"Yes, sir."
"Where the fuck have you been?" The controlled fury in his voice is more intimidating than yelling would be.
"Securing the witness," I reply, keeping my tone neutral. "There's been a development."
"No shit. Your check-ins stopped, the bookstore was shot up, and Pine Haven's crawling with feds and hired guns. You were supposed to report daily."
"I know. I'm sorry." The apology feels insufficient. "We had to run"
Silence on the other end, then: "And you're just telling me this now?"
"I needed to get her somewhere safe first. Assess the situation."
"That's bullshit and you know it." Reaper's voice drops dangerously. "You went off-grid deliberately. That's not how this works, Knight. Not how the club works. Not how *you* work."
He's right, and we both know it.
"I made a call," I say finally.
"A bad one." He exhales heavily. "Where are you?"
"North cabin."
Beth watches me intently, clearly able to hear enough of the conversation to know it's not going well.
"Stay put," Reaper orders. "I'm sending Dice, Blade, and Viper your way. ETA four hours."
The mention of Dice makes me wince. The young prospect is wild, unpredictable—my polar opposite. But Blade and Viper are solid. Good men to have in a fight.
"What's the plan?" I ask.
"Get to Denver. Today. Find a motel, check in, and stay put until the trial. No detours, no heroics, no more going off-grid. Clear?"
"Yes, sir."
"And Knight? When this is over, you and I are gonna have a serious conversation about your future with this club."
The implied threat hangs in the air. I've jeopardized my prospect status, maybe my chance at ever patching in.
"Understood," I reply, keeping my voice steady.
"Put her on the phone," Reaper orders.
I look at Beth. "He wants to speak with you."
She takes the phone hesitantly, her eyes questioning. "Hello?"
I can't hear Reaper's side of the conversation, but Beth's expressions changes from wariness to surprise to something like cautious respect.
"Yes, I understand," she says after listening for some time. "I will. Thank you."
She hands the phone back to me. Reaper's voice comes through immediately.
"Keep her alive, Knight. Whatever it takes."
"I will."
"Four hours. Be ready to move." He hangs up without another word.
