Page 51 of Thorned Vengeance

“Where?” I snarl, dreading the conversation I’m gonna have to have when she wakes up.

“Louisville.”

“That wasn’t marked on the map,” I remind Fort.

“But Delaney and you stopped him in Nashville,” Malice says. “I’m guessing he had to kill to make up for it.”

“And you’re sure it’s him?” I ask.

Images appear on the large screen, and my question is answered.

A dead woman is propped up against a tree, and she’s naked. Dried blood smears her inner thighs, and there’s a rope around her neck. It’s secured on a branch above her, which is different, but not so much so that I think it’s anyone but the Phantom.

“She was found earlier in Cherokee Park by a family,” Fort begins. “I’ve got a trap set on the web to alert me to any similar cases as they’re entered into the system. For once, the cops are doing their job because this was entered much faster than his other murders.”

“And Jez missed this?” I demand, whirling to glare at Soul. “I’ve had her on this for years, and she misses this?”

“Don’t,” Soul snarls. “This isn’t on her.”

I heave a sigh. “Sorry, it’s just…”

“We get it,” Grim signs. “We’ve all been where you are.”

He’s right, they have. At least, my married brothers have. All of their women have been in danger at one point or another. And each of us has stepped up and done our part to keep them safe.

I take a deep breath. “If he was in Louisville, I’m guessing he’s on his way to Philly. That’s the closest point that he marked on that damn map.”

“Which is why you and Delaney are leaving first thing in the morning,” Soul says.

“Excuse me?”

“We’re gonna take a vote, but I think it’s best if we let Delaney have her way with this one,” Soul explains. “She’s proven that she can ha?—”

“No fucking way!” I shout. “We’re not using her as?—”

“Take a breath, brother,” Malice bites out. “It’s not like we’re saying we should let her go out there on her own. You’ll be there.”

“And I can get the Phantom without her,” I insist. “She’s been hurt enough by this freak.”

“So have you,” Grim signs.

I don’t have time for Grim’s words to sink in before Soul’s calling for a vote, and all thoughts of stopping my club from using my girl as bait fly out the window. When I try to argue, I’m reminded that the vote stands and am ushered out of the room, ordered to fill Delaney in, and be ready to ride at eight.

Slapping my hand against the sensor, I wait for the door to my room to slide open before trudging inside. Delaney is still out cold on my bed, and the last thing I want to do is wake her up, so I don’t. Instead, I strip and crawl in beside her, gathering her in my arms and pretending that morning won’t come.

“You’re stalling.”

I tug on my boots and pull my pant legs over them once they’re tied. We’re not taking my Harley on our cross-country trip, and to say I’m unhappy about it is an understatement. Shit, I’m unhappy about the whole thing.

“Don’t know what you’re talking about,” I snipe.

Delaney crosses my room to stand in front of me. I had the foresight to set my alarm before falling asleep, and as soon as it went off an hour ago, I woke her up with my tongue.

Might as well get my rocks off before driving straight to Hell.

Of course, Delaney was more than thrilled to head to Philly, and she read me the riot act for ‘making’ her take a break. I tried to talk her out of this, knowing full well that if I was able, I’d pay a steep price with the club for defying a vote, but she wasn’t having it.

“Thorn,” Delaney says as she cups my cheeks and forces me to look at her. “It’s gonna be okay. I can take care of myself.”

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