Page 19 of Savage

Then, Irish cleared his throat. "Don’t forget to add Hawk’s funeral and the memorial ride to your calendars.”

Seeing the look of confusion on her face, Emilee leaned in close and whispered, “It’s for the SEALs KIA last month."

A hush fell over the table. Savannah frowned. "I… I didn’t hear about any SEALs being killed," she ventured hesitantly.

Makenzie reached across the table, squeezing her hand. "They don’t always report it, honey. Especially with special forces."

"OPSEC," Arrow added gruffly. "Operational security. Some things don’t make the news. "

“But I thought we were out of all combat operations. That’s what they said on the news when we pulled out of Afghanistan?” She couldn’t help but be confused. She thought American troops were safe around the globe.

Savage draped his arm around her shoulders. “We have troops engaged in combat around the world at any given time. This was a Houthi attack in Yemen. A group of operators were working on the ground while the Navy fought them in the Red Sea. It might not make the news, but the community is small, and we talk.”

Irish nodded. "So, we’re all riding together. Knew the team leader, Hawk. Good man. We all did. He’s from Wyoming. We’re going to ride up for his funeral."

“All of you?” She asked.

“The officers and a few of the members who knew Hawk. The girls are staying behind as they didn’t know him and were going to be gone in a few days. A couple members will stay behind and make sure everyone and everything is taken care of here.”

“We’re going to have a slumber party here at the clubhouse!” Emilee said. “And now that you are staying here, you have to join us!”

“Uncle Tater is going to make us nachos and we’re going to watch movies and stay up all night.” Makenzie exclaimed, bouncing in her seat.

“All night? I think not, little girl,” Irish said.

“What he doesn’t know, won’t hurt him,” Emilee said. Everyone around the table laughed.

“We don’t keep secrets from our Daddies, right girls?” Arrow said firmly, and each girl nodded their heads.

“When is it, again?” Savannah asked.

“This upcoming weekend,” Emilee replied.

“Oh, okay.” Savannah said as her mind whirled.

“Don’t worry,” Savage said, leaning in so only she could hear. “There will be plenty of brothers here to protect you. No one will harm you here.”

As they finished eating, she committed every word to memory, but a pit of guilt gnawed at her insides. These men were mourning their fallen brothers, and she was preparing to betray their trust.

As the meal wound down, Makenzie and Emilee hugged her goodbye, promising a tour of the town tomorrow after work. Savage's large hand settled on the small of her back, guiding her upstairs.

In her room, he quirked an eyebrow. "I know you have an early start morning, but do you want to watch a movie?"

She was nowhere near ready to go to sleep and nodded. They settled in together on the couch, Savannah hyper-aware of his solid presence beside her. The warmth of him, the subtle scent of leather and musk, filled her senses. She focused on the screen, but her mind was a tangled mess of fear and deception.

As the credits rolled, Savage stood and took her into his arms. He smelled so good; she never wanted the hug to end. All too soon he stepped back. "Shower and straight to bed, little girl. Early day tomorrow." He leaned in and kissed her briefly, his lips barely touching hers before they were gone. “I’m staying the night right down the hall. If you need anything, come get me. Okay?”

She nodded, throat tight. "Okay."

The door clicked shut behind him. The moment he was gone, her phone buzzed. If she hadn’t been safe inside of the clubhouse, she would have thought Zeb was spying on her. The timing was uncanny.

Zeb: Where are the fuck are you? Tim went to the room. They said you checked out. You better not be running away. We will find you.

Her hands shook as she typed out a response, relaying her location. and the intel about The Watchmen. She worried about how he would reply. Would he be angry that she wasn’t where he told her to be? His reply was swift and chilling:

Zeb: Fuck, you are better at this than I gave you credit for. Remember what's at stake. Fuck this up, and your sister and that brat of hers pay the price. Don’t be late tomorrow. Tim will meet you at the front.

Savannah sucked in a sharp breath, her chest tightening. Why was Tim going to be at the ski resort? What did he need to tell her? She’d assumed she’d be working a normal housekeeping job. She had more questions than answers. Her fingers clenched around the phone, her vision blurring with tears.

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