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“Huh,” he grunted. “Where is she?”

“She’s a librarian and works for the city.”

“Damn. Didn’t figure it would be that easy.”

“Me either,” I admitted, feeling like a fool because I should have looked for her sooner. I wanted to ask Katrina if her adoptive parents had been good to her and if she’d had a normal life after the hell we survived as kids. There was so much I didn’tknow. Twelve fucking years. I still couldn’t believe it had been that long.

“There’s something else.” Crow ticked his chin toward me. “Tell me what’s going on.”

“Did you talk to Eagle Eye?”

“A little. Heard about the cold case.”

“Katrina’s parents were killed in a car accident. Drunk driver on the highway one night while she was at home with a babysitter. Somehow, I don’t think it’s that simple. She didn’t have any surviving relatives, so Katrina went into the system. That’s how we met.”

“I remember the story,” he assured me.

I cleared my throat, hoping what I was about to say was wrong. “What if it wasn’t an accident?”

“Fuck, Cuckoo.”

Exactly. Fuck.

“Eagle Eye says the case files have a high-security clearance. He’s having trouble accessing the data.” I pushed out of my chair, agitated by the idea. “Katrina could be a target if I’m right.”

“What are you saying?”

“She needs my protection.”

“I see.” His probing stare settled on me, discerning what I needed. “By extension, you want the club’s protection.”

“I do,” I confirmed.

“Cuckoo,” he began, but I didn’t give him a chance to deny me.

“She’s my mate,” I stated simply, watching his eyes widen.

“But she’s your sister.”

“Myfostersister. We’re not blood-related,” I replied with more than a bit of snark. Why did everyone get hung up on that? It wasn’t gross. I didn’t lust after her until we were adults. That only happened once I saw her government I.D. on EagleEye’s screen. Wasn’t my fault she grew up to be a beauty or that my crow recognized her as ours with such fierce determination. “She’s mine, Pres.”

“I can’t make this decision on my own. We take it to church.”

“Tomorrow?” I clarified.

“Tomorrow. Noon.”

Perfect. I had time to stalk my obsession, err woman, and then convince my brothers to vote in my favor. Protecting the innocent was never an issue. It was the risk to the club. That was why Crow was still staring me down.

“The club will always have your back, Cuckoo.”

I knew that.

“But you’re asking the club, askingmeto be okay with a possible enemy we don’t fucking know about yet.”

I cleared my throat, understanding his concern. “I get that, Pres. I do. But if I’m right, and this same enemy murdered Katrina’s parents, they’ll come after her. I won’t let her remain vulnerable and unprotected. I can’t fucking risk her, Crow.” I used his real name to emphasize my point. “Would you allow that to happen to Bella?”

His ol’ lady. His fucking pregnant mate.