Empire of Savages (Savage Hunt MC #1)

29. Alex

Chapter 29

Alex

Nick left the clubhouse with Vox walking beside him. I was still numb from his words, and from the position it now put me in. My father’s club was in the crosshairs of the Savage Hunt, and I had no idea what to do with that information. Scanning the room, none of the other men looked as if they were preparing to leave just yet, but that didn’t mean it wouldn’t happen.

I glanced down when a much smaller hand wrapped around mine. Myla was staring at me with tears sitting unshed in her eyes.

It’s going to be okay , I told her, trying to stay strong. Trying to be brave.

I can’t lose him , she replied, shaking her head. I can’t lose my brother on top of losing my parents. I can’t.

Pulling her into my arms, I did my best to soothe her, but the noise of the room was grating on my nerves. Holding her away from me, I signed, Do you want to go and see Nick’s dog?

She sniffled, quickly wiping her hand under her nose. Nick has a dog?

Steering her by the shoulders, I led the way down the hall, explaining, His name is Lucifer, and he is the biggest softie you’ll ever meet.

Why is his name Lucifer? We walked down the hallway slowly, weaving around the members of the Hunt as they prepared. My anxiety pitched up another notch, but I refused to let it take over.

Letting out a deep breath, I said, I actually don’t know. After entering Nick’s room, I introduced Myla to Lucifer, then made sure they were okay before I went into the bathroom and pulled out my phone.

With shaking hands, I pulled up the chat chain I had with Hayes. The last time I’d willingly reached out to him had been over three years ago—around the same time my mother’s death had rocked me to my core. What I was contemplating went against everything I swore I wouldn’t do. When I’d left all those years ago, I’d made a promise to protect myself by never getting involved with my father and his club again, and now, here I was on the precipice of breaking that promise.

The Savage Hunt were going to attack them, and if the level of destruction they reaped on them was what I thought it was, they were going to be wiped out completely. It wasn’t my father who I was concerned for. He could rot in hell for all I cared. But it was Hayes who I needed to protect. He was the only one—beside my brother—who had believed me. Unfortunately, he’d only been a prospect at the time and was unable to do anything except aid my brother in his retribution.

He had my back then, and now, I had to have his. Inhaling sharply through my nose, I let it out in a rushed exhale through my mouth and began to type.

When I emerged from the bathroom, Myla was sitting cross-legged on the floor, Lucifer lying beside her with his head in her lap. She absently stoked the dog’s head as she read.

I tapped her on the shoulder. Where’d you find the book? I asked.

It was on the nightstand. She flashed me the front. It had a portrait of a black comedian on the cover, and I recognized him from a comedy cop show I used to watch. Myla added, It’s pretty good for an autobiography.

I’m glad you’re enjoying it.

She closed the book and looked at me. How long will we be locked down for?

Stepping closer, I lowered myself to the floor as well, reaching out to scratch Lucifer on the head. He made a satisfied groaning sound before shutting his eyes once more. I honestly don’t know.

Have you ever been in a lockdown before?

I nodded. A long time ago.

How long did it last?

From memory, about two days. Us kids were all crammed into the clubhouse while the moms cooked and cleaned and tried to keep everyone’s spirits up.

Myla stared down at the floor, then slowly began to sign, I don’t know if I can stay in here for two days. I’m already going a little crazy, and I don’t like being away from Vox.

I get that. But it’ll be over soon, and when it’s safe again, we’ll all go back to our normal lives.

There was a knock on the door, quickly followed by a woman sticking her head into the room. She was one of the club member’s old ladies. “You girls hungry? We’ve made some fried chicken to tide everyone over.”

I looked at Myla. Hungry?

I could eat.