Page 33 of In Death, Love Survives

NINETEEN

Wolfe

It’s been three weeks since Nova moved in with me, and I’m still no closer to settling the affairs that have been causing a mess in our lives. Every one of our contacts is radio silent or doesn’t have any leads about who is really in this new club.

It’s like they’re ghosts.

That’s exactly how they want to play it.

I know when I’m being fucked with, and that’s exactly what’s happening. Whoever is doing this to us has a personal vendetta against me.

There hasn’t been a robbery or fire… nothing since that day of shopping with Nova. It’s oddly calm, but I know that this is what happens before the storm comes.

I need a bit of something to get me out of this mindfuck I’m being put under.

“Want another drink, hunny?” Nova asks.

She’s cuddled up into my side while we sit on the patio watching a movie… as if we’re any normal couple without an ongoing threat looming over our heads.

“I’ll go get them.”

Nova leans up, placing one of her hands on my chest.

“I’ll come with you.”

“Relax, baby.”

She gives me a soft smile and sits back into the chair, giving me room to get up.

“I know you’re stressed,” she starts.

“Don’t worry about that. I’m happy we’ve been getting the time in together. I just wish I knew what was going on.”

“Maybe they’ve just stopped?” she asks hopefully.

“Yeah, maybe.”

Nova sits upright and looks around the patio. A twinkle appears in her eyes.

“I have an idea.”

I chuckle.

“I can tell.”

She gets off the patio sofa and grins widely.

“Let’s head to The Lodge.”

“You want to go to the bar?”

“Why not? We’ve been staying in a lot. And I know you need a distraction.”

I grip her waist and pull her closer into me.

“I’ve got everything I need right here.”

“Hunny, I know your tells already. You aren’t used to just sitting tight. I get you aren’t trying to stir up more commotion with this loose end not tied up, so let’s go out for a bit.”

“Alright. Caleb and some of the boys are already there.”

“Perfect. I’m just going to change, and then we can head out.”

I furrow my eyebrows together as I take her in. She looks perfect.

“A chance to wear one of my new-me outfits,” she says with a waggle of her eyebrows.

“Right,” I tease.

“Be right back. Meet you at the front door in five.”

“Didn’t think I’d see you out here,” Caleb says as we shake hands.

“Nova’s worried about me.”

I take a seat next to him as she heads to the restroom. Caleb kicks over an empty barstool and then slides back into his.

“I think we all are.”

“No need to be worried about me, man. Channel that shit into finding something out.”

I flag down the bartender to order a vodka soda and get a cold draft beer. He gets to work making them. I can tell something else is weighing on Caleb. It’s been full speed ahead and barely any catch-up time.

“There’s a delivery coming next door. We could always run interference.”

I take a sip of my beer.

“Whose load?”

“No one important.”

“What is it?”

“Nothing big. We could just take the cash before they have a chance to. Easy.”

“Easy,” I repeat.

Nova comes walking out of the bathroom, looking like my angel and vixen all in one. These new outfits she got are sure as shit something else.

“She looks different.”

“Don’t make me kill my best friend for looking at my future wife like that.”

Caleb laughs, but I don’t look his way. There’s no way I can. Not with the beauty walking toward me.

I don’t take my eyes off Nova the whole time as she struts over. Everyone’s eyes are on her. How could they not be? I’m watching this woman turn into the version of herself that she was always meant to be—confident, caring, and crazy in love with one lucky bastard.

“Hey there, handsome,” she says as she finally approaches. Nova kisses me and pulls back.

“Hey, Nova,” Caleb says.

“Hey, Caleb.”

I pull Nova into my lap, naturally feeling possessive.

“Wolfe and I were just about to go steal a load of money. Want in?” Caleb teases.

“Hey, fucker,” I interject.

“Is that true?” Nova asks.

“Just an idea Caleb had to have a little fun.”

She picks up her cocktail and takes a sip as she debates what I just said. I’ve been doing a shit job trying to shield Nova from my activities, but this is the bluntest I’ve been about an idea.

She places the drink down.

“You aren’t going to hurt anyone?”

“No, baby.”

She gives me a small shrug and looks up at Caleb.

“I’m in.”

“No, I don’t think so,” I say.

“Come on, live a little,” she retorts.

“I don’t want to put you in any more danger.”

“I’ll just be along for the ride.”

“Let’s chill out here for a bit, and then we can decide, yeah?”

“Okay, baby.”

Nova turns her attention to Caleb again.

“Alright. Since Wolfe here is stifling the fun. Tell me, which one of these ladies are you most interested in?”

Caleb chuckles and picks up his drink to stall.

“No one.”

“I don’t believe that for a second.”

He takes a swig of his beer and makes a noncommittal gesture.

“Don’t let him fool you. Caleb here is a lone ranger by choice, but he’s no fucking saint.”

“I can tell.”

“Hey now,” Caleb says with a laugh. Suddenly, a more serious expression takes over. I catch who he’s looking at and stand up tall.

“Nova, baby. Stay here. Caleb and I have some business to attend to.”

She purposefully stays focused on me and nods.

“Be right back,” I add.

Caleb and I walk over to the entrance where Eddie and someone we don’t recognize are coming in.

“Who’s your friend, Eddie?” Caleb asks.

I cross my arms and widen my stance, blocking them from full entry.

“I’m Rob, Mr. Walker. I have something to tell you.”

“Yeah?” I scoff.

I glance at Caleb and then back at this new guy, Rob. Rob and Eddie both look twitchy.

“Get on with it.”

“I know this is vague, but something big is happening. This week.”

“What?”

“I don’t know exactly.”

“Who are you with?”

“I’m with the Vipers down in Wyoming.”

“The Vipers?”

“Yeah.” He lets out a loud sigh.

We finally have a name for the club, and it fits the V symbol I saw.

“I take it this club isn’t all that well put together.”

“That’s the least of it. I need out.”

I take in what he’s asking for—protection. I can’t give a stranger that, especially on loose information.

“Mind your business here, and you can stay to drink for the night.”

“Thank you.”

Eddie’s face flashes back and forth between Caleb and me.

“Need more, Eddie. Need fucking more.”

“I’m trying.”

“Try harder.”

I turn and leave all three of them standing by the door and head back toward Nova. She’s sitting on the barstool, talking to the bartender like they’re old friends.

As I approach her, a young woman with deep red hair shouts at Nova like they’re long-lost best friends.

Nova squeals and gives the woman a hug.

“Who’s your friend?” I ask.

Nova lets go of the woman and beams.

“This is Daisy. She helped me the other week in one of the boutiques.”

“Nice to meet you,” Daisy says.

She stretches out her hand to greet me with a smile.

“Wolfe,” I say, taking it.

“You must be Nova’s man.”

“That I am.”

Nova wraps her arms around my waist and smiles at Daisy.

“Who are you here with?”

“My brother Griff.”

“Griffin Reynolds?”

“Yeah, that’s the one.”

Nova looks up at me curiously but doesn’t say anything. I had told her about the Reynolds Ranch when we were first arriving in town. From the look on Daisy’s face, I don’t think she likes that her brother’s with her at the bar.

“I know him.”

Daisy gives me a tight smile.

“Everyone does,” she jokes.

“I’m sorry to cut this short, but Nova and I were just heading out.”

“Nice to meet you,” Daisy says.

Nova gives her a hug goodbye.

“And you, don’t forget to give me a call sometime.”

“I will. Promise.”

Nova takes my hand to leave as Daisy heads back over to where her brother is. He always looks like such a stoic ass.

“Who’s Griffin?”

“He runs Reynolds Ranch.”

“Oh, that’s right. Daisy is super nice.”

“I’m glad you like her, baby. It’s always good to have friends outside of this world.”

“Where are we off to anyway?”

I open the bar door for her to head out first. Caleb pulls his car up in front of us and grins widely.

“Hop on in,” he says.

“Wait, really?” Nova asks excitedly.

“Yeah, really.”

“Okay, how fun!”

I really didn’t expect her to fully embrace this world.

“You listen to what I tell you, yeah?”

“Yeah, of course,” she says as she hops into the back seat.

I get into the passenger side, and Caleb pulls out of the bar parking lot. He drives just a few minutes away and parks down the side of the road in the dark.

Nova stays silent as Caleb and I keep an eye out for the delivery-point person who’s dropping off the funds for goods. Usually, these types of deals happen in the darkness of alleyways, just like this, instead of big productions like we do.

“There he is,” I whisper.

We spot a man looking around at the surroundings one too many times before opening up a dumpster and taking a bag out. He quickly replaces the bag with one of his own—the payment.

“This is all we’re doing?” Nova asks.

She’s hunched forward, leaning between Caleb’s and my seats.

“Yeah, this is low stakes, baby. Just a bit of amusement.”

“It is kind of exciting.”

The man runs off, like the police are about to surround him at any point and send him to prison for the rest of his life. These youngins’ really don’t know what the fuck they are doing.

“I’ll be right back.”

I hop out of the car and jog over to the dumpster. Lifting the lid, I pull out a black trash bag and then hustle back to the car.

Hopping back in, I close the door, and Caleb takes off. We all laugh freely.

“What a rush,” Nova says.

“Did that help with your mood?” Caleb asks.

“I was fine, but yeah, a slight adrenaline rush never hurt anybody.”

Caleb revs the engine and speeds down the deserted street.

“Where to?” Nova asks.

I look at Caleb, and then at the bag of money.

“Caleb, drop Nova and me off at the clubhouse. Then tell the crew. It’s party time.”

“Hell yeah,” Caleb shouts.

“Party? I love it,” Nova says.