Page 48 of Bound in the Dark

“They had better not try that shit with me, or Max is going to find out what weeks of celibacy feels like,” Cat grumbled.

With so little time to plan it was going to be interesting to see how the Dark Sons utilized the new arrivals. Diana caught her sister’s gaze. They both knew that any threats that involved future punishment were a waste of air. People were going to die. Probably a lot of them. It was their job to make sure the majority of those people were on the other side.

Chapter17

Okay, I’m here… what are your other two wishes?

“Damn it is good to have you back.” Highdive gave Max a slap on the back as they walked into the garage.

He hadn’t liked the decision to fake his Brother’s death but understood the necessity. It had given the club time to prepare. They had spent the months since securing their businesses from outside interference. Making sure families knew what to do in an emergency, and making sure no one they cared for was ever alone and vulnerable to attack.

Never once did he give more than a passing consideration to a full-on assault. They had planned for drive-bys, people trying to sneak in, or trying to infiltrate the parties. There were over ten different contingencies for kidnapping or blackmail. Highdive thought Hawk might have suspected the Russian was crazy enough for a full scale attack but there wasn’t much that they could really do to prepare for something like what was happening.

“Good to be back.” Max smiled.

“Grinder will probably throw a party once this is over. He never wanted to be an officer.”

“I have to admit I didn’t see that one coming. He’s a good choice though.” Max took a deep breath. “But Cat and I aren’t staying.”

“No shit? What are you enjoying the Texas heat?”

“No, but she has too many memories here. I’ll probably go nomad for a while until we decide where to settle. Cat talked about taking up private security work or private investigation. She isn’t the type of person who enjoys the quiet life.”

Highdive stole a glance over at Diana. That was something they were going to have to discuss. Listening to her earlier as she tore apart plan after plan had opened his eyes to just how much he still had to learn about her. They were an equal match on tactics, her mind working lightning fast to come up with new and inventive ways to approach the problem.

Her comment earlier about him being the stay at home dad had deflated his ego and shown just how many assumptions he had been making. His comment about kids had been meant to be a joke. He had never even considered kids. One thing was clear, they would need to have a lot more conversations before even considering it.

“Yeah. Don’t know if you’ve heard but my woman isn’t exactly a wallflower.”

“Pussy is not supposed to be complicated!”Max had dropped his voice in a bad imitation of Highdive.

“Fuck you. Yeah, Karma has definitely kicked me in the balls for all the shit I gave you Brothers.”

“Max!” Tek got out of his seat and strode over to them giving the Brother a back slapping hug. “It is so good to see you.”

“Well, I am pretty awesome.” Max raised his arms and turned in a circle. “I mean with all this awesome here, you all can just sit back and relax.”

Highdive had missed his Brother’s relaxed and casual humor. He had always had the ability to make you feel like things were going to turn out fine. The only time he ever lost that laid back charm was when someone was insulting or endangering a woman he cared for. Highdive had been on the receiving end of his right hook once when he had insulted Sharp’s Old Lady Pixie.

The backroom of the garage had been transformed into security central. There were almost twenty monitors stacked on different shelves cycling through live images of different parts of the compound. There were four drones ready to fly once things got started. Cami would control those from her safe location and act as backup in case Petrov’s men took out this building.

“Max!” Cami’s voice came through the speakers. “Is C-Cat with you? Val is going to l-lose her shit!”

Max looked around then laughed when he saw Cami waving to him from one of the lower monitors. “You are looking good as always. I’ll send her–”

Alarms blared from the computer and Tek slid into his seat. How the man could type so fast was a mystery. Everyone held their breath as screens cycled quickly through different feeds.

“We’ve got a breach in the fence on the west side of the compound. Smoke, Rooster you are the closest I’m sending the coordinates,” Tek fired off. It took a few seconds but finally the large screen on the wall gave a view of the area in question.

On the edge of the wide shot it was obvious that a section of the fence had been cut away. Unfortunately, it was only partially visible but Highdive could see several men making their way through the break. He counted at least four but it was obvious that off to the left there were probably more.

Highdive ran for the staging area to grab a rifle and ammunition. The outer compound was his responsibility and the two Brothers could not handle that many men alone. How many should he take with him?

Diana was waiting for him in the room fully armed and ready. This had been their compromise. He wouldn’t try to bench her, but she would work with him and follow his orders.

“Six men have broken through to the west. Smoke and Rooster plan to shadow until backup arrives,” Diana said as he slung his rifle and clipped on an ammunition belt.

“How do you know?”

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