“Couldn’t agree more. We ought to get something in motion while we have extra manpower around. When’s the crew from Texas heading back?”
“I’m not sure, but I need a few days to take care of something personal.” I didn’t want to let the club down, but I couldn’t focus on the Savage Bones while the man who’d laid his hands on Poppy still walked the earth.
Juice patted the stool next to him. “Tell me all about it.”
I sat down and filled him in on the minimum number of details. With his help, it only took about a half hour to find out Beast and a couple of his men had last been seen heading toward Vegas. Rumor had it they’d scheduled a charter flight to bring them to Montana. That could only mean one thing—he was coming after Poppy.
“If I catch a flight there, I can intercept them and ensure sure they never make it.” Timing would be tight, but if I left as soon as possible, I might just make it work.
Juice sat back and shook his head. “You’re outnumbered. You can’t take on an officer of their club alone.”
“Can’t I?” I crossed my arms over my chest. “I’m not going to pull someone else away from the fight we’ve got going on here at home. I’ll be back in a couple of days, and we’ll finish off the Savage Bones together.”
Juice stared at me. “I don’t like it, man.”
“What if someone hurt Sammy and you knew for a fact he was coming after her? Would you sit around and wait for him to get here?”
A muscle along his jaw pulsed. No way in hell he’d be okay twiddling his thumbs while someone was plotting to take down his woman. “I know a couple of guys in Henderson. Let me see if they can back you up while you’re out there, or at least get you armed so you’re not going in at a huge disadvantage.”
“I’d appreciate it.” I held out my hand. He grasped it then pulled me close enough to clap me on the shoulder.
“You need a ride to the airport?”
“Nah. Just promise me one thing?” I held his gaze, needing to be absolutely positive he knew how much this request meant to me.
“Anything, brother.”
“If something happens to me?—”
“Nothing’s going to happen.”
“We both know there are risks involved. Promise me you’ll keep an eye on Poppy while I’m gone. And if something does happen to me, swear to me that you’ll protect her.” I couldn’t bear the thought of us not being together, but I had to know she’d be looked out for if things didn’t go my way.
“I’ll protect her with my life. All of us will.” Juice tightened his grip, sealing his promise.
“All right. Tell the boss I’ll be back as soon as I can. I’ll see you on the other side.” Knowing Poppy would be okay provided me with the peace I needed deep down in my soul. She’d be pissed at me for not keeping my word and taking her with me,but how could I let her get anywhere near the danger she’d been brave enough to flee from once?
I didn’t trust myself to go back upstairs to kiss her goodbye. One look at her sprawled out on my bed would make it even harder to leave her. With a last look around the clubhouse I called home, I grabbed my jacket off a hook by the door and headed to my truck. The sooner I took care of business, the sooner I’d be back where I belonged—with Poppy.
Poppy
The sun hung high in the sky when I finally opened my eyes. I didn’t know when Crank and I had finally fallen asleep last night, but I’d been utterly exhausted. Pulling the comforter up to my nose, I inhaled his scent. A sense of security washed over me. He was the real deal, and I was so lucky to have found him.
I rolled out of bed and pulled on my clothes from the day before. My hands instinctively went to my head to smooth down my hair. I winced as my fingers touched my scalp. It was going to take time to get used to my new look. The Savage Bones might have taken my hair, but they couldn’t take my spirit.
Talking with Crank made me realize it was time for me to stop running. Time for me to stand my ground and fight for the life I wanted—a life with him. My muscles groaned as I made my way down the stairs to look for him. He’d put me through quite a workout, not that I was complaining.
I entered the main room where everyone tended to hang out. A few of the Mustang Mountain Riders stood around. All eyes seemed to land on me as I scanned the room for Crank.
“He’s not here.” Juice walked over. I knew who he was from serving him so many times at the Merc.
“What do you mean?” Crank mentioned most of the guys worked shifts around the clock to keep an eye on the town and make sure the Savage Bones weren’t causing any trouble. Maybe he had to take on a shift. Or maybe he’d had to run an errand for the club.
Juice gestured toward an empty table. “Why don’t you sit down, and I’ll grab you a coffee?”
I didn’t want to sit down, though coffee sounded good. Usually, I’d be working a shift at the Merc on a Tuesday morning, but I’d sent Ruby a text late last night to let her know what happened and that I wouldn’t be in today.
“Come on,”—Juice pulled out a chair—“just take a seat and I’ll fill you in.”
