Page 32 of Mason

“Damn straight.” I swing off the bike, boots hitting the gravel with a thud that echoes in my head. The front door looms ahead, dark and yawning like it’s ready to swallow us whole. But I don’t hesitate. Can’t afford to.

It’s not just about me—it’s about family. The Iron Reapers. And for family, you fight until your last damn breath.

“Move in,” I signal, and we advance, shadows blending into the darkness. Every nerve in my body is buzzing, every musclewound tight. Walker’s gonna pay for what he’s done, and tonight’s the night we make sure of it.

We breach the entrance, and the stench of motor oil and sweat slaps us in the face. It’s too quiet. But we’re ready. We were born for moments like this.

“Watch your six,” Dagger mutters, and I can hear the excitement in his voice. No fear. Just the thrill.

“Always do.”

We push forward, one step at a time, every sense on high alert. This is it. The final showdown. And I swear on everything we’ve lost, Walker’s going down.

Tonight, the Iron Reapers ride into hell—and we’re not looking back.

Walker's crew bursts from the hideout like hellhounds unleashed, guns blazing a deadly welcome. We're on them in a heartbeat—returning fire, our bullets singing the song of retribution.

"Cover!" I bark, and we scatter, diving behind rusted-out cars and chunks of concrete that litter this forsaken place. Adrenaline surges through my veins.

"Pres!" Dagger's voice cuts through the cacophony, cool and steady. "Three o'clock—high ground!"

I snap my head up, catching sight of a sniper perched like some damn vulture waiting. Not today. My aim is true, a single shot echoing into the chaos, and the sniper drops instantly.

"Got him," I growl back, the words almost lost in the roar of gunfire.

With every slug that slams into metal, every shout and curse flung across the no man's land between us, the weight of what's at stake anchors heavy in my chest. This is more than a fight—it's a war for the soul of our streets, our lives.

EIGHTEEN

CARLIE

Back at the clubhouse,I’m pacing, my hands twisting together so hard my knuckles are bone-white. The silence feels like a weight, pressing down on me, drowning out everything except the violent images in my head—images of Mason out there, caught in the chaos. My heart pounds erratically, praying he and his boys make it out of this.

The sudden ring of the phone slices through the stillness, sharp and jarring. I practically leap for it, my breath catching in my throat.

“Hello?” My voice trembles, the fear creeping in even though I try to keep it steady.

“Carlie, it’s Skinner.” His voice is low, serious. “Mason asked me to call you.”

My heart skips. Mason asked him? Why? My mind spins with possibilities, none of them good. “What’s going on?” I manage, my throat tight.

“It’s started,” Skinner says, his tone as steady as ever, like he’s done this a thousand times before. “Mason’s leading the charge, just like we thought.”

My stomach clenches. “Is he okay?” I blurt out, not even able to control the words. I’m terrified of what the answer might be.

“He’s fine,” Skinner reassures me, but there’s a weight behind his words. “He’s doing what he always does—taking care of business. Told me to make sure you knew he’s got this.”

The fact that Mason thought to send word to me—it’s both a relief and a fresh stab of fear. “He asked you to call me?” My voice cracks on the question.

“Yeah,” Skinner says, softer now. “He knew you’d be worried. Said he’s coming back to you, just like always.”

I squeeze my eyes shut, holding onto those words like they’re the only thing keeping me upright. “Please,” I whisper, the plea slipping out before I can stop it. “Just keep him safe. Don’t let anything happen to him.”

“You know Mason,” Skinner replies. “He’s a tough bastard. He’ll be alright. We’ll make sure of it.”

But even though he’s trying to reassure me, it feels thin, like hope that could snap at any second. I clutch the phone tighter, trying to hold onto whatever shred of calm I have left.

“Keep me updated,” I say, forcing my voice to stay steady.

---