rainy day fund’, as he’d called it.
He’d taken off with Shadow to watch his back ten minutes ago and should be back any minute. I’d seen Torben come in and out of the clubhouse, but Jackal has yet to be seen. I’ll be sure to grab him once this fucker is dealt with and I have Luca and Corinne back.
“Prez, you ready?” Coyote mutters as he points out the two figures heading our way.
“You know it. They best hope those two aren’t hurt,” I growl, pulling my gun out.
Moving quickly, knowing we have a short time limit, we run for the front door and throw it open. “Where the fuck are my kids?” I snarl, aiming my gun at the first asshole and pulling the trigger, hitting him square between his eyes.
“Who do you think you are?” another fucker yells as he stands.
“I’m your worst fuckin’ nightmare,” I grind out.
“What the fuck is going on in here?” Torben snaps as he enters the room holding Luca in his arms.
“I’ll tell you what’s going on, you asswipe. You can hand Luca over to me, then tell me where my little girl is in this piece of shit building,” I demand.
Torben laughs maniacally. “You think you can come in here and I’ll just hand you my nephew’s kids? Fuck you, motherfucker.”
Pointing my gun at one of Torben’s men, I pull the trigger. The loud noise causes Luca to start screaming.
“Prez, we need to hurry. Remember, time’s ticking,” Blaze mutters.
Nodding, I point my gun at Torben’s leg and pull the trigger. As he staggers back, I advance on him and snatch Luca out of his arms as I punch him square in the jaw. I shouldn’t be surprised how easily it was to get Luca away from him. The fucker is higher than a kite right now.
“Where the fuck is my daughter?” I snarl.
“Prez, hand Luca to me,” Horse says firmly. I know I could easily trust Luca in the hands of any of my brothers, but my son will always be my first choice.
Turning slightly, I hand Horse his little brother. “Take him outside now,” I ordered.
“You got it,” Horse says, then tells Dragon and Gadget to come with him. Those three can protect Luca while the rest of us deal with this mess.
“I won’t ask you again,” I mutter, holding my gun against the fucker’s head.
My gut tightens at the malicious grin that crosses Torben’s face. “She’s not here. In fact, I never saw the little cunt. Her uncle said he’d handle the transaction for me. Since Lucien had already sold her off, it worked for me. That little cunt should be in the hands of her owner within the next week or so. Good luck finding Jackal,” he cackles.
“You sick fucker,” I roar as I pull the trigger. Instead of killing him with a bullet to his head like I wanted, I shot him in his stomach. He’ll burn his way into hell. Turning to my brothers, I order them to maim every single one of these fuckers so no one escapes. I don’t give a rat’s ass about searching this place. Rachel told me about the bitches here, how they’re just as vile. Let them burn with the rest of them. Won’t bother me one bit.
As the four of us make our way out the front door, we hear the explosions of the three bombs Gadget set as they detonate one after another. Flames heat our backs as my brothers and I stalk to the far end of the parking lot where both my sons are.
“Where’s Corinne?” Horse asks as he hands Luca over to me.
I don’t answer right away, but rather hug Luca to my chest. “We need to find Jackal. Those fuckers sold Corinne,” I say through clenched teeth.
“What the fuck?” Dragon rasps.
“Let’s get back to the bikes. We’re gonna need to grab a rental and car seat for little man here. And I’m sure he needs to eat,” I say, needing a moment to let this fuckin’ information sink in.
Torben said Jackal was Corinne’s uncle, but that’s not possible. No, Rachel was an only child. Rosco wouldn’t have kept something like another kid from us. No, he loved Rachel to pieces and he’d have done the same for any other kids he had. Then again, what if Rachel’s bitch of a mother had another kid?
“Blaze, get Nerd on the phone. I want everything he can find on Jackal from the time he was fuckin’ born ‘til the moment he became a ghost. Also, tell him to put a mark on Jackal’s back so other clubs will be looking for him,” I order.
“Anything else I can do for you, Pops?” Horse asks.
“Not right now. Get home. If I need y’all, I’ll call. Right now, I need to get this little guy home to Rachel. She’s goin’ to lose her mind when I tell her about Corinne,” I mutter, shaking my head.
“Alright, let me know if you need anything. I’ll be here, same as every other brother you have. We’ll find that asshole and get my little sister back. I’ll also give Dean a call when I get back to the clubhouse. He should be able to help,”