Page 21 of Chaplain

The following silence amplifies the dread creeping through me. They have my brother. It's the only explanation. And it's all my fault.

I clutch the phone tight, willing it to ding with the response I desperately need to hear. But nothing comes. In the dark silence of the apartment, reality settles over me like a shroud.

The Iron Demons have taken my brother. And Diesel's the only one who can get him back.

My hands shake as I dial Diesel's number, hesitation flooding through me. I know he and the club are on the cusp of major danger with the Iron Demons. But I'm desperate - the police won't move fast enough, and Luca is unreachable. Diesel is my only hope of getting Gabe back.

He answers on the second ring, his gravelly voice sending relief washing over me. I quickly explain the ominous text with the warehouse address. Diesel goes silent, and my heart sinks, knowing what I'm asking him to risk.

"Please," I whisper, hating the tears clouding my vision. "I wouldn't ask if I had any other option. But they have Gabe."

I hear Diesel exhale slowly. "Stay put, Eden. I mean it. I'm on my way."

Twenty anxious minutes later, headlights flash across my window. I rush down to meet Diesel at his bike. His jaw is clenched, and his body ridged, but the second the damn breaks and my tears flow again, I'm wrapped tightly in the leather scent of his jacket and the warmth of his chest.

"We'll get him back," Diesel speaks into the top of my head before kissing the crown. When I release him, he steps back just enough to hold onto my arms. "Let me see the address."

Without a word, I lead him upstairs and show him the message with the location I've pulled up on my computer.

Diesel scrubs a hand over his face. "Fuck. That address is one of the Iron Demons' biggest stash houses. We've been planning a major raid there since you uncovered it."

His words hit me hard enough that I double over in agony. "I've done this," I whisper through the pain. "I brought you to them, and now they've taken Gabe as punishment."

Diesel quickly wraps me in his arms again and pulls me up to face him. "This isn't on you, Eden."

Something snaps inside me. The pain washes over my body like a hot wave of ignited oil. "I was careful. There's no way I left a trace for them to find. How would they have even known?"

Diesel rubs his chin again, his eyes narrowing as his jaw works around his next words. "When's the last time you talked to Luca?"

"Last week before he left town. Why?"

It takes a split second to register the doubt building in Diesel's eyes. "No," I yell the second it registers fully. "Gabe is a son to him."

I realize too late that relationship holds little meaning to a man who grew up with a club president as his only parental figure, but it still seems to hit its mark.

He begins pacing, dread filling his eyes. I know what I'm asking him to risk. This warehouse is a crucial target the Dark Angels desperately need to hit. And I'm asking Diesel to abandon that mission and put me over his loyalty to them for my brother.

Shame wells up inside me. "I'm so sorry," I choke out. "I know how huge this raid is for the club. I wish I wasn't putting you in this position." I swipe angrily at the tears in my eyes.

Diesel's jaw works, the turmoil clear on his face. His loyalty to the Dark Angels is strong. I may have just cost them a pivotal strike against their enemy by calling him here tonight. "We don't have time to assemble the whole club. Jumping the gun will ruin our chances of taking them down."

"Please, Diesel. He's just a kid and all the family I have left." I hate the desperation in my voice, but I'm out of options.

Finally, Diesel turns, resolve hardening his eyes. He grips my shoulders firmly. "I'm not going to let anything happen to Gabe. I promise you that."

My shoulders sag with relief and gratitude. As much as it guts me to make him choose, I know I've asked the impossible of Diesel tonight. But if anyone can figure out a way through this, it's him.

"What do you need me to do?"

He gives me a sharp look before picking up my cell phone from the desk and dropping it in his coat pocket. "Nothing. Don't speak to anyone. Don't leave this apartment. No matter what happens, you stay out of sight."

Fear swarms my belly as my gaze locks on his. "Why? What are you going to do?"

He's at the apartment door. Before he opens it, he glances at the set of keys hanging on the wall. "These yours?"

I step closer, my voice struggling to make it through the thickness of my throat. I nod in answer. "Diesel. What are you going to do?"

He looks grimly back at me briefly before focusing on opening the door. "What I have to."

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