Page 50 of The Devil's Conflict

Theo grins at me. “Honestly, I haven’t felt this good since I was in the Army. I don’t even care that it’s like I’m back being a young officer at the bottom of the totem pole. I actually have a friend who will be getting out soon and this might just be the kind of thing he would like too. I’d be able to vouch for him, and his background is in tactical planning, so it could be helpful.”

I nod. “We’re happy to have more Prospects and it’s a bonus if they are veterans. So let one of us know when he’s out.”

“Thanks. Oh, and I know I’m probably not supposed to know anything about what is going on with the Russians, and I still don’t but?—”

“No,” I interrupt, making him close his mouth with a snap. “The others know, and we normally wouldn’t tell you so soon until we’re sure that you’re going to stay and not run your mouth. But I think it’s safe to say you won’t do that at this point. Just know we’ll give you the information you need to know, but we expect you to keep that shit to yourself. Including from Eric and Thea.”

He nods. “Done. Though I don’t know how Thea isn’t going to push you for more information. She won’t be blabbing either, but if she’s here, she’s going to find out enough if she’s listening carefully.”

I take that warning as it’s meant. “I’ll handle it.”

Clearly happy with the resolution of that discussion, he turns away to go back to man the gate and I head up to the clubhouse. When I get there, I see Bullet and Arson talking with Shadow on the porch. I dismount my bike and walk up to join in on the conversation. “What do you think we should do?” Shadow questions Bullet.

“I say we head over there now and burn it to the ground,” Arson butts in with a smirk. “Show this Vlad asshole that we mean business.”

“Or we need to send out a few of the men that are good at finding hidey holes and hidden compartments,” I suggest drily. “In every spot we’ve visited so far that is connected to Vlad, there is always a hidden spot or compartment. I couldn’t find it, but I’m not as good at finding those kinds of things as some of the others.”

“We also didn’t get to explore the woods around and there could be more things hidden there as well,” Shadow adds. “And there is no way they don’t have that place under surveillance, so they probably have someone heading over there now to move shit.”

Bullet nods. “We need to get moving on this and fast. We especially want to make sure we have people there to watch them and see where they’re going or if they open that secret compartment or whatever. Because you’re right; they definitely will have something somewhere.”

“You lot are far too serious,” Arson jokes. “But fine, we can do that, but once we clear shit out, then we burn it. It’s time to show a serious message that you’re not fucking around anymore. It’s in a secluded part of the county, which means that we aren’t going to have innocents caught in the crossfire.”

I’m not about to draw attention to ourselves, but there is also something to be said at making sure Vlad realizes we’re not playing anymore.

“Shadow, find Bowie, Frost, and either Timber or Titan to go and have a look and see what they can find and report back on any movement.”

“Let me send one of my guys just in case you need some backup,” Arson suggests. Bullet nods. “I’ll get Dozer to go. Hedid a stint in the Army, so he’d at least know how to be quiet and not act too hotheaded.”

“Alright,” Shadow agrees. “Let him know to meet here in ten minutes.” Then he turns and heads inside.

“Keep me in the loop,” I tell Bullet, who nods. “I apparently need to speak to Thea. If you hear a shot, might just want to stay clear.”

“That little woman? You’re scared of her?” Arson snickers. “Brother, you lose your balls since the last time we saw each other? Sure, she’s got a sharp tongue, but unless that tongue can cut off your cock, I think you’re safe.”

“That is where you are wrong, Arson,” I say calmly as I head toward the door. “That little woman? She’s former Special Forces, which you would have heard clear enough in Church if you weren’t so pissed off at how we run our club, and she has dealt with the worst of the worst. She can kill you in your sleep and you’d never know. So I suggest you remember that, because that is one woman you won’t see coming if she doesn’t want you to.” Then I head inside, sure that my warning has landed.

And now it’s my turn to face her and hope that I don’t come out with too many scars. Though if it keeps her here, I’ll sport them for the rest of my life.

TWENTY-TWO

THEA

What the hell kind of situation have I just stumbled into?

I’m sittingon the bed, cleaning my gun, when Sniper walks in the room. He freezes the moment he sees the weapon in my hand. Then he sighs, walks inside, shuts the door with a surprising softness, before clicking the lock. All without turning his back on me. I don’t bother to hide my amusement as I finish cleaning it and then set it aside, watching him.

“You know that if Bullet finds out you have that in here, he’s going to lose his shit,” Sniper remarks drily as he leans back against the closed door, watching me.

“Because he’s worried I’m going to start shooting people? Or because he doesn’t want me to loan it to one of the other women?”

Sniper’s lips twitch. “I’m leaning more toward option two. You’re not as much of a wild card as the others, and they would shoot someone just to make a point.”

“And I wouldn’t?”

He moves away from the door and slowly makes his way toward me. “You wouldn’t be so obvious,” he says when he finally stops at the edge of the bed, and I have to tilt back to look up at him. “You’d sneak up behind one of us and snap our necks. Less messy.”

He’s actually right, though I haven’t had to do that in a very long time. “You think you have me all figured out, huh?”

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