Page 27 of Grease's Guide

Unfortunately, that’s life, and if I’ve learned anything, you can’t control it, so you got to roll with it. I take a deep breath, hoping to stay strong throughout this meeting. Whatever bad news is coming, I have to hold strong. These were my choices; now it’s time to live with them. I feel a presence at my back and hands wrapping around me. I smile at the familiar comfort of Grease's arms.

“No matter what happens, I will always protect you. I will never let anyone put their hands on you, tootsie. You are mine, and nobody threatens what is mine.” He kisses my neck, then holds me until my heart rate slows. Only then does he grab my hand, pull me down the hall, and through the double doors I've come to absolutely hate walking through.

We are the last to arrive, but no one comments as Grease takes his seat and pulls me onto his lap. I look around the room and notice everyone sitting but Drift and Vice, who are standing in the back and leaning against the wall. I haven't had the chance to get to know them much since they are mostly nomads and keep to themselves.

My attention is brought back to the front of the room as Swift stands and clears his throat, giving me a sympathetic smile.

I brace myself for what they are going to tell me. Have I been found? Did those fuckers find Conor? Please, lord, tell me that’s not the case. I would rather they have found me. Swift starts before I can get too far into my own head.

“Alright, I won’t waste your time with small talk. We got an update on Lyra’s situation.” He turns and looks at me. “It ain’t good.”

I see the sadness in his eyes, but it’s quickly replaced by determination. I know these men are used to action, and my situation has been a bit more relaxed lately. The threat stayed, but the security of the club gave me a false sense of security for a while.

“Grease, I’ll let you take over since it’s your old lady's bounty.”

Bounty? What bounty? My breath comes in harsher pants. This isn’t good. It can’t be good.

“Thanks for breaking ice, Prez,” Grease groans before taking my shoulders and turning me to the side to face him. He holds eye contact with me, and I can see that whatever he says is nearly torture for him.

“Spit it out, Grease. You know I hate suspense,” I sass at him, trying to loosen his and my panic at the situation, even if it's only a little bit. He smirks, so I guess it worked… for him, at least.

“For someone who hates suspense, you live a life full of it toots.” He smiles softly before the troubling look comes back over his face, then he continues, and what he says next has my heart nearly stopping in my chest, “There is a hit out on your head, Tootsie. The mob isn't interested in capture and questions anymore. You’ve done too good of a job hiding from them, and now they are just frustrated enough to be out for blood.”

I gasp as the reality of my situation takes over. Don't get me wrong, I knew I was dealing with some horrible people, and I knew them and their men were after me. What I am surprised about is the fact they have taken a hit on me, which means professional killers are after me. People born to kill, to massacre, to take people from their families no matter what. In most cases whoever gets in their path ends up dying as well. I’ve seen the movies and shows. I know how this works.

The one thing I can think at the moment is I did not kill John Wick's dog, so how is this my damn life now? How are there trained professionals after me for the crime of protecting an innocent little boy? I knew I needed to hide to protect him. I also know I promised not to leave Grease or this family again. Still, as I look around the room, how can I not consider it, seeing as these people and their families,their children,are in danger because of me?

“I can tell exactly what you're thinking, but the answer is no. You are not running again; don't even think about it. There is no way on God's green earth I would let you. You couldn't get out of my grip now if you tried. I’ve taken precautions,” he says unabashedly. I raise a brow at him.

“What's that supposed to mean? You have me tracked or something?” I scoff and chuckle, but at the seriousness in his face, I wonder if he indeed chipped me. I should be mad. I should demand that he remove all the little trackers he has placed on me, but I’m not stupid. Given the current situation I find myself in, I think being tracked might actually put me at ease a bit more. Grease doesn't answer me about the trackers, just continues explaining the situation.

“I don't want you to worry about anything, Toots. I’m going to protect you,” he says holding my cheek in his big palm and staring into my eyes until I see the truth of his words. He won't let anyone hurt me, and I have to trust that.

“Back on track. We’ve made contact with the mob.” I gasp at Swift's words. If they’ve contacted them, that means they know where I am and who is keeping me safe. I didn’t realize how bad this really was.

“We’ve set up a meeting. Nothing to worry about, darlin’. We just told them we might have information from a contact we work with. They don’t know you’re here or that we’ve been hiding you for a couple years now.” Well, that does put me at ease a bit. “We are going to meet in a neutral location, but I still want all precautions taken. The clubhouse will be on full lockdown. All women and children here in one location, locked in the safe room. Drift and Vice have volunteered to stay back with the women and kids. Cutter will join them.”

I nod, understanding the situation and ready to get this whole part of my life over with, so I ask, “When do we leave?”

“You won’t be going,” Prez states.

“But-“ I start but immediately am cut off.

“No, not happening. You will stay here. No arguments,” Grease states firmly.

“And just a heads up, we have the confirmed meeting place. We leave in forty-five minutes. Just in case you were thinking of waiting until we were asleep or distracted to sneak out, meet up with them on your own to keep all of us safe, or some bullshit like that,” Hitter speaks up, and I stare at him with my mouth agape and eyes wide.

“You wouldn’t be the first.” Comp shrugs as he sees my expression.

“We're pretty much prepared for anything with you ladies at this point. We never know what you all will do or say next, so we have to stay a few steps ahead.” Grim smirks, and I can’t help smiling his way.

“If that’s it, we’ll call this church to a close. Brothers, be ready to ride out.”

And just like that, these wonderful, protective, badass men show me how much I mean to this family. They could be walking into an ambush, a trap, anything…. All for me.

The only problem is that it doesn’t sit right with me, and according to them, there is nothing I can do about it.

Still, I have a feeling something big is about to happen.

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