You know that rumble you get from a big bike? Well, even that couldnt drown out the thundering of this boys heart. The sun was just melting into a sherbet sky, casting these crazy-long shadows over the street, when suddenly this little lad dashed out, smack in the centre of the road. He dropped to his knees, frozen, absolutely terrified.
A hulking, black motorcycle screeched to a halt just inches away from him, tyres squealing. The bloke riding itrough round the edges, scruffy leathers and alldidnt even bother with the kickstand. He was off the bike in a heartbeat as the boy blurted, voice catching on every breath: Please! Youve got to help my mum!
You could see the bikers attention immediately flicker from the boy to this tiny, slightly run-down semi just off the road. In the doorway, a man stood with a pint glass in his hand, wearing a scowl fit to curdle milk, itching for trouble.
The biker, all calm authority, said to the lad, Stay behind me, okay? His boots made this heavy, steady drum on the tarmac as they walked up the path.
When the bloke in the doorway clocked them coming, he barked out, Oi, what dyou think youre doing? But the biker didnt even break stride. He booted the front door clear off its hinges, glass exploding out onto the carpet.
Inside, it stank of spilled lager, unwashed flesh, and something much, much worsefear, thick in the air. The biker pressed forward, broken glass crunching underneath his boots, the boy clinging to the back of his weathered leather jacket, hiccuping tiny sobs.
The bloke from the doorway found his voice first. You mad idiot
But thats when he saw his face properlyReaper, they called him. Gabriel Kane. Six-four, tough as old boots, streaks of silver in his beard, a scar slicing down one side of his neck. The sort of bloke whispered about in greasy spoon cafés and outside dodgy pubs. The sort who ends any trouble, for good.
You could see the drunks bravado collapse like a drunk at closing time. Reaper didnt even glance at him as he strode on, following the muffled crying further back. The boy tugged anxiously at his jacket. Shes in there.
There was a soft thump from behind the last door, then nothing but silence. Reapers jaw set. In three determined strides, he kicked that door open.
Everything seemed to freeze. A woman was slumped by an overturned dining chair. Dark bruises blotted her face. An extension lead hung loosely around one wrist. But that isnt what stopped the biker dead.
It was the little girl hiding against her side. Four, maybe five years old. She clutched a worn-out plush rabbit, and round her neck, a silver coin dangled on a stringa small wolf engraved on it. The badge of the Iron Wolves Bike Club, known only to those who knew.
Those coins? Reserved for full members. Only one fella ever made tiny ones for his kidsDaniel Kane. His own brother. Dead and buried nearly a decade now.
The girl peeped up, blue eyes huge, and did something so wild it was unrealshe lifted her scruffy bunny and whispered, Uncle Gabe?
Everything tipped sideways for a moment. The man behind, the stepdad, froze in the hallway, and the womans face just crumpled. No… dear God, no…
Reaper knelt before the girl, every old wound hed ever had suddenly vanishing. Whats your name, love?
She wiped her nose and whispered, Emma. Like a gut punch. Because everyone thought Daniels daughter had died in that fire. That was the story.
The woman sobbedlooked like her very soul was breaking. He lied… she managed, barely audible.
It finally clickedthis slob behind them wasn’t the dad. Stepdad. The kind that preys on women left too alone. The stepdad tried to steady himself, chin jutting out. Shes confused, mate.
But Reaper was up again, suddenly making the hallway seem half its size. The man instantly started to back up, hands up, ready to weasel out. You listen to me
Did you hit them? Calm. Colder than the Thames in January.
Panicked, the stepdad blurted, Shes my wife!
Wrong answer. In a flash, Reaper grabbed him and slammed him through the halls side table, splinters flying everywhere. He hauled him up by his shirt, feet dangling.
Daniel was my brother, he growled, and you could see the realisation hitthis night had turned truly dire for the drunk.
Behind them, the girl Emma started crying, but this time it wasnt fear. No, it was because, after years lost and unloved, someone who was truly hers had finally walked through that broken, bloody doorway.
