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Now the fear was overwhelming. I wanted to get Rebel in here immediately, where I could watch her at all hours of the night and day.
Except I probably wouldn’t even be here to do that. Whatever was happening, War would need me. I sure as fuck didn’t trust some dumb prospect to stay here and protect my girl.
She was better off at home with Vaughn and Kian. At least until I knew exactly how bad the danger threat was. I trusted War’s judgement.
If War changed his mind, I’d bring them in. All three of them. I wasn’t risking anything else happening to someone Rebel cared about.
I called Vaughn’s number. It rang out, and I swore beneath my breath before ringing him again.
The second time, he picked it up on the second ring. I didn’t even let him get out a greeting. “Jesus fuck,” I spat down the phone. “Answer the fucking phone next time.”
“Hold on a minute, I just time-warped back to being fifteen when I broke curfew and my dad rang five hundred times until I answered the phone.” Vaughn’s sarcasm dripped down the line. “What the hell, man? Since when do you call me anyway?”
I didn’t have time to argue with him. “Listen to me. Shit is going down with the club. I don’t know what yet, so don’t ask me, but it’s got War spooked enough to call a low-level lockdown.”
“Which means what? I don’t speak biker.”
“Which means I need you and Kian to watch out for her.”
“Since when don’t I do that?”
I shook my head, even though he couldn’t see it. “More, Vaughn. I need you to have Kian’s back too. And vice versa. I don’t have time to call him, but promise me you have this handled.”
“Kian hates my guts and is probably out somewhere getting laid just to spite me. I can’t have his back if he’s lying on it for some other guy…”
He wasn’t getting it. “I don’t care, Vaughn!” I yelled. “Get him back or I’m dragging you and Rebel here and locking you in this damn clubhouse myself.”
He paused, and this time when he spoke he was quieter. “What’s going on?”
I probably wouldn’t be able to tell him even if I knew. I was out of time anyway. “Just do it. And next time, if I call, answer the fucking phone. I can’t warn you of shit if you’re letting my calls go to voicemail. Promise me.”
“I promise.”
A relief settled over me, and I strode through the church doors right before War closed them. “Oh, and Vaughn?”
“Yeah?”
I settled into my seat at War’s left-hand side. “Watch the fucking tape. As you once told me, the girl has needs, you know.”
23
REBEL
I lay across Vaughn’s bed on my stomach, a laptop, a yellow legal pad, and a couple of pens scattered around me. While Vaughn talked on the phone, I scribbled down a list of potential songs to play at Mom and Bart’s funeral. Vaughn had picked a bunch of traditional, depressing songs I thought would make everyone cry, even more than they already would be, so I was determined to find some Bart and Mom had loved.
I texted Kian again, asking where he was and telling him I needed his help in song selections before Vaughn had me sobbing and rocking in a corner.
Kian didn’t answer.
I bit my lip, not sure whether to be annoyed with him for ignoring me or worried that he’d gone AWOL. Neither was like him.
Vaughn ended his call and tossed the phone onto his nightstand again. His expression was a whole lot more thoughtful than the smart aleck tone he’d started the conversation with.
I tapped the end of my pen against my list. “Who was that?”
“Fang.”
I raised an eyebrow. “What did he want?”