Page 78 of Falcon

“Mmm, what time is it?” she mumbled.

I leaned in closer so she could hear me but tried not to disturb the others. I hoped she didn’t get upset after I said what I was about to. “It’s time for me to go. But I’ll be back by tonight.”

Her hands gripped my cut. Last night I fell into bed, boots and all, so I could just as quickly jump up when it was time to go. She whispered, “I wanna see you off. Can I come down?”

She wasn’t fighting or pushing me away. She wanted to send me off. “Yeah, darlin’. C’mon.”

I rolled off the bed as quietly as I could manage with my stature and tried not to stomp on the way out. Her small hand was in mine as I led us out and she carefully shut the door behind us. “Oh wait.” She went back inside but came back in just a minute with a small bag. “In case you wanna freshen up before you leave.”

We headed toward the main hangout spot, and I was pulling us toward the bathroom when she gasped and dropped my hand.

Daisy rushed over to the sofa in the corner where Lacy had dozed off, snuggled up in an oversized hoodie. “Lacy? Lacy? Are you okay?”

Lacy rubbed her eyes and after recognition washed over her face, she sat up and the women slammed into each other, squeezing tightly. Lacy couldn’t protect Daisy physically, but knowing she was there made leaving a little bit easier. A hand smacked down on my shoulder, so I looked over to see a smiling Eagle. “Hey, man. You look like shit.”

I grunted. “Watch them. I’ll be right back.”

After heading to the bathroom to wash my face, brush my teeth, and comb my beard and hair, I felt more like a human. And while I wasn’t ready to leave her, I was ready to go. Leaving meant that soon, Tony would never be a threat to her again. And maybe she’d finally be able to fully trust that she was safe and loved with me, and with the club. When I put my stuff back into the small bag, I noticed a few butterscotches inside and my chest swelled. She made sure I had some candy.

That small, thoughtful gesture gave me an extra push to want to get this job down and get both of us back home. Rubbing my hand down my beard, not satisfied with the brief care I had been able to give it for days now, I grabbed the small bag and headed back out.

Rooster walked in, headed toward Eagle and the women. I walked over. Daisy was sitting with her arms around Lacy on the sofa, their heads leaned together. When she looked up and saw me, she patted Lacy’s hands and stood up, coming to me.

“Hey,” she said as her still sleepy eyes looked up at me. “So, you said you’ll be back tonight, right?”

I draped my arms over her shoulders and pulled her against me. “Yep. You’ll barely know I’m gone.”

“I’ll miss you,” she said against my chest.

Her body was soft against me as I ran my hand over her hair. She went to sleep with it wet, so it was more wavy than normal, but still smelled as sweet as she always did. She pulled back and looked up at me. There was a bruise on her jaw that was nothing but a red mark last night. But other than her cracked lips, and a few bruises and cuts, she wasn’t seriously injured.

I pressed my lips to hers and brushed my thumb over her cheek before I grabbed her cute little chin. “I love you. I’ll be back soon.”

Her eyes fluttered and she smiled. “I love you,” she paused as she stood on her toes, pulling from my grasp, and got close to my ear, “Go handle business so we can go home, Derek.”

As I kissed her, only slightly aware of the movement around us, my chest warmed as she melted against me. I could ride off knowing she was behind me a hundred percent, and ready to start our life together.

Chapter 47

Falcon

We took off before sunrise on the eight-hour ride to Jersey. The air was much crisper and held a touch of chill in the early hours since it was still spring, a stark contrast to the already muggy warmth back home.

Even though the Georgia heat sucked, all I could think about on the ride was how Daisy would officially be my old lady once we got back there. The seat on the borrowed hog was different from mine, and empty. For years I’d been able to breeze through and adapt to whatever shit came my way. The only loyalty I felt was to the club. I could ride any bike, sleep anywhere, and stay completely detached from messy jobs thrown my way, especially when I was prospecting.

Killing someone who deserved it was easy enough, but it had always been emotionless—just a task I was given to perform. But as I rode out to find Romano’s secret property, my blood boiled so much it was like lava flowing through my veins. This wasn’t just a job or a task. This was old fashioned revenge, and it was going to be sweeter than any candy.

I also knew that, even when we returned, we still had more business to deal with, including finding Raven’s killer and the traitor. Someone sold us out. I knew it. I thought most of us knew. So, until everything came to light, everyone would be on edge. I couldn’t let Daisy find out about that or she wouldn’t be comfortable at the clubhouse. But she understood why I asked things of her now, at least enough to trust I always have reasons. She’d be safe with me no matter what, so no sense in upsetting her or any of the ladies.

Before we left, I explained to the guys the plan to meet up with Petrov. We needed to get the details of what his guys found out for us. As usual, I led the way. Keys was tracking me so Hawk would know when to give the heads up we were coming.

The restaurant was open when we arrived, but we had missed the lunch rush. An older woman was putting massive cakes into the displays and the smell of the confections filled my nose.

“My friends!” Petrov called as he came through the kitchen door. He headed to the woman and leaned into her ear. She smiled and wiped her hands down her apron before scurrying to the kitchen.

Eagle put his hand out to Petrov. “Thank you for the warm welcome. This is Pitty from our Bristol chapter.” Petrov nodded in his direction and also acknowledged Rooster.

I shook his hand as well and he said, “Come, let’s catch up. Are you hungry?”

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