Page 14 of Bound in the Dark

Nadya headed off in the right direction and they followed just out of earshot. Neither of them were willing to let her out of their sight. Surprises could happen even in the middle of nowhere.

Her sister’s voice was quiet when she asked, “Do you care for him?”

Did she? Caring for people was a weakness she didn’t allow herself. Up until recently she had only cared for the two women now walking through the woods with her. Honestly she hadn’t thought she could care for anyone but them. What she had with Highdive was fierce and wonderful. It was supposed to have been nothing but an experiment.

“He doesn’t know who I am. He thinks my name is Luna.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

It wasn’t but she didn’t have a good answer to the question. “He is an intense lover. Smart. Confident.”

“Sometimes that is all it takes.” Alena shook her head. “Do you think he will be a problem once he knows the truth?”

“Not unless he thinks I’m a danger to his Brothers. But if I take Nadya there and he finds out who and what I am, what we had will be over.” The sadness in her own voice surprised her. It was inevitable and she had avoided thinking about it. Admittedly she had never considered the possibility that she would have to tell him about what she did when they weren’t together. How would he react?

“She could go on her own–”

“No. She needs protection. No lover, no matter how good, is worth that risk.”

Alena knocked her shoulder into Diana’s as they walked. “You never know. Maybe when this is all over we can both get our men.”

Diana shook her head. Her sister was definitely the optimist between the two of them. She just hoped he didn’t hate her once the truth was revealed. Her life was rarely dull but this was going to be a kind of excitement she didn’t enjoy.

Chapter5

The only way to never be frustrated is to never have expectations.

Highdive scanned the bar of the Clubhouse. The room wasn’t very full but he was on high alert. The knowledge that the more than thirty men here were killers from other MCs, local gangs, and the Mafia had his skin crawling with the need to keep an eye on every one of them. The fact that these men were supposed to be their allies had no impact on his sense of unease. He only trusted the twenty Dark Sons Brothers who were here; no treaty or agreement would change that simple fact.

He had recommended that they meet with each group separately so they could cut down on the risk, but Hawk had overruled him. The war with Andrey Petrov had escalated in the last few days and they would need all the help they could get to finish things quickly. Something was going on inside the Stepanov Bratva but no one was talking about what that was.

The feared attacks on a national level hadn’t happened. But the asshole who had shot Hawk was assembling an army of almost a hundred men on a compound north of Denver and no one had any doubt he was going to cause trouble for the Dark Sons, but exactly how was a mystery. Even their contacts within law enforcement were stumped. It was as if the man was trying to form his own organization here and using the destruction of the Dark Sons as his opening move.

So far his Club had been lucky with only property damage and minor scuffles resulting from their conflict. But yesterday a few of the Old Ladies had been driving home from shopping when they were attacked by three SUVs full of men with automatic rifles. If it hadn’t been for quick thinking and some fancy driving on Val’s part, she, Pixie and Tari would have died.

In a few minutes he and the officers would be meeting with the heads of the different organizations present to work out how to take the crazy Russian down. The plan he and Tek had come up with was solid but it counted on overwhelming numbers and outside assistance. Highdive didn’t like the odds that everything would go to plan.

“Highdive,” Hawk shouted to him from over by the pool tables where he was standing with Tek, the Club’s Secretary and Grinder, his best friend and the Club’s Road Captain.

This room was made for parties not privacy. It was a giant room only sectioned off by the presence of the bar and several seating areas. They would have to go into Church to meet with the leaders. He hated the idea of outsiders in their private space but it couldn’t be avoided.

Highdive strode over to see what his President wanted. “What’s up?”

“Finally got a message from Akula.” Hawk’s voice was low but he could still hear the frustration.

Hawk’s woman had been MIA for over a month causing the man to grow angrier every day. Highdive sympathized with his President. Luna had vanished as well. That was a mess he had no idea how to unpack and he didn’t have time to think about it now.

“What did it say?”

“That she is sending me a package today and I need to keep it safe.” If Hawk clenched his jaw any tighter he thought the man might need dental work.

“That’s it?” Highdive asked.

“Yup. It’s like she has a sixth sense for the worst possible timing.”

“Do you know if she’s in town or likely to show up with the package?”

Hawk chuckled. “She’s not going to show up or call because then she would have to actually talk to me.”

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