FIRE & RUIN
Chapter 13
JANE DOE
White ceiling.
Too bright.
Kait blinked slow. Didn’t move at first. Just breathed.
Air felt… wrong.
Thin.
Artificial.
Her chest pulled tight on the inhale. A dry scrape on the exhale.
She swallowed.
Bad idea.
Throat burned.
She turned her head a fraction. IV line taped to her arm. Hospital band. Blanket pulled up to her ribs. Clothes gone. Gown instead.
Where’s my kutte?
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
She listened to it for a second. Let it settle.
Memory didn’t hit all at once.
It came in pieces.
Fire
Severino’s hands on her.
Ernie.
Then nothing.
Her fingers twitched against the sheet. Slow. Testing.
Everything worked.
Just… slower.
A cough climbed up without warning. She turned her head and let it out. Dry. Ugly. It hurt.
She roared.
“Easy.”
Kait looked toward the voice.
Nurse. Mid-forties. Dark-skinned. No nonsense. Already stepping in, already checking the monitor.
“You’re awake. Good.”
Kait didn’t answer right away. Just watched her.
The nurse adjusted the IV, glanced at her chart, then back at Kait.
“How you feelin’?”
Kait took a breath. Regretted it.
“Like shit,” she said, voice rough, barely there.
The nurse gave a small nod like she’d heard that a thousand times.
“Smoke inhalation. You were lucky. Couple more minutes, you woulda been talkin’ to the man upstairs instead of me.”
“I don’t know about that,” she giggled.
“At least your sense of humor didn’t go up in flames.”
Kait tried to laugh and coughed instead.
The nurse checked her pulse, quick and practiced.
“Your ID went up in flames too though… You need to tell us your name and all that stuff for your paperwork. You remember what happened?”
Kait looked at the ceiling again.
Pause.
“Just… fire,” she said.
“That’s what they said.” The nurse scribbled something down. “You work there?”
Kait nodded once.
“Security.”
The nurse looked at her a second longer than necessary.
Didn’t comment.
“Alright. I’m gotta let the officer out there know you’re up. He’s been waiting.”
Kait’s eyes shifted. Just a little.
“Officer?”
“Yeah. He’s the one who found you and brought you in.”
The nurse straightened.
“Don’t try to get up yet. You’re not going anywhere for a bit. My name’s Davina by the way. I’ll come check on you later.”
“Wait—”
She turned and stepped out.
Door clicked.
Kait stared at it.
Officer.
Her tongue pressed against the roof of her mouth. Thinking.
The door opened again.
Sheriff’s Office uniform this time.
Pressed. Clean. By the book.
He stepped in and stopped just inside. Didn’t approach the bed. Didn’t sit.
Just stood there.
Watching.
He tipped his hat.
“Good afternoon.”
Kait didn’t answer.
Her eyes moved over him once.
Tall, athletic…
Pretty.
Too pretty for a cop.
Badge. Nametag.
RICHTER
He nodded once he didn’t hear a reply.
“I’m Officer Richter.”
“Hey.”
“I’m the one who found you this morning.”
Kait’s brow pulled just slightly.
That was new.
She studied him again. Slower this time.
Nothing clicked.
“You were unconscious,” he added. “Behind the building.”
Silence.
She looked away first.
“Yeah, I had a rough night at the office.”
Her voice came out rough. Thin.
He caught on to the attitude.
He already knew her kind.
She was a smartass and was not going to cooperate.
Just kept his eyes on her.
“Didn’t find any type of ID on you. Can you tell me your name?”
“Can I not?”
“Sure. But I’ll find out anyway… Do you recall what happened to you?”
Kait took a slow breath.
Regretted it halfway through.
“The place burned down.”
“Anything more specific?”
A small shrug.
Richter didn’t move.
Didn’t write anything down.
Just watched her.
“What happened to your face?”
“I don’t know.”
He shook his head once.
“Who hit you? Was it the same person who started the fire?”
“I don’t—”
“Was it the same person who slashed Ernesto Molina’s throat?”
He let that sit.
Kait closed her eyes.
“Shit… Ernie.”
“Yeah. Anything coming back to you now?”
Kait pressed her fingers to her forehead.
Small cough.
“You gonna tell me what happened?”
“Some men came in.”
A beat.
“Not from here.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Never seen ‘em around here.”
He followed up with general demographic questions and then—
“You know of anyone who might’ve wanted to hurt Ernesto Molina?”
She shook her head.
Richter shifted his weight, just slightly.
“Anything else you think may help? Maybe you heard someone threaten him one time? Anything that may help?”
“No. Nothing. He got along with everyone.”
He raised his eyebrows.
“Alright. Anyone I can call for you?”
“No.”
“No one wondering where you are? No husband?”
She let out a dry chuckle.
He frowned.
“No,” Kait said.
Her eyes came back to him.
“I’m fine.”
Too quick.
Too flat.
Richter held her there a second longer.
“How about,” he said jerking his chin at her kutte on the chair. “Your gang— club buddies?”
She heard it.
“Nope.”
Officer Richter nodded.
“Alright.”
Not agreement.
Not belief.
Just logged.
“I’ll need a written statement with whatever you remember before you’re discharged.”
Kait didn’t respond.
He turned toward the door.
Stopped.
Looked at her arm.
The tattoo.
Didn’t mention it.
“Get well soon,” he said.
Then he stepped out.
Door clicked.
Kait stared at it.
Jaw tight.
Breathing shallow.
She leaned her head back against the pillow.
Ernesto was gone.
The Alley was gone.
And Severino was still out there.
Alive.
Angry.
And now missing an eye.
REYES DEL CAMINO CLUBHOUSE
Severino stood at the table.
Didn’t sit. Didn’t lean.
One hand flat on the table.
Dressing on his eye.
White. Clean.
Bootsteps filled the room.
Chairs scraped.
Kuttes settled.
No one spoke.
Alacrán came in last.
Slow. Measured.
Eyes locked on Severino.
He sat at the head. Hands flat on the table.
“¿Y luego? I thought we were stopping trucks. Blocking roads. Not burning shit and killing women and civilians. The fuck did that strip club owner ever do to you?”
Not loud.
Worse.
Severino didn’t answer.
Didn’t look away.
“You burned a local business, ese. Had nothing to do with anything.”
A beat.
“You made a show.”
“They got the message,” Severino said sucking on his teeth.
“You lost control.”
Severino’s eyes darkened.
“¿Cómo?”
Alacrán pointed at his eye.
“You got personal. Then you got got by the snake girl.”
“She played you, mano,” Chido muttered.
Severino moved fast.
Grabbed him.
Slammed his head into the table.
Hard.
Alacrán didn’t react.
Didn’t even look.
“You went after her,” Alacrán said. “Went after pussy, and she got your eye.”
Not a question.
Severino didn’t deny it.
“Don’t matter now. She’s dead. Burned.”
A beat.
“And now we got a shitstorm. You kill one of theirs—what the fuck you think happens next?”
“We kill the rest. That’s what Don Iván wants anyway,” Severino said.
“Don Iván…”
Severino straightened. Arms crossed.
“Is there a problem, Alacrán?”
The room tightened.
Alacrán held him.
“If you keep making shit personal,” he said, “there will be.”
THE NEST - NIGHT
Front office.
Low light.
Door closed.
Lane stood by the desk. Mack leaned against the wall, arms crossed. Don sat behind the desk, a map spread out in front of him.
Markers. Routes. Circles.
Lane tapped one.
“They’re not sitting still,” he said. “They’re shifting between Sarita and Refugio. They know we’re coming.”
Don’s eyes stayed on the map.
“I want it to be big.”
Lane nodded once.
“Once we find her and get her back… there won’t be a place they can hide from us.”
The door swung open.
Kolton rushed in, breathing hard.
Face still swollen. Split lip. Bruising fresh.
“What the fuck happened?”
No one answered.
His eyes moved between them.
“You just gonna sit here like nothing happened?”
Don didn’t react.
Kolton stepped forward.
“I just came from the Alley.”
He pointed behind him.
Mack shifted slightly.
Lane didn’t move.
“It’s gone,” Kolton said. “Whole place is burned to shit.”
Silence.
Kolton’s voice tightened.
“Where the fuck is Kait?”
Nothing.
That’s when it hit him.
He looked at Lane.
Then back at Don.
“Stop.”
A shake of his head.
“We’re working on it.”
Don leaned back in his chair.
Kolton stared at him.
“What? So you all know about this? Where the fuck is Kait?”
His fist hit the desk.
“And that is exactly why we didn’t tell you shit,” Don barked, standing.
“Prince—” Mack stepped in, hand out.
Kolton shoved him off.
“Fuck off me.”
His eyes locked back on Don.
“What happened to her? Is she okay?”
Don held him there.
Cold.
“Severino’s been watching her,” he said. “We think he took her.”
Silence.
Kolton blinked.
Like it didn’t register.
“What! He took her? Wh… what do you mean ‘been watching her’? And nobody told me? She’s my fucking girlfriend.”
Lane’s jaw tightened.
Don already had enough.
“Oh, come on, Kolton. You two been fighting longer than you’ve been screwing.”
Kolton shook his head, breathing fast.
“I could’ve been looking for her this whole time.”
“Yeah?” Don snapped. “High out of your mind? Kicking doors and breaking faces? You can’t even finish a protection run when you’re on that shit.”
Kolton let out a dry laugh and looked at Mack.
His chest rose.
Fell.
Rose again.
Don took a hard look at him.
“You’re fucking useless like this.”
That landed.
Kolton’s hands curled.
The office wasn’t big. The door had been open since he walked in.
People were watching now.
Don didn’t move.
Didn’t need to.
“You can’t control yourself. You can’t follow a simple order,” he said. “That’s why we didn’t tell you.”
Kolton’s face twisted.
“Now cool your shit and help or get the fuck out of my sight.”
Silence.
Heavy.
Kolton’s eyes shifted.
To Lane.
Just for a second.
Then back to Don.
He turned.
Walked out.
Outside, engines idled. Eyes followed him.
He got on his bike and fired it up.
Mack exhaled slow.
“Kid’s gonna do something stupid.”
Don didn’t sit.
Didn’t look at the door.
“Let him. I’m fucking sick of his shit.”
Lane’s eyes stayed on the map.
But he wasn’t seeing it anymore.
Just one thing.
Severino.
And the next move.
DRYDEN COMMUNITY CLINIC - NEXT DAY
Kait sat on the edge of the bed.
Dressed.
Slow.
Every movement still felt like it lagged half a second behind her.
The nurse stood by the door, clipboard in hand.
“You’re good to go,” she said. “Just take it easy. Lungs are still irritated.”
Kait nodded. “Thanks, Davina.”
Didn’t ask questions.
Didn’t want to stay another second.
She grabbed her things.
Not much there.
The hallway felt louder than it should have.
Brighter too.
She walked out.
Step by step.
Outside air hit different.
Cleaner.
Still burned a little.
She pulled some change from her pocket.
Enough for a phone call.
She found a payphone and dialed.
“Hey, Amber.”
THE NEST - LANE'S ROOM
Lane was fully dressed.
Jeans. Belt. Boots. Black t-shirt. Kutte.
Ready.
But not moving.
He sat against the headboard, one leg stretched out, the other bent. Kait’s picture in his hand.
Two days.
No body.
No word.
Nothing from Reyes.
Nothing from anyone.
He’d checked the site himself.
Ash. Debris. Empty.
She wasn’t there.
So where the hell was she?
His thumb brushed the edge of the photo.
He thought about the kiss.
Her hand on his.
The way she looked at him.
When you come back.
A knock on the door brought him back to reality.
He slid the picture under his pillow.
“Yeah.”
The door opened just enough.
Melanie stepped in, coffee mug in hand.
“Morning. You didn’t come down.”
She walked over, soft, careful.
“So I brought you this.”
He took it.
“Thanks.”
She sat beside him.
Close.
“You’ve been dealing with a lot lately,” she said.
Her hand found his knee.
Slow.
Familiar.
“It’s so terrible what happened to that place.”
Her fingers moved higher.
“And Kait’s still missing…”
Lane caught her wrist.
Not rough.
Just final.
“You know I’m here for you,” she said, quieter now.
“Thanks.”
He let go.
Took another sip.
Didn’t look at her.
Silence.
She waited.
Then leaned in.
“Kount… I miss you. It’s been so long since—”
He set the mug down and stood up.
“I got stuff to do.”
She exhaled.
Slow.
Then stood up too.
“Kount—”
She stepped into him. Wrapped her arms around him.
Held on.
“You don’t call me in here anymore…” she said again, softer this time.
Lane exhaled hard closed his eyes for a second.
Then grabbed her by the shoulders.
Not gentle.
Not cruel.
Just… done.
“Don’t make me be an asshole,” he said. “Just go.”
She froze.
He let go and stepped back.
Melanie stood there for a second longer.
Then nodded once and walked out.
Door closed behind her.
Lane didn’t move.
Didn’t look back.
He reached under the pillow.
And went over every possible scenario again in case he missed something.
Amber’s place was quiet.
Too quiet.
Kait stepped inside and paused for a second, taking in the clean air, the stillness. It didn’t feel real yet.
“Bathroom’s yours,” Sunshine said. “Towels are clean.”
Kait nodded and shut the door behind her.
The water hit her shoulders, hot enough to sting at first. She didn’t move, just stood there under it, letting it run.
The soot was gone.
Didn’t matter.
It still felt like it was there.
She washed slow.
Careful.
Like moving too fast might break something that hadn’t settled yet.—
When she came out, dressed in borrowed clothes, Amber was already on the phone.
“…yeah, she’s here.”
Pause.
“Yep. She’s fine”
Another pause.
“Just come over.”
She hung up.
Looked at Kait.
“You ready for this?”
Kait sat down on the couch.
“Not really.”
Amber laughed.
“Too bad.”
Amber sat in front of Kait and they talked about everything that happened.
Kait told her about the hospital and Amber about the rest of the night after the fire.
“You going to the Nest after this?”
“Yeah.” Kait shrugged. “Gotta let them know I’m alive.”
Amber nodded, then hesitated.
Like she was about to say something.
Stopped herself.
Kait caught it.
“What.”
Amber exhaled.
“Just… Kount…
“He loves you, Kait. Ain’t no doubt in my mind.”
Kait shook her head, but her heart picked up anyway.
“He was losing it,” Amber went on. “He was trying to hide it, but you could see it. Same look he had when you got bitten.”
Kait closed her eyes.
“I don’t even know what I’m gonna say to him.”
Amber shrugged.
“Why even say anything?”
Kait looked at her.
“Just walk into his room and get it over with.”
Kait let out a laugh that turned into a cough.
“Yeah… right.”
The knock came not long after.
Jojo walked in first.
Stopped dead.
“Oh my God—”
She crossed the room fast.
Wrapped her arms around Kait.
Careful, but tight.
“You’re alive,” she said into her shoulder.
“Yeah.”
Peaches came in next.
Slower.
Eyes wide.
Like she was still trying to process everything.
“You scared the shit out of us,” she said.
Kait gave a small nod.
“Sorry.”
Dulce didn’t say anything at first.
She just went straight to her.
Dropped down next to her on the couch and hugged her.
Hard.
Relief more than anything.
“I knew it,” she murmured. “I knew you weren’t gone.”
Kait didn’t answer.
Just let her.
They all settled in after that.
Close.
Too close.
Like nobody wanted to leave space.
Silence sat for a minute then small talk became real talk.
Jojo exhaled.
“I gonna have to go back to Corpus,” she said.
Just like that.
No build-up.
“Don’t wanna go… but I don’t got much choice right now. Let’s see if my old club take me back.”
They nodded.
Peaches leaned back in her chair.
“I ain’t going anywhere yet,” she said. “I just… I need a minute.”
Her voice dropped.
“Still trying to figure out what the hell even happened.”
Dulce nodded.
“Same.”
Then she glanced at Kait.
“But I’m just glad you’re here.”
That was it.
Simple.
Amber leaned against the counter.
Arms crossed.
Thinking.
“I’m not going back to that,” she said.
Everyone looked at her.
“Not another club. Not this.”
A beat.
“I’m gonna go back to school.”
Jojo blinked.
“For what?”
“Nursing.”
Amber shrugged.
“Started it once. Didn’t finish. I’m done playing around.”
Silence.
Different this time.
Not heavy.
Just… real.
Jojo gave a small smile.
“Damn. Look at you.”
Peaches nodded.
“That’s awesome, Amber.”
Kait elbowed her
“I could’ve used you earlier.”
Sunshine smirked.
“Oh my gosh. Don’t joke about that.”
Jojo was over by the window looking at a lady walking her dog dressed up as a clown.
“Hey, y’all. I forgot it’s Halloween.”
“Seems like it’s been Halloween for months,” Amber said.
“Well, Happy Halloween y’all,” Peaches said.
“Huge party at the Nest tonight. Don’t forget.”
Kait watched all of them.
Wondering what would become of them now that the Alley was gone.
AMY'S HOUSE
Sunlight came in harsh through the window.
The room smelled like sweat, clean linen air freshener, and stale smoke.
Kolton pushed off Amy and sat up, breathing hard, already coming down from one high and chasing the next.
Didn’t stay there.
Didn’t look at her.
He swung his legs off the bed and stood, grabbing his jeans.
Moving fast.
Like she was already done with her for the day.
Amy stayed back against the pillows, catching her breath, watching him.
Used to it.
“Taking off already?” she asked.
“Got shit to do,” he said, pulling his jeans up. “I won’t be back ‘til way later.”
She pushed herself up a little.
Took a deep breath.
“I’m sure. Kyle is gonna be happy to have you all to himself.”
Kolton raised an eyebrow not knowing what she meant and continued getting dressed.
“He looked so cute yesterday,” she said. “His Batman costume.”
Kolton nodded, lighting a cigarette before he even finished dressing.
“Yeah.”
“He’s probably already wearing it,” she added.
Kolton grabbed his kutte.
“I asked you not to smoke in here,” she said fanning off the smoke with her hand.
He ignored her.
“Yeah, there’s the kids trick-or-treating at the Nest this afternoon. Then the party tonight.”
Amy watched him.
“He’s gonna have so much fun.”
No answer.
Just smoke.
Movement.
Then—
“Stop getting into fights.”
That got a glance.
“You face looks terrible,” she added.
Kolton rolled his eyes.
“Jesus, don’t smoke, don’t fight… you sound like my mother.”
He grabbed his keys.
“happy HalloweenI love you,” she said hoping he would at least look back.
He didn’t care.
Didn’t kiss her.
Didn’t touch her.
Nothing.
Door opened.
Closed.
Outside, he took a long drag, jaw tight.
Hands still a little shaky.
Halloween.
Didn’t mean shit.
He got on his bike, revved it harder than needed, and took off like he had somewhere to be.
Like his buddy on the Southside didn’t set aside plenty of blow for him.
AFTERNOON
The Nest didn’t look like itself.
Kids everywhere.
Costumes. Candy buckets. Parents hanging back near the lot, looking at the bikes, talking to the members. Some Crossaiders also volunteered and were talking to the adults about their club and their cause.
Becky brought the kids and was helping around.
Ghostbusters on the speakers.
Engines off.
But every man there was working.
Kuttes on.
Eyes up.
Watching the road.
Watching each other.
No one said it out loud, but everyone knew—
If Reyes hit, this was the worst time.
Lane stood near the entrance, arms crossed, scanning.
Not relaxed.
Not even close.
Just… still.
Mack moved through the crowd, handing out candy and playing with his kids like it was nothing.
Ram posted near the gate.
A kid ran past Lane, nearly bumping into him.
Cape.
Mask.
Too big for his face.
“Hey Robin!”
Lane looked down.
Kyle.
Batman.
Full suit. Cheap plastic mask pushed up on his forehead.
Proud.
“Wait, what?”
Lane made a face and crouched just enough.
“I’m Batman,” Lane said in his best Batman voice.
Kyle grinned.
“Noooo, I’m Batman.”
Lane nodded once.
“Okay. Just for today.”
Kyle held up his bucket.
Already half full.
“I’m gonna get more than everyone.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
Lane reached into the bowl on the table behind him, grabbed a handful, and dropped it in.
Kyle’s eyes lit up.
“Don’t tell your grandma, you always get me in trouble,” Lane said.
Kyle leaned in like it was serious business.
“I won’t.”
He turned and ran off.
Cape dragging behind him.
Lane watched him go for a second.
Then—
Phone rang in his pocket.
He pulled it out.
“Yeah.”
Lane straightened.
“Kount, meet me at Dryden Community Clinic. Westside. Got something.”
Lane’s focus sharpened.
“What”
“Jane Doe admitted yesterday morning. Smoke inhalation, blunt trauma.”
Lane didn’t breathe.
“It’s gotta be her.”
That was enough.
“Be there in ten.”
Lane hung up.
Didn’t say anything to anyone.
Didn’t look back.
He was already moving.
Fast.
Straight through the crowd.
Past Mack.
Past Ram.
Out to the lot.
Engine roared to life.
Gone.
LATER
Front office.
Door open this time. Noise from outside drifting in—kids laughing, parents shouting, silly songs.
Don stood over the desk, flipping through notes.
Kolton walked in.
Didn’t knock.
Didn’t slow down.
“Any news?”
Don didn’t look up.
“No.”
Kolton scoffed.
“That’s it?”
Don kept reading.
“That’s it.”
Kolton stepped closer.
“So I’m just out of the loop now? Or is this still punishment?”
That got Don’s eyes.
Cold.
“You want a full report? A play-by-play briefing.” he said. “Or you wanna help?”
Kolton laughed under his breath.
“Hard to help when nobody tells me shit. Is everyone just going to sit the fuck around while Kait is fuck knows where?”
Don closed the folder.
“You done?”
Kolton held his stare.
Jaw tight.
“Yeah,” he said. “I’m done waiting.”
A beat.
“I’m gonna go find her myself.”
Don didn’t move.
Didn’t argue.
“Do whatever the fuck you want.”
That was worse.
Kolton turned and walked out.
Outside, kids everywhere.
Costumes. Candy buckets. Parents talking in clusters.
Kyle ran up to him, cape dragging behind him, mask pushed up.
“Dad, look!”
He held up his bucket, proud.
“Got a ton already.”
Kolton barely slowed.
“That’s cool, champ.”
Already walking past him.
“Save me some Smarties.”
Kyle turned, watching him go.
Smile fading just a little.
Kolton didn’t look back.
He was already gone.
“Kyle, come on, baby. Let’s get you some actual food,” said Loraine bringing him into the kitchen.
Amber’s car rolled into the Nest just as The Mare tore out of the lot.
Fast.
Too fast.
Kait turned her head.
Caught it.
Kolton.
No helmet. No hesitation. Gone before the dust settled.
She watched him disappear down the road.
Then she leaned back in the seat.
“Guess he’s feeling better,” she muttered.
Amber glanced at her.
“His face, holy shit.”
Kait shook her head.
“I’ll see you tonight.”
She opened the door before the car fully stopped.
Stepped out.
The Nest looked the same.
Didn’t feel the same.
Kids everywhere. Costumes. Candy buckets.
Different.
Her eyes moved across the lot—
The Kriger.
Untouched.
Safe.
Her shoulders dropped just a little.
Then—
She scanned again.
No Hardline.
No Lane.
Mack saw her first.
He froze.
Didn’t blink.
“Toast. Holy fuck.”
Not loud.
Didn’t need to be.
Everything shifted.
Heads turned.
Klaus.
Blaze.
Others.
One by one.
Like something just snapped back into place.
Kait stopped a few feet in.
Hands at her sides.
Still tired.
Still sore.
But standing.
“I’m good, I got out just in time,” she said before anyone could ask.
Ram walked up to her.
Slow.
Like if he moved too fast, she’d disappear and hugged her tight.
“Toast, I tried to get to you,” he said.
“There was no way, Ram. Don’t even… Amber told me how hard you tried.”
“Kid… holy shit,” said Don coming out and took his turn at a hug.
Relief was an understatement.
LATER
The clinic was still quiet, the lobby still clean.
Maybe too clean… and bright.
Kode leaned against the counter like it was built for this moment.
Relaxed.
Easy smile.
The girl behind the desk didn’t stand a chance.
“So,” he said, voice smooth, “you gotta admit… I’ve been pretty patient.”
She laughed softly at the pun.
Nervous.
“You’re not even supposed to be asking me this,” she said moving her hair behind her ear.
“I’m not asking,” Kode said. “I’m hoping. Like I’m hoping for that phone number already.”
That smile again.
The lip piercing caught the light.
She noticed.
Of course she did.
“Come on,” he added. “Help me out a little.”
She hesitated.
Almost there.
“Just a name—”
“I told you, Jane Doe,” she whispered.
Kode leaned in just enough.
“What she look like? Can you tell me that?”
She glanced over her shoulder.
Lowered her voice.
“Was she pretty like you?”
Lane rolled his eyes but knew it was necessary.
“Hey!”
The voice cut clean across the room.
Kode didn’t turn right away.
Lane did
Nurse Davina stepped forward from the hallway.
Scrubs.
No nonsense.
Eyes locked on the kuttes.
“Y’all here looking for you friend?” she said.
Now Kode turned.
Slow.
Davina crossed her arms.
“White girl with that same snake tattoo? Pretty silver eyes?” she added.
“Yes ma’am. Is she still here?” Lane said walking towards her.
Davina shook her head.
“Uh-uh. She got discharged already. Left at about noon.”
Silence.
Kode’s smile faded just a fraction.
“Where’d she go?”
Davina gave him a look.
Like he should know better.
“I don’t know. She left on her own two feet, though.”
Beat.
Then. Whispering.
“She was being question by this one cute cop the whole time she was here. She said that’s why she didn’t wanna call nobody.”
That stuck.
Lane nodded once.
“Appreciate it.”
Davina didn’t answer.
“Have a Krait day, ma’am,” Kode said.
She only watched them until they turned and walked out.
Outside.
Air hit different.
“But why didn’t she come home?” Kode said.
“Doesn’t feel comfortable there.”
Lane was already moving toward his bike.
“She hasn’t since—”
Phone rang.
He answered without stopping.
“Yeah.”
Don’s voice.
“Kait’s home.”
Lane stopped.
Just for a second.
“We’re on our way.”
Click.
Lane hung up.
Kode looked at him.
“She just got to the Nest.”
“Thank fuck!”
They got on their bikes and hurried back.
THE NEST - CHAPEL
Toast was back.
Kait stood near the center, still catching her breath from the walk up.
Everyone kept looking at her like she might disappear again if they blinked.
“I’m telling you,” she said, “this cop—Richter—he’s not buying it.”
Mack leaned against the table.
“I hate those city hardasses, man”
Ram nodded once.
“They’re the fucking worse.”
“Clean cut, pretty boy,” Kait added.
“Ugh,” said Diablo
“He clocked the tattoo,” she added. “Almost said ‘gang’.”
“OOOOH!”
Blaze muttered something under his breath.
“Fucking pussy.”
Footsteps from the balcony.
Buster.
Phone in hand.
“He’s not picking up,” he said.
Don shrugged, giving up.
“Let him ride it off, fuck it.”
Kait glanced toward the door. She couldn’t stop doing that because she couldn’t ask about him.
“But, anyway,” she continued, “doesn’t look like the giving up kind. If he keeps pushing, we’re gonna have a problem—”
The door opened.
Lane.
He stepped in.
Stopped.
Kait didn’t finish the sentence.
Didn’t move.
Didn’t breathe.
Everything else in the room just… dropped out.
He looked at her.
She was there…
Alive.
Standing.
Real.
She looked back.
No one said a word.
Bootsteps behind him.
Kode pushed in.
“Jesus Christ,” he said. “You scared the fuck outta us.”
He looked her over, shaking his head.
“Oh my God, Toast—stop dying.”
That broke it.
Laughter.
Air came back into the room.
People shifted again.
Don cleared his throat.
“Alright. She’s back.”
That changed things.
Kait looked away first.
Forced it.
Back to business.
Lane moved to his chair.
Sat.
“Glad you’re safe.”
She nodded, polite.
“Thanks.”
His eyes flicked to the bruise on her jaw.
Don nodded once.
“Well… you were all we were waiting on.”
“Now we can hit them,” Mack said.
“But not tonight,” Don said, standing. “Mack—get your crew.”
“Sir.”
Chairs scraped.
Bodies moved.
“I can ride with you if—” Kait started.
Lane shot Don a quick look.
Don laughed.
“You’re kidding, right? Absolutely not.”
“Nah. We got it, Toast,” Mack said.
Don waved a hand.
“Rest of you—big ass Halloween party Loraine’s been planning all month. Go.”
“Alright, boys. Let’s hit it.”
