Chapter Twenty-Seven
The Night Rebelsarrived in Pinewood Springs early that morning, stopping at Ruthie’s Diner for some breakfast before going to the Insurgents’ clubhouse. After Steel put his order in, he slipped out back and called Breanna. She picked up on the first ring.
“I miss you already,” she said.
He pictured her twirling her hair around her finger as she usually did when she was on the phone. “I’ve only been gone five hours.” He chuckled. “You warm me good, woman.”
“I’m just getting ready to take Chenoa to school. You wanna talk to her?”
“Yeah. Put her on.” Chenoa’s soft voice sang through the phone. “Hey, sunshine. Did Breanna fill you in?”
“Yup. She said you’re on business and will be home soon. When’s soon, Dad?”
“A few days, give or take, so you’re gonna stay with your mom. You good with that?”
“Yeah. That’s cool.”
“Remember to stay away from your reservation friends. I know it’s gonna be hard ’cause they’re right there, but you know their influence is bad. It’s just gonna be for a few days.”
“I know. I’ll stay away.”
“If anything comes up or you’re feeling stressed or whatever the fuck it is, you call me. Don’t do anything until you call me.”
“Ya… sure. I gotta finish getting ready or I’ll be late for school.”
“Okay. Love you, sunshine.”
“Me too, Dad. Bye.”
“Are you still there?” Breanna asked, coming back on the line.
“Yeah. You take care of yourself. I’ll call when I can.”
“You take care too. Did… uh… did you mean what you said earlier about wanting a baby?”
“Fuck yeah. I want our baby growing in you.” He frowned. “You don’t want that?”
“I never thought about it, but I do. I’d love it.” She giggled.
“Then we’ll work on it when I get back. Love you, babe.”
“I love you too. I better go, Chenoa’s calling for me. Please come home safe.”
He stared at the blank screen for a few seconds. When he’d told her he wanted her to have his baby, it had just come out of him. It’d surprised the hell out of him, but he supposed it was the impending war that made him blurt it out. He never thought he’d love another woman after Mika. It’d been so long since his heart had felt love for a woman that it took him by surprise. He’d never thought about having another child, but now that Breanna was in his life, he wanted to share it with her. He wanted them to have a child together.
He scrubbed his face with his fist, his five o’clock shadow rough against his skin.When I get back, I’m gonna make her my old lady.Heat radiated through his chest; he never thought he’d find a woman worthy to wear his patch. He let the moment wash over him, and then he let it go. He had to. Happiness and love wouldn’t survive the war, only violence and hatred.
He pressed his lips together and called Mika next. She was thrilled Chenoa would be staying with her for a few days. He gave Mika the rules, and she was miffed but said she’d make sure Chenoa toed the line and didn’t hang with her old friends.
After breakfast they went to the Insurgents’ clubhouse. Banger greeted them and an hour later, Insurgents and Night Rebels were stuffed into a cramped room listening to Banger, Hawk, and Steel explain how things were going to go down in Iowa. The plan was simple: strike and retreat. Since Hawk had been in the Marines Reconnaissance and had served four tours in Afghanistan, he was instrumental in coming up with the attack plan. He had everything meticulously laid out.
Since it was an eleven-hour drive to Johnstown, Iowa, they’d leave at seven that night. Banger had some buddies in the neighboring county who’d put them up. The plan was to attack at two o’clock in the morning on the day after they arrived. The Insurgents had already sent three of their brothers—Puck, Johnnie, and Axe—to the Demon Riders clubhouse to scout it out. When the two brotherhoods arrived, they’d meet up with them to find out what they’d learned.
They would use a surprise attack, with a rush of men, smoke bombs, and machine guns. Grenades would be used as a last resort. Even though the Demon Riders’ clubhouse was out in the boonies, as most outlaw clubs were, they still didn’t want to attract the law. In the dead of night, in a rural community, sounds traveled a long distance.
“We’ve gotta get in and out quick. We find out from my brothers how many are in the clubhouse right now, how many exits, and if there’re any citizens. We wanna try and eliminate the trash without hurting anyone who hasn’t done us any wrong,” Banger said.
Hawk stepped away from the table. “That said, this is war. There will be casualties, and some of them may be innocent. It’s just the way it goes, but we’ll try and minimize that consequence.” The members nodded, their faces serious and taut.
