Page 21 of Broken Skulls (Rebel Skull MC #7)

Chapter Twenty

Jacob

T ank made the call to Danielle’s husband, Anthony, as soon as he heard Elizabeth suggested it.

“She wouldn’t have mentioned it if she didn’t think it was necessary to our success. She’s never been very fond of Anthony.”

“Why?”

“Because he was the only one who could see through her bullshit.”

I bite my tongue, letting him get on with making the call. Fuck him and his attitude. He fucked up. He didn’t see what was going on with his woman. Scratch that. My woman. Maybe that’s why he missed it. She had that shit buried deep. I roll my head on my shoulders. I’ll let it go … for now.

When he hangs up, he tells us that Anthony is already on it. Danielle made him do a deep dive on Mr. Baxter.

“He said he thinks he has his place booby trapped. Sounds like the place is set to blow. There’s something in there he doesn’t want anyone to see.”

“Jesus. She wasn’t joking when she said the fucker is dangerous,” Jackson says, shaking his head.

Tank kicks his leg over his bike. “Anthony says they’re getting close to disarming everything, but they’re going to wait for us before going in.”

“Let’s roll, boys.” Jackson pulls up next to me. He waits for me to look at him. He gives me a one finger salute when he sees I’m good. “We’ve got your girl, man.”

I watch as all my brothers hit the blacktop. Big Dan rides behind me to the left. I chuckle to myself. I’m sure his wife has him watching my back.

We push hard all day and most of the night, pulling into the parking lot of a rundown hotel just as the sun breaks the horizon. Three men in suits step from the lobby as we stretch and grab our gear. Tank heads over, shaking their hands before hugging them.

Slowly, everyone begins to gather round. Tank introduces me to Anthony.

“So, you’re the crazy bastard who’s taken on Lizzie.”

I shake his hand, my gaze narrowing on him. “Elizabeth,” I correct. Lizzie was who she had to be to survive.

He chuckles, dips his head in acquiescence. “Elizabeth,” he repeats. He looks at Tank. “I like him already.”

Jackson interrupts. “Fuck, I need to hit the hay. What time are we doing this?”

Anthony turns his attention to our president. “I’ve got guys working on his system now. We’ll be ready by ten.”

That’s all Jackson needs to hear. He whistles, ordering everyone to get the key to their room and get a little shut eye.

Dan wraps his big hand around the back of my neck. “So, is she the one?”

“I sure hope so, because I’ll never be able to let her go.” I throw my bag over my shoulder and head inside.

Once in my room, I lie on the bed, FaceTiming Lily.

“How did I know you’d be calling?” she asks before giving me a chance to say hello.

“Is she okay?”

“Why don’t you ask her yourself?” I hear a shuffle on the other end, and then it’s quiet.

It amazes me how different Elizabeth is compared to how everyone describes her. She’s my shy girl.

“Hey, baby.” I let her off the hook on speaking first.

“Hi,” she says quietly.

A shiver of satisfaction slides down my spine. Pretty sad that a woman greeting me over the phone affects me this much.

“You doing okay?”

“I’m good.”

We’re both quiet for several minutes. “Um, we made it,” I tell her, afraid to mention too much of what’s going on. It breaks my heart that all of this scares her. “Anthony and his team were already here.”

“What? They were already there?”

Why is she so shocked by this? She was the one who told us to call him. Oh yeah, I guess she doesn’t know that I called Danielle and asked about Mr. Baxter.

“I’m sorry. I may have given him a heads up by asking them about your teacher.”

Her voice rises. “You asked who?”

“Danielle.”

She’s quiet, and I know I fucked up.

“I’m sorry,” I say again, and I really am.

“They figured it out …” she rasps.

I realize she’s not upset with me. She’s trying to wrap her mind around the fact her friends finally put the pieces together, and they’re helping her.

“I’ve been lying here thinking about the past version of myself. The one who worried about future me. The me that would eventually hit the end of the road. I spent so many hours worrying.” Her voice cracks, and she sucks in a deep breath.

“Shh, baby. I’m here.”

She moans, “I arrived at the end of the road, not realizing I could turn back.”

I laugh. “Oh, you weren’t turning back. I had to forcefully spin you around.”

This makes her chuckle. “You’re right. I have you to blame for all of this.”

“Or thank. It’s all how you look at it.”

“I don’t know if I can do that right now. I’m terrified about how this is going to turn out.”

“That’s okay,” I tell her. “I didn’t stop you that day for accolades.”

“Why did you stop me?”

“I wanted you,” I admit honestly.

“Jacob.” My name rolling from her lips, sounds like heaven. “Tonight …” she pauses a few seconds, “just remember whatever you find …”

I stand up, my pulse quickening with every word that leaves her mouth.

“It’s already happened. I’ve already survived it.”

“What do you mean?” My hand balls into a fist.

“I don’t want you to feel bad for me.”

“Elizabeth,” I breathe out.

“You’re a good man, Jacob.”

And then she hangs up on me.

What the fuck are we about to uncover?