Page 22 of Rattler
“The twins said something about a shooting range out back?”
“Yes.If you want to practice, just let me know and I can get it for you.Or the twins can, they know where the keys are.You need someone with you to use the range.Buddy system.Only patched members are allowed to use it alone.”
I smiled wryly.“For a gang of outlaw bikers, you have a lot of rules.”
Rattler shook his head.“You’re confusing us with the one-percenters.We’re bikers, but we mostly stay within the law.Hell, we’re more of a high-end security force than what you think of when you saybiker.”
That made sense.I’d never understood why my brother Jack was so enthusiastic about joining a biker gang, but I’d based that on movies and books where the bikers were basically mafia on wheels.These guys were different.
“So you’ll take care of the gun?”I was actually relieved I didn’t have to worry about it anymore.
He nodded.“No problem.”
Just then, a loud noise erupted from somewhere below us.It sounded like a bomb going off.Rattler jumped to his feet.
“What the fuck!”
* * *
Rattler
Lily looked pissed, and the kitten made a dive for the safety of the backpack.“If that’s Tim, I’m going to kill him myself.I’m done with being scared!”She made a move toward the bathroom where the gun was hidden.
I put my arm out to stop her.She looked adorable, all five foot two of her glaring up at me.I had to fight the urge to grin.
“Get the gun if it makes you feel better, but keep the safety on.Stay here while I go check it out and lock the door.Don’t let anyone in until I come back.”
I checked my own gun in the shoulder holster and raced to the door.Throwing it open.I pivoted to reinforce my last order.“I mean it.Do not open this door until I tell you it’s safe.”
I had the feeling she was done taking orders from a man,anyman, but I fucking hoped her sense of self-preservation would have her locking the damn door behind me.
Beast and Shadow were already racing toward the stairwell, guns drawn.
“Not so fast,” I snarled.
Both men paused to look at me, brows drawn down in mute question.
“If this is a fucking attack, they’re going to be watching the stairs, just waiting for someone stupid enough to come running so they can pick you off before you see them.”I looked around.“Anyone else up here?”
“Just my girls, and they know to stay put.”Beast’s gaze darted around the narrow hallway, searching for threats.“They have guns if they need to defend themselves.Your woman safe?”
It felt good that he called Lily my woman.“Told her to keep the door locked, and she has a gun too.Just in case.”
He nodded.I’d explain the gun later.I picked up a boot someone had left outside a doorway and tossed it down the staircase.It bounced its way to the bottom, thumping loudly on each step it hit.We all stood rigid, expecting to hear a rain of gunfire.
Nothing.
Dead silence.
I didn’t smell smoke or anything to indicate explosives had been used.
Picking up the other boot.I tossed it after the first.
Same result.Nothing.
I nodded at Beast.“One at a time.I go first.Then Shadow.You bring up the rear.”
They both nodded.We’d done this hundreds of times before on active duty with the SEALs.It wasn’t something you forgot.We all knew the routine, the risks, how to cover each other’s butts.
