Willow is on a need-to-know basis, and somehow her and Haze make it work.
Right now? I need to get to Payden.
There’s a knock at the door. Declan appears. I texted Payden before the meeting and she told me he was there, along with Ivy and Chloe.
“Sorry to interrupt,” he says. “Me and Max are takin’ turns to secure the back boundary with the prospects. The security company is here to reconfigure the gate.”
“Got it,” Hornet says, gesturing to Viking. “We’ll head out front.”
“Looks like the money for the gate was worth it,” Viking says. “I don’t wanna blow my own horn on that one, but this clubhouse is literally indestructible.”
“Famous last words.” Panic grins, earning a slap upside the head as they leave.
“We’ll be a few hours,” Bane continues. “Make sure it’s back to normal by then, and don’t go anywhere until we debrief.” He hangs up.
I run a hand over my face.
I know Payden wants to get home, but this entire situation feels surreal. I’m certainly glad this unseemingly safe clubhouse doubles as a bomb shelter, but I doubt the Skeletons knew that or they wouldn’t have exhausted expensive explosives.
“Got any grub around here?” Haze asks, looking around as if food will just jump out and bite him.
I pat him on the back hard. “I know just the person.”
CHAPTER
TWENTY-NINE
Payden
When Logan walks through the door, I dive into his arms. Dozer, who hasn’t left my side after the blast, wags his little tail as Logan envelops us both in a hug. He kisses the top of my head.
“Please don’t ever do that to me again,” I whisper into his chest.
“What? Defend your honor?”
“Leave like that. I was scared shitless.”
“What the hell happened out there?” Ivy chimes as Logan releases me. “Dec came in here saying the Skeltons followed him after he left New Orleans and they attacked the clubhouse. What the fuck?”
“It’s true,” he says, putting his arm around my neck. “They were after Payden because after followin’ Dec they must’ve seen us arrive yesterday. They were in it for the cash, and obviously to try and destroy the Hellions once and for all, any excuse to throw fuckin’ explosives around.”
“Fuck that,” Chloe says, folding her arms over her chest. “They can try, but they’ll never get the better of the Hellions.”
I love their loyalty—it makes me homesick for my club sisters.
He leans down and kisses me on the lips. “How you doin’?”
I nod. “I’m okay. I was just so worried. Have you seen Dec?”
“He was out there in the thick of it, but he’s okay.” He strokes my cheek with his thumb. “He’s a big boy. You worry about him a lot.”
I shrug. “We were as thick as thieves growing up. Peas in a pod, even though we couldn’t be more different than two people can get.”
“I get it. I’m close to my brothers. We’ve been through some shit together to say the least.”
“Are we okay to go out there now?” Chloe asks, biting on her lip.
Logan pets Dozer on the head gently. “Just sit tight for the moment. The boys are securin’ the area. Bane will be on his way back in a few.”
