Rowan
Back at the compound, emotions are high. Well, at least they are for us.
The rest of the guys seem to be living it the fuck up. Not sure how, but they’re drinking, smoking, and partying to their hearts’ content.
Girls wander through the halls. Men are snorting powders.
Iago is fucking pissed.
“Everybody outside,” he screams, firing at the ceiling. “I said, out!”
The girls freak out and leave. I can’t help but laugh at the whole clusterfuck of a situation.
Iago points his gun at his men. “Who authorized this, while I was gone? Someone better step forward,” he says. “Was it you, Chance?”
A young biker steps forward. “Me? You think I did this?”
“If no one steps forward, you’re getting the blame. How does that sound? You won’t step foot in this compound again,” Iago says, red-faced.
The man who Iago beat the other day steps forward. “It was me.”
Iago drops his gun. Giving him no time to react, he rushes the biker. “You moron,” he screams. “You’re letting people in without my orders? Who do you think you are?”
“The mood was down,” he says, defiantly. “Do you want your men to be depressed before a fight?”
“If my men are depressed, they need to tell me that to my face. You don’t think I could have alleviated their symptoms?” he asks. “That’s what a leader does. He helps his people when they’re in need.”
Iago turns to the rest of the men, puffing out his chest and catching air. Caroline heads into the corner of the room and sits down, looking tired from the ride.
“Is it true? Were you depressed?” Iago asks.
Some men shrug. The rest utter the words, “no, sir.”
Iago seethes. “Unbelievable. Give me your weapon, son.”
The man stands in disbelief. “My weapon?”
“You heard me. Give me your gun. You’ll sit this fight out,” he says.
“But sir, I—”
“Give him your god damn weapon!” Jeffco screams. “If you don’t, I’ll break your nose. This is ridiculous.”
The man gives him his gun and sighs, lighting a cigarette. Iago shakes his head, looking as if he’s ready to kill the man. I don’t blame him. This guy is disobedient and reckless. He could get us all killed.
I speak up. “We found the Hell Squadron,” I say. “Deep within the mountains.”
Another bike stands. “And?”
“And they’re willing to help us,” Iago says.
“For what price? What do they ask for in exchange?” he asks.
“Nothing,” I say. “Just the loyalty, peace, and freedom we’ve given them over the years. That’s all. Are you guys good on that?”
“They’re good on that,” Iago answers for them.
“They will be meeting us to fight. With our men ready, I think we can win this,” I say. “But we need strict rules in place. No more drinking. No more partying and acting reckless. No more women. All of that comes after, when we win this.”