Guests from other chapters start to arrive, and when they hear what happened, they vow to help with whatever they can. The party atmosphere isn’t there anymore, of course, it’s more a business, we-have-shit-to-get-done vibe, but we still make sure everyone is taken care of, well fed, and watered.
When I finally sit down, I start to process Allie’s death and seeing her lying like that on the floor. Blood was gushing from her head, like she’d been hit with a crowbar or another sharp object. Her eyes were half-open and staring blankly ahead. Shit. I didn’t like the woman, but that didn’t mean I wanted to see her hurt, or dead. Did someone kill her, or did she slip and fall? Feeling guilty over all my uncharitable thoughts over the years, I stare down at my hands, wondering what Tracker was going through right now. At one point, I knew he cared for her, maybe even loved her. She’d been living here for so long, all of the men were used to having her around. I scan the room. How was everyone dealing with this?
After what feels like hours, Tracker resurfaces, looking tired and angry. He stands in front of me, and I rest my head on his thigh. He runs his hand through my hair, cupping my head against him.
“Come take a shower with me,” he says, his voice rough. I stand and walk with him to his bathroom. When he stands there, looking a little lost, I undress him and turn the shower on. When the temperature is right, I lead him inside, then undress myself and join him.
“Are you okay?” I ask, picking up the soap and washing his body.
“Fuck.” He sighs. “I didn’t love her but . . . Christ, Lana. I didn’t even know where she was all this time. She was killed because of us, and she wasn’t protected by us. I don’t even know what to feel. She hurt you, so there’s no way in hell I’d want her back in the clubhouse, but I didn’t want her dead.”
“I know,” I tell him softly. “I know. No one expected something like this.”
He lets his back sink down the wall, until he’s sitting on the tiled floor.
I sit next to him, rest my head on his shoulder, the water droplets raining on us.
Bitch or not, Allie was Wind Dragons.
And everyone is feeling her death.
* * *
A few days after Allie’s funeral, the club gets some information. Zach, one of the members from another chapter and Rake’s friend, found out that Allie was staying with another man after she was kicked out of the clubhouse. And that man is the vice president of the Kings of Hell MC. Slowly the puzzle is being pieced together. Did Allie turn to them? Or did the man seduce her? She might have gone to them for revenge, knowing the Wind Dragons didn’t like the Kings of Hell in their territory, or maybe it was a coincidence? I seriously doubt the latter, but hope it wasn’t the former.
“So what are you going to do about the Kings of Hell?” I ask Tracker.
“We organized a meet with them tonight. They haven’t even told us what they want, why they’re here, so first we find that out. Go from there,” he answers, putting on his boots, then glancing up at me.
“You doing okay with all this?”
I nod. “Yeah, I mean, as well as any civilian can.”
That gets a small smile out of him. “You aren’t a civilian anymore, Lana, you’re my old lady.”
“Right,” I reply, running my hand down my arm. “I’m okay. I’m here for you, whatever you need, whatever the club needs. I’m all in.”
He stands and places his hands on each side of my face. “What I need is for you to stay safe. Don’t leave here unless you’re with two of the men. Two, all right? At least until we know more. Tonight while we’re at the meet, this place will be on lockdown. No one leaves and no one comes. So prepare for that.”
I nod again. “All right, I can do that.”
“Good girl,” he says, sounding relieved. “Let’s hope these fuckers weren’t behind Allie’s death. Bringing her here like that? Sends a message that they want a war. And if they want one, they’re going to get one.”
I shiver at the tone of his voice.
“Be safe,” I tell him, brow furrowing. “Don’t assume anything. We don’t know the truth of what really happened yet.”
“I’ll play it smart,” he says, grinning. “This isn’t my first rodeo, Lana, but fuck you’re cute for caring so much and offering up advice.”
I roll my eyes. I wasn’t trying to be cute. “I need you with me, Tracker, you hear me? You better come back to me in one piece.”
“Baby,” he says, eyes softening. “It’s just a talk tonight, nothing will happen. We want to be safe, make sure all the women and kids are taken care of.”
“I know.”
“What are you going to do all day?” he asks, bringing me against his chest.
“Write,” I say. “Help Faye with whatever needs to be done for tonight. Worry about you.”
“Lana,” he murmurs, kissing the top of my head. “Stop being so damn cute or you’re gonna get fucked again.”
“How is that a punishment?” I reply. “I’m going to be as cute as I can right now.”
He pulls back and grins. “Fuck, I love you.”
“Love you too,” I whisper.
He pushes my hair back behind my ear. “Stay here.”
“I will. What about Evie?”
“I’ll pick her up from your apartment and bring her back here with me.”