Page 17 of Thor

“No. He and his brothers are working on it though.” As soon as I finish the sentence, I know I just said too much.

“Brothers? I thought Jonah was an only child.” Mom’s head tilts in confusion. When I don’t answer, she narrows her eyes and I know I have to come clean. She’ll hunt me down if I don’t.

“Well… you see…”

“Madison, what did you do?”

“What I had to. I found out that Jonah joined a motorcycle club when he left all those years ago.”

Mom and Dad gasp with a look of disbelief and shock. “And you went there? Alone? Madison, what were you thinking? Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?!” Dad barks at me.

I know he doesn’t mean to yell so I try not to let it get to me. “Dad, it was just as dangerous as being on the run from that man. I couldn’t do it anymore. So, if coming to a motorcycle club was my only way to be free of him, I would do it a million times over. Quite frankly, these men aren’t at all what I was expecting. They’ve all been very welcoming and genuine with me.”

“Madison, no. I see the look in your eyes. It’s the same look you had when you came home from the park after meeting Jonah for the first time. Please don’t tell me you’re falling for him again.”

My mom seems completely terrified at the thought. I won’t deny it because my parents are human lie detectors when it comes to their children. The connection I have with Jonah is intense. I know my parents want me to leave Jonah in the past, but I can't. He’s always been the one. I just hope they can accept that.

“Things are different now that I know Jonah had nothing to do with what happened. There’s only one person to blame for everything that’s happened and it isn’t Jonah.”

“Madison, honey, use your head. He’s part of a motorcycle gang. I’ve never been around one before, but I can only imagine the kind of things that go on there. You have to?—”

“Dad, I don’t want to spend all this time talking about Jonah and hisclub.Where are my brothers? Last time I saw them, they were little men. I can only imagine how grown up they are now.”

My parents sigh but drop the subject and call my brothers into the room. More tears are shed as I catch up with my siblings. Hours go by and we laugh, joke, and tease each other like we used to. As I end the call, I promise to call first thing in the morning. It seems like the more time I spend here the lighter I feel.

I can only hope that Jonah and the club can get Thomas out of my life for good.

Chapter Ten

THOR

“Thor, I swear I’m two seconds from stabbing you,” Cara growls at me through clenched teeth.

I give her my best puppy-dog eyes, hoping to ease her anger. It doesn’t work. She narrows her eyes at me, and Tech and Sara snicker from their desks. I’m currently in the cave which I am not supposed to be, but I knew they were down here trying to get info on Thomas. At this point, I refuse to address him as my uncle. To me, he’s a soon-to-be dead fucker by my hands.

Viper made it clear that I wasn’t to make any moves on Thomas until we had a solid plan. Killing a mayor would bring a lot of heat on us. If it isn’t done smart, we risk everything. As much as I wish I could just head to Arizona, storm into his home, and put a bullet right between his eyes, I can't. I just got Maddy back and I don’t want to lose her by landing myself in jail.

I never thought I would ever get a second chance with her. Hell, I still don’t. I’m just holding on to a sliver of hope that her feelings are still there. I’ve caught her staring at me like she used to so maybe just maybe I’m not in this thing alone.

“I’m sorry. I’ll be quiet. Scouts’ honor.”

“Please,” Cara says with an eye roll. “You were never a damn Boy Scout.” She turns back to her screen and gets back to work.I have no clue what she’s doing but no one’s fingers should move as fast as hers are moving on that keyboard. The room is filled with silence for a few minutes before I start to get agitated. Tech and Sara are also in the zone.

Seriously, how can they just sit in silence like this? It’s maddening.

“Have you got anything yet?” I asked for the fifth time.

Cara’s fingers freeze. Tech and Sara chuckle from behind me. When Cara slowly turns her head to look at me, I instantly put on a pout. Again, it doesn’t work. She points for the door and growls, “Out.”

I open my mouth, but she puts her hand up, stopping me. “Thor, do you have any idea how hard it is to hack into someone’s system? Not to mention someone who has government protection. This isn’t something that can be done in the matter of twenty minutes. This takes time. I understand you want to get this ball rolling, but I need you to leave so I can focus and get this thing done.”

Dropping my shoulders, I get up and leave the cave. When I make it to the common room, Blade smiles over to Torch. “Pay up.” He laughs as he holds out his hand. Torch shakes his head and slaps a few hundreds in his brother’s hand. I narrow my eyes at them both when I make it to the couch.

“You didn’t.”

Viper chuckles with a nod. “They did. Blade bet Torch you wouldn’t last thirty minutes in the cave before getting the boot and he only bet that long because you’re her best friend.”

A few of the guys snicker, and I roll my eyes, plopping down in my chair with a sigh. “I just want to get this fucker,” I growl in frustration.

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