Page 260 of Lodestar

From this vantage point, as the men started rolling around on the ground, trying to put out the flames—seriously, only Troy—I watched them shriek as the fire tore them apart.

Was there a more satisfying sight than seeing men who’d wanted you dead burning alive?

Nope.

D cackled in my ear, clearly enjoying the show as much as I.

When we had two barbecued Sparrows in the front yard, I asked, “Conor? Visuals?”

“Both sets of gates are blown apart. There’s no way of securing them.”

“We need out of here then,” Troy grumbled. “Fucking serve your country and this is the thanks you goddamn get.”

Ignoring her mutterings, because, hell, each of us had served in our own way so she wasn’t the only person to have made sacrifices for Uncle Sam, I inquired, “No one else is incoming?”

“Nope. She’s got cameras along her perimeter and the only area that’s busy is the party out front.”

“Good.” Acknowledging that we were safe for the moment, I let the news sink in. “Troy? Get your ass in here and pack whatever you need. You’re coming with us.”

“I’d prefer to go deep undercover.”

“I’m sure you would,” D said smoothly. “But can you go in deep if you’re hauling a kid around with you? Seeing as you apparently have a daughter…”

Technically, youcould. I’d done it myself but not everyone had an ex in an MC that had severe authority issues. I was just lucky that way, I guessed.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck.”

Troy’s response told me two things. One, that shedidindeedhave a daughter, which was insane to me. Christ, not just insane, butimpossible.

Second, that she wouldn’t give us any shit about coming with—the woman could bicker at her reflection in the bathroom so I wouldn’t have put it past her.

We were allies and had worked together in the past, but she was so far down the rabbit hole that even friends were foes.

I got it.

So, I didn’t judge and wanted to help, but you could only help people who wanted it and Troy rarely did.

Stomping into the house like a five-year-old, grumbling with each step, I watched her until she disappeared, then I climbed to my feet and leaned against the wall.

We were safe.

Conorwas safe.

Relief made the starch in my knees disappear.

“Come to me, Star.”

The words were whispered for me alone, and amid D and Troy’s sniping, I heard them and felt them settle in deep.

Straight to my bones.

Etching them with his name.

Giving me the strength to hunt him down.

I strode from the bedroom that I’d selected as my secondary nest and I rushed into the hall. It was a big place, so it took me rounding a few corners before I found him, a gun, and his computer gear scattered on the floor nearby.

Beside him, Troy was knocking on the door to what I assumed was a safe room, and his curiosity had him watching her while also looking down the hallway for me to show up.

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