Chapter 45
-Hailey-
90
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The bell above the door jingled again as I stepped out of the diner. My chest felt tight. Like I’d just run a marathon ins cad of sitting in a booth for ten minutes.
Logan was leaning against the driver’s side door of the truck with a cigarette dangling from his lips illegal to look that good. It almost made me forget about the stress.
ld’ve been
I stuffed the napkin with Sam’s number into my pocket and climbed into the passenger seat. Logan flicked his cigarette to the ground and slid in behind the wheel.
“Well?” he said. “How’d it go?”
“She’ll help,” I replied, my voice shaky. “I think she already suspected him. But she needs proof. Something concrete. She won’t go after him without it.”
His jaw flexed as he turned the ignition. “Proof,” he muttered, pulling out of the parking lot. “Easier said than done.”
I leaned back in my seat, staring out the window as the diner disappeared behind us. My mind was racing, piecing together fragments of a plan that had been forming since I sat across from Sam.
“He’s arrogant,” I said quietly. I wasn’t sure he heard me over the rumble of the engine. “He’s cocky. Thinks he’s untouchable. That’s his weakness.”
Logan glanced at me. “So?”
“So,” I said, turning to face him. “That’s how we get him. We play into it. If he thinks he has us cornered, he might let something slip.”
Logan’s hand moved to rest on my thigh. “You’re talkin‘ about baiting him.”
I nodded, chewing on my bottom lip. “Do you have a way to get ahold of Viktor?”
His eyes narrowed. “Talon might. Why?”
“I have an idea,” I murmured, looking out the window again. “But I could use his help.”
When we pulled into the driveway of Talon’s house, he was in the garage, bent over the frame of a bike with a wrench in his hand.
He straightened up as we walked in, wiping his hands on a rag. His green eyes flicked between us. “What’s up, kids? How’d it go?”
Logan leaned against one of the workbenches, crossing his arms. “Hailey has a mysterious master plan. She wants to talk to Viktor. He give you a way to get ahold of him?”
Talon’s jaw flexed, and he tossed the rag onto the bench. “No… the bastard. This shit’s like a game to him. But…” He paused, pulling out his phone. “I got Sergei’s number. He’s the one I called last night.”
I glanced at Logan. “Another Russian,” he murmured. “He’s… connected.”
Talon’s phone was already pressed to his ear. The call rang for what felt like forever before someone picked up. Surprisingly, Talon exchanged a few words in Russian. I couldn’t understand most of it, but I heard my name.
When he hung up, he looked at us. “Sergei’s gonna reach out.”
11:37 Tue, Dec 30 JR
Chapter 45
“Thank you,” I said, relaxing a little.
Talon nodded. “What’s your plan, Hailey? You got somethin‘ good cooking?”
I swallowed hard, preparing for the anger I knew would come pouring out of Logan.
“I think so. If we can figure out Becker’s schedule… his routine. Then I can ‘accidentally‘ run into him somewhere and confront him about everything. The allegations against Monty. But I’ll be wearing some kind of recording device to catch his response. That’s doable, right?”
Talon’s face hardened, and I could see the gears turning behind his eyes. Logan, on the other to explode. His jaw was clenched so tight it could’ve cracked a walnut.
ike he was about
“You *what*?” Logan’s voice was low, dangerous. He pushed off the workbench, his eyes locked on me like I’d just suggested setting myself on fire.
I held my ground, but my heart was hammering in my chest. “It has to be me. He’ll never let anything slip to someone in a cut.”
Logan swore under his breath, running a hand through his hair. “Absolutely not, Hailey.” His voice broke – just barely- but it was enough.
“It’s the only way,” I shot back, crossing my arms over my chest. “Admit it. It’s a good plan.”
Talon looked pensive, and his gaze flicked between us. His jaw shifted, and for a second, I thought he might side with Logan. Then he spoke. “It is a good plan. Better than anything I could come up
with.”
Logan glared at him, then back at me. “Then we’ll send Scarlett in. Or Ruby. You’re not doin‘ this, Ace. I’m not lettin‘ you—”
“It’s not your call,” I said, cutting him off. I met his glare with one of my own. “This isn’t just about you or me, Logan. It’s about Monty. About the club. I’m in this whether you like it or not.”
Talon let out a low chuckle, and Logan turned his dagger–eyes back on him. “The hell is so funny, old man?”
Talon glanced at me, then at the ground, still smiling. “Girl’s a spitfire, Logan. Been here less than a week and she’s already talkin‘ like a Warrior. I can see why she’s the one you finally brought home. We might have to patch her in after this.”
Logan’s jaw twitched. His eyes were like a storm. “This isn’t a game, Hailey. Becker’s dangerous. He’s proven he’ll do whatever it takes to take down the club. You think he won’t do the same to you?”
I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms, “I’m not stupid, Logan I know what he’s capable of. But I also know he’ll underestimate me. He’s a misogynistic piece of shit. That’s his mistake. That’s how we’ll win.”
Talon let out a low whistle, leaning against the workbench. “She’s right, son. Becker won’t see her comin.”
Logan’s head snapped toward Talon again, his eyes blazing. “You’re really gonna sit here and encourage this?”
Talon shrugged. “I’m not encouraging anything. I’m just sayin‘ she’s got a better shot than any of us. I used to push back on this same shit from your mother, you know. Eventually I learned there was no stoppin‘ her. It’s easier to be her weapon than her shield.”
Logan exhaled sharply, running a hand over his face. He stormed out of the garage, pulling out his pack of cigarettes.
I started to follow him, but my phone buzzed in my pocket. Logan stopped mid–pace, his cigarette halfway to his lips. His eyes narrowed as I pulled out my phone. The screen flashed with an unknown number.
I hesitated, my thumb hovering over the answer button. My throat went dry. Something about this felt off.
Logan was at my side in an instant. “Who is it?”
11:37 Tue, Dec 30 JR
Chapter 45
“I don’t know,” I murmured, staring at the screen. It kept buzzing, sharp and insistent.
“Answer it,” Logan said, his voice low, tense.
I swiped the screen and pressed the phone to my ear. “Hello?”
There was a pause, a beat of silence that made my stomach twist. Then a deep, accented voice came through the line, smooth but chilling. “Hailey.”
I froze. “Who is this?”
“Viktor,” the voice replied, calm and measured. “I understand you need my help.”
My breath hitched. I glanced at Logan. “How did you-”
“Not important,” Viktor interrupted, his tone leaving no room for questions. “What is important is that i hear your plan.”
I swallowed hard, my mind racing. How the hell did he get my number?
“Okay,” I said finally, my voice steadier than I felt. I started to fill him in on the plan.
690
“No, dear,” Viktor cut me off again. His voice was like silk wrapped around steel, “My line is secure, but yours is not. We talk in person.”
I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. “Alright. When?”
“Tonight. The compound. 8 o’clock… Be on time, Hailey. I dislike waiting.”
The line went dead before I could respond. I lowered the phone, my hand trembling. Logan’s hand landed on my shoulder, his grip firm.
“Who was it?”
“Viktor… He wants to meet tonight,” I murmured, staring at the phone. “S8pm, at the compound? Where’s that?”
Logan stared at me for a few seconds, his hand still resting on my shoulder. Then he sighed, pulling me into him. His lips pressed against my forehead, and I felt some of the tension ease out of my body.
“Alright,” he murmured.
Talon pulled his phone out again. “I’ll give Jake a call. Looks like we’re havin‘ church at the compound tonight. With special guests, Viktor and Hailey.”
AD
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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.
