“He punched through Drake’s wall. Was this for nothing?” I demanded, as tears trickled down my face.
“No. Look, Drake’s already coming around. If Judas had done that three days ago, Drake’s brain would have been mush.”
“What did Poker do?”
“She’s what we call an Amplifier. She can take someone’s emotion, amplify it, and transfer the energy from it. Nun has a lot of hate and anger inside her, so grabbing her made sense. Poker transferred the power to me, and it allowed me to smack Judas back with more than a bloody nose this time. He’ll be down for a few days. That gives me time to shore up that wall of Drake’s, and then we can return to Rapid City. Judas won’t try that again because he’ll believe I’m stronger.”
“You are, though, aren’t you?” I asked as I wiped tears away. Drake’s face was relaxed, and the agony had gone from it.
“Yes, Phoe, I am, but fighting from a distance is difficult. Up close and personal, I’d smack Judas all over and burn his brain. That’s why Poker helped me slap him so hard. By the time he recovers, we’ll be in RC and hunting him. Judas may think he’ll be stronger in his own territory, but he’ll be wrong,” Belladonna stated calmly.
“No offence, what if you’re not? You’re being awfully cocky,” I replied with clear worry. I didn’t want to doubt the sisters; they’d helped Drake immensely, but this wasmyhusband. All the suffering and grief I’d experienced, I’d earned Drake and wasn’t going to lose him.
“I get it. You’re putting your soulmate’s future in our hands. It’s scary. But we’re good, Phoe, otherwise Warden wouldn’t have put you in touch with us,” Poker reassured, and I held her gaze. There was unwavering faith shining in her eyes. Poker completely believed in Belladonna’s confidence. That was fantastic, but this wasmyhusband.
“You won’t be returning to RC with just Bells and Stitch. Nun and Poker will come too,” Sapphire stated. “I expect you to look after my sisters.”
Now I was insulted. “Of course I will! What do you take me for?”
Sapphire cocked an eyebrow, and I held her gaze. “Don’t give them too much, though. I want them to return, not get used to living in the lap of luxury,” she added.
“After they meet my brood, I can guarantee that,” I replied, and Sapphire briefly grinned. She didn’t know I meant it.
Belladonna
So, this was how the other half lived, I thought as I climbed aboard Phoebe’s private plane two days later. Phoe had already boarded after telling Sapphire that if the Harlots needed anything, then to call. No doubt Sapphire would use that marker one day. Phoe had also paid double mine and Stitch’s usual fee and was covering Poker and Nun’s time. I imagined it was nice to have so much money that you didn’t flinch at paying our fees.
I bet Drake Michaelson got used to this level of luxury pretty quickly. As soon as I thought that, I realised I was being uncharitable. But hell, who wouldn’t, I wondered, looking around the plane. It was large and spacious, with everything anyone could want. It literally screamed, a mega-rich-bitch owns me.
When we landed in RC, I was surprised to find a prospect with a trailer meeting us. On it were five Harleys.
“I thought you’d prefer riding. These we keep for loners,” Drake said as he wheeled his own Hog off. Now, that was class. Loner bikes for guests.
Drake ordered the prospects to take our luggage and swung onto his Harley. It was beautiful; someone had done a fantastic job. Phoe hopped up behind, and we glanced across at the two guys waiting on Harleys.
“Ace, Apache,” Drake greeted.
“Hello,” Nun purred, and I smirked.
Anxiety flowed from both men. It poured off them with an acidic taste.
“Well?” the older man demanded.
“Come to the Hall; we’ll explain there,” Drake ordered. They nodded and fell into place behind him. We followed them as they roared out and wondered what Drake would say to them.
“A psychic attack?” Apache asked with a frown.
“Yes,” I said, prepared to fight. Apache and Ace both swapped glances. Ace was Drake’s VP, and Apache held the rank Road Captain, although he’d once been an enforcer.
“There are things out there we can’t understand. My people have known for many years that powers exist beyond our comprehension. How do we track what is invisible to our eyes?” Apache asked.
“With me. Judas will attack once he realises Drake is home. I’ll mask my presence until he attacks, and then we’ll lock him down,” I replied.
“Which means what?” Ace demanded. Gorgeous, yeah, but the asshole had an attitude problem.
“It means I’ll fuck his mind up and destroy him,” I stated.
Ace held my gaze, and I barely resisted the urge to give him a poke. Then approval shone in his eyes. I got the feeling that was rare and inclined my head in acknowledgement. Lord knows I didn’t need it, not from him, but in the interest of a possible working relationship between our two MCs, I’d play nice. Ace smirked as if he had read my thoughts and nodded.
