Page 40 of Sypher

“Where are Dylan and Jackson?” I asked, looking at Savage.

“They got a lead. They went hunting. Phantom, Digger, and Slaughter are at the clubhouse. I wanted to call you, but Chipper and Trout didn’t want to interrupt your schooling.”

Feeling a surge of anger and regret, I silently muttered, “You should have called,” as I watched Jess sniffle and return to the comforting embrace of her husband. “Where is Sandman?”

“With Sunny. He won’t leave her side.”

“Who was it?”

“We don’t know yet.”

I nodded, my eyes meeting Val’s, then gave a quick, almost imperceptible jerk of my head, conveying a silent communication.

Finding a quiet room, the silence broken only by the faint ticking of a clock, I entered with Val close behind. I waited untilthe door was firmly closed, then quickly asked my question, “Will she live?”

“I don’t know, Sypher. It’s bad. The force of the crash ejected her from the vehicle. She was wearing her seat belt. Do you know what kind of force it takes to remove someone from their seat belt?”

I whispered, “Yeah, I do.”

Val sighed, the weight of the day settling on her shoulders as she removed her crisp, white doctor’s coat and sat down. The weariness in her slumped posture and the faint scent of stale coffee clung to her as she rubbed her hands down her face. But I knew Val. Despite the heavy weight of exhaustion pressing down on her, she would find a way to push through. “How have you been? How is school going?”

“About as well as expected. School sucks. I know more than they do, so it makes it hard sometimes to concentrate on homework and shit. Montana’s keeping a close watch on me. Why? I don’t know. Reaper’s gone silent on me. He’s fallen off the face of the earth. I can’t find him anywhere. After he killed Baranov, he just fucking vanished. No one knows anything. So I’ve been holding down the fort, so to speak. Doing what I do best.”

“Business good?”

I smirked. “Yeah. Can’t complain there.”

“Good. And our special project?”

Looking at Val, I smirked. “Safe the last time she checked in.”

Relieved, Val sighed. “You let me know if anything changes, okay?”

“Will do,” I said, then cautiously added, “Val, in the war to bring down Baranov, I came across some information that concerns you. You should know that the club is on everyone’s radar now.”

Her head snapped to mine. Her wide eyes conveyed shock and fear. “You sure?”

“Yeah. Right now, no one knows much, but it won’t take them long to put the pieces together when the door swings open. What do you want me to do?”

“Nothing. We wait and see how everything plays out. Not going to risk my club or my girls. I’ve come too far to fall back into the fury of the sea again.”

“Wish you would let me bring this to Reaper. He would help.”

“You just said you can’t locate him,” she challenged. “No, this stays between us. Promise me, Sypher.”

“I promise. How’s Frostbyte doing?” I asked, changing the subject.

“Stays to herself mainly. Rarely leaves her room.”

“Does she need anything? More pictures?”

Val looked up at me and sneered. “No. Just that motherfucker dead.”

Chapter Sixteen

Sypher

February 11, 2024, New York City.

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