"No buts!"Ghost's control finally snapped."You're being reckless and childish!That man is either using you for information about this club, or he's trying to set you up as bait in some kind of trap!"
"That's not true!"I shouted back, frustration boiling over."You don't even know him!"
"And you do?"Ghost's laugh was harsh, bitter."After what, a couple fucks and some pretty words?You think that gives you special insight?"
The words stung worse than a slap."Fuck you," I spat, tears threatening to spill over."I'm not some stupid little girl who can't tell when she's being played."
"Then stop acting like one!"Ghost's voice boomed through the small office, loud enough that I heard movement in the hallway outside.We'd drawn an audience.
We stood there, staring at each other, both breathing hard.Ghost looked older suddenly, the lines around his eyes deeper than I remembered.The anger in his face couldn't hide the fear beneath it.Fear for me.
"Wren," he said, softer now, "I can't lose you.Not to them."
I opened my mouth to respond, but the office door swung open before I could get the words out.Bloody Jack filled the doorway like a wall of muscle and menace, his massive frame blocking the light from the hallway.The club president's shadow stretched across the floor between Ghost and me, a physical manifestation of the line I'd crossed.Great.Just fucking great.If Ghost was the law in my life, Jack was the executioner.And judging by the thunderous look on his bearded face, I'd just earned myself a one-way ticket to deep shit.
"Thought I heard a family discussion," Jack said, his voice deceptively casual as he stepped inside and closed the door behind him.His boots thudded heavily against the concrete floor, each step deliberate, unhurried.He didn't need to rush.Nobody was going anywhere until he'd had his say.
I swallowed hard, suddenly feeling like a cornered animal.One angry father figure was bad enough.Two was irritating as fucking shit.The air in the room seemed to thin as Jack moved to stand beside Ghost, both men now forming a united front against me.
"Jack," I managed, hating how small my voice sounded."This isn't—"
"Club business?"He raised an eyebrow, glacial blue eyes pinning me in place."When it involves the Copperheads, it's always club business."
Ghost shot Jack a look."She thinks she can handle herself.Thinks she's getting valuable intel from this Copperhead."
Jack's expression darkened.He crossed his arms over his massive chest, the leather of his cut creaking with the movement."You forgettin’ what happened at Hell Night, kid?"
My stomach dropped.Hell Night.That party had gone so horribly wrong.I'd invited Honey to the compound for the first time that night.Wanted her to meet everyone, see my world.I'd been so proud to show her my family.Then the Copperheads had attacked us, in our own territory.And not without more than a little blood.
"That was different," I said, but even to my own ears, the words sounded weak.
"Was it?"Jack leaned back against Ghost's desk, the wood groaning under his weight."Because I recall a night when those Copperhead fuckers decided to pay us a visit.Came in shooting.Came in with chains and knives."His voice dropped lower, more dangerous.
"They were there to send a message.To show us they could get to us whenever they wanted.And you think this guy, this Rocky—" he spat the name like it tasted bad "—is different?"
"You don't know him," I said, but the fire had gone out of my words.
"No," Jack agreed."But I know his kind.Men who play both sides.Men who get into a girl's head, make her believe she's special, make her think she's the exception."His expression softened fractionally."You ain't the first girl to fall for a smooth talker, Wren.Won't be the last either."
I looked away, unable to meet his gaze."He told me about a shipment.Girls being trafficked.This Saturday."
Jack exchanged a glance with Ghost."And you believed him?"
"I don't know," I admitted."That's why I wanted to check it out.If he's telling the truth—"
"If he's telling the truth," Ghost cut in, "then it's even more dangerous.You think those Copperheads would let you walk away if they caught you anywhere near their operation?If what he's saying is true, they'd kill you without blinking, Wren.And they'd make it hurt."
The blunt assessment sent a chill through me.They kept telling me this.I kept hearing it.I knew they told me the truth.But I couldn’t let go.I'd been so focused on proving myself, on the possibility that Rocky might be telling the truth, that I hadn't fully considered the consequences of being wrong.
"We protect our own," Jack said, his voice gentler now."And like it or not, you're one of ours.Have been since Ghost brought you home that night, scared and trying so hard not to show it."
A lump formed in my throat.I remembered that night too.The first time I felt safe in years.Ghost had given me a room with a lock on the door and promised no one would ever hurt me again.Jack had personally vetted every man who came near me for the first year, making it clear that I was off-limits, I was family.
"I'm not trying to betray the club," I said quietly."I just thought...if I could get information..."
"We know, sweetheart," Ghost said, his anger fading into something that hurt so much worse.Disappointment.Mixed with concern."But this isn't the way."
Jack pushed off the desk and took a step toward me.Even though I knew he'd never hurt me, I couldn't help tensing.He noticed and stopped, keeping a respectful distance.
