AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter One
Yarder
I laid there amidst the chaos, the world around me engulfed in rubble, smoke, and the deafening roar of the garage exploding. Somehow, I had managed to shield Poppy from the worst of it, but my ears were ringing, and my head was swimming.
Moments later, Pirate, Stretch, and Aero emerged from the clubhouse, their faces etched with concern and confusion as they stood over us. Pirate’s voice cut through the haze, sharp and urgent, “What the hell happened?” he demanded.
Aero’s question followed suit, laced with worry and anger, “Are you fucking okay?” he yelled over the din.
I struggled to make sense of their words, my mind still reeling from the blast. “I’m... I think so,” I managed to mumble, glancing down at Poppy to ensure she was unharmed. She was awake and didn’t appear to be hurt, but I couldn’t be sure.
As they helped us to our feet and began to uncover us from the debris, the questions kept coming, mingling with the chaos of the scene. What happened? Who did this? But there were no answers, only the acrid scent of smoke and the distant wail of sirens.
Together, they guided us away from the burning wreckage, their hands steady and reassuring despite the turmoil all around us. The building was consumed by flames, a fiery beacon against the clear sky.
The rest of the club soon joined us, their faces grim as they surveyed the destruction. Cue Ball, Throttle, Dice, Fade, Compass, and Smoke, their loyalty unwavering even in the face of danger. Olive clung to Cue Ball with tears in her eyes while Sloane kneeled by Poppy to make sure she was okay, and Dove worriedly watched the garage burn faster.
I could feel the adrenaline wearing off, leaving behind a dull ache and a thousand questions. I wanted to know who had done this, but there was no time to dwell on the attack. Poppy needed medical attention, and we had to do everything we could to salvage what we could of the garage.
The EMTs descended upon us, their voices a blur as they checked us over for injuries. I tried to focus on their words, to reassure Poppy that we would be okay, but my thoughts kept drifting back to the inferno that was once the Iron Fiends Garage.
The fire trucks arrived shortly after; their sirens pierced the air as they flooded the parking lot and fought to contain the blaze. I watched helplessly as the flames danced higher, consuming everything in their path.
There wasn’t going to be anything left of the garage. It was too far gone.
And surrounded by the chaos and confusion, two questions burned brighter than the flames: Who the hell just tried to kill me? And did Poppy have anything to do with it?
Poppy
Yarder had shielded me from the explosion’s wrath, and my senses were a whirlwind of chaos—debris flew, voices shouted, and the suffocating scent of smoke. I clung to Yarder, feeling his firm grip as he pulled me away from the burning building, his friends joining in to assist. In the clamor, I caught snatches of names—Aero, Throttle—but my mind was reeling, struggling to grasp the gravity of the situation.
More figures emerged from the chaos, faces unfamiliar yet oddly connected. They must have been members of Yarder’s club, I realized, their concerned expressions mirroring my own disorientation. Among them was a woman who quickly introduced herself to me. “I’m Sloane, honey,” she called softly as she kneeled down beside me. Her kindness was a beacon among the turmoil all around me. She kept asking if I was okay, her voice a comforting presence in the midst of chaos.
“I’m... I’m Poppy,” I managed to mumble, my voice barely audible over the din.
Sloane’s eyes softened. “I’m Sloane,” she told me again. “And that’s my ol’ man, Aero.” She nodded toward a tall, lanky, but muscular-looking man who wore a vest like Yarder.
Despite the chaos, a wry smile tugged at my lips—Aero hardly looked old, but I suppose it was all a matter of perspective. “He doesn’t look much older than you,” I pointed out.
Sloane laughed softly and shook her head. “I forget most people don’t get my new biker talk unless you’re part of a club or read MC romance books.”
“Uh, MC romance?” I asked.
Sloane patted me on the shoulder. “I need to stop talking. If Aero heard me right now, he would tell me I was crazy,” she chuckled. “My love for books seems to come up no matter the situation, even when a building is burning down fifty feet from me.”
Before I could ask any more questions, paramedics descended upon us, their urgency a stark reminder of the severity of the situation. I felt Yarder’s presence beside me, his protective stance unwavering as the paramedics assessed my condition. “I’m sorry,” I whispered to him, guilt gnawing at my insides. His response was a silent nod, his eyes speaking volumes even as words escaped him.
With gentle hands, the paramedics loaded me into the ambulance, Yarder hovering close by, his concern a tangible presence. As the vehicle lurched into motion, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was all my fault, that I had somehow opened the doors into this chaos.
In the confines of the ambulance, my thoughts raced, replaying the events of the day like a broken record. It all started with a stranger’s offer—a tempting proposition laden with danger. I had hesitated, torn between loyalty to Yarder and my own safety. But fear had won out in the end, driving me to agree to the stranger’s demands.
And now, as I lay on the stretcher, battered but alive, I knew I had to make things right. This mess was of my own making, and I owed it to Yarder and his club to fix it. Determination surged within me, overshadowing the fear and guilt that threatened to consume me.
The hospital loomed into view, its sterile halls a stark contrast to the chaos I had escaped. As the paramedics rushed me inside, I made a silent vow—I would find a way to set things right, no matter the cost.
Hours passed in a blur of examinations and questions, and the hospital staff worked tirelessly to ensure my well-being. About an hour after I got to the hospital, Yarder appeared. He remained a constant presence at my side, though very silent. Eerily silent.
I had hoped Sloane would be with him, but she wasn’t. No one else from the club was there except for Yarder.
