Page 73 of Switchin' Lanes
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Tink
I wasreluctant to leave Diesel when he handed me Belle, but I know whatever is going on is serious. I make my way to the hidden passage to the bunker. It’s one of the coolest things about this clubhouse, though this is the first time I’ve ever had to hide there. The Cartel isn’t fucking around anymore and the fact that they’re trying to break through the front gate is terrifying. Who knows what will happen if they do.
As soon as we get into the bunker, I set Belle’s bag down, but keep her in my arms. The bunker is big enough to hold all the brothers and Ol’ Ladies comfortably. They have it stocked with non-perishable foods and bottled water in case we have to stay in here for multiple days.
“Aw, I didn’t know you had Belle here!” Minx walks over to us and scratches Belle’s head.
“Yeah, she was hanging out in Diesel’s room during the wedding,” I explain. “He was actually about to come feed her when Hollywood ran off.”
“Do you have her food with you? You could feed her now,” she suggests.
“Yeah, I could.” I sit down with Belle in my lap, completely frazzled. There’s always some crazy shit going on around here. Lockdowns, I’m used to. Being in the bunker, not so much. Minx sits next to me, grabbing the backpack.
“You’re not alone in this, Tink. We’re all in this together,” Minx reminds me.
“I’m glad I decided to have my parents watch Caden tonight,” Cali says, joining us on the floor.
“Yeah, that was a good call,” Minx agrees. She pulls out Belle’s food dish and the travel container that holds her food. Minx pours out a cup and fills the dish. Belle hops out of my lap and goes straight for the bowl. I lay on my side, using the backpack as a pillow.
The other girls join us after a while. We talk about how beautiful Marley and Rascal’s wedding was even though the reception was cut short. We make a promise to Marley that we’ll continue the celebration next weekend. She more than deserves it.
After what feels like hours later, Raze walks into the bunker. A grim expression covers his face. Minx jumps up and runs into his arms. He holds onto her like his life depends on it. Picking Belle up, I stand and walk over to them.
“Is it safe to go out there,” I ask Raze.
He lifts his eyes to mine without letting go of Minx. “Yeah, it is. They both are gonna need you.”
My heart drops at the sound of his words. I hurry out of the bunker and out to the front of the clubhouse. Nothing could have prepared me for the sight I was met with. The front gate is busted open. How they managed that, I’m not even sure. There are bodies all over the place.
“Tinsley, babe, what are you doin’ out here,” Hollywood asks, wrapping me in his arms.
“Raze came for Minx. He told me you would need me. What happened?” I beg.
“The Cartel was out for blood and they got it. Only, we got more.” It’s a bit vague but I get what he’s saying.
“Who on our side died?”
“Thor and Trigger.”
If Hollywood wasn’t holding me, I would have fallen to the ground at that moment. Thor and Trigger are both officers. Thor is one of the original five who started the Savage Menaces MC. From what I know, Trigger came around shortly after. He might as well have been one of the originals. All deaths around here are hard. Everyone is family. But the death of an officer, of an original, it’s going to be the hardest deaths for them to deal with.
“Where’s Diesel,” I ask Hollywood.
“Talkin’ with Butch. Lettin’ him know what went down and tryin’ to figure out what’s gonna happen next,” he explains.
“Can we wait out here for him?”
“Of course,” he says. “Let’s go sit down.”
* * *
A few days later,the energy in the clubhouse is still quite somber. Diesel, Hollywood, and I are back at our house. Diesel’s mom, Krissy, and his sister, Mila, are supposed to be coming into town today, so I’ve busied myself with cleaning and baking for them.
“Tinsley, you need to quit cleanin’ and come chill out,” Hollywood calls out from the living room. “Everything looks great and they’re gonna love you.”
I pop my head out of the kitchen, glaring at him. “But what if they don’t?”
