Page 24 of Bound in the Dark

She crossed her arms and made a rolling, let’s move this along, gesture with her hand. He growled and it was hard not to smirk. She had learned long ago how much people hated silence. They might say they hated arguing, but really, there was nothing more unnerving than a lack of resistance that you didn’t trust.

“Fine, I have a house on the compound, but all the women are staying in the clubhouse tonight since the majority of the Brothers are going out on a run. That includes me and Hawk so the two of you will be here as well. I'll get one of the Prospects to find you two rooms.”

She nodded and started out of the room.

“This is the way it has to be until things are safe,” he shouted after her.

Diana didn't bother to look back.

* * *

The Dark Sons and their families were an interesting mix of people. It was one thing to read about them on paper while observing them for her sister. Another to watch them interacting with each other in this confined and stressful situation. Diana had taken up a position near the back of the main Clubhouse room at a small seating area behind the pool tables where she could observe and not be in the way.

By her count there were about twenty non-combatants among them who were being kept safe in the Clubhouse. Two of those were infants and five kids under the age of thirteen. Two of the men she had classified as non-combatants would probably balk at the label, but she wouldn’t count on the two men in their late sixties to be of much help.

Two of the women seemed to be in charge of making sure everyone had what they needed. Val, who was Dozer’s Old Lady, was a vibrant Southern Belle. She wandered around talking to everyone with a baby on her hip. She always had a smile and some sass for everyone she talked to. Pixie, a small blonde woman who was Sharp’s Old Lady, seemed to be in charge of feeding everyone whether they wanted it or not.

Diana shook her head. The gathering felt more like a family reunion than a lockdown. Even Nadya had gotten into the mood and was playing some sort of game with the kids that seemed to be a mix of tag and tickle.

Brothers were constantly in and out of the offices in the back hall. Fully armed and armored it was obvious they were ready for some sort of action soon. Seeing men prepped for battle wasn’t unusual for Diana, what she couldn't wrap her brain around was how gentle and caring they were with the women and children. Never snapping at the kids who tried to pull them into their games.

Although the mood was tense it wasn't hostile. No one spoke directly to her, but they didn't seem to be hiding either. Diana had managed to pick up bits and pieces of their conversations. Enough to figure out that the majority of the men would be riding out soon on some sort of protection detail that was critical to taking down Petrov.

How many of them would be staying behind to protect the families? This building was secure with its concrete walls but it was large. Defending it against the kind of men the Russian could bring would be difficult.

If it had been up to her, she would have stationed at least two snipers on the roof. Then used another six men inside at strategic locations while keeping everyone not able to fight confined in the basement. Lastly, she would also arm the women as a final line of defense.

Not that anyone had wanted or asked for her opinion. Even when she'd tried to offer help the men had brushed her off. Even Hawk, who should know better, had dismissed her offer with a curt ‘No’.

It was like they were so focused on a single plan that they couldn't even consider it might be flawed. Pride was the first of the deadly sins for a reason. She would have to keep her focus on protecting Nadya.

Highdive had attempted to talk with her several times. But he hadn't been interested in her opinions on defense. No, he had only wanted her to accept his weak platitudes. All the while telling her just to accept that Nadya would be safe and expecting her to agree to follow orders like a sheep. Diana had stopped listening to him once she realized his words were nothing but nonsense designed to make him feel better.

Asshole.

It was a petty pleasure but she enjoyed how obviously her one word answers frustrated him. She took perverse joy in watching him stumble for some new way to make her 'understand'.

Yes.

She understood that he had club business he couldn't talk about.

No.

She didn't plan on leaving.

Yes.

She was here to guard Nadya.

Fine.

They would talk later and work things out.

That last one she wanted to believe but wasn't sure it was possible.

The two of them were sexually compatible. Her body practically hummed any time he was near. If it was just chemistry, Diana could have walked away without a second glance. But some of her favorite memories of him had nothing to do with sex.

She cherished the hours they spent talking cuddled up on a couch after a scene at the club. She loved his mind almost as much as his body. It was amazing how much you could discuss without ever getting into personal history. They had covered topics ranging from philosophy to politics.

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