Page 27 of Bond

“Come on, baby,” I tell her, pulling back the covers. Taking her cut off her, I help her into bed, tucking the sheet around her. I know I won’t be able to sleep without a shower. Leaving her tucked up in bed, I quickly shower, then check on Daisy one more time before joining Rochelle in bed, knowing it will only be for an hour or so before Daisy wakes us up.

It’s not Daisy, though; it’s my phone that wakes me up. Groaning tiredly until I see Bull’s name. All vestiges of sleep leave me as I hurriedly answer, getting out of bed so as not to disturb a still-sleeping Rochelle. “Bull?” I answer.

“Dex called; the guys watching the Black Mambas say they’re making a move.”

“Okay,” I answer. “Do we know when?”

“Not yet; probably won’t be until night after next. They’re running around like chickens without a head, apparently. The bossman is upset because his drugs haven’t arrived. I’m letting everyone know now, but we’ll meet in an hour to firm up our plans.”

“Okay,” I agree, ending the call. Daisy whimpers from down the hallway.

Walking towards her room, I vow to do all I can to make sure my girls are safe. We’d already put a plan in place, and tomorrow we’d go over it all again. But before we got there, I had a job to do first.

Picking Daisy up, I quickly change her before pressing my lips to her little head, “Daddy will keep you safe, princess,” I whisper to her as I take her to Rochelle.

“Who called?” she asks, taking Daisy from me.

“Bull,” I tell her. “The Mambas are making a move.”

Rochelle inhales, and her wide, worried eyes meet mine. Cupping her cheek, I assure her, “It will be okay, Roch. We have a plan in place, and we’re not alone. Dex has men on the ground in the city. I may have to leave for a little while, but if all goes well, I’ll be back before the evening.”

When I’m dressed, I open up her nightstand and take out her handgun, putting it next to her.

“Keep that on you today. Don’t open the shop; have the phone transferred to your cell. Stay close to the other women today. If there are any issues, Noni will get you all to the safe room.”

Rochelle swallows but nods. I know she’s scared, but she’s not falling apart, showing how strong she is. Bending, I press my lips to hers, “Love you, Roch.”

“Love you too,” she replies, tears swimming in her eyes. “Please be careful.”

“I will,” I assure her before kissing Daisy’s head. “Daddy loves you, princess.”

With one last kiss to Rochelle, I leave the house, ensuring to lock the doors behind me and walk towards the hotel and our temporary Church, meeting Rogue on the way. We nod to each other, but neither of us says anything. We all know what we have to do. It’s not the first time, and I doubt it will be the last time.

Rogue and I are the last to arrive. Bull turns as we walk in. Everyone is standing in front of a map of the city.

“Right, let’s get started,” Bull states. “Bond, you and Cairo will be leaving within the hour. Are the bombs ready to travel?”

Both Cairo and I nod. “Yeah, Pres, they are,” I assure him.

“Okay, you know the targets; let’s get this done with as little damage as possible. The bombs will throw them, but they’ll still come for her.”

“Do we know how they found out where she is?” I ask.

“Money talks, brother, you know that. The private hospital that her dad’s in, they got to one of the board members who has a drug problem; he squealed like a canary.”

“Where’s he now?” I grind out.

“Drake and Sam have taken care of him.”

My shoulders relax slightly. Drake and Sam Madden, are married to Ava and Marie Moore, Noni’s ex-bosses, but that’snot how we knew them. We’d served together. If they’d taken care of him, then I didn’t need to worry.

“That’s good. Cairo and I need to leave. Are you all good to keep an eye on things here?”

“We’re good, brother. We’ll help Noni move the guests to Ava and Marie’s hotel. Julia, Grace, and the children will all be going over there too,” Rogue assured me. “You two be careful, and for fuck’s sake, don’t get caught.”

“We will, and we won’t get caught. It’s like you don’t even know us,” I reply with a smirk. Tilting my chin at Cairo, I ask, “You ready?”

Cairo grins slightly maniacally, “I was born ready for this type of mayhem, brother. Let’s go blow some shit up.”

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