BEN
“How do you know they will help us?” Sierra asks, handing me a water.
“Terry was family, and I used to hang out with them here some nights. I expect at least some of the members will still remember me.”
“Okay,” she quietly says, before adding, “I’m going to use the bathroom.”
We are silent until she closes the door.
“Will they know of your reputation now?” Leo asks in a low tone, raising one brow, and I get what he’s asking.
“I assume so. But they’re friendlies. They have no reason to fear us or us them.”
“Let’s hope they get to us before the Russians,” Alessandro says.
“The Russians won’t find us down here. It’s a sweet setup,” Leo says.
“They won’t find us,” I agree. “This is a well-guarded secret. The MC have hidden from the authorities and rival gangs several times over the years, and no one found out about it. Unless they saw us come in here, we’re safe.”
“What is going on, Ben?” Alessandro asks, taking a seat at the table. “This whole situation reeks.”
“I agree. Something is not adding up, and I won’t rest until I find out what.”
* * *
“I’m scared,” Sierra whispers a little while later as we sit patiently on the couch waiting for someone to rescue us. We had all held our breaths as footsteps explored the warehouse a short while ago, the creaking floorboards betraying enemy presence. But it’s been silent for the past fifteen minutes, and I’m pretty sure the Russians are gone. Like I said, they wouldn’t find us unless they knew to look down here. Sierra’s head is on my shoulder, and I have my arm wrapped around her, running my fingers up and down her arm. She’s like a brick in my embrace, tense and scared, even if she’s not outwardly showing it.
“Don’t be. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”
“What about Rowan? What if something has happened to him?”
“Firefly.” I tilt her face up. “Rowan is safe at home. Our property is well-protected, and my soldiers know to take him to the safe room if there is any threat. Natalia will make sure nothing happens to him.” I press a kiss into her hair. “Why don’t you try sleeping. We could be waiting a while.”
“I can’t sleep. I’m too wound up.”
“Try.” I say, pressing her head into my lap.
She falls asleep five minutes later, and I stare at her, watching small puffs of air seep from her slightly parted lips as she sleeps. She is so beautiful it hurts to look at her sometimes. In sleep, she looks even younger, and I have a burning need to protect her from all the evils of this world. I know she has chosen a life with me. That she agreed to marry me of her own volition when she said yes to my proposal, but I still carry guilt for bringing her and my son into this life. Idon’twant this for her, yet I’m far too selfish to ever let her go.
“You look like a creeper,” Leo says, not lifting his head from the crossword puzzle he’s doing. He found a bunch of old newspapers, and he and Alessandro are keeping themselves occupied doing crossword puzzles.
“You have that scary intense look on your face again,” Alessandro adds.
“What scary intense look?” I whisper, not wanting to wake my Sleeping Beauty.
“The one you wear when anyone looks funny at Sierra or says anything nasty to her.”
“It’s your ‘I’m gonna rip out your insides and hang you by your entrails’ expression,” Leo adds, briefly lifting his head to smirk at me.
“Assholes,” I murmur, flipping my finger up, as the floorboards creak overhead again. A flash of brief light filters down the stairs, alerting us to imminent company.
Leo and Alessandro are instantly alert, whipping out their guns and moving to the bottom of the stairs.
“Sierra,” I whisper in her ear, gently shaking her shoulders. “Wake up, baby.”
I place my hand over her mouth when her eyes blink open, cautioning her to keep quiet.
Heavy feet thud down the stairs as I stand, pulling Sierra with me, keeping her shielded behind me, and raise my weapon.
