Page 5

CHAPTER FIVE

HENDRIX

C hurch in Virginia looked very different from Church in Wyoming, though that was mainly because of Colt.

Both clubs’ entry system was high-tech in the way we had to key in a sequence of ever-changing numbers to gain entry to the room, but here in Virginia, we had an extra level of security where we had to scan our prints and retinas too. Our government jobs were highly confidential, so our Church was also soundproofed, and our internal computer system checked for foreign devices each time we convened.

I keyed in the code and pressed my thumb onto an infra-red pad while it scanned my eyes. The locks disengaged with a quiet click, and I pushed on the door, surprised to see that I was the first one there.

Colt hadn’t just brought our MC into the twenty-first century; he’d taken us beyond. Our technology rivaled the goddamned Pentagon, and I, for one, loved it. I took my seat at the round oak table with the Speed Demons patch burned into it and lovingly ran my fingers over the polished wood gavel and soundblock that took pride of place at my hand.

Church in Wyoming was an experience and a time for banter and bonding, which went hand in hand with discussing club business. It was the same here, and although we followed the same bylaws and code of conduct as the mother chapter, there were also a lot of differences between the two clubs.

Wyoming was old school, and there was nothing wrong with that. Phones and iPads in Church were frowned upon, and I understood why. When Dagger was my prez, he wanted things done traditionally, and there was a place for that. But our work meant that we had to embrace technology, not only with our everyday equipment but also in our missions.

Every one of my men was equipped with the latest iPhone and iPads fitted with the best inbuilt security in the world. Encrypted mission plans were sent to them, so we expected the men to carry their tech whenever appropriate, and that included Church. The club’s coffers weren’t filled with cash like Wyoming. Ours contained state-of-the-art weaponry and technology, such as spy cameras and listening devices the size of an ant.

The club had a small plane and a helicopter assigned to us. We also had a Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk high-altitude remotely-piloted surveillance aircraft (Hawk for short), which we controlled from a small, hidden room in the basement of the hotel that only five of us had access to.

Other than that, we were pretty much the same as any other MC. Our bylaws were identical to the mother chapter’s along with our own added code of conduct. My men were talented soldiers, but outside our missions, they also ran our businesses in town and were expected to add to the club’s coffers. Every man was paid the same—and paid well—plus, anyone involved in a mission earned a bonus for that particular job, as well as their regular take.

With careful planning and investment, Wyoming made me a rich man, and after a rocky start, followed by more careful planning and investment, Virginia made me richer.

The locks on the door clicked, and my eyes lifted to see Bones, the club’s doctor, saunter in.

“Veep’s a sadist,” his deep, raspy voice declared.

My mouth stretched into a grin because I’d thought much the same minutes before. “You knew we’d call Church today. Dunno why you’re so goddamned miffed about it.”

“Only finished my last surgery three hours ago,” he grumbled.

I cocked an eyebrow. “You can survive on three hours of sleep. What’s the problem?”

A slow grin stretched across the good-looking bastard’s face. “Who said I was sleeping?”

The door opened again, and Blade’s West Coast drawl filled the air. “I don’t care if she sucks dick like a puffer fish. She’s out.”

Trick, my road captain, sauntered in looking like shit, followed by Blade and Iceman (who sported a black eye and a cut lip), with Colt and my dad flanking them. Just as Pop was about to let the door close, somebody yelled, “Wait.” Dad paused, holding the door ajar until Diablo, Gambit, and Pyro appeared, also looking like they’d been dragged through a hedge by their ears.

I watched, my lips thinning as they all took their seats around the table before my eyes slid to Blade, who also stared at them with a look of disdain.

“Have you seen the state of these assholes?” I asked.

“It’s nine o’clock on a Saturday mornin’,” Trick grumbled in his hybrid American slash Irish accent. “Some of us only got to bed an hour ago.”

Blade leaned his elbows on the table, steepling his fingers together and glaring at our brother. “And what if we got an emergency job come in, Princess? You’re still lit from last night. How the fuck could you get in a vehicle and drive, or even worse, handle a weapon?” He shook his head in disgust. “The fumes coming from your breath are so strong I’d be scared to light a fuckin’ match around you.”

“That ain’t booze,” Diablo rasped, a smirk sliding across his mouth. “It’s his girl’s pussy. Have you seen her? Great tits, but she’s as rough as old boots. It’s no wonder he smells like goddamned gasoline after eating that burned-out cooch.”

Trick’s eyes flicked across the table toward Iceman, who discretely fumbled in his pocket, and then suddenly, Trick’s cell phone went off.

He fished it out of his pocket to study the call display, and a wolfish smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Can I take this quickly, Prez? It’s important.”

I glanced at Blade, who shook his head exasperatedly.

As I opened my mouth to tell him no, I felt Iceman kick my shin sharply under the table.

What the fuck were these idiots up to?

Curiosity got the better of me, so I jerked a nod of assent. “I haven’t banged the gavel. Make it quick.”

Ice’s lips curved.

Trick stabbed at the cell before holding it to his ear and murmured in a low tone, “Mornin’, you sexy fuckin’ bitch.”

Every eye slashed toward him.

Trick laughed deep and low. “We still on for tonight? Yeah?” He paused. “You gonna do all that to me, huh? You’re one filthy slut.” His voice dipped. “Gonna tear up that pussy tonight. You won’t be able to walk by the time I’m done drilling your tight, hot cunt.”

He paused again, and I watched all the men lean closer to catch what he said next, all except Ice, whose lips were twitching like a motherfucker.

“Gonna fuck you through the mattress, then I’m gonna kneel on your chest and pin you down while I feed my cock into your wet little mouth. I’ll fuck your face so hard that tears are gonna run down that pretty, flushed face.” Another pause. “Yeah? You want that, do ya? Are you my dirty little whore?” The woman must’ve said she was because Trick grinned. “Damned straight you are. I own that tight, slick pussy, and don’t you fucking forget it.”

His eyes lifted to us and rested on Diablo. “Okay, babe, see ya tonight. Remember the rules. Want your lacy little panties soaked by the time I get there. Get that pretty little pussy nice and creamy for Daddy.” His soft laugh was heated. “Right, babe, one minute, I’ll put him on.” Without blinking, he handed his cell phone to Diablo. “Here, brother, your mom needs a quick chat.”

For a split second, shocked silence filled the air, and Bones choked out a laugh.

Every man stared at Trick, who grinned huge and cocky, then roars of laughter cut through the room as every man began to bust a gut.

Diablo’s cheeks burned bright red. He jumped to his feet and reached across the table for Trick, who leaned back to evade him, almost falling from his chair through laughing so hard.

I looked at Ice, who had tears running down his face while he took his cell from his pocket to end the fake call.

“Fucker,” Diablo raged, pushing his chair back and hurtling around the table to go after Trick, who scrambled from his chair and ran around the back of me.

Diablo changed trajectory, so Trick darted the other way until they were playing a game of cat and mouse around the table.

Iceman let out a hoot.

Bones choked out another laugh.

Gambit almost fell to the floor, his hands sliding south to clutch at his groin. “I can’t—I just can’t. Your Ma wants a word. Fuck me.”

Trick hooted a laugh and dodged Diablo again, who let out a frustrated yell.

“For fuck’s sake,” Blade muttered through the hilarity, his stare drifting toward me. “We’re fucked if this is the level of maturity we gotta deal with.”

My lips twitched, and I shrugged in my VP’s direction.

Diablo was the biggest joker in the place. He was constantly messing with the others. It was only a matter of time before they went for his jugular. My SAA had been getting away with his shit for long enough, and I had to admit, they got him good.

The stupid fucker fell for it hook, line, and sinker.

“Alright, assholes,” Blade shouted. “Calm your asses down and get back in your chairs. This isn’t kindergarten.” His tone was no-nonsense, but even he couldn’t stop his lips twitching at the joke.

Diablo pointed a finger at Trick. “You’re a fucknut talkin’ about my ma like that.

Bones let out a cackle.

Dad snorted.

“Slow your roll, brother,” Colt muttered, his eyes fixated on the iPad he was tapping away on. “It’s not like Trick actually fucked your mom.” His gaze lifted toward the road captain. “Did you?”

Diablo growled.

All the men busted out laughing again.

The SAA threw himself back into his seat, sniffing disdainfully. “Mom’s should be off-limits when it comes to banter.”

Diablo was close to his mother. She was a cool lady, and my SAA was a momma’s boy, especially since his childhood was the opposite of mine, and she’d raised his ass without a dad.

“He got ya good,” Dad reasoned. “You gotta admit it.”

The SAA’s mouth twisted.

“You can’t really be that mad, brother,” Trick pointed out. “It’s usually us on the receiving end of your bullshit. If you dish it out, you gotta be able to eat it, and it’s not often we get one over on you.”

Diablo grunted his reply.

Blade sat back in his chair to my right, shaking his head. “Can we stop screwing around and get on with Church? I summoned you fuckers this early for a reason, and we’re wasting time.” His head turned to me. “Take the floor, Prez.”

I picked up the gavel and smashed it onto the soundblock before my gaze went around the table, starting at Blade to my right and finishing on Iceman, who sat to my left.

My men were assholes, but they were also loyal to a fault. My club had gone through its ups and downs but finally, we’d settled with a band of brothers who I was proud to work with.

“Spoke to Cash this mornin’,” I began. “Discovered my ex is in trouble.”

The smiles faded, and everyone shifted in their seats.

“Anna?” Ice demanded.

“Yeah.” My eyes went across the table, and I dipped my chin at Colt.

He tapped on his iPad, and within seconds, the state-of-the-art screens that covered the walls lit up with the image of three men.

“The guy in the middle wearing the suit is Antoni Lis,” Colt announced. “He’s the money man for an organized crime family in Pennsylvania. The dude to his right is the head of the family and also Antoni’s cousin, Filip Lis. Finally, the man to his left is his brother, Leon. Antoni’s also the husband of Anna Bouchard, friend to the Speed Demons Wyoming and their women, including Freya.” He tapped his iPad, and a close-up of Anna’s face staring blankly out of a car window appeared. “She’s also Hendrix’s ex-girlfriend.”

Pyro leaned toward the screen, and then his gaze drifted to me. “She’s pretty.”

My heart panged.

“Always wondered where his fascination with redheads came from,” Bones muttered. “Seems our prez is a psychoanalyst’s dream.”

I let out a grunt.

“Anna married Lis a few years ago and moved to Pennsylvania,” Colt continued. “Her marriage started well, but our intel reports that things began to go downhill about six months after the wedding. Anna began to ask questions about his business dealings—something Lis wasn’t happy about. Things deteriorated over time until last night when they came to a head, and we think he physically abused her at their home.”

I closed my eyes, trying to tamp down my need to punch something.

We weren’t choirboys by any stretch of the imagination, but women and civilians were off-limits. We fought the enemy and even each other sometimes—as proven by Iceman and Fletcher the night before—but anybody weaker than us was left alone. It was a bylaw I laid out for every man when they joined. I made it clear that we weren’t a biker club that was going to throw our weight around or try to intimidate our neighbors into doing what we wanted. We were to be respectful and, in turn, be respected.

My men could be assholes in a lot of ways, but I’d instilled a sense of honor in my club and made it an organization the men could be proud to be part of, so I had no doubt they were as disgusted with this intel as I was.

Cash hadn’t told me in so many words, but I could read between the lines and suspected things had gotten violent for Anna. I also knew it would have been the first and last time because there was one thing I was certain about.

My woman wouldn’t tolerate a man who physically or emotionally abused her.

Hell, she wouldn’t even tolerate my backward-and-forward bullshit, so if Antoni Lis thought she’d stay after he put his hands on her, he didn’t know her as well as I did.

The asshole was living on borrowed time because I’d make sure that whatever he did to Anna would come back on him tenfold before I sliced his piece of shit throat.

He’d forced my hand, and now all bets were off.

I wanted my woman back.

“You okay, Prez,” Blade rasped from beside me.

I opened my eyes, and my head swiveled to face him. “I will be.”

“We’re gonna take him out,” my VP assured me.

Nodding, I murmured, “Yeah, Veep. I know.”

Blade’s mouth curved.

“Breaker’s on his way here. As soon as Cash calls with the rest of the intel, we’ll roll out and fuel up the jet. Ice is flying the bird, so he’s in with Breaker. Who else is feelin’ stabby?”

Every hand shot up.

I cast an eye over the group.

In normal circumstances, I’d take Pyro. He was our explosives expert, but Breaker’s presence meant I already had one. Pyro was good at his job, but he wasn’t exactly subtle. I needed shadows, men who could stand in a room full of people but not be seen.

Trick was my vehicle and ops genius. His aim was perfect, he was brave, and he thought on his feet. The only problem was we’d be working in teams, and I needed men who took charge.

Blade was out. He needed to stay here in case anything happened to me. We’d decided from day one to never go on jobs together, so there was always somebody in authority at HQ.

My stare landed on Gambit. He was an ex-British Special Forces, namely the SAS, or Special Air Service, a renowned unit within the British Army. The SAS was highly regarded all around the world for its expertise in counterterrorism, hostage rescue, and reconnaissance.

Gambit could turn invisible when needed, so he was up.

Another name sprung into my head, but it wasn’t an officer. I needed a calm, quiet brother who could kill without hesitation. We had to get in and out in a limited time frame.

“Gambit and Picasso,” I said matter-of-factly. “This job’s gonna be sensitive. I trust every one of you with my life, but let’s face it, you’re gung-ho motherfuckers, which isn’t a problem usually, but I need understated for this job. Gambit’s a shadow, and Cass is a Ninja. I appreciate your enthusiasm, boys, but this job needs quiet efficiency, not bombs and shoot-em-ups.”

“Why aren’t we goin’ in hot?” Diablo inquired

I motioned to Colt to go ahead and answer.

“These men have ties to the Pruszków Mafia,” he explained. “We’re not leaving anybody alive, and if they get so much as a whiff of us being involved, it’ll start a war. We’re gonna set it up so a local gang gets blamed for the hits. The Feds have sanctioned the mission but if the club gets caught, like always, they’ll deny any government involvement.”

“Are you goin’?” Dad asked.

“Shep and I will be the investigating agents,” Colt confirmed. “We’ll be first on the scene. All bein’ well, we’ll be done and dusted within twenty-four hours.”

“Why’s Breaker going in?” Pyro demanded. “Don’t need anyone doing my job for me. I don’t get enough action as it is.”

My lips twitched. “The Wyoming women insisted their men got involved in Anna’s rescue. Breaker drew the short straw.”

Pyro rolled his eyes.

Diablo shook his head, seemingly disgusted, and muttered, “Pussy whipped.”

“Have some respect,” Blade snapped. “That’s your mother chapter and your boss. You assholes have a lot to say, but I don’t see you flapping your gums to their faces.”

My enforcer ducked his chin, suitably chastised.

To an outsider, the Wyoming boys may have appeared to be under their women’s thumbs, but it worked both ways. I suspected the women had talked amongst themselves—and no doubt colluded with Freya, Colt’s ol’ lady.

They’d all seen Breaker in action. When he morphed into soldier mode, there wasn’t another man alive I’d want to fight by my side. He was a killing machine, and the women knew exactly what they were doing by sending him.

If I got taken out while trying to save Anna, Breaker would get her to safety, even if it meant slitting every throat in the vicinity. We may have been going into the lion’s den, but Breaker was the monster the lions had nightmares about, and those women knew it.

I leaned forward, elbows to the table. “Right. We’ve got a team. As soon as Breaker arrives, the four of us sit down and plan. If anyone wants a powwow in the meantime, my door’s open.” I looked around the table. “Any other business?”

“Yeah,” Blade piped up. “I got something to say.”

I looked at him expectantly.

“Sara’s ass is getting kicked out,” he announced.

“But she gives head like a vacuum,” Trick exclaimed. “The bitch can suck a man’s soul out of his peepee hole.”

“I can vouch for that,” Pyro agreed, grinning widely.

The men chuckled.

“She’s only been here a few weeks,” Ice pointed out. “What the fuck did she do to get thrown out already?”

Blade tipped his chin up. “She gave Carrie shit.”

Angry mutters went up, and the air in the room seemed to turn.

After a brief silence, Iceman jerked a nod, his mouth setting into an angry line. “Then yeah... she’s out.”

“I’ll help her pack,” Gambit declared.

“Nobody fucks with our Carrie,” Bones interjected.

“Did any of the other girls mouth off to her?” Diablo asked. “’Cause they’ll be out too. Think it’s about time we laid down the law. Those ladies need a pep talk.”

Dad shifted in his seat. “This is the problem. The club girls get complacent. After a while, they start to believe that just because you men fuck ‘em, they own your dicks.”

Gambit nodded his agreement. “They’re startin’ to chat too much shite for my liking. Asked Daisy to clear the kitchen table last week and she told me she was too busy.” He shook his head. “Too busy doin’ what? Sucking cock?”

Dad side-eyed me pointedly and murmured, “Probably.”

Bones let out a snort.

I shot him a glare before turning to Gambit. “You should’ve thrown her out there and then. Club girls earn their keep by cooking and cleaning. Their role in this club is to look after the place. What they do on their backs and on their knees is for free, and ‘cause they want to; they’re not goddamned hookers. Any lip, and they’re out. Don’t care who it is or how highly they think of themselves. I’ve seen how those girls can get when they think they’re all that, and it doesn’t bode well for the club.”

“Thought she was yours,” Pyro inquired.

“You thought fucking wrong. Have I ever announced I’ve got an ol’ lady?” I looked around the table at each man in turn and repeated, “Have I?”

“No, Prez,” they muttered.

“Damned straight,” I cut out. “Though that’s gonna change when Anna gets here. I’ve got every intention of wifing her up whether we make it official with a ceremony or not. In the meantime, she’s off-limits. D’ya get me?”

Every eye slashed toward me, shocked.

“Do you fuckin’ get me?” I repeated louder that time.

My officers collectively nodded, murmuring their agreement.

“You all show her respect and treat her as if she’s an ol’ lady to this club,” I ordered. “Keep it among us for now, and you fuckers make sure to keep your hands to yourselves.”

“Does she know she’s your woman?” Ice asked, a small smile playing around his mouth.

He already damned well knew the answer to that, but I humored him anyway. “She will soon enough.”

“You’ve been keeping tabs on her, though,” Dad deduced, nodding toward Colt’s tablet. “There ain’t no way the wonder kid found all that shit out about her in the space of an hour.”

“Been keeping an eye on her since the day I left Hambleton,” I admitted. “Colt was on the case before she even arrived in Philly.”

Silence fell over the room, the brevity of my words sinking in.

“Told you back then you were being too hasty,” Dad bit out. “I said, clear as day, you’d regret letting her go. Maybe next time you’ll fucking listen to me, and we’ll all be spared three years of angst and heartbreak.” He sniffed distastefully. “It’s been like livin’ in a goddamned teen movie.”

Iceman nodded along. “He’s not wrong, Prez. You gonna be okay with all this? Last time it all got fucked up, you lost your damned mind.”

My eyebrow rose. Ice and Dad weren’t wrong. I did lose my shit last time around, but I was older now and hopefully wiser. Being without Anna made me realize how much I needed her. I’d been given a second chance, and I wasn’t about to make the same mistake twice.

“Mind your fuckin’ nosy assed business,” I said cuttingly. “Focus on your own love life. After last night, you should be tending to your own shit, especially when the likes of Fletcher can swoop in and fuck your girlfriend more or less right under your nose.”

Snickers went up from the men, while Ice’s face turned stony.

“Ice fucked up Fletch’s face,” Diablo crowed. “God only knows how he explained that shit to Frankie.”

“By telling her everything but the damned truth, no doubt,” Pop interjected.

Blade shook his head despairingly. “You can probably wager your paycheck on that. Fuck knows what he’s thinking. He’s getting worse.”

“D’ya think it’s his PTSD?” Gambit suggested.

“Nah,” I drawled. “I think it’s his dirty dick.”

“I don’t get it.” Bones shrugged. “Why’s he risking everything for easy pussy?”

An uneasy silence fell over the room as the boys contemplated that question for a minute.

“Maybe I’m the asshole for saying this, but I’ll die on that hill if I have to. I don’t trust him,” Diablo admitted. “If he’d betray the mother of his kids, he’d betray anyone.” He looked around the table. “Us included.”

The men murmured their agreement.

My eyes drifted to Blade. “We’ll keep an eye on him.”

Veep nodded, leaning forward across the table. “Next on the agenda is something I shouldn’t have to bring up, but still, here we are. We’ve got some loose lips spreading our little secrets around. Club business is getting broadcast to all and sundry, and I don’t fucking like it.”

The men squirmed uncomfortably.

“Club business is exactly that,” Blade went on. “Since when does the bar manager—who incidentally is not a member of this club, seeing as she has a vagina and all—get informed of our business plans?”

I took in their guilty faces, almost hearing crickets chirp.

“Next time any of you flap your gums, you’ll get a big-assed fine, and I’ll see you in the ring. And if it happens again, then I’ll kick you outta this club quicker than one’a those girls out there can drop their panties. I don’t give a fuck what your position in this club is, how well-liked you are, or if you’re BFFs with the prez. You could be the second coming of Jesus Christ himself for all I care; I’ll still escort any one’a you motherfuckers to your bikes then wave toodle-oo as you ride off into the Potomac River with the wind blowing in your cunt hairs. Do you fuckin’ get me?”

Silence.

“Do you fucking get me?” Blade roared, bouncing to his feet and smacking his palms flat to the table.

A chorus of ‘Yes Sirs’ sounded.

“Do not test me on this,” he snarled, dropping his ass back into his seat. “No more gossiping. You should all know fucking better.”

“Veep’s right,” I added. “We shouldn’t have to pull you up on shit like this. I mean, what the fuck’s goin’ on? You know our position’s precarious. Ace and his boys are tryin’ to fuck us up the ass every time we turn our backs. It only takes one hangaround to overhear your convos, and we may as well take out an ad in the local newsrag about what our next plans are. It’s our most sacred bylaw: club business stays between brothers. End of.”

Every man at this table knew my brother-in-arms betrayed me by leaving the club, taking the few clients we had, and opening his own firm. Aces Security Professionals, or ASP, were now our rivals. We went after the same jobs and developed a huge tug-of-war that had spilled over into the field on occasion. Things had gotten better since we won the government contract, and Colt came on board and brought the FBI’s support with him. Now, when clients learned we were government approved, they tended to want to work with us over ASP, something my ex-buddy, Ace, didn’t like whatso-fucking-ever, as evidenced by the bullshit him and his boys threw at us.

Diablo tipped his head back and heaved a sigh before aiming his stare at me. “We’re gettin’ complacent. You’re right to call us out on it. We need to keep our shit tighter than we have been.”

Blade sat back in his chair and folded his arms across his chest. “Prez has said his piece, and so have I. Draw a line under it and do better goin’ forward. Copy?”

Mutters of “Yes Sir” went up.

Blade’s gaze flicked to me. “Any other business?”

Silence fell over the room.

Picking up the gavel, I smashed it into the soundblock. “Church dismissed. You can all go. Diablo, Iceman, Colt, and Blade, stay behind.”

The other men stood and filed out of the room, throwing us chin lifts as they walked past us.

I waited for the door to click shut before I turned back to the table. “Ciara told me it was Fletch who was mouthin’ off about us taking Arena from Larry. Not sayin’ he did it for nefarious reasons, but I think we should keep a close eye on him.”

“Want me to get eyes in his room?” Colt asked.

I stroked my beard, contemplating my next move. “He hasn’t done anything to warrant that. I wanna trust my men, and I need them to trust me. If I start spying on a whim, it’ll cause issues.”

“You’re right,” Diablo muttered. “We’re aware, so we’ll keep a closer eye on him for now.”

I dipped my chin in agreement. “I need something more concrete to go on than what could just have been a slip of the tongue.”

“We’ve all been sloppy,” Blade pointed out. “We can’t single out one man. Tonight while you’re gone, I’ll call a members meeting in the bar and tell everyone they need to tighten their shit up.”

“Tell ’em about Fender, too,” I ordered.

“He’s definitely coming?” Colt asked me.

“Yeah. Carina’s gonna set up the cottage for him and the kids.”

“We’ll get him on track,” Ice assured me.

“Hope so,” I muttered. “He’s been to hell and back.”

Iceman hit me with a sad smile.

We both knew and liked Fender’s wife, Ashley. She was a cool lady and always had a kind word for us when we saw her.

“Fingers crossed that Fletch takes this meeting to heart,” Diablo said quietly. “He’s drinking too much.”

“Agreed,” Ice interjected. “Beating the shit out of him was too easy last night. I could smell the liquor fumes on him. He downs JD like his life depends on it.”

“You think he’s suffering?” I asked.

Iceman shrugged. “Maybe. Or it could just be guilt. He’s constantly all over the whores, and it must play on his subconscious. He needs to give his head a shake ‘cause Frankie and the boys come around the club, and I’m not covering his ass if she shows up and he’s balls deep inside a club girl.”

“Nobody should cover for him,” I concurred. “If he’s caught doin’ the crime, he’ll have to do the time. Problem is, I can’t kick him outta the club for stepping out on his wife. That’s a fallout we’ll have to deal with if and when it happens.”

“Fuck Fletcher. We’ve got enough goin’ on. Tonight we roll.” Iceman’s eyebrows waggled. “And you get your hands on your woman again.”

A jolt of electricity hit my chest. Getting sidetracked with all the other drama took Anna off my mind, if only for a minute or two. Then somebody would mention her name, and the nerves would hit me out of nowhere.

My anxiety wasn’t about the mission. It was all about seeing Anna again after so long.

Had she changed?

How did she feel about me now?

Was she still the same woman I fell hook, line, and sinker for?

Was I about to go and kidnap a woman who hated the sight of my face and wanted to gut me with a blunt, rusty knife?

Fuck.

I squared my shoulders. “Yep, tonight we roll. Dunno what we’re heading into, but Tristan told me she’d had a hard time with her ol’ man. I’ll start by getting her head straight from that bullshit and then make it clear how it’s gonna go from there.”

“Oh Jesus.” Ice laughed.

Colt’s lips twitched, and he leaned forward. “I better call Freya and tell her to go out and buy some popcorn.” His mouth stretched into a wide smile. “’Cause if this shit goes down like it did back in Wyoming, I want a front-row seat.”