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"What's going on?"
I lift my head from tying my boots on hearing Ember's voice. She and Raine are standing just behind Grey in the hallway. "Break-in at the bike shop." I stand and take a few steps toward the dresser, retrieve my weapon, still in the holster, and clip it on the waistband of my jeans. Then I shove my wallet and keys into my pockets and snatch my cut from the hook on the wall. "Ready."
"That makes it the third business in town this month to be burglarized," Raine states. "You'd think the police would have a lead on who is behind them by now."
Grey steps to the side as I exit the bedroom. My eyes fall upon Ember for a moment. When her eyes lock with mine, I quickly divert my attention elsewhere, heading downstairs. Before closing the door, I look over my shoulder, finding the women, who have followed close behind. "Keep the place locked up until one of us gets back." My attention falls directly on Ember one final time before the door closes, and I walk away after hearing the locks engage.
It's windy as hell outside, and the ground is boggy from the earlier rainstorm. I meet Grey where our bikes are parked beneath the large metal carport Reid had his men build a few months ago. I toss my leg over the seat and look at Grey. "Let's ride."
A short time later, we roll up to the bike shop just as a police cruiser drives away. I notice Reid standing outside, holding a flashlight and talking on the phone. I also note that the streetlight that usually lights up the parking lot is out. Pulling up close to the entrance of the building, Grey and I leave our bikes and stand near Reid, waiting for him to get off the phone. "That was Prez." Reid looks at us. "He’s still working on clearing the fallen tree off his property so he can leave. And there's no word yet on when they’ll restore power."
I continue to stay vigilant and glance around the dark parking lot. "I expected to see more than one cop."
"The motherfuckers were long gone by the time of the discovery," Reid states. "That was officer Carver that just left. While on patrol through town, he noticed our exterior lights out and decided to investigate with the other business break-ins in mind."
I pull a cigarette from the pack tucked inside the pocket of my cut, drag my thumb across the wheel of a lighter, and hold the flame to the tip, burning the tobacco while Reid continues to fill us in.
"The motherfuckers drilled out the locking mechanism on the safe and made off with the money, and Prez says it was more than ten grand."
I expel the smoke from my lungs. "Fuck."
Reid jerks his head and leads us around the side of the building, shining his light on the main breaker box, where the wires are severed.
"Well, that explains how they got in without setting off the alarm," Grey huffs.
We make our way to the back of the building, and Reid shines the flashlight on the door where the fuckers drilled off the deadbolt. The three of us step inside. During the walkthrough, I notice nothing disturbed or out of place except the empty cash drawer behind the counter, until we get to Jake's office. It's ransacked, and the safe is open.
"You think the fuckers realize who they stole from?" Grey quips, using the light from his phone to look around.
"They’re about to." I pick up the papers scattered across the floor.
"From what Carver told me, the other town break-ins are similar: power cut to the building and locks drilled out. In each incident, they took nothing but cash. He also informed me that these motherfuckers are suspected to be behind several more break-ins in a few other towns. One job didn't go according to plan, resulting in the thieves shooting and killing a guy." Reid sighs. "Leave the mess. Let's focus on securing the back door for now and making a sweep of the property one more time. Prez said he's already sent word to the rest of the men to be at the clubhouse by sunrise. He also wants us to ride around, see if we see anything or anyone, and check on the other club businesses."
A few hours later, everyone is at the clubhouse, sitting around the table as Church commences. Looking tired and stressed, Jake leans back in his chair, working on his third cup of coffee since arriving. "The shop's power should be restored by late afternoon, and Reid's men are installing a new door as we speak." Jake rubs his temples, and agitation is evident. The last time anything crime related affected the shop was a few years ago when the place burned to the ground. It took time, but the club finally rebuilt. Jake leans forward, pounding his fist on the table with a loud thud. "These bastards stole from us. If the cops can't find out who’s behind it, we will." Around the table, heads nod in agreement. Jake directs his attention to Quinn. "Did the outside security cameras catch anything before the thieves cut the power?"
"We only have the two fixed on the front and back doors. The broken streetlight hindered seeing anything farther than a few yards from the front of the building. Our outside cameras didn't detect anything beforehand. They used this to their advantage and most likely entered the property from the side, where they cut the power."
Jake faces Reid. "What did you find out?"
"Nothing new yet. I've contacted a few people who will report back with anything of value."
Jake nods, then peers at Gabriel. "See if your outside security cameras captured anything since you're across the street." Jake sits silently for a beat, rocking back in his chair, tapping his fingertips against the table's surface. "We know the pattern in which they operate, so let's put some extra security in place for Kings Custom, Kings Ink, Grace's bakery, and Kings Construction."
"What about trail cams?" Sam suggests. "We have extras stored down in the basement."
"Good thinkin'. You and Grey can get to installing those today. If you need more, run to the sporting goods store, pick some up, and tell Pat to charge it to the club's account." Jake stands. "There's a hot meal waiting for us in the kitchen. Cram some grub, and let's get shit done." With Church over, we file out of the room.
My stomach growls as the smell of bacon permeates the air, invading my senses. I make my way to the kitchen and take a deep breath. "Smells good." Ember looks over her shoulder and smiles at me.
"Hey. Want some coffee? I just brewed a fresh pot."
"Thanks." I walk over to the table, pull a chair, and sit down. Across the table, Quinn is shoveling biscuits and gravy into his mouth. Ember sets a cup of coffee and a plate of food in front of me. I glance up, and she looks exhausted. "You eat?" I ask her.
"Not yet."
I stand. "Sit." I point to the chair.
"That's okay. I'll eat after everyone else."
