No one spoke as they drove back. After Marcus parked at the back entrance to The Dungeon, the team trudged up the fire escape to the third floor. Though the men never spoke about their feelings, Dakota wondered if their hearts were as heavy as his.
He never took the killing of another lightly. And he’d never intended to take the law into his own hands. But when his wife went missing, and he’d gone off the rails, someone close to him had offered him a lifeline. By searching for his wife’s killer, he’d become one himself.
Stryker unlocked the door. They retreated into the Travesty equipment room and removed their gear.
Dakota turned to his vigilante brothers. “Excellent work, tonight. Live with the demons or make peace with your actions. I’m here if you want to talk.”
“Want me to stick around?” Marcus asked.
“Take my SUV,” Dakota replied. “I’ll get it from you tomorrow.”
“I can drop you at home, Marcus,” Quincy said.
After Marcus handed the keys to Dakota, he and Quincy took off, followed by Rys.
Dakota eyed Stryker. “You doin’ okay?”
“Who the hell knows, anymore,” Stryker replied.
Dakota wanted to gather intel about Providence. Instead, he’d ask about the previous GM. “What happened to Mavis? Did you let her go?”
Stryker slipped his wallet and phone into his pocket. “She’s recovering from surgery.”
“Is she okay?”
“She’ll be back in a coupla weeks. And no doubt giving me a shit-ton of grief about remodeling her office.”
What’s Providence’s story?No way in hell was he going there. “Headed downstairs for a drink?”
Stryker pulled on his black, devil mask. “I’m using the dungeon tonight.” With his hand on the knob, he turned. “You okay?”
“I’m never gonna find Beth’s killer,” Dakota bit out.
“Probably not, but I’ve got your back, no matter what kinda crazy shit you pull.” Stryker shut the door, leaving Dakota alone with his thoughts.
Which was never a good thing.
His late wife popped into his head. They’d found out they were having a baby and, as tears streamed down Beth’s cheeks, she stared at the pregnancy test.
“I don’t know how this happened,” she said.
Laughing, Dakota pulled her into his arms. “Our children are going to be very lucky to have you as their mom.”
Through misty eyes, she stared up at him. “Children?”
He nodded. “Lots of stinky ones who will all adore you.”
Blinking away the bittersweet memory, he checked his phone. The sitter had sent a photo two hours ago. The pic was of Sammy, cuddling with her blanket on the family room sofa. “Woke for water,” she had texted. “Couldn’t sleep. Reading princess story.”
He replied, “Thanks for the update. Is she ok?”
No dots appeared. He locked the Travesty room door before heading down the hall toward the stairs.
As he strode past the GM’s office, the door opened and Providence stepped into the hallway. “Hey, cowboy, how’d your poker game turn out?”
Damn if her beauty didn’t send his heart pounding. He hadn’t reacted like this to a woman in a long time. He tossed her a nod. “Sheriff.”
Her smile sent a jolt of energy through him.Wow, she’s gorgeous.“Heading to the dungeon?”
