Page 113 of Being Lost

I hold up one finger to Pennywise and turn back to Dan. “I’m trusting you. Don’t let me down.”

“I won’t.” His reply is spoken seriously. As I get up to go see what Pennywise wants, I notice Dan wasting no time and is hovering, waiting to catch the eye of the sergeant-at-arms.

Pennywise wants to go over something again. He’s not the last either. The next few hours pass in a flurry of discussions with one person, then another. I don’t mind, the more we go over it, the better prepared we’ll be if something goes wrong.

I have to admit I’ve got more of a spring in my step today. My fears and uncertainties about being the right man for Prez had dissipated when the men showed such faith in me. If they believe in me, maybe it’s time I should believe in myself. As I answer questions left, right and centre, I become surer of the outcome tonight. It’s too much to hope we’ll actually be able to get our hands on Alder, but we’ll damage his operation to ensure he sits up and takes notice. Then, when I’ve got him where I want him, I’ll reel him in.

I slap more than a few backs and get mine slapped in return. The mood is one of anticipation, adrenaline starting to build in our veins.

I talk to Curtis with Salem beside me. The prospect seems to take it as an honour he’s being included in some of the information we’re not sharing with Wrangler, but then, he’s been prospecting for longer. I relieve him of the prospecting duties so he’s got a chance to get his head around exactly what we need him to do. Hovering, I’m pleased to see him listening carefully to, then asking questions of Salem who I notice is still walking with a fucking limp. But he insists he’ll strap it up and will be good to go tonight.

Dan, well, he impresses me too. Though nobody’s asked him, seeing Wrangler struggling to keep everyone in fresh beers, he busies himself helping the prospect, replenishing tables and taking away empties and, because of what’s coming tonight, we’re turning a blind eye to people smoking inside for once, keeping the ash trays clean.

The ash trays that remind me of Smoker.

We’re coming to get you, Brother. Not leaving you alone any longer than we can help.

When I snag a sandwich for myself, I take a moment to pull Patsy toward me, and like we spent the night, holding her cheek against my chest for a moment. She gives me strength, and a purpose, allowing me to take comfort from her. Something, someone to come home to. In a brief moment of quiet contemplation, I realise this is what I’ve been missing all my life.

After a hard day I’d pull myself back up and go home to keep Kim happy and satisfied, seeing that all her needs were met and catered to. Patsy’s already showing she’s different. She’s made sure I’ve had enough to eat—all my brothers as well come to that, seeing a second round of sandwiches was needed and making them without being asked. She’s not asking for information that I’m unable to give her, as though she’s decided that now I’m set on a course she won’t be able to change it, relieving me of extra pressure of justifying myself to her.

When I finally have to leave, she pulls herself up a little straighter, looks me in the eye and tells me to come back as soon as I can. No pleading, no tears, no begging to change something she can’t influence. My eyes linger on her a moment before I walk out the door.

My phone rings as I reach my bike. I take it out and answer it.

“Prez.”

“Deuce. What’s up?”

“Kink came out for a smoke. I walked past and pretended to tie up my shoelace. He doesn’t know what Niran was talking about. The food’s crap and the service poor and sloppy. Reboot hasn’t been recognised—he says it’s a whole different team working tonight, except for the manager. There are three waiters from what he can see, no female waitstaff. And he saw two more in the kitchen when he went to the head.”

“Thanks Deuce. That’s useful to know. Did Kink have anything else for you?”

“That’s it. They’re staying as long as they can before they get kicked out.”

I end the call and beckon the brothers around me. “Kink’s reported back. The staff are all different tonight. Five men and the manager. That’s all he’s been able to see.”

“There were five there last night too.” Salem meets my eye. “Five men, including the one who killed Smoker.”

“So eleven in total?”

“And whoever’s coming with the illegals through the tunnel,” I warn them not to forget. But there’s seventeen of us not including Curtis, our lookout. Salem’s strapping around his ankle has seemed to do the trick, and he’s barely limping as he strides to his bike. But he’d have to be half dead before he’d agree to being left behind. I’m just glad I’m not a man down as it looks like we could outnumber them. But I won’t be taking that to the bank until we’re certain.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Lost

We’ve been over our strategy so many times as soon as we arrive at the spot where we’re going to park up, men pile out of the trucks or dismount their bikes and assemble in the groups we’d agreed on.

Salem puts himself in charge of distributing guns and extra ammunition, as well as Kevlar vests. The guns had been brought in the trucks to avoid men riding bikes being stopped and found to be carrying, no one wanted to be dragged off to jail tonight. As men took their equipment, they handed over their cuts, more than one folding theirs carefully, and caressing it before giving it up. A lump comes into my throat as I hope all will be riding home wearing their colours by the time we’ve wrapped this up.

Niran and Grumbler are leading one team who’ll be going to the auto-shop. Their part of the plan is to take out the men guarding the captives. When it’s safe, they’ll free who they find there, get them into the same trucks used by the traffickers, and on my signal, take them to a hospital and drop them off. That part can’t happen too early as we want no one to be tipped off while the body count is still rising.

Grumbler himself has insisted he’ll take custody of Smoker’s body, and I’m happy to assign him that task, knowing he’ll treat our fallen brother with the respect he deserves.

I’m accompanying Dart and the rest of the brothers who’ll be concentrating on the restaurant itself. Again, our plan is to dispose of the men waiting for whoever’s coming through that tunnel tonight. Then, once the trapdoor is opened, the final piece will fall into place.

Will we get Alder?According to Shark, he could be there if he’s going to check the merchandise himself, but I think it’s unlikely. Still, my heart beats faster at the thought of going home to Patsy and telling her her problems are over forever.One day soon, if I have my way, I’ll be telling her exactly that.

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