Page 10 of Byte

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As I expected, Phoenix agreed to my plan with one added condition. “If you find anything of concern about this Chad guy or anyone else, you let me know immediately, and we’ll reevaluate.”

“Understood, Prez.”

“Ranger’s going to be pissed,” he added.

“Oh, I know, but I have a plan for that.”

“Yeah?”

I nodded. “Yep. It was Gabby’s idea, so she can deal with her grandfather.”

Phoenix laughed. “You’re going to throw her under the bus?”

“Shamelessly,” I confirmed.

“All right, when are you two heading back to her place?” he asked.

“Probably tomorrow afternoon, but I’ll let you know if that changes.”

“Sounds good. Keep me updated,” he ordered.

“Will do, Prez. And tell Flint not to throw any parties at my house while I’m gone.”

Phoenix chuckled. “You don’t have to worry about anything like that with Flint. Now, Blaze and Raven are a different story.” He shook his head and rubbed his hand over his beard. “I swear those girls are responsible for every gray hair I have.”

“I don’t doubt it.” Even though Blaze and Raven were aunt and niece, Blaze was only a few weeks older than Raven. They grew up more like sisters or close cousins and had been giving their parents a run for their money ever since they learned to walk and talk. I had a feeling Flint kept them out of more trouble than any of us knew. He was a good kid and was well on his way to making a fine club brother.

I made my way back to my room to collect Gabby and head back to my house. She opted to hide out in my room at the clubhouse while I spoke with Phoenix to keep the club chatter to a minimum. We both knew it would get back to Keegan if anyone spotted her at the clubhouse.

She sat up and clicked off the television when I entered the room. “How did it go?”

“Fine. He agreed with our plan,” I said and paused for dramatic effect. “But you have to handle your grandfather when he finds out someone broke into your house and no one told him for two weeks.”

She laughed. “I don’t have a problem with that.”

“Really?”

“Really. It won’t bemethat Papa’s mad at after I explain.”

“Fucking hell,” I grumbled. For as long as I’d known him, Ranger always had a rifle within arm’s reach, no matter where he was. And I also knew he did not mind using it. “If he shoots me, I’m blaming you.”

“He won’t shoot you,” she countered.

“That’s what you think. You get the teddy bear version of him while the rest of us get the grizzly.” And that grizzly became an entirely different beast when it came to someone messing withhis grandchildren. I vividly remembered him pointing his rifle at an FBI agent when Keegan had gone missing years ago.

I flinched when Gabby placed her hand on my shoulder. I hoped it wasn’t noticeable, but she quickly pulled her hand back. Before I could comment, she continued as if nothing had happened. “Just make sure you stand behind me or my sister. He can’t shoot you if we’re in the way.”

“Aw, it’s cute that you think I’m going to be anywhere in the vicinity when you tell him what happened.”

“Yeah, that’s probably a better plan,” she conceded.

“You ready to go?”

“I’m ready if you are.”

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