Face me

Face me
Zero POV

The door swings wider as footsteps crunch outside, and the rest of the crew piles in.

Shadow arrives first, his eyes scanning the dim room like he is expecting traps.

He is followed by Ghost and Tank, their faces tight with the same mix of relief and wariness I feel.

The boy steps back, wide-eyed, as the small space fills with our bulk. Mason pushes himself up straighter on the mattress, wincing, his face pale under the bruises.

"Brother, I'm glad you are alive" Shadow says, clapping Mason on the shoulder gently. Ghost nods, hanging back but his shoulders relaxing just a fraction.

“ I wouldn't die so soon buddy.” Mason replies with a wry smile.

He then grunts, rubbing his temple. "Got any painkillers? Head's killing me."

I dig into my jacket pocket, pulling out the small bottle from our kit. My hand shakes with relief as I pass it over.

He pops two dry, swallowing with a grimace. "Thanks."

We all stand there for a beat, the air heavy with unspoken questions. My chest tightens as I look around the small space, wondering if I missed someone.

"Hera?" The word comes out rough, hope and dread tangled in it.

Mason's jaw clenches and his eyes dark. He shakes his head slowly. "The kid found me alone on the bank. No sign of her. We got separated in the water." His voice cracks on the last word, fists balling at his sides.

Pain etches lines on his face and my heart squeezes. How hard is it for him to say that out loud.

My throat burns and I swallow hard, forcing the panic down.

"We got some leads on…" I start but Mason waves his hand.

"Save it," Mason cuts in.

He stands, steadying himself on the wall. "We talk about details at the clubhouse. Not here. Walls might have ears."

I nod, biting back the urge to press. He is right–we're exposed.

Mason turns to the boy, who hovers by the stove, looking smaller now with all of us crowding the place.

"Leon ,you saved my ass. Thanks for everything." Mason's voice softens, a rare crack in his armor. He ruffles Leon's hair, the gesture seems rather awkward but genuine.

Leon ducks his head, cheeks flushing. "It was nothing. I am glad you're okay and you can go home."

I pull out my wallet, peeling off several bills.

They are enough to fix that leaky roof, maybe more. I press them into Leon's hand, his fingers curling around them tight.

"This is for the trouble he might have caused you and for taking care of him for us.”

Leon's eyes widen, but he nods. "Thanks, mister."

Mason claps him on the back one last time. "I will swing by when I put things in order. I promise." Mason tells him.

The kid beams, his face lighting up like we just handed him the world.

We file out into the night.

Mason leans on me as we head to the bikes.

The village sleeps quietly around us.

“ Am I the only one who feels like it's too quiet?” Shadow suddenly asks.

“No. I thought the boy said that there are crooks around here.” I say.

“ Maybe they left.” Mason replies.

We mount our bikes, engines rumbling low to avoid drawing attention.

Mason rides with me, his grip firm despite the weakness. The ride back to Chicago stretches long.

We don't have anyone tailing us this time; the night stays empty behind us.

By dawn, the familiar outline of the clubhouse looms. We pull outside and kill engines.

Mason limps inside and we follow behind him. It's good to have him back but Hera's absence gnaws at me.

We find Raven and Chloe perched at the couch, the TV on but nobody watching it.

Chloe jumps to her feet when we enter.

Her eyes swipe through the crew. I don't need anyone to tell me who she is searching for.

“ Where is Hera?” She finally asks, her gaze pinned on Mason. I see Mason tense at her question.

I walk to her and wrap my hands around her waist.

“ They got separated. We are yet to find her.” I inform her.

“ What's that supposed to mean? You found him and not her?” She snaps in frustration and irritation.

“ You are right to be angry Chloe but I swear I won't stop until I find Hera and whoever did this to us.” Mason speaks. Something about his tone makes Chloe swallow her next words. She nods.

I call an emergency meeting as per the mason's order.

We gather in the meeting room. This time, everyone joins, including the prospects.

Mason fills in the gaps. His voice stays steady, but his eyes betray the storm and fury burning inside him.

"We're compromised," I say, pacing around.

That much I can tell from Justin's words to Fiona's and after pinning things together after hearing Mason's words.

"Justin thinks the Headquarters faked the Luca hit. Someone inside wanted them gone, used us as tools." I say, facing mason.

“ Was there anything off about the mission when you received it?” I ask and he shakes his head.

“ Same place, same signature.” He answers.

Shadow leans forward, “ we were set up so we have to settle this with Luca.

Ghost nods. "But how do we…”

The door bursts open, slamming against the wall. Chloe stumbles in, panting hard, face flushed and slick with sweat. Her chest heaves, eyes wild.

"We are under attack!" She cries.

My blood runs cold. We bolt up, grabbing weapons from the rack — rifles, pistols, whatever's closest.

I peer through the window and spot a massive bulldozer roaring at the gate.

It's blade crashes against the bulletproof gate we installed after the last raid.

When the gate falls, masked figures swarm behind it, armed and ready.

"Shit," Tank mutters, loading his shotgun. "They're serious."

“ It's Luca attacking.” I say and Mason who seems rather composed nods.

“ We settle this once and for all. We survive or we die defending our honour.” Mason shouts and everyone nods.

He then turns to Chloe.

“ You and Raven are not playing a part in this fight. Go through the secret passage and leave this to us.” Mason instructs.

"No way," Raven snaps, gripping her gun tighter. "I'm fighting."

Chloe shakes her head, determination apparent on her face."We are staying."

Shadow steps in, voice low but firm. "Not this time. We need you safe—to regroup if it goes south." His hand squeezes Raven's shoulder's,eyes pleading.

He knows what's at stake here.

I pull Chloe close, heart pounding. "Please. I can't lose you too." My voice breaks and I can't say I am not afraid. I don't let it show though.

“ Someone needs to find Hera if we don't come out of this alive and Lily needs someone to take care of her.” I say, using her weaknesses to persuade her.

She searches my face, then nods reluctantly, lips trembling.

"Fine. But you better come back." She says, pulling me in for a quick kiss.

Raven and Chloe slip out the back, vanishing into the hidden tunnel under the floorboards. Relief flickers, but it's short-lived.

We take positions as usual. This isn't the first battle we are fighting and I have a feeling it's not going to be the last.

Mason, still battered, grabs a rifle. "I'm good," he insists, though pain lines his face.

I press a button on the wall and set off several earth bombs surrounding the clubhouse.

We always take precautions in case of sudden attacks.

Bullets ping off walls as the masked men start shooting, shattering glass.

We open fire back in defence.

We are at advantage considering we are familiar with the terrain.

We use old crates for cover and the clubhouse angles to funnel them. Shadow picks off two from above, his shots precise. Ghost flanks left, grenades rolling to scatter them. But they're organized, pushing hard. A bomb explodes near the front, flames licking the air, forcing us back. Smoke chokes the room, eyes watering.

Before they can surround the clubhouse, we retreat towards the stables. The numbers have significantly reduced.

In the stables, I yank the gates open, letting the horses loose. They are a perfect distraction and also to avoid being caught in the middle of the gunfire.

They bolt out, running in different directions.

Those that head towards the approaching assailants get bullets on their bodies. I watch as one of them falls on the ground, hit by a bullet.

Rage boils in me, vision blurring red. "Bastards," I growl, firing wild.

We duck down behind hay bales, returning the fire. Bodies drop on both sides.

One of ours, a prospect, goes down with a grunt, clutching his side. I gun down the bastard who shot him, taking him down.

Then, a voice booms over the chaos. "Mason! Come out, you coward!"

A man, probably the leader, steps forward, yanking off his mask. My world tilts when I register his face.

It's Connor, the one who stamps every mission order. Without his signature and stamp, we cannot take any mission so how did…

I don't get to continue thinking when he starts shooting aimlessly.

His face twists with hate, eyes locked on the stables.

“ Come out and face me you asshole. You eliminated my family and even went after me to silence me. Don't you have big balls, come out and face me.”