Penn’s playful demeanor vanishes. “Shit.”
“Exactly.” I tap a command into my tablet, bringing up a detailed layout of tonight’s security positions. “I’m not taking chances. I’ve positioned our people at every critical point. Grayson’s handling Jax’s arrival personally.”
“You think he’d try something here? At your public event?”
“I think Jax considers her my weakness.” I meet Penn’s eyes. “And he eliminates weaknesses.”
Penn tosses the security badge onto the table and checks his watch. “As much as I’d love to stay and watch you micromanage your security team, we’ve got that leadership meeting at Vipers in thirty.”
“Fuck.” I’d lost track of time preparing for tonight’s event. “Jax call it?”
“Three hours ago. Something about ‘organizational realignment.’” Penn makes air quotes, his expression darkening. “And when Jax wants to realign things...”
“Someone gets broken.” I grab my phone and send a final set of instructions to my head of security before nodding toward the exit. “Let’s take my car.”
Minutes later, we’re sliding into the back seat of my Bentley. Hansen, my driver, closes the door behind us.
“The usual location, sir?” Hansen asks through the intercom.
“Yes. And take the tunnel route.”
Penn sprawls across his half of the back seat, loosening his tie. “You know, most people just say, ‘the office’ instead of ‘the usual location.’ Theatrical bastard.”
“Says the man who branded his initials on last month’s trafficking scumbag we caught.”
“That was different. Sent a message.” Penn grins, unrepentant. “Besides, you’ve done worse.”
The car descends into the private underground parking structure. “Any idea what this meeting’s actually about?”
“Three guesses, and the first two don’t count.” Penn studies me carefully. “Your little obsession with Aurora Harrison has Jax concerned about your priorities.”
“My priorities are perfectly aligned.”
“Are they? Because from where I’m sitting, you’re risking a multi-billion-dollar arrangement with Derek Harrison over a piece of?—”
I cut him off with a look that has made grown men lose control of their bladders. “Choose your next words carefully.”
Penn raises his hands in mock surrender. “Easy, tiger. Just pointing out the obvious. Jax isn’t wrong to question your judgment here.”
The Vipers’ headquarters beneath the old Westside theater is dimly lit as always, the underground command center humming with activity. Jax sits at the head of the obsidian conference table, his fingers steepled beneath his chin as Penn and I take our seats.
“Gentlemen.” Jax’s voice carries without effort. “I’m pleased you could join us on such short notice.”
“Security protocols for tonight’s masquerade,” Jax begins, his eyes never leaving mine. “I understand you’ve implemented... extraordinary measures, Hunter.”
“Standard procedure for an event of this profile.” My voice remains even.
Jax’s lips curl into something approximating a smile. “Fifteen armed men seem excessive unless you’re expecting trouble.” He leans forward slightly. “Or perhaps protecting something particularly valuable.”
The implication hangs between us. I maintain my composure while mentally reviewing contingency plans. If Jax makes a move against Aurora tonight, I’ll need immediate countermeasures.
“In my experience,” Jax continues, “distractions during critical operations lead to vulnerabilities. Vulnerabilities lead to failure.” He glances meaningfully at the others. “The organization cannot afford either.”
“My focus remains absolute,” I reply, meeting his gaze without hesitation.
After the meeting concludes, I pull Penn aside in the secure communication room.
“I need you to deliver something to Aurora before tonight.” I withdraw a velvet jewelry box from my pocket and open it, revealing an elegant diamond necklace.
