“The wolf?”
“He might help with tracking,” I reply, explaining my thought process to the high demon.
Modeus defers to me, but it’s clear from his tone he doesn’t think it’s a sound idea. “If you think he will be able to help.”
“You don’t?”
“No,” he answers simply. “If we were tracking a shifter, maybe, but his senses aren’t keen enough to detect anything we can’t without him.”
“Do you think anyone else would be helpful?” I question, accepting that I don’t have all the answers.
Modeus actually averts his piercing gaze to look over my head. “Not at this time.” I’m not sure if his answer is intentionally cryptic or if that’s just how it feels to me.
“Fine, we’re wasting time here. I’m going to the tomb.”
“Lore, we need you here.” Salvador takes a step toward me.
“If you think I’m going to sit here on my ass while he’s missing, you’re wrong. You know how to handle shit, so do it, and in the meantime, get with the secretary and sergeant. I want to know everything that’s been happening around here, like any club issues or if anyone has stepped out of line in the territory and had to be dealt with. Anything,” I reiterate.
Salvador nods his head like he already knew this would be the outcome. “I can stall for a couple of days, maybe two, but then you need to be back.”
“I don’t think you understand how this works. She doesn’t take orders from you.” Modeus levels Sal with an icy glare.
I’m surprised my father’s second-in-command needs to be reminded of his place, and that a man I don’t even know is the one to do so before I can.
“I’m just reminding her what’s at stake,” Sal grits out before he looks at me. “Your father’s legacy.”
He pretty much just admitted he thinks my dad is dead. How could he give up so soon? “I know exactly what’s at stake, Reaper, and it’s a hell of a lot more than just a legacy.” I let him see how disappointed I am at him with the scowl on my face.
“I’ll be back when I’m ready. If anyone has a problem with that, they can kiss my ass. Even you, Reaper.” With those parting words, I stride to the door with the Prince of Lust on my heels and Harlow’s vice president standing in my wake.
My intent is to walk right past all the members still gathered in the clubhouse and let Salvador deal with them, but I find myself slowing to a stop and glancing over the group again. I’ve never been interested in club politics—I like being an enforcer, protecting our members and territory and doling out punishments when needed—but now I wish I would have stayed more involved in the day-to-day activities when I moved into my own place.
Looking at the uncertainty and suspicion on members’ faces makes me want to walk out the door and never return. I grew up entrenched in this world, but maybe it was only Harlow’s love for it that kept me here.
I feel utterly alone, and I’m standing in a room filled with people I should consider family, or at least feel a kinship to, but all I feel is emptiness.
Duty tells me I should address them, let them know I’m going to do everything I can to find Harlow, even though my motives are selfish, but I can’t force the reassuring words out of my mouth. Instead, I issue what sounds more like a warning. “I will find Harlow.”
The weight of the members’ stares follows me to the exit. When my boots hit the asphalt, it’s with a sense of purpose. I know where I’m headed, but the sick feeling in my stomach is one of dread. I’m terrified of what I might or might not find when I get there.
CHAPTER3
Modeus
WatchingLore lift her leg and swing it over her bike is enough to have me gritting my teeth from the wave of lust that washes over me. The fact that I can’t act upon it has to be some of the worst kind of torture I’ve endured, while somehow still being the sweetest.
I never once put the needs of another above my own before her. Knowing I’m capable proves I’m more than just what I was created for.
When her ass, wrapped in tight leather, touches down on the seat, a sound escapes my lips—a sound that doesn’t come close to expressing how badly I want her, but it’s filled with desire all the same.
Lore’s head snaps around in my direction, and her citrine eyes level me with a stare that dares me to make that noise again at the risk of losing my balls. I think about doing it just to see her reaction, but I tamp down the urge, heaving my body past her and over to my waiting bike.
She doesn’t spare me a backward glance as she races past the stop sign and heads west. Good thing I know where we’re going.
Once we reach the tree lined open road, I’m able to catch up with Lore. I give her a little space, riding behind her and to the right, letting her lead the way. As tempting as it is to stare at her ass the entire time, I fight it. We’ll be on the road for a few hours before we reach her mother’s resting place, and I need to be on alert.
The Obsidian Angels do a good job of protecting their territory and enforcing Syndicate laws, but I’m not going to get lazy and allow my cock to interfere with me acknowledging the very real dangers that exist in our world—especially since a new target has just been placed on her back.
