Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 73680 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73680 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
And that’s when a key is shoved into the lock and twisted with a loud clank. The door squeaks as it swings open, but it’s not Crow standing there. Or even Shovelhead. It’s a grizzled biker with a stubbled square jaw, sharp blue eyes and a black bandanna keeping his long hair back. He looks about Dad’s age.
While I’m still trying to place his face, Ripper strikes. Even without his gun and one handed, his speed and strength are more than enough to get the jump on the other guy. He slams him into the wall, and while the Viper is scrambling to react, Ripper sweeps one of his feet and takes him to the floor. In a second, he’s on top, stuffing the bandanna into his mouth and pinning the guy’s arms.
“Get the key, Faith!”
I’m too stunned to react. “Uncle Razor?”
15
ALPHA
When a key rattles in the cell door lock, I’m immediately on my feet. If there’s any kind of opportunity, I need to be fucking ready.
The handle turns with a click and the door opens. I’m just about to launch, when I realize I’m looking at Ripper.
He looks me up and down with a smirk. “It’s me, man. Chill the fuck out.”
“How the fuck?” Blade pushes past me.
I’m not going to be the only guy left in here. Fuck that shit. If we can get out of the cell, then maybe we can get the fuck out of the clubhouse too. “Is Faith—”
I find her in the hall too, together with a grizzled Pit Viper, an older guy who looks tired to the bone. His narrow lips are drawn into a straight line and tightly knit brows darken his eyes. He’s got a motorcycle saddlebag in one of his hands. What the fuck is he doing here, and why is he letting us out?
Blade immediately slides off to the side, coiled to strike like a cobra.
“Take it easy, hotshot,” the old guy warns, his cold gaze squarely on Blade. “I’m on your side.”
Ripper’s positioned in front of Faith, watching the old guy coolly. “Why the fuck should we believe you, Uncle Razor?”
Faith cringes. “I was a little kid, okay?”
“I let you out of the fucking cells, didn’t I? How fucking stupid would I have to be to let you fucks outnumber me three to one if my plan wasn’t to fucking help you?” He shakes his head like we’re a bunch of fucking morons and he’s already regretting letting us out.
“Why?” I ask.
“You make a habit of looking gift horses in the fucking mouth, son?” Bushy eyebrows rise in question. “Tell Eagle-eye that Razor hasn’t forgotten him.”
“That’s fucking sweet and all, but we’re still prisoners. You unlocked a couple fucking doors, but we’re still missing our bikes, all our shit and then we have to actually get out of this shithole.” I throw my hands out. “So you’re going to have to throw us a better bone than that, if you’re really a friend of Prez.”
“Fucking young people,” he grumbles, holding up the saddle bag. “Here. I can’t promise it’s everything, but I managed to grab your guns. They just tossed them into the armory. Those fancy knife holsters, though, you’re lucky I found them. A couple of the guys were playing around with them, but had to go on watch.”
Blade fucking snarls as he takes the bag from Razor and opens it. Only moments later, he’s got his knives strapped back on. Ripper pulls his big fucking pistol out of it and tosses the bag to me. A moment later, we’re all armed again, and it feels fucking good.
“I need the videotape,” says Faith. “Unc—Razor, do you know where it is?”
“And our bikes,” says Ripper. “We’re not getting any-fucking-where without them.”
“Don’t let the beard confuse you, I’m not fucking Santa Claus. I did what I fucking could for you. The keys to your bikes are probably in the garage, but the videotape? I imagine Crow’s got it.” Razor shrugs.
“Fuck. And we’ll have to get the damn gate open. If we can’t do that, we’re stuck.” I pace the hallway, trying to figure a way out of here.
“Can’t help you there, son,” says Razor. “I got ya out of the Clink. The rest is up to you. Now knock me out.”
“What?” Faith looks at Razor with big eyes. “Knock you out?”
“Yeah, and not one of those pussy-ass love taps. Make it look good.”
“But… we can’t just—”
“I’ll do it,” I say. “Thanks, old man.”
“I’m not so fucking—”
I punch him in the fucking face, knocking him back into the wall. He hits it hard, then slides down it, out like a light.
“Alpha!” Faith gasps. Her fists are clenched in fury, and if she could, she’d be blowing steam out her fucking ears. “He helped us! I know him!”
“Relax. He asked for it. When the Vipers find out we’re missing, he needs them to believe he didn’t have anything to do with it.”