Page 27 of Towles

“What the fuck was your real plan, Sharp?” I asked. “You assholes following me?”

“There’s a private bounty on your head, Towles,” Sharp said. I helped the man up. “I got kids to take care of.”

“Bullshit, Sharp. You don’t have any kids.”

“It’s a lot of money, Towles, and you fucked it up.”

“The Punishers put a bounty on me? I didn’t know you guys did that shit. Can’t take care of your own business?”

Sharp chuckled and shook his head no. He pointed at April. “Her old man. He’s got ten grand for the man who puts you in the ground. Every asshole in the county is looking for you.”

“Paul?” April looked up at me. “What the fuck? I’m sorry, Ethan.”

“Get the fuck out of here, Sharp. Today isn’t your day to die.” He stared at me as if wearing concrete boots. I pushed him away. “Run before I change my mind. And if I find out you ratted on her for shooting you, I’m reneging on the promise to let you live. Now, run.”

“Watch your ass, Towles.”

Sharp took off through the bushes from where he’d appeared. Moments later, I heard the roar of bikes and listened as they headed down the road.

“I had no idea he’d do such a thing,” April said. “I’ll talk to him. This has nothing to do with you.”

“You won’t talk to him again, April. I’ll handle it because it is about me.”

I put an arm around her and raised her chin. We kissed, and although I knew we needed to leave, I never wanted to leave. It felt right. It felt good. Everyone else was fucking it up.

“He’s a jealous asshole, Ethan.” April climbed on the bike and wrapped her arms around my waist. She didn’t seem to be rattled about shooting a man. I wasn’t sure if that was good or bad.

We went straight to the club, and I let Skittles and Gigi run off with April. I joined the other officers in church.

“What happened at the river?” Beast asked.

I explained what happened, adding a smile when talking about April.

“She’s a keeper,” Big Kentucky said.

“They’re going to keep coming,” I said. “Walking into their bar and them knowing that they have Manning on their side, they feel emboldened now.”

Beast slid two photos across the table. The pictures showed the Punishers who had killed my parents. “They’re held up on a farm outside town. We counted maybe eight Prospects guarding the place. We’re going to go in the morning. First thing.”

“Means his ass has to get up,” Watcher said, pointing at Cinder.

Beast pointed at Cinder as well. “Now, you.”

Cinder stood and walked around the room, his face slack. He stopped in the far corner and crossed his arms. We all knew what he was about to say, but none of us wanted to hear it.

“Things got really fucked up one night with Kristine,” he said. He told the officers about Kristine from start to finish. Then he said something none of us ever expected. “I’ve talked to Beast. As of today, I’m going nomad.”

Several around the room protested, but Beast stopped the noise.

“Let him finish,” Beast said.

“That bitch Trixie is an FBI agent. Not like we can waste her ass.” He looked at Watcher, who everyone knew was fucking Trixie. “It’s better for the club that I do this.”

Beast grabbed his gavel. “All in favor?” Everyone raised a hand, and he hit the table. “All in favor of hitting the Punishers in the morning?” All hands went up.

“I got something, Beast,” I said. “Something I left out about what happened at the river.” Everyone stopped talking. “April’s husband put a ten-grand hit on me.” I looked around the table. “Just know, if you’re with me, you’re probably a target.”

“Fuck it,” Big Kentucky said. “We’re always targets. We’ve got your back, brother.”

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