Page 39 of Echoes of Danger

“Mr. Jasper Montgomery?”

“Yeah?” I answer the nurse waiting in the doorway. “We just received a call from someone named Ghost. He says your taxi is outside waiting.”

I check the clock and see that it’s five minutes till three.

“Oh, goodie,” Delphi smiles. “He’s early, but I don’t mind. Let’s get out of here. I need an update on Jacob, and I need to hug my kids.”

I nod and help Delphi out of bed, grabbing her small bag of personal items while she steadies herself. Her face is pale, and every step she takes looks like it’s a fight against the pain. I hate seeing her like this, but I know the hospital isn’t safe.

As we make our way to the lobby, I scan the hallways, keeping an eye out for anything, or anyone, out of place. My gut has been screaming at me for the last twenty-four hours, and I don’t ignore my instincts.

The nurse at the front desk offers us a polite smile as she hands Delphi her discharge papers. “Take it easy and get lots of rest,” she says.

Delphi nods, forcing a smile back. But I see how her hand trembles when she signs her name. She’s putting on a brave face. I need to get her back inside Oasis so she can rest.

As soon as we step outside, the cool breeze hits us, but something feels… off. The taxi is waiting, just like the nurse said, but the driver doesn’t get out.

I guide Delphi to the car, opening the door for her. She slides in carefully, clutching her side. As I climb in after her, I glance at the driver. He’s wearing a cap pulled low over his face, and his jaw is set tight.

“You’re Jasper Montgomery?” he asks, his voice rough and clipped.

“Yeah,” I reply, my hand instinctively sliding closer to the knife I’ve hidden inside my jacket.

“Ghost said to get you two to the new safe house. No stops.”

Safe house? Ghost hadn’t mentioned anything about that, but I don’t question it aloud. My mind is racing as the car pulls away from the curb. Something’s not adding up.

Delphi leans her head against the window, her eyes half-closed. She’s too exhausted to notice my tension, but I’m on high alert.

As the city blurs past, I discreetly check my surroundings. No tail. No obvious threats. Yet, I can’t shake the feeling that we’ve just traded one danger for another.

“Where exactly is this safe house?” I ask the driver, my tone casual but probing.

He glances at me through the rearview mirror, his expression unreadable. “Not far.”

Not far. That’s not an answer, and it doesn’t ease the knot tightening in my gut. I grip Delphi’s hand, and she stirs, giving me a tired smile.

“It’s okay,” she whispers. “We’re okay.”

But I’m not so sure.

“What did you say your name was?” I ask, my tone even.

“I’m Raven,” the stranger says. “Ghost contacted our president to help with some situation you got going on.”

I don’t like this. Ghost didn’t mention needing backup from another MC, and he sure as hell didn’t mention anyone named Raven.

“Didn’t catch which club you’re with,” I say, watching him closely in the rearview mirror.

“Black Vipers.” His gaze flicks up, his eyes meeting mine in the mirror, challenging. “We got chapters across three states. Thought you’d be more appreciative of the favor.”

A favor? I grit my teeth. Ghost wouldn’t outsource protection like this without telling me. And “favor” or not, it sounds too convenient. I don’t trust easy, and this guy’s giving me no reason to start.

Delphi shifts in her seat, her hand still holding her side. She leans her head back, looking exhausted but trying to stay alert. “Everything okay, Steel?” she whispers, sensing the tension.

“Yeah, babe,” I murmur, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze, even though my gut’s telling me otherwise.

We keep driving in silence, the city gradually fading into more isolated back roads. My hand rests inside my jacket, fingers brushing the cool handle of my knife. If this “Raven” tries anything, he’s in for a nasty surprise.

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