Page 17

HAVEN

With a thump, Loki’s door closes behind us as we enter his den. The usual green hue lighting up the space somehow makes me feel calmer—maybe it’s the magic of the Asgardians.

Jesus Christ, I’ve been hanging around Loki far too much!

He spins in his chair to face us, pulling off his headphones as he does. Raising his brow in greeting, Alpha sits on the long desk, and I move to the spare chair, letting out a long huff. Loki instantly scowls, folding his arms across his chest at our mutual despondent entrance.

“Great! Why do I feel like you’re both about to make this already catastrophically shit day so much fucking worse?” Loki groans.

Alpha shrugs with a hefty grunt. “Because you’re great at reading body language.”

Loki scrunches his face, and his foot begins tapping the floor anxiously. “All right. Hit me.”

“I just got a call from the Warden. Valerie’s in the infirmary after being attacked.”

Loki widens his eyes. “Shit. She all right?”

Alpha clears his throat. “Garver thinks she’ll be fine. The bigger issue is that his prison is under siege. He’s trying to get it under control, but he doesn’t know how many people are in on the conspiracy. Seems like guards are a part of it. The inmates have some kind of system going on in there. This has Javier written all over it.”

Loki’s jaw wracks from side to side. “Montana know about his mother yet?”

Alpha clicks his tongue to the roof of his mouth. “Warden needs a couple of hours to figure some shit out before we tell him.”

“In the meantime, I was wondering if you’d made any progress on Nighthawk? A way to get in contact, maybe?” I ask.

Loki scrubs the back of his neck like he’s uncomfortable with this, but he spins to face his computer and starts typing. “Cassandra Marshall. Staying in a motel not too far from here. But she is using an alias. I only found her through facial recognition, and I had to do it by taking pictures of her when she was a child that her father published online. Then I used my programs to age her up to what she could possibly look like now and ran a facial recognition match on that image. Luckily, I had a hit, then followed it to the motel she’s staying at. You guys might actually remember it?”

The image flashes up on the screen, and a soft smile lights my lips when I see it’s the motel next to Gears—the pub where Alpha and I first met.

The motel we slept together in.

The night before I found out he was my next target.

The night before my entire life changed.

Glancing over my shoulder, there’s a slight smirk crossing his lips too.

We’ve come so far. Been through so much since then, and now here we are, right back at the place where it all started, facing a war that could end it all.

Oh, the irony.

Alpha gently places his hand on my shoulder, then shifts his focus back to the screen. “You said she’s using an alias? What’s she going by?”

Loki looks straight at me this time. “Eirene Eleutheria.”

Widening my eyes, I let out a small laugh at the same time as Alpha. “You birds really love using that last name, don’t you?” he states. “Not super stealthy if you all go around using it, though, I must admit.”

Glaring at him, I tilt my head in annoyance. “That’s the exact idea, idiot. She wants me to find her. Otherwise, there’s no possible reason for her to use my alias. At least part of it.” I turn back to Loki and continue, “Do me a favor, search for the meaning of the word Eirene in all languages, and tell me what comes back.”

Loki spins in his chair and begins typing, and instantly, the screen fills with information. “I’m getting a few hits, but they all pretty much mean the same thing. Eirene is Greek for peace.” He spins back to face us, his brow raised in curiosity.

That green hue is doing wonders again. That calming feeling flows over me once more as I smile and turn to face Alpha. “Nighthawk checked into that specific motel, knowing that was the place I went before I joined the club. She knew if she went there and checked in using that alias, I would find her. She wants me to bring her in, Alpha.”

He crosses his bulging arms over his chest, a deep scowl etched across his face like he’s unconvinced. “Why the fuck would I let her into the clubhouse, Haven? She is the reason Livvy’s dead.”

Exhaling, I shake my head. “No, she’s not . Javier is. Nighthawk was doing her job. A job that Javier ordered her to do. As soon as she saw me, as soon as she knew something was off about the whole thing, she flipped. Trust me, Alpha.”

He groans. “I always trust you, but how can I trust someone who literally just killed Livvy?”

Sighing, I stand to meet him face-to-face. “I get it. I do. But the code name she gave, when you translate it together, means peace and freedom. She’s saying she brings us peace and wants her freedom. Just like I have.”

Alpha grumbles under his breath. “You get all that from her weird-ass code name?”

Smirking, I chuckle. “We’re birds. We understand each other.”

Alpha shifts his gaze to Loki. “This makes sense to you, VP?”

Loki raises his hands in surrender. “I’m not getting in the middle, but what I will say is that the code name does translate to peace and freedom, Pres. And from what I have seen from the visuals of her at the motel, she just seems to be sitting in her room. Waiting.”

Letting out a long breath, I turn back to Alpha. “Okay, real talk. She has been in with Javier for fuck knows how long, right?”

Alpha scrunches his face and nods. “Right?”

“She clearly wants out, now she knows the world outside Javier isn’t exactly as she thought. I’m sure she’s been doing a deep dive since she left the meat packing facility. Her head will be spinning. It’s why she’s reaching out to me. Waiting for me to make contact. I was her superior. Her trainer. She wants to know her next steps. But there aren’t any because The Nest doesn’t exist. At least the one we belonged to. So, we have to snatch her up before Javier finds her again.”

“Why?” Alpha snaps, clearly still in his head about Livvy.

“Because, Pres, if she’s been with Javier since he started forming this new version of the Cartel, she could have invaluable inside knowledge that we desperately need,” Loki points out the obvious argument I was trying to make.

“Exactly!” I urge.

Alpha lets out an audible groan, hops down from the desk, and begins pacing the den. His fingers move to his hair as he breathes in and out deeply, his mind clearly racing through the various scenarios this could bring into the club. He rapidly spins to Loki, his eyes narrow on the screen. “You really think she could give us something valuable when it comes to Javier?”

Loki’s eyes meet mine, but I do nothing to sway his reply either way.

I want to know his true feelings.

So, he turns back to Alpha and nods. “Yeah, Pres. I think we should go as a club and bring her in—”

“No. That’s a bad call—”

“It’s not yours to make, Haven,” Alpha grunts back at me.

Snorting out a laugh, I raise my brow and place my hands on my hips. “Oh really? You want to take the club to bring in a bird, who right now has just figured out that in the time she has been on mission, the entire institute she worked for, grew up in, and dedicated her life to has collapsed. That she was the last bird standing, and everyone else was set free. That Javier kept her all to himself and is now starting a new sect of The Nest but changing the very fabric of what we were doing to suit his own agenda? And you want to go in there to a bird who’s completely spooked and risk the club by trying to ‘bring her in?’ You think that is a good call? Because I think that’s setting up your brothers out there to get their asses kicked by a trained assassin.”

He scoffs, shaking his head. “There’s only one of her. We’re an entire club. We can handle her—”

“Alpha, for the love of God, brother. Shut your mouth before you get your ass handed to you by your Old Lady,” Loki interrupts, obviously seeing the clear annoyance spreading across my face.

Alpha’s shoulders slump as he lets out a long breath, his eyes finally settling on mine. Moving to meet him, I reach out for his hand, taking it in mine. “Babe, I love you. I adore you, in fact. And I know that this is really fucking hard to understand why I’m going to bat for the woman who killed Livvy. It doesn’t make sense to you. I am fully aware of that too. But right now, you need to think of the bigger picture here. That bigger picture is Javier-fucking-Rojas, and as much as you don’t like it, our best lead to him right now is the bird that’s been sitting on his shoulder for God knows how long. The best part about it is she wants to help us. So, let. Her. Help. Us, Alpha.”

His lip curls automatically, but I know instantly that I’ve convinced him.

Maybe even before he does.

His usual low growl echoes from his chest as he glares at me. “You are so fucking lucky I love you.”

Grinning from ear to ear, I move in, sliding my arms around him in an embrace. “It’s going to be okay. I swear to you. I wouldn’t do anything to put you or the club in danger, especially not involve another bird with the club if I weren’t one hundred percent sure of their intentions. Trust me with this, Big Guy. I’ll go to the motel, assess Nighthawk, and then bring her back to the club once I clear her.”

Alpha grins. “There is absolutely no fucking way you’re going on your own. Not that I don’t think you can handle yourself. I know you can. But I already lost someone I love to this war. There’s not a chance in hell I’m gonna do anything to risk that happening again. You can go into her motel room and talk to her, but the club will be in the parking lot, watching your every-fucking-move. No exceptions, Haven. It’s this, or nothing. I will not bend on this, sweetheart.”

A bright smile lights my face as I jerk my head back in surprise. “You haven’t called me sweetheart for ages. And generally, it was only when you were pissed off at me.”

“I am fucking pissed off at you,” he replies matter-of-factly.

My smile widens even more, seeing right through him. “No, you’re not, you’re scared for me. And I have to say, I find that really, really fucking hot.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake. See the shit I have to put up with?” Alpha groans at Loki.

Loki chuckles, spinning in his chair back to face his computer screen. “I am staying waaay out of this, Pres. You’re on your own.”

Alpha grumbles under his breath. “Fucking traitor,” he mumbles, then sighs in resignation. “All right. Let’s go bring in another damn bird.”

Loki spins back to face us, a hint of concern flashing across his face. “I’ll get the guys ready. You sure you don’t want just a small team? Maybe Montana, Ink, and South?”

Alpha shakes his head, his jaw set with determination. “No. We get our best men on this. I don’t care if it’s overkill. If this woman is as dangerous as I think she is, I want every strong brother we have watching Haven’s back.”

“I’m telling you, she’s not—”

“A threat? Yeah, I heard you the first ten times,” Alpha cuts me off, his voice softer than his words. “But humor me, okay? Just this once, please, baby.”

The look in his eyes tells me everything his words don’t.

He’s still raw from Livvy, still terrified of losing me too.

I can’t fault him for that.

“Fine,” I concede, reaching for his hand. “We’ll take whoever you want to protect me.”

A slow smile crosses his face. “Thank you.” He inhales sharply, then spins for the door, taking off like a raging bull. My eyes widen as he opens the door, storming out into the clubroom, and I take off after him. Loki follows closely behind as Alpha sends a whistle through the open expanse. “I need my strongest men. We’re going for a ride. So, get ready and mount up. We’re heading out. Now!”

He takes off for the exit as everyone stands around in a state of confusion, wondering what the hell is going on. Rolling my shoulders, I take off after Alpha as Loki makes his way through the club room behind us. “You heard your president. Let’s fucking go!”

The guys jump up from their seats, all following in quick succession as we head out into the parking lot. The rumble of Harleys fills the parking lot as brothers mount their bikes. Alpha is standing by his, cracking his knuckles as I approach.

His eyes meet mine, and a look of apprehension is clear in his expression. “You sure about this?” he asks quietly, his gaze sweeping over the assembled club members.

“Positive,” I reply, stopping in front of him. “Nighthawk will cooperate. She’s been waiting for me to find her.”

Alpha nods, but the tension in his shoulders doesn’t ease. “And what if it’s a trap? What if Javier sent her to lure you in?”

I shrug my shoulders. “Then you’ll have my back,” I simply say. “That’s why you’re bringing the cavalry, right?”

The corner of his mouth twitches upward. “Damn right.”

I step closer, lowering my voice. “It’s gonna be okay. But I need you to promise me something.”

A low growl reverbs from his chest like he doesn’t like where this is going. “What?”

“When we get there, let me handle her my way . No barging in, no threats, no intimidation tactics. Birds respond to other birds differently. If you go in all alpha male—”

“I am a fucking alpha male. It’s literally my road name,” he interjects with a smirk.

I roll my eyes. “Yes, baby, you absolutely are. But if you go in that way, she’ll get defensive. And you don’t want to aggravate a lethal assassin, do you? Let me bring her in gently. I need her trust.”

He studies me for a long moment, then nods once. “Fine. But if I see anything, anything, that looks like she might hurt you, I’m not fucking hesitating.”

“Fair enough,” I agree, knowing it’s the only compromise I’ll get.

Alpha swings his leg over his bike, settling into the seat before patting the space behind him. “You ready to ride?”

I climb on behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist. The familiar warmth of his body against mine grounds me, reminding me what we’re fighting for. As the engines around us roar to life, I lean in close to his ear. “You’re my loaded gun and beating heart. And whatever happens, I’ve got this, Alpha.”

He turns his head just enough to catch my eye. “I know you do, baby.”

He leans in, and his lips graze mine. That same volcanic eruption that flows through me every damn time he kisses me melts my insides just enough to keep that fire burning.

To remind me I need to make sure that no matter what, Defiance is kept safe at all costs.

Alpha pulls back, smirking at me, gives me a subtle wink, then spins to the front and takes off, the rest of his men following him in formation. During the entire ride, one hand is on the throttle, and the other rests on my leg, gently caressing my thigh.

What I wouldn’t do for this man.

The ride to the motel is quick, with the club moving as one unit through the streets. I can’t help but feel a twinge of nostalgia as we pull into the parking lot of the ratty motel where it all began for Alpha and me. The same peeling paint, flickering neon sign, and pay-by-the-hour vibe.

Alpha cuts the engine, and the rest of the club follows suit. The sudden silence feels heavy with anticipation.

“Loki, which room?” Alpha asks as we dismount.

“Room 118,” Loki replies, scanning the building. “End of the row, ground floor.”

Alpha turns to his brothers gathering around us. “Fan out. Cover every exit. No one approaches unless I give the signal. We’re here to observe Haven meeting with Nighthawk unless something goes fucking sideways.”

They all widen their eyes, realizing for the first time why we’re here, then move to their positions with practiced efficiency. Maverick catches my eye as he passes, giving me a reassuring nod from brother to sister.

As much as Alpha’s losing his shit over this, I guess I didn’t take into consideration how my little brother would be feeling about me stepping into a room with a fellow assassin too.

“Ready?” Alpha asks, distracting me from my running thoughts.

I take a deep breath, centering myself. “Ready.”

We move toward room 118, Alpha a half-step behind. When we reach the door, I raise my hand to knock but pause, a slow smile crossing my face. “She already knows we’re here,” I murmur.

Alpha tenses beside me. “How?”

“Because I would,” I reply, then knock three times, pause, then twice more—a pattern from our training days.

The door opens immediately. Nighthawk stands in the doorway, her face expressionless. She’s in all black—leather jacket, leather pants, fingerless gloves, and heavy boots. She’s still in bird mode, the only exception, her red hair hangs in loose waves around her shoulders rather than tied back like is customary. She’s already starting to let go of regulations. Her dark eyes stand out against her pale face, flick briefly to Alpha, then back to me.

“Blue Jay,” she says, her voice soft but steady. “You took your damn time.”

“I’ve been busy,” I reply, matching her tone. “Club’s had some shit to deal with as I’m sure you’re aware. You gonna let us in, or am I wasting my time?”

Nighthawk continues to eye Alpha up and down. “You need a bodyguard? That’s not the Blue Jay I know?”

Alpha tries to hide his chuckle while I shake my head. “Not my bodyguard. If anything, I’m his—”

“Will you stop eluding that I’m a damn pussy! I can fucking handle my own,” Alpha grumbles.

Grinning, I raise my hand to placate him. “Of course you can.” I turn to Nighthawk and nod. “He can.”

She raises her brow, looking him up and down again, then steps aside. “You two are weird together. I like it,” she chimes, waving her hand through the air, gesturing for us to enter the sparse motel room.

I reach out for Alpha, sliding my arm against his, and we walk inside the room. The bed is neatly made, and there are no personal belongings visible. Just a duffel bag by the bathroom door and a laptop on the desk.

She closes the door behind us, then moves to the opposite wall, leaning against it, her arms folded across her chest. “I see you got my message,” she states matter-of-factly.

“Peace and freedom,” I translate. “Bit on the nose, don’t you think?”

The ghost of a smile crosses her face. “I needed to be sure you’d understand.”

Alpha remains by the door, arms crossed, watching our exchange with guarded curiosity. Nighthawk’s eyes drift to him again, clearly assessing him, calculating the risks.

“This is Alpha,” I tell her. “President of LA Defiance MC.”

She snorts out a mocking laugh. “I know who he is,” she replies evenly. “I studied all of you after…” she trails off, and something flickers across her face—regret perhaps.

“After Livvy,” Alpha finishes for her, his voice tight.

Nighthawk meets his gaze unflinchingly. “Yes. After Olivia Landry. My target.” She turns to me. “I didn’t know what Javier was planning. I had my mission for that day, and I carried it out. But then you arrived, throwing everything into a spin, and by the time I realized what was happening, it was too late.”

“But, you helped us escape,” I remind her.

She tilts her head. “I made a calculated choice.”

“And now?” Alpha asks, stepping forward from the door. “What choice are you making now ?”

Nighthawk looks between us, and for the first time, I see uncertainty in her eyes. Her breathing hitches just a fraction. Enough for me to notice the anxiety racing through her veins. “I don’t know what’s happening anymore, Blue Jay. I tried to contact Crow and Vulture at The Nest, but all I got was crickets. I tapped into security feeds for the facility… it’s all fucking gone. The Cartel is different . Javier certainly isn’t Rico. He doesn’t follow the same rules. Sure, I’ve been deep in mission for a while now with Javier, and when on mission, we tune out, but I feel like I’m in the fucking Twilight Zone right now.”

“That’s why I’m here,” I placate her. “We need your help. And I’m pretty sure you need ours too.”

Her eyes continue to shift from Alpha and back to me. “How’d this all happen?” she asks, waving her hand between Alpha and me.

I glance at him, a smirk crossing my face. I go to speak, but Alpha beats me to it. “Blue Jay was hired to assassinate me. Sent by my VP to take me out so he could take over my club. His father and me went way back. We had history, and they came up with an elaborate plot to have the son join my club, work his way up, earn my trust, and become my VP. Which he did, and then they hired Blue Jay to take me out.”

Nighthawk purses her lips, seemingly impressed. “Wow. Mad props to the VP. Needless to say, he’s six feet under now?”

Alpha cranes his neck to the side. “When I found out that he helped orchestrate the lie that the Cartel killed my daughter, when in fact, he helped them take her into an elite training facility, and she was kept away from me for years, being trained as a bird. Yeah, he’s six feet under.”

Nighthawk widens her eyes in shock, turning to me. “Did you know who his daughter was?”

Exhaling, I let out a small laugh. “That was my problem… while on my mission with Alpha, I found out about his daughter’s past and started putting the puzzle pieces together. I not only knew his daughter was alive, but I also talked to her and trained her. I was at the club to kill Alpha, but after being there, after spending time with the club, and learning about everyone, I started questioning, and once I started getting answers, I didn’t like what I was finding out about The Nest. About the Cartel who ran it. We were pawns, Nighthawk. It’s why I had to set the birds free.”

She narrows her eyes on us. “You took down The Nest?”