Page 104 of Dark Horse

While we interrogated him, Levi installed spyware on his phone, and we also put one of our guys on detail as well. I want to believe what he told me, but trust requires consistent, reliable behavior, and we need a record of that first.

“Good so far. Nothing off that I’ve seen. Just his usual routine. He set up the meeting with the governor like he said he would. The governor was furious, as expected, but seemed to understand that some of this was out of his control. They meet tomorrow, and then I’ll meet him here. Easier that way since he’s supposed to be watching us as part of his deal with the governor.”

“Well, that’s promising. I’ll be interested to hear his report back.” I’ll take any good news I can get.

“Agreed.”

“If I fly out to Cincinnati after that, assuming it goes well, would you object? Hudson and Rowan are going back to be with Charlotte tomorrow night. Try to help her with some of the research, and Hudson’s needed to approve some projects he has in the city. I could catch a ride with them.”

“Fine by me. With the increased security measures, I feel much better than I have in years. I still want to talk to you about hiring that MC. We need some muscle who’s not afraidto bend some rules. Their connections with other MCs in the state and outside of it… They’d be valuable. We should discuss it again.” Levi leans back in his chair.

“I want to be easing out of this, not getting deeper.”

“Sometimes, you have to dig the hole to the other side. It’s easier than trying to climb back out.” He offers up some of his brand of wisdom.

“Seems like that’s becoming a metaphor for everything in my life.”

“But go to Cincinnati. Bring her back. You won’t be settled until you do.”

“I just want to be sure they won’t see her as a target.” I have to live with the regret of what happened with Seven Sins, but I won’t let it happen again.

“Jay swears he didn’t report her name up the chain. Didn’t want to see anyone innocent get hurt in the process. He just thought if he could distract you, you’d be too preoccupied to notice what else was happening. I wouldn’t tell you to bring her back if I wasn’t confident.”

“Well, it worked, obviously.”

“It won’t the next time. But you need to make sure whatever she decides to do next, it’s something with a little less public exposure.” It’s a fair point. One I’ve already considered.

“I have an idea. It would keep her in-house. I just don’t know how she’ll feel about it.” I glance out the window because as much as I love the idea, she might hate it. “Did he fire that piece of shit that cut up her legs?”

“He put him on administrative leave. Said he’s trying to find a place to transfer him to.”

“Should transfer him to the fucking ground. He’s a repeat offender. Not with Dakota, but with some other poor woman who doesn’t deserve it. I want eyes on him, wherever he goes.”

“You got it.”

“All right. Get back to your research. I want to get to the bottom of this so we can breathe easier if things go well tomorrow. But get some sleep in there first, would you?”

He nods and dips out the door, leaving me alone at my desk. We’re not out of the woods yet. Far from it. But that sliver of light in the canopy is slowly turning into a meadow full of it, and I’ll take whatever reprieve we can get.

FORTY-SIX

DAKOTA

By the next day,and with some help from Beatrix’s sister-in-law, Harper, we’ve narrowed down a few different relics we think could be related to the other two. We also received word back that Grant has arranged a truce of sorts, and Hudson and Rowan are headed back to Cincinnati this week. Grant apparently sent a package express mail because, shortly after dinner, Charlotte’s butler delivers it to my room with a card attached to the top.

I open it, and there’s handwriting I easily recognize as Grant’s.

Missing you. Thought these could keep you company until I can bring you home. Then we can try themtogether.

I reread it three more times to make sure I read it correctly. I’d given him the space and quiet Levi suggested, even when I worried it’d be the end of us. I was afraid to hope, but absence must make the heart grow fonder after all. I slice open the tape and open up the box to find it filled to the brim with new toys, replacements for the ones I lost in the explosion, and a few new ones too.

I got your package.

Thank you.

I hold my phone to my chest, waiting for his response. Hoping this means the man from before is slowly coming back to me.

THE DEVIL:

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