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"They're up to something," I say, my mind racing through possibilities, none of them good. "This isn't a retreat. It's a regroup."

John nods. "My thoughts exactly."

I push away from the desk, energy surging through me. "Send men to follow them. I want to know where they're going, who they're meeting with. Get eyes on Axel especially. That fucker doesn't take a piss without Kade's permission."

"Already on it. Donnie and Marco are in position to tail the next group that leaves."

I run a hand over my jaw, stubble rough against my palm. "Make sure they keep their distance. If the Serpents spot our guys, we lose our advantage."

"They know how to stay invisible," John assures me.

My mind turns to Olivia, safely tucked away upstairs with Roman standing guard. But for how long can I keep her here? How long before this war with the Serpents reaches my doorstep?

"Double the security here," I order. "And tell Roman not to let Olivia out of his sight."

John gives me a knowing look. "I never thought I’d see you care about a woman this much."

His words echo in my brain. I care about her more than I've ever cared about anyone.

FORTY-TWO

Olivia

Ipress my ear against the cool wood of Sam's office door, straining to catch every word.

"The Serpents are pulling out from the bar. Naz just reported they've been leaving in groups for the last hour,"John says.

"All of them?"Sam questions.

"Nearly. Just a couple left, and they look like they're packing up too."

Their voices drop lower, and I back away, heart racing. They're gone. The Serpents are gone. Which means the danger Sam's been using to keep me locked up has vanished too.

I slip back to my room, my mind made up. I need air. Space. Freedom. I've spent too long in cages — first, the one of my own making in Montreal, and now, this gilded prison.

I need room to think. And I clearly can't do so here.

Roman's stationed downstairs, but I know the house layout by now. The side door near the kitchen leads to the garden, and the fence has a loose section I spotted days ago.

Twenty minutes later, I'm sliding into a cab, the night air feeling sweet on my skin.

"Gino's Bar," I tell the driver, relief flooding my veins.

When I walk through the door of the bar, I suck in a calming breath. I've been worried since Roman dragged me out of place and Sam put me on lockdown. Now that I can't see it with my own eyes, I feel more at peace.

The bar is quiet, just a few regulars nursing drinks. Joey looks up from the beer he's pouting, his eyes widening.

"Jesus, girlie! What are you doing here? Does he know?—"

"No," I cut him off, sliding onto a stool. "And I don't care. I need to know what's going on."

Joey leans in, voice low. "That damn MC," he hisses. "They've been here all night. Drinking us out of everything. They were asking questions about you…" He looks worried and guilt rushes through me that I brought him into this mess.

This is all my fault.

My stomach tightens. "What kind of questions?"

"Wanted to know when you'd be back and what's up with you and Sam Costello. I didn't tell them shit." He glances nervously toward the door. "But they know this place is yours, and they know there's something between you and Costello."