Page 25 of Hatter

The sound of motorcycles drowned out everything else and I stepped outside just in time to see a line of bikes pull up in front of our clubhouse.

“Reinforcements?” Cheshire asked, coming to stand beside me. His eyes were narrowed as he studied the newcomers.

“Expecting anyone?” March called from the doorway behind us.

“Yeah,” I muttered as I recognized the leader of the group pulling off his helmet. “Nicky came through.”

“I don’t like it,” March grumbled. He didn’t trust outsiders easily -- a trait that had often served us well. He hadn’t been on the same mission as me when I’d first met Nicky. Otherwise, he’d have known this was the right call.

Regardless of his feelings, we didn’t have a choice now -- not if we wanted to survive what Eddie was about to throw at us. From the intel we’d gleaned the last few days, he was about ready to make his move, and we were firmly in his crosshairs.

I strode forward, arms outstretched in a sign of welcome, and to let them know I wasn’t planning to pull a weapon. “Appreciate you coming.”

“Don’t thank us yet.” The leader flicked his cigarette away, the ember glowed briefly before it sputtered out on the gravelly surface. “We haven’t done anything but show up.”

Their grim faces told me everything I needed to know. They were ready for a fight. They didn’t care about making friends, or even small talk. These men were all business.

“What kind of club are you from?” March asked.

“Not one. My name’s Shake. We only brought the bikes so we’d blend in.”

Shake took a moment to introduce the others, and each had a hardened look in their eyes. These guys didn’t only have military training. No, I’d be willing to bet they were mercenaries. Men like these didn’t do well as civilians. Hell, none of us had either until we’d decided to form this club. But Shake and his crew were on another level.

“We need to inspect your property,” Shake said. “See what the easiest spots would be to fortify. No time to waste.”

Jo took one look at the men as we went inside, and she disappeared to her room. I’d noticed the frightened look on her face, and knew I’d have to go explain things. Which meant I’d have to come clean about what we’d been doing lately. I only hoped it didn’t piss her off.

“Shake, I have something to take care of, but March and Cheshire can help with anything you need,” I said. Without giving either of my brothers a chance to protest, I took off to Jo’s room.

“You okay?” I asked, stepping into her room. She turned to look at me, her eyes welling up with unshed tears.

“We’re fighting a war, aren’t we?” she whispered. “And it’s all because of me. Eddie wants me back, doesn’t he?”

I stepped closer, my heart clenching at the weariness in her voice. “No,” I assured her. “This is about much more than you, Jo. Eddie is a threat to everyone. Yeah, he may be targeting the club because he knows you’re here, but we’d have to take him down regardless.”

“But if I hadn’t come here --”

I cut her off before she could finish that thought. “You are safe here. We’ll do everything we can to keep it that way. And not just you. We need to take Eddie out of the picture so everyone in Warren won’t have to deal with his cruelty.”

Her eyes searched mine for a long moment before she nodded. “Thank you, Hatter.”

Before I could second-guess myself, I pulled Jo into my arms and kissed her. Her breath caught, and she gripped my shoulders tight. If she’d tried to push me away, I’d have let her. Instead, she clung to me.

My lips devoured hers as I let all my pent-up frustration and passion free. I’d wanted her since the first night I brought her here. And now she was in my arms, and I didn’t plan to let her go.

“When this is over, we’re going to talk,” I said.

She lightly touched her lips and nodded.

Chapter Nine

Hatter

Two Days Later

The moment hung heavy, like the air before a storm. My gut churned, and my instincts sharpened. Trouble was coming, I could feel it in my fucking bones. From what Absolem had discovered by gaining access to Eddie’s emails and phone records, we believed he wouldn’t make a move for several more days.

I had a nine-millimeter on me at all times, with two extra clips in my pockets, but that was it. I didn’t like the idea of leaving our weapons in the main room, and yet… something told me it was a mistake to not have them closer.

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