Chapter 56 First attack
Ryder's POV
The bar was still burning when we arrived at the scene.
Flames were blazing high from inside and seen through broken windows and smoke rose into the early morning sky. Several parts of the bar looked like it was shattered by an explosion. There was burning wood and debris everywhere. Fire trucks crowded the street and were trying to put out the flames, but the damage was already done. There certainly was no saving that bar.
I parked my bike and Sage climbed off of it from behind me. I looked at her and I could see her face going pale as she stared at the destruction of what used to be the bar. I remembered when she was handling our inventory and she said it was one of the businesses we could use to cover cost for other shady things we did as a club. Now this profitable business cover was up in flames.
"Oh my god."
Jaxon was already there and he stood across the street talking to some firefighters. When he saw us approaching he broke away from them and walked over.
"Is everyone okay? How many casualties do they have" I asked.
"Yeah. The bar was empty when it happened. It was a good thing no one was inside." Jaxon's jaw was tight. "But it's a total loss. Everything has been destroyed."
"What caused it?"
"A bomb. The fire chief said it was professional grade explosives. It had a detonator and someone probably waited to make sure there was nobody inside before setting it off."
Sage grabbed my arm. "Someone planned and planted a bomb?"
"Yeah." Jaxon looked at the burning building. "Someone with inside knowledge of our schedule."
The implication was obvious. This wasn't a random attack. This was done by someone with access to club information.
"We have a traitor," I said.
"Maybe. Or maybe the Blood Sisters just did their homework." Jaxon pulled out his phone. "Either way, we need to call an emergency meeting and figure out what the hell is going on before the next attack hits."
"You think there'll be another one?"
"This could have been a warning. A show of force." He gestured at the burning bar. "They're telling us what they're capable of. Next time they might not wait for an empty building."
Sage's grip on my arm tightened. I covered her hand with mine.
"We should get her somewhere safe," I said to Jaxon.
"She's safe with us."
"Really? Because someone just bombed our property and you think there's a traitor in the club. That doesn't sound safe to me."
Jaxon's eyes narrowed. "What are you suggesting?"
"I'm suggesting we get Sage out of town until this is over."
"No." Sage pulled away from me. "I'm not running. Not now."
"Sage—"
"I said no. If someone's targeting the club, we need to find out why. Not hiding somewhere while everyone else deals with it."
"She's right," Jaxon said. "Running makes her look weak and makes the club look weak."
I wanted to argue. I wanted to grab Sage and force her onto my bike and ride until we hit the Canadian border.
But I could see the determination in her eyes. She wasn't backing down.
"Fine. But she doesn't go anywhere alone. Not to the bathroom, not to her car, nowhere."
"Agreed." Jaxon looked at Sage. "You okay with that?"
"Do I have a choice?"
"No."
The fire chief approached with a clipboard. Jaxon moved to talk to him while Sage and I stood watching the bar burn.
"This is my fault," she said quietly.
"How is this your fault?"
"Diego said there would be consequences if I refused. Maybe this is him showing me what happens if I say no."
"You haven't said no yet. Deadline's not for another two hours."
"Maybe he's making sure I understand what I'm choosing. Myself, or everyone's safety." She wiped at her eyes. "He's escalating to remind me what's at stake."
I pulled her against my side and she leaned into me. We stood like that watching flames devour what used to be a profitable business.
My phone buzzed and Tommy's name flashed on the screen.
"Yeah?"
"You see the bar?"
"I'm looking at it right now."
"Jaxon call a meeting yet?"
"He's about to."
"Good. Because I have something you need to see."
"What? What is it Tommy?"
"Not over the phone. It may be too risky to talk about. Get back to the clubhouse first. All of you should come as soon as possible."
He hung up before I could ask any questions at all.
"That was Tommy," I told Jaxon when he came back. "He says he found something and wants everyone in management at the clubhouse immediately."
Jaxon nodded. "I'll text the brothers. You get Sage back safely."
We climbed on my bike and I started the engine. Sage's arms wrapped tight around my waist. I could feel her shaking.
The ride to the clubhouse took ten minutes. By the time we arrived, other brothers were already pulling into the lot. Everyone looked grim.
Tommy met us at the door. His face was pale.
"What did you find?" Jaxon asked.
Tommy held up his phone to my face and on the screen was a photo of the bar. But this photo was taken hours before the explosion. The bar was still intact and bustling with activities. The time stamp on the picture showed that it was taken at three in the morning.
"Where'd you get this?" I asked.
"Someone sent it to me. It came along with a message."
He showed us the text.
"You're being watched. Every move you make, every location you have. Make Sage stop looking for answers or the next bomb goes somewhere people are sleeping."
The blood drained from Sage's face once again.
"They're threatening to bomb somewhere with people inside," she whispered.
"Not just threatening." Tommy scrolled to another photo. This one showed the clubhouse, and the picture was taken from across the street. The time me stamp on it showed that it was taken about an hour ago.
"They're here right now.”