Page 29 of Bound in the Dark

Hawk leaned in, all humor gone from his face. "I think you need to take a breath, Brother."

Highdive did. He was out of line and he knew it.

Sharp cleared his throat. "I keep most shit from Pixie because she doesn't need it weighing her down. What you share or don't share with your woman is your business, but from what little I've heard, her kill count might be higher than mine. So treating her like she's naive might not be the best call."

Hawk nodded. "We've got a lot going on and none of us knows if this shit's gonna take days, weeks, or months to clean up. There are gonna be some hard choices that are going to have to be made but I don't want any of us forgetting why we are doing this." Hawk looked at each of them. "Family, not just Brotherhood. There is no reason to fight if we don't have something to fight for. Petrov needs to go down, but don't lose sight of why we are fighting."

Grinder nodded his agreement. Highdive was still trying to process everything. He knew Diana wasn't weak but hearing that her kill count might be higher than a SEAL sniper was something he hadn't really thought about. He searched the room for her and saw her off to the side having what looked to be an intense conversation with Nadya.

He'd thought he knew everything he needed to know about her, but maybe he'd been wrong. The idea of her being a kick-ass assassin was hot as hell. It made her submission to him all the more precious. But could he deal with it outside the bedroom? Was he willing to treat her like one of his Brothers? He didn't like putting them in danger either but it never stopped him.

Nadya stormed off and headed towards the upstairs rooms. Diana shook her head and walked in their direction. Highdive took a moment to study her as she drew closer. The sense of hyper awareness that she always had at the Club now made sense.

It wasn't caused by past trauma, or at least not only by that. Her life was actually dangerous enough that she had to be ready to fight at a moment's notice.

No one should have to live like that. Soldiers on the front line burnt out because every moment of every day was dangerous. How had she not snapped?

Maybe he could show her that she could be safe with him. That she could let go of the tension that kept her muscles strung so tight and live a more normal life.

"Hawk." Diana’s voice was filled with tension. She didn't even glance at him. Highdive knew in that moment that he had fucked up more than he imagined. "I received a call from a contact that says he has info on Petrov. I'm going to drive out to meet him. Can you put an extra guard on Nadya until I get back?"

She wanted to leave the safety of the clubhouse? He didn't have enough men to send someone with her. There was no way.

"We're under lockdown. You can't leave." Maybe not the best choice of words but Highdive didn't take them back.

Her glare would have slit his throat if it had been a physical thing. Hawk for his part stayed silent which Highdive appreciated. Grinder and Sharp stepped away obviously not intending to get in the middle of what was probably going to be a bad argument.

Seconds passed and he waited for Diana to lose her temper, but she just looked between the two of them. Her silence was almost worse than fighting. He would not back down. The safety of everyone was his responsibility, she would just have to accept that.

Her voice when it came was razor sharp ice. "Hawk, would you give me a moment with Highdive."

Hawk nodded. "Whatever he decides I'll back. That's the way it works, Diana."

"Let’s both hope he chooses wisely then." Her words sent a chill down his spine.

The two of them stepped away and Highdive racked his brain for the right things to say. They only had a short amount of time before the Brothers had to ride out and he needed her safe here so he could focus on the mission. He hoped explaining his reasoning would help calm her down.

"I'll take you to talk to your contact tomorrow. I can't spare someone to go with you tonight."

Diana's dry chuckle told him his placating words did not have their desired effect.

"My contact will only meet with me alone and only tonight."

"No, it is too risky. It could be a trap."

"I think it's adorable that you think you can say 'No' and I'll just listen. Do you think you can stop me?"

"I won't be able to focus unless I know you are safe. You will stay here."

"That sounds like ayouproblem. I am going."

Anger at her attitude had him speaking before he really considered. "I have forty armed Brothers here. So I think you will be staying here."

"Really?" Her voice was like warm silk as she moved closer. All his nerves fired as if he had stepped on a landmine. "I'm going to give you three scenarios to choose from and I suggest you choose wisely. First, you'll be smart and sayDiana, stay safeand I go meet my contact. When you're back from your super secret mission I'll let you know what he said." She stepped forward and ran her hands down his chest. It was a sensual move and didn't match what she was saying. "Second scenario, I pretend to comply and as soon as you let your guard down I take out anyone in my way and Nadya and I disappear until this war is over."

Highdive felt the prick of steel against his thigh and realized she had a blade pressed against his femoral artery. He shouldn't find the situation arousing but apparently his dick disagreed because it was rock hard and pressing painfully against his zipper. He cleared his throat.

"And the third option?"

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