Page 25 of Stone

“Sasha will be fine,” she reiterates as if reading my mind. I do a volley of quick nods before turning on my heels to go. “Mr. Stone,” she calls out when I get almost to the door. “Be careful.”

“Anyone would think you cared,” I snigger back at her, my lips curling at one side.

“Only on Sasha’s behalf,” she quips after me as I leave the house.

ChapterSeventeen

Stone

It takes me only four minutes to get my ass down to the clubhouse, but according to Smoke, who’s already sat in the passenger seat of the black Ford T-series van, I took my goddamn time. I take the second passenger seat up front and glance over to Diesel, who’s taken the wheel.

“So, bring me up to speed,” I direct at Smoke.

“We’re paying an unannounced visit to a warehouse west of Tahoe Industrial Park. Ghost has been staking it out for a couple of days now and is already there waiting on us.” Smoke being Smoke giving no fucks that we have to breathe in his toxic fumes, lights up a tab. “According to Ghost, it’s full of the shit the Irish were putting out on the streets months ago before we paid them a visit.”

“Any sign of Jimmy Dunne?” I enquire.

“Not as yet, but Ghost seems to think that it won’t take much to get the assholes that are guarding the place to give up the information on his whereabouts.”

“What are the numbers?” I ask so I know what we’ll be facing once we go in.

“He counted three covering the perimeter and at least seven inside,” Smoke informed. “The guys are in the of the van with enough guns and ammo for what we need,” Diesel cut in. “The rest of our brothers are staying back in case this is a setup, and the clubhouse is a target.”

“I was thinking that Blackjack and Mayhem should be able to take out the three on the outside before they even get a hint that we’re here. Then the both of us along with Edge, Crave and Hurricane will make our way inside while they cover us, in case we get any unexpected visitors.”

“Sounds good,” I agree. “But let’s not go in all guns blazing. We need to leave at least two of them alive so we can get them talking.”

“Agreed,” Smoke exhaled. “We need to know if Jimmy has returned from Ireland after licking his wounds. If he has, then we need to be on alert.”

“The Irish are renowned for biding their time before they start retaliating,” I nod in agreement, “and it’s quite some time since we wiped out a number of his family, including his brother.”

“Yeah,” Smoke concurs, “but those cunts usually play the long game, waiting years before they raise their fucking ugly heads.”

“True, but if Jimmy was behind my brothers murder, then hasn’t he already got retribution?” I growl.

“Knowing what I know about the Dunne’s they’ll be looking to even up the score. They’ll still be looking to add at least another five bodies to their tally.”

“I need to know if they were behind Jacob and Savannah’s death, Smoke.” The desperation in my voice says it all. “Because if Jimmy was the one to put out the hit, then I’m going to make him pay.”

“Don’t worry, Stone, we’ll get to the truth one way or another, and whoever was behind their death, you will get your pound of flesh.”

* * *

The drive takesus around thirty minutes, give or take. When we pull onto the track that leads to the warehouse building, Diesel flicks off the lights so we don’t advertise our arrival. Another two hundred yards, and Mayhem and Blackjack slip open the side door and disappear into the night. Head to toe in black, rifles strapped to their back, handguns tucked into the back of their pants. Off to get in position so they can take out the external security.

We’re far enough away that we’re out of sight, so the rest of us get out of the van except for Wolf, who stays back and takes Diesel’s place at the wheel in case we need a quick getaway.

We grab our weapons from the back of the van. I already have my Glock tucked into the back of my pants and an M9 military knife strapped to my leg, so all I need to pick up is an M4 rifle. Most of the other guys favor the Armalite AR-15, but after using M4s while in the Marines, I’m so comfortable with them that holding one is as natural as wearing a glove.

This is where I take the lead. Despite Smoke being the boss, and also having a military background, he’s more than happy for me to co-ordinate our assault.

“I know that I don’t really need to say this, but check your phones are on silent, no vibration, and we only communicate that way if your life depends on it or after we have the situation under our control.”

Crave shoves his hand in his pocket and pulls out his cell. A flash of guilt gives him away, as well as the speed of his fingers across the screen of the gadget.

“Sorry, Stone,” he groans.

“There’s always fucking one,” Smoke tsks.

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