I rolled my eyes. “We’ve already had this discussion once. Could we please get back to the main topic of conversation and before you say anything irreverent, I’m referring to my future location.”
He sighed and ran his hands through his dark hair. “Right. Phoenix wants to move you out of the clubhouse to a remote location until he can get the situation with Octavius and the farm sorted. Badger mentioned that he has a cabin up in the mountains that would be safe for you. It’s not far from Devil Springs and only a couple of hours at most from here.”
I swallowed hard. “I’m going by myself?”
He looked at me incredulously. “Have you learned nothing while you’ve been here? Of course you’re not going by yourself. I’m going with you, as well as two prospects.”
“What about Reese?”
“For now, it’s best if she stays here. We’re not sure if they have put together the connection between you two, but she has been around the clubhouse since they have been watching, so we need her to still be seen around here. We have to keep things looking as close to normal as possible.”
“Won’t they notice that you and two prospects are missing?”
“Nope. It will just look like me and the newbies have gone on a run.”
“How am I going to get to this cabin? If they’re watching, won’t they see me leave?”
He stood. “All you need to worry about right now is getting yourself packed up. Let me know if you need help and I’ll send a prospect in. We’re leaving tonight, just after it gets dark.”
“Fine. Can you find Reese for me? I have barely seen her since Duke was hurt and I want to talk to her before we leave for the cabin.”
“You haven’t seen her because she has either been at the hospital with Harper or holed up in Carbon’s room.”
That seemed odd. Were Reese and Duke close? I thought she said her brother wouldn’t let her hang around the clubhouse. “Were Duke and Reese close?”
He shrugged, “Don’t think so. Never saw her around here before you showed up.”
“Okay. Well, could you check Carbon’s room and see if she’s there? I want to see her before we go. I’m a little worried about her.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. Just a feeling. She seems a little more distant than usual I guess.” That wasn’t a complete lie. She was more distant, but it was more than a feeling. I knew something was wrong with her, I just didn’t know what.
He nodded. “I’ll see if I can find her. Get started packing up. We’re leaving even if you aren’t ready to go and we’re not coming back if you forgot something.”
“Got it.” With that, he left me to my packing.
CHAPTER 18
Ember
“Are you sure this is safe?” I was sitting in an enclosed trailer with three motorcycles and Dash. The two prospects, Jamie and Pete, were pulling us using Badger’s old Blazer.
“It’s as safe as it can be. It’s not like you are going to fall out or anything.”
“I know that, but what if we have a wreck or they go off the side of the mountain. We don’t even have seat belts!”
“Darlin’, if they drive off the side of the mountain, a seat belt ain’t going to save you. Just try and relax. We’ll be there soon.”
I turned my head away from him. It’s not like he could see me anyway, but still, I wanted that extra bit of distance. I was feeling far too many emotions at one time and I wasn’t sure how to handle them all. I was worried about Phoenix and the men back at the clubhouse. I was upset that I didn’t get to see Reese or even talk to her before we left. Did she even know I had been shot? I was angry for being put in this messed up situation, but I didn’t know where to direct that anger, so I couldn’t process it very well. I was nervous about being alone with Dash and two prospects I barely knew in a secluded cabin on top of a mountain. If something happened, I could potentially be stuck up there by myself, or with two young men I didn’t really know.
I was also scared. Really scared. What if Phoenix and the club didn’t come out on top? What if Octavius found me again? Would he kill me or take me with him? Would he kill Dash and the prospects? This whole situation had the potential for me to lose everyone I’d come to care about recently. I wouldn’t survive it if I lost everyone. I wouldn’t want to.
I felt a warm hand on my shoulder and then I was being pulled into a solid chest. His other hand went to my face and his thumb slid fluidly across my cheek. I hadn’t realized I was crying, but there I was, tears steadily running down my face. “Shhh, it’s going to be okay, baby.” He gently rocked me back and forth while soothingly rubbing my back.
I hiccupped, “You don’t know that. What if everyone dies? He could kill Phoenix and everyone at the club and then he could come to the cabin, kill you guys, and take me away.” I wailed and buried my face in his neck.
He smoothed his hand over my hair. “This all you been thinking about?”
