Allie:

I hadn’t spoken to mom since our argument last night. There was really no point in it. Neither one of us were going to change our stances on the club. The guys had been busy well into the afternoon but by sundown, people had started filling in. The bar had two or three women working behind it, the stripper poles had two women each, and men and women alike filled the place. You lose track of days when you’re essentially on the run but Hawk had mentioned that it was Saturday and the bar is usually pretty rowdy on weekend nights.

With the music blasting, and Duke and Viv nowhere in sight, I played a round of pool with Pyro and kept a low profile. For the first time, I’d felt like I’d lost all hope. I had spent years trying to get my mom away from Leo but last night I realized she was the only one holding herself back. I couldn’t be responsible for that anymore. She’d taken us across country just to end up in another man’s arms. I wasn’t going to end up like that. I wouldn’t let myself.

In all those years that I watched my mother be submissive and pushed around, I’d learned to have a mind of my own. To think and act for myself. I was never going to be some man’s property. Whatever this situation was with the club, it wouldn’t be my life. I couldn’t think about her anymore. She’d made her bed. As soon as everything settled with Leo, I’d leave this place behind. Go explore the world. I deserved that. I’d earned that.

When the game ended, I walked outside to grab a pack of cigarettes from my car. I had been going through these like candy since we had gotten here and now down to my last pack, I had to figure out a place to buy more. The only problem with that being Duke’s order that someone had to escort me around everywhere, hence why I hadn’t left.

I sat in the passenger’s seat, going through the glove compartment with a black van pulled into the lot. A few guys ran inside with vests similar to the clubs only their cuts said Tribe. Seconds later, I heard the sound of gunfire and people screaming. My heart started beating a million miles a minute as I ducked into the seat of my car, praying to god they didn’t see me. I’d been scared before but this was a whole new level.

The sound of tires screeching let me know they were off the lot and I took a moment to steady my heartbeat before I could get the courage to peek out the window. Slowly getting out of the car, I checked to make sure the vehicle was gone before I ran inside. Maverick was in there. Holy shit what if he got shot?!

“Mav?!” I called out, seeing everyone scattering out. A few bodies lay still on the floor while others groaned from gunshot wounds.

“Allie!” I heard Mav’s voice coming from behind me. I turned to see him running towards me before he wrapped his arms around me pulling me close to him. “I couldn’t fucking find you! I thought they got you!”

“Are you okay?!” I asked, holding onto him tightly as he moved us through the crowd to the stairwell.

“Yeah, I’m good. Are you?” He pulled away from me, placing his hands on my arms as he checked me for any harm.

“I’m fine.” I reassured him, heart still pounding as the sound of sirens approached. “Where’s my mom?”

“She had gone out to dinner with Duke.” He put my worries at ease. “Go to my dorm, lock the door and don’t make a sound to I get you.”

“Is – is everyone okay?” I asked, peeking through the doorway at all of the people still running around.

“I don’t know, but you’re okay. Focus on that.” His lips pressed against my forehead before he went back to the bar.

---

Maverick:

“Duke, It’s Mav. You need to get back right now.”

I left a voicemail on Duke’s phone after finishing up with the police. Nate and Hawk had to be taken to the hospital with gunshot wounds. I would have prefered to treat them here but with the cops showing up, that wasn’t going to happen. This was definitely going to attract attention. 3 dead. 8 wounded not including our men.

Tex and the twins all came back to the clubhouse and started making calls while Pyro checked the cameras to find out exactly who it was. After all the bodies were cleared and the area was secured, we looked all doors before I finally made my way up to get Allie.

“Ay peaches,” I knocked on my door, trying to turn the knob but it was locked. Smart girl.

“Mav?” She asked, opening the door enough to peek through.

Once she saw it was me, she threw it open and wrapped her arms around my neck, pressing her body against mine tightly in a hug. I wrapped my arms around her waist, feeling her heart beating through her chest into mine. Digging head into her neck, I held her close to me, running my fingers through her hair. The thought of something happening to her scared me more than it should have.

She pulled her head up, her cheek brushing against mine as she looked up into my eyes. I couldn’t help it anymore. My lips met hers and she showed no resistance, kissing me needingly as her tongue reacted to mine. Her hands cupped my neck as she pulled me closer, my body pinning her against the door frame as a small moan escaped her lips into mine.

It took everything in me to pull away but I knew I had to. Leaning my forehead against hers, I rested my hands on her hips my fingers digging into her exposed skin as I struggled to restrain myself. Her lips left me wanting more, yearning to feel them on me again but now was not the time.

She kissed me once more before we pulled apart and adjusted ourselves. The sound of Duke’s voice catching our attention before we both ran back downstairs. Allie’s mom saw her and immediately ran to wrap her arms around her daughter as tears flooded her eyes. I could see Duke wanting to do the same but he knew she wouldn’t allow it. He walked over to me arms crossed firmly over his chest.

“What the fuck happened?”

“It was that club – Tribe.” Allied answered from behind us. “I went to my car for a smoke and a black car pulled in. I saw their vests before I hid once I heard gunshots.”

“You were out there alone? Where were you?” he grilled me, his eyes angrier than I had seen in awhile.

“I snuck out while he went to the bathroom. Don’t put this on him.” She defended.

“Nate’s down with a shot to the leg. They got Hawk in the shoulder. Someone called the cops and ambulances took everyone. It was a fucking bloodbath, pres.” I told him, leaning back against the pool table.

“Guess that treaty don’t stand no more.” Bomber grunted.

Boonie nodded in agreement. “This is war, Duke. You gotta call the charters down.”

---

Allie:

Duke lowered his head, his hands resting on the back of a chair as we all stood silent waiting for his reaction. He looked angry. Really angry. I could see his hands shaking as they gripped onto the chair before a loud yell came from him as he threw the chair across the room, breaking it against the wall.

I jumped, my body still shaking from before. I heard a small gasp escape my mom’s lips as well but she held her calm. None of the guys so much as flinched as they stood around him, arms crossed over their chests expectedly.

“Start making the calls.” Duke grunted, walking into the meeting room and shutting the door behind him.

“You okay? Sheriff’s didn’t see you or anything right?” Mom whispered.

I shook my head no. I knew by now we were practically wanted fugitives. If they were to run either of our names we would either end up behind bars or handed to Leo on a silver platter.

“I’m heading over to the hospital. Check on Nate and Hawk.” Mavrick grabbed his phone from his pocket to check the time.

“I’m coming with.” Tex nodded walking outside first.

Maverick looked at me, shooting me a nod to make sure I was okay before following him. The rest of the guys started making calls while Pyro searched all security footage. Mom and Marla started making coffee for everyone.

For once this had nothing to do with me.

I stepped behind the bar and grabbed a beer, watching as everyone moved around almost robotically. This wasn’t a first for any of them, even my mom. Viv moved around like a pro, handing everyone coffee’s and offering to order food but not once did anyone go in interrupt Duke. Guess they knew better.

It was clear that it was going to be a long night for everyone so I went up to my room. There was no sense in me trying to wrap my head around anything going on. This only further proved my point that I couldn’t stay there. With shit like that bound to happen I was just as safe there as I was with Leo but where the fuck could i go? Going to far wasn’t an option, I couldn’t completely abandon my mom but I had to be far enough that none of this would follow me. I’d have to change my name, dye my hair. It would be a complete overhaul of my life but that would wait till morning.