Page 23 of Banner

“Is that the chief of police?”I ask softly not wanting to draw any attention.

“Yep, and there’s the mayor.”He wasn’t lying.Anyone and everyone’s here tonight.The place is packed, but thankfully the warehouse is big enough that it doesn’t feel suffocating.

“This way, babe.”Banner tightens his hold around me and places a possessive hand on my hip whilst he ushers us down a long hallway to where the locker rooms are.Banner leads us to the last door on the right, where a strip of painter’s tape declares the room is occupied by The Enforcer.It’s not very original, but then again, a man like Haze doesn’t need the flashy fanfare.

“You decent?”Banner shouts after knocking on the door.It swings open to reveal a smiling Kane, alongside Haze who’s seated on a table getting his hands taped up.

“He is,” Link, the VP, says as he squeezes by us.

“Sophia wanted to wish you good luck,” Banner says, causing me to blush.That’s not exactly what I’d said in the car, but I don’t argue.

“Good luck and be safe.”The men in the room grin at me like what I’ve just said is the cutest thing they’ve ever heard.I roll my eyes.Men.

“We’re gonna go grab our seats.See you on the other side, brother.”Haze pounds his fists together.

Okay.

Walking back into the lobby, Banner grabs a couple of beers and a glass of wine off a server’s tray, then continues deeper into the warehouse.I’m again surprised when it opens up into a larger space with a cage in the center.I look around at the tables set up around the room and start to feel uncomfortable when I notice several women standing together eyeing me angrily.

“Do you know them?”Banner follows my line of sight.

“You're my queen, baby.Fuck them, you hold your head high.”

He’s right.I’m his wife.I nod and straighten my spine.

“That's my good girl,” he whispers into the top of my head.

I preen at his praise and lean deeper into his side, only to feel his body shake with laughter.

Banner pulls out a chair for me, and I take a seat.Having a sip of my wine, I let my eyes wander around the room and I’m surprised at all the club members who are scattered around the room.

I can’t explain it, but knowing there is added protection around us allows me to completely relax.

Leaning into the curve of Banner’s arm, I settle in for the fight.

Chapter9

Banner

There’s a feeling of déjà vu as I stand here on the catwalk watching my crew in motion down below.We’ve been on a bit of a time crunch to replace the shipment that the ATF intercepted.

“We’ll get it done, Boss.”

“We don’t have a choice.”

I glance at Haze standing next to me, my eyes going to the stitches above his brow.He won his fight last night, but not without letting his opponent beat on him for a couple of rounds.If I didn’t know any better, I’d think my enforcer has a death wish, but that’s not it.

“You gotta stop that shit.”I lift my chin toward his wound.

Haze turns around and pins me with narrowed eyes.“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I lift a brow.We both know that’s not true.Haze has been punishing himself for the missions Uncle Sam demanded we complete.We didn’t agree with our orders but that’s the thing about being a soldier.It wasn’t up to us; disobeying wasn’t an option.

“Ain’t talking about that shit.I got news about your brother.Word on the street is that the Russians have put a target on his back.”he claims, cleverly changing the subject.I grunt.I’d heard just as much from Ronan when we’d spoken at the fight.

“Well, for now, he’s safe in solitary confinement.He’ll be there for the next few days for putting a man in the infirmary.”I rub at the back of my neck.Can’t we ever catch a fucking break?

Haze hands me a burner and I quickly punch in the warden’s number.It rings several times before going to voicemail.I hang up, then hit the number again.On the third ring, O’Malley finally answers.“I’m a little busy right now, Banner.”

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