The Originals (Ghosttown Riders #10)

Chapter Eleven

The owner forced her to sit down at the counter and offered her a drink, but Meg’s panic was increasing by the second. Her elbows were resting on the Formica, and her face was in her hands. It had been fifteen minutes since Jack had called. None of his instructions made sense. Why wasn’t Mick coming for her? He promised.

The owner had done periodic checks out the window with his rifle at his side. He forbid her to get close. The bikers were still sitting across the street with their lights off and watching the diner. It was as if they were taunting her that any second they’d come for her.

“You know this van?”

Meg jerked her head and slipped off the stool. She slowly and cautiously walked closer, peering out the door window. As Jack promised, a white van had pulled up to the curb. It was too dark to make out the driver.

“You know them?” He asked and she nodded.

The owner grabbed the lock but stilled.

“You sure you know who this is?”

No. But she’d trust Jack. What other choice did she really have?

“Yes,” she whispered.

He turned the lock and opened the door. “I’ll watch you.”

Meg took a deep breath and ran across the ten feet of sidewalk. The door flew open, and she jumped in. She slammed the door, immediately pushed the lock down, and turned in her seat.

“I would ask you how it’s going, but I think I already know.”

Meg let out a laugh, which could only be described as relief. “Hi, Tully.”

He winked, and the van started rolling. “Let’s get you out of here.”

Meg wasn’t breathing easy, but at least she felt semi-safe. From her position in the van, she couldn’t see the bikers and had no way of knowing if they were following them. They made it halfway down the road when she heard Tully mutter, “Come on, boys.”

What?

“Are they following us?” Meg quickly looked in her mirror but couldn’t see much. She turned in her seat, and from the corner of her eye, she saw movement in the back of the van. She leaned past her seat and gasped. There were two club members seated in the back. They didn’t even look at her. She glanced over at Tully.

He kept looking in his rearview mirror with a stern scowl. Then his lips curled in a devious smirk.

“They are now.”

Her heart dropped to her stomach, and she pressed her head against the seat, closing her eyes. Oh God. She was trying her best to stay calm but not having much luck. She pressed her hand to her heart, willing it to slow down.

“Give me a number.”

She blinked open her eyes and looked over at Tully, but his gaze was trained on the road and rearview mirror.

“Nine.” The man in the back paused. “Make that thirteen.”

Thirteen what? She quickly glanced down at her mirror. She couldn’t get an exact number but there was a cluster of single headlights behind them. Meg froze, staring at the lights. Thirteen of them and only three of Ghosttown in the van.

“What are we going to do?” she asked.

Tully kept driving but reached out and patted her knee.

“You’re going to relax.”

Meg scoffed, but before she could say anything, Tully glanced over with a smile. “You’re gonna try. And you’re gonna trust us.” He arched his brow. “And Mick.”

She nodded, biting on the inside of her mouth. They drove for what felt like forever, and she tried to calm her nerves by looking out the window. She realized Tully had been basically driving all through town but never leaving.

“How many?”

“Still at thirteen. I think this is all of them.”

Tully nodded and turned at the next corner, heading out of Turnersville. It was a straight shot to Ghosttown. As the town disappeared in the background, the woods engulfed the van. They were narrow backroads and winding. There were a few paved roads off the main one. Years ago, they’d planned on building homes in subdivisions and prepped the entrances with streets and curbs, but nothing ever came of it. Turnersville was not a hotspot for growth. The builders quickly found that out and claimed bankruptcy. The land was never built on and became a wood haven again.

When Tully turned off on one of those roads, she sat up in her seat.

“This doesn’t lead anywhere. It’s a dead end.”

“I know that,” he said.

“Then why are we going down it?”

“Because they don’t know that.”

What? She looked around the area but couldn’t see a thing. It was pitch black. Then the van came to a stop and all the bikes circled around it.

“You trust us, right?” Tully asked.

She slowly nodded.

“Good. Now, we’re gonna get out.”

She immediately started shaking her head. There was no obvious escape since they were blocked. Why would they get out of the only protection they had?

Tully reached out, grabbing her hand. “Trust Mick.”

“He’s not even here!” she snapped.

The corner of Tully’s mouth spiked. “Yeah, he is. They’re all here.”

What?

Tully grabbed his door handle and got out. The two men in the back did the same through the van doors. All that was left was her. She looked out her window and saw the bikers getting off their motorcycles. One of the Ghosttown members came into her view, and he lifted his chin at the lock and mouthed, “Open it.”

With a shaky hand, she unlocked the door, and he opened it. She slid out, and immediately the other member was at her side. They walked to the front of the van, meeting up with Tully.

The members of Satan’s Hex spread out around the van, leaving no room for an escape. It reminded her of the fight at the festival. Ghosttown had displayed the same choreography.

From a darker corner she heard a maniacal laugh before the member walked closer. She recognized him and immediately started shaking. He was the same man Mick had beaten up.

“Isn’t this ironic? Last time it was three of ours versus ten of yours. Looks like the tables have turned.”

He glanced over at Meg, and she shrank behind Tully.

“Mick couldn’t even come get you himself, huh? And only sent three brothers for you?” He raised his brows mockingly. “Guess the pussy ain’t that great after all.”

Her breathing labored, but she kept her gaze on the man. If Tully was telling the truth, then where was Mick? As if she willed it to fruition, she heard a loud, sharp whistle. She jerked her head, looking around, but it was so dark she could barely see ten feet in front of her.

“What the fuck was that?”

Tully laughed, gaining all their attention.

“Backup. You wanted Mick? Well, you’re gonna get him and a few of his friends.”

Suddenly, the street was lit up like the sun coming in from every direction. At least fifty single headlights.

****

Lying in wait.

Mick wasn’t one hundred percent sold on the plan. He fought against it several times even after Tully and the others had left. Grain had to physically stop him from taking off after her—twice. It was maddening putting her safety in anyone else’s hands. Even the men he trusted with his own life. Meg’s was more important to him.

Mick kept his eyes trained on the entrance of the road. They had the would-be cul-de-sac strategically bordered from fifty feet away on the hill. Every member of the club had been called in to surround the perimeter. Double the men were stationed near the entrance. As soon as they arrived, they would barricade them in. None of Satan’s Hex would be walking away this time.

“How long has it been?” Mick asked, tapping his foot on the ground.

“About forty minutes.”

“Fuck,” Mick muttered and balled his fists. “Should have went myself.”

Mick’s bike was next to Jack, who shook his head. “This is a classic setup. And you’ll get your revenge. Take em’ all on if you want. But we ain’t leaving until they show up.” Jack angled his head, scowling. “And they will fucking show up.”

It was rare Mick doubted anything Jack told him. He had blind trust for his president, and it had never steered him wrong.

“I see lights coming in.”

Mick jerked his head to the entrance and squinted. They were faint but visible. He heard the motorcycles before the van even came into view.

“How many?” Jack asked.

It was a relay by telephone, as the brother at the far end sent back a number. Grain was on the other side of Jack and answered, “Thirteen.”

Ghosttown had six times the manpower and bodies. It wouldn’t be a fair fight. They didn’t earn it. Mick watched the van pull into the center of the road while the motorcycles surrounded the vehicle. The plan had worked, but they still weren’t out of danger just yet.

Most clubs didn’t carry on their bikes. But this wasn’t a ride. They were out for blood and could all possibly be packing guns. I am. Mick had no intention of using it unless it was of dire need. He didn’t need a weapon. I’m going to kill you with my bare fucking hands.

Tully got out of the van, then the back door opened, and the other two got out, walking on the side of the van. He noticed one stop at the passenger door, but Meg didn’t get out immediately. His heart pumped hard, knowing she was probably scared out of her mind. He stood, but Jack grabbed his arm and shook his head.

Seconds later, she came into sight. His brothers were protecting her on all sides as they made their way to the front of the van. The voices echoed but were slightly muffled, making it hard to hear everything, but one specific phrase stood out as if being blasted in his ears.

“Guess the pussy ain’t that good after all.”

Mick clenched his fists, squared his jaw, and whispered in a guttural tone. “Now, Jack.”

Seconds later, Jack whistled. It was the sign to count backward from ten. Ten seconds later, every member turned on their lights, illuminating the street below. They all got off the bikes and walked down the embankment. Mick purposely kept his eyes on the members of Satan’s Hex. He wasn’t risking any of them taking a shot at Meg, knowing they were cornered.

Mick walked side by side with Jack, stopping only a few feet away from the familiar face and taking charge. Before anyone said a word, Mick spoke, glaring at the man at center stage.

“I let you walk away.”

Grain laughed. “Those fuckers crawled, brother.”

True. But a mere technicality. Contrary to what Meg thought, Mick had shown mercy that night. But not this time. Mick stared back. “You only get that once from me.”

“Think this is a fair fight?”

Mick arched his brow. “About as fair as you coming for my woman.”

“We didn’t fucking touch her.”

Mick glanced over at Meg, who was visibly shaking with her eyes darting around to all the men.

“That true, sweetheart?”

Her gaze shifted, wide-eyed and scared. When she finally met Mick’s stare, her eyes welled, and she nodded.

Mick turned back to the biker with a menacing grin. “In that case, I won’t torture you before I kill you. How’s that for fair?”

A few members of Satan’s Hex were realizing their fate and were in desperation mode. They tried to make a run for it, but none got past his brothers. Some were pushed and wrangled, and another punched, landing on the ground. This was starting quicker than he’d anticipated. He turned around to one of the prospects and lifted his chin toward the van.

“Get her outta here,” Mick snapped.

Meg was immediately whisked away into the van. He watched as it reversed and her eyes stared back at him. He’d wait. She didn’t need to see this. The van disappeared into the darkness, and Mick drew in a breath. He turned around and smiled, focusing on the member of Satan’s Hex who he’d allowed to walk away.

You’re fucking mine.