Chapter 85
-Logan-
55 vouchers
My hand landed on the small of Hailey’s back as we hit the bottom of the stairs and walked into the main
room.
It was more of a calibration than anything else. Tapping a gauge to make sure the needle wasn’t stuck on empty.
The place was crowded but quiet. Every set of eyes that met mine had the same look.
They were all strapped. Pieces tucked into waistbands or out on tables. A gnarly reminder of why we were all drinking coffee at three in the afternoon instead of whiskey.
I guided Hailey to an empty booth, and my hand never left her back. The contact kept the static in my head from exploding into a full–blown storm.
I pressed my thigh against hers when I slid in after her. Let my hand rest on her leg. She covered it with hers, laced her fingers through mine, and it sent a jolt through me.
Her grip wasn’t gentle. It was steady. Like she was bracing with me, not against me.
But every point of connection was a vulnerability I was willingly creating.
My old man caught my eye. He was leaning against the bar with Jake. He gave me a slow, almost imperceptible nod. It wasn’t a question. It was an assessment.
I didn’t need his silent evaluation. The problem was simple. How do you protect something without smothering it? And how do you stop smothering it when you know there’s a target painted on its back?
Hailey’s sister was sitting with Scarlett and a few of the other women at a nearby table. She kept shooting glances our way. She was in over her head, but she was trying to play it cool. Laughing too loud at something Ruby said.
River was hovering behind her, doing the same thing I was… his attention was split between the room and the one person in it he really gave a damn about.
I sat there, fingers drumming on the table.
The clock over the bar ticked louder than it had any right to.
Burnsville kept knocking around my skull. Russians settling in over there and getting comfortable. Thinking they were gonna take Riverstone next.
I didn’t like that.
Hailey’s hand was the only thing keeping me from flying off the handle. Barely.
My leg bounced under the table. I couldn’t do this anymore… this waiting shit. Every second we wasted was
A
199
Chapter 85
another second they got ahead.
50 vouchers
“This is bullshit,” I muttered, loud enough for the room to hear. Hailey’s grip tightened on my hand, but it didn’t stop me. “We’re just sittin‘ here, letting them call the shots. We know where they’re holed up Burnsville. Why the hell aren’t we hitting them?”
The murmurs started instantly. A few heads nodded, a couple voices rose in agreement.
Jake’s eyes snapped to mine. “Logan-‘
99
in
I cut him off, talking louder. “No, Jake, I’m serious. They’re poking us. Testing us. We’re just taking it. We need to hit them hard, blow their operation to hell. Show them we’re not just some biker thugs they can push around.”
Talon pushed off the bar and stepped toward me. “Cool your jets, kid. Storming in blind isn’t the answer. Viktor’s on his way. He got some intel. We need to know what we’re walkin‘ into.”
“Intel?” I shot back, peeling Hailey’s hand off mine and standing up. Fully unleashed. “We already know what we’re walkin‘ into a bunch of Russian assholes who think they can move on our turf. We don’t need Viktor to tell us that. We need to act. Show them what happens when they fuck with the Warriors.”
–
For half a second, I thought about saying more. Telling them exactly how far I was willing to go.
But I caught myself. Saw Hailey’s face out of the corner of my eye – not scared, not judging. Just watching.
I shut my mouth before I said something I couldn’t take back.
The room buzzed even louder now, but Jake’s voice cut through it. “We’re not charging in there like a bunch of idiots, Logan. I do appreciate your spirit. But that’s exactly what they want us to do. They’re playin‘ these mind games to provoke us. See how easily we’ll lash out. We gotta fight fire with fire… not nuclear warheads.”
I glared at him. Hailey reached out and touched my leg in support, but it only fueled my rage.
Talon took another step closer. “We hit them when we’re ready. When we have the full picture. Not before. You wanna blow shit up? Fine. But we do it smart. Not reckless.”
I collapsed back into my seat, jaw clenched. I knew they were right. But it didn’t make it any easier to sit here waiting while the Russians stepped on our necks.
My phone was heavy in my pocket. One call to some buddies and I could set things in motion. Put boots on the ground. Remind them that this city bit back. Without even involving the club.
But that would ruin everything.
Violence I understood. Violence was easy. This… this was worse. This was watching someone rearrange your house while they smiled at you.
Jake ambled over and slid into the booth across from us. He didn’t say anything at first, just scrubbed a hand
over his face.
“Viktor’s on his way,” he muttered. “Should be here within the hour.”
Chapter 85
I just grunted in response.
“Your leg up for it?” Jake asked, his eyes dropping to where it was stretched out under the table.
65 vouchers
“It’s fine,” I said. The lie came out easy, but the leg throbbed with a dull ache. A souvenir from this morning’s stupidity with the bag. But pain was just information. It told you what to protect. Right now it was the least of
my con
Hailey was quiet beside me. She was listening, taking it all in. I hated that she had to hear this shit. Hated this was the soundtrack to our lives now.
I could tell she wasn’t afraid, and somehow that made it worse,
I draped my arm across her shoulders, pulling her closer. She leaned into me, tucked her head into my chest. For a second, the drumbeat in my head disappeared.
But it was fucking fragile. Every time the front door opened, my body went stiff. My hand moved to the knife on my belt.
It was just prospects swapping watch, or someone coming back from a smoke break on the patio, but each time was a crack in the calm.
They were out there. Learning our routines, counting our heads, mapping the weak spots. The politeness of it was what got under my skin. Violence was comfortable. This was psychological warfare.
I looked down at Hailey. This was what they wanted to take. Not just territory, not just business. This feeling right here.
Viktor came in like thunder on a clear day. He was in a dark suit, crisp as always. He didn’t look at anyone, just nodded at Jake and Talon.
Then Jake nodded at the rest of us, and the silent command was understood. Church was in session.
田
AD
Comment
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
