Page 25 of Breaker

A ripple of unease passed through the room, and I felt my muscles tense. I’d known her uncle would come for her if he ever discovered where she was. I just had to hope it was returning to his hometown and nothing more.

Fox’s gaze swept over us once more, his eyes hardening with resolve. “We need a plan, and we need it now. Juniper’s uncle is a threat, and we can’t afford to underestimate him.”

I leaned forward, my elbows resting on the table as I met Fox’s stare head-on. “What do you need us to do?”

Fox nodded, a flicker of approval in his eyes. “First things first, we need to fortify the compound. Surge, I want you on surveillance. Beef up the cameras and make sure we have eyes on every angle. And I meaneveryfucking angle.”

Surge gave a curt nod, his fingers already twitching with the need to get started. “On it, Pres.”

Brazil lifted a hand. “I can help monitor the cameras. We can set up shifts, make sure someone’s always watching.”

Fox turned his attention to Shooter, Fangs, and Yankee. “You three, I want you on Juniper watch. She doesn’t leave the compound without at least one of you by her side. For that matter, I want one of you outside Breaker’s house, or anywhere else she goes inside the compound. Understood?”

The three men grunted their assent, their expressions hardening with determination. I knew they would do their best to keep her safe.

“We should double patrols. Make sure we have a physical presence in as many places inside the compound as possible. I don’t want to leave so much as a crack for that snake to slither through,” Fox said.

“I think we’ll need help,” Rocket said. “Not enough club members to pull this off.”

Fox nodded. “You’re right. Spider already had some ideas on that. Were you able to reach anyone?”

“The clubs I called are either shorthanded or dealing with their own issues. Haven’t had any luck reaching the mercenary group yet.”

Fox’s eyebrow arched. “So keep trying.”

“I’ll handle it,” Spider said.

I glanced around the table, taking in the determined faces of my brothers. We had faced challenges before, had overcome obstacles that would have broken lesser men. But this was different. For me anyway. This was personal. In the past, it had never been my woman in danger. Now it was.

My mind raced with the implications of what lay ahead. Juniper’s uncle was an unknown enemy lurking in the shadows. We had no way of knowing what he’d been up to while he was in prison, and no clue what friends he might have out here. But we were ready for him. We had to be.

Fox’s voice cut through my thoughts, drawing me back to the present. “Breaker, you’re with me. We need to have a talk with Juniper, make sure she understands the situation and the precautions we’re taking.”

I nodded, pushing down the flicker of apprehension that arose at the thought of telling Juniper her uncle was coming back to town. She was strong, but this had the potential of breaking her. I couldn’t help but wonder how she’d react to the news that her world was about to be turned upside down once again.

Rocket leaned forward, his voice low and tinged with a hint of past regret. “Breaker, let me give you a piece of advice. I almost lost Violeta because I wasn’t careful enough. I got cocky. Don’t do the same. Not until that fucker is in the ground or locked up again.”

Bear’s gruff voice cut through the heavy silence that had settled over the room. “We can’t forget what happened to Faith, either. We let our guard down, and it nearly cost us everything. Well, costmeeverything.”

“I’ll be careful,” I said.

As the meeting drew to a close and my brothers began to disperse, each one ready to tackle their assigned tasks, I felt a weight settle on my shoulders. Juniper’s safety was paramount, and I knew that I would do whatever it took to ensure that she remained unharmed.

Fox stood, his presence commanding the room. “All right, brothers, you know what needs to be done. Keep your eyes open, your heads on a swivel. We don’t know when or where this threat will come from, but we’ll be ready for it.”

I caught Fox’s eye as we made our way out of the main room, a silent understanding passing between us. We were in this together, united by our loyalty to the club and our determination to protect one of our own.

With a deep breath, I steeled myself for the conversation that lay ahead. Juniper needed me now more than ever.

Fox put his hand on my arm to draw me to a halt. “Listen, I know you want to stick to Juniper twenty-four-seven right now, and I get it. But that might not be possible. We have no idea how long this could last. If you need to leave her alone, make sure at least two men are standing guard.”

“No problem, Pres. She’s my everything. I won’t take any chances.”

He nodded. “Good. Now get on home and have a talk with her. Let her know what we’re doing to keep her safe. This time, you can share club business.”

“Thanks, Pres.”

I stepped outside and the cool night air hit my face, a welcome reprieve from the tension that had filled the clubhouse. I took a deep breath, my mind already racing with the task at hand.

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