Page 15 of Hawk

“His name’s Flagg.At least, that’s what I’ve heard people call him.We were never allowed to call him anything other than Father or sir.Flagg is all I’ve ever heard anyone else call him.”

“I’ll get that information to Data,” Knight said, tapping on his tablet.“I’ve got Rocket’s contact info.Do you want me to go to him directly or keep Bones in the loop?”He addressed this question to Torpedo.

The other man curled his finger over his lip, obviously thinking hard about this.“From here on out, cut Data off.Ain’t tried to stifle your game, Knuckles, but I’m not comfortable getting Bones too involved with Kiss of Death.”

“You knew what we were about when you agreed, Torpedo.”It surprised me that Knuckles was talking about this in front of Carrie.We weren’t talking about anything sensitive, but his willingness to pick this up with Carrie here told me he expected she’d be around for a long time.Manipulative, maybe.But it was yet another way my president was looking out for me.If he accepted Carrie, the others would too.

“I did.And as long as you ain’t hurtin’ innocents, I could give a good Goddamn what you do.My only concern was that you not fall into the same pattern Slash and Rat Man fell into.You guys are vicious to your enemies, but you don’t kill or harm needlessly.”He shrugged.“I can respect that.Bones has done its share of killin’, too.They’ve done things on the wrong side of legal, too.But with ExFil getting bigger and coming under closer scrutiny, it’s best if Bones goes the other direction.”

“You afraid this is gonna come to a boiling point?”

“I’m afraid there’s gonna be a lot of killin’.I’ll be right there in the middle of it with you.But I’d prefer not to bring the fuzz to Ice and Cyclone’s front door if I can keep from it.”

Knuckles nodded in acknowledgement.“Understandable.Always believed in cleanin’ up my own mess.”

“Now, having said all that…” Torpedo grinned.“I’m pretty sure Grim Road MC is the club you want helpin’ on this.”

“I hear ya.”Knuckles chuckled.“Spooks to catch spooks.”

I glanced at Carrie.She looked like she was deep in thought, so I leaned in.“What’s goin’ on, Killer?Somethin’ buggin’ ya?”

“Yeah, but I don’t know what.”

“Tell me.”I put my full attention on her while Knuckles, Torpedo, and Knight did their thing.I could hear a few of the others offering input but I tuned it all out and focused on Carrie.

“Grim Road.I’ve heard that name before.”

“Good or bad?”

She shook her head.“I’m not sure.I wish I could tell you.”She frowned, trying to remember where she’d heard the name before.“Father wouldn’t have mentioned them unless they were a potential threat or ally.”

“Grim Road MC is a motorcycle club made up of mostly former black ops soldiers,” I explained quietly.“They’re extremely dangerous and extremely loyal to their own.If Knight can get their help, we’ll be in a much better position.”

Carrie’s eyes widened.“Wait.I remember now.Victor mentioned them once to Father.He said they were off-limits.Completely.Father was furious, but Victor wouldn’t back down.”She leaned closer to me, her voice dropping to a whisper.“That’s the only time I ever saw Father back down from one of my brothers.”

That was interesting.Very interesting.I caught Knuckles’s eye and gestured for him to come over.When he approached, I relayed what Carrie had just told me.

Knuckles’ eyebrows shot up.“Well, ain’t that something.”He turned to Knight.“When you contact Rocket, Knight, ask him if he knows either Flagg or Vic.”

Knight nodded and tapped at his tablet, his fingers flying over the screen.“Already done.I’ve sent him an encrypted message with the names and a brief summary of the situation.”He glanced back up at Knuckles.“Headed to my office to do this.I’ll give you an update as soon as I have it.”

“Good.”Knuckles stood.“I want round-the-clock lookouts by patched members.Keep the prospects already assigned guard duty with you.We sleep in shifts until this is over.Though, honestly, if he’s half as good as Carrie says, I expect he’ll get in without us knowing much.”

“I’ll know.”Knight gave an arrogant lift of his chin.

“Good.”Knuckles turned back to me and Carrie.“For now, you stay with Hawk.If your brother Victor is still watching, we want him to know you’re protected.”

“I really don’t think Victor would hurt me,” Carrie insisted.“He’s the only one who ever really stood up for me.”

I exchanged glances with Knuckles.Neither of us was convinced, but pushing her on this wouldn’t help.“Maybe so, but until we know his intentions, we play it safe.”

Just as he’d turned to leave, Knight’s tablet pinged.He glanced up at Knuckles who sat back down.

“What is it?”

Knight frowned at his tablet.“Rocket.”He looked up, his expression serious.“He wants a video call.Now.”

“Do it,” Knuckles ordered, gesturing to the tablet.“Can you put him somewhere we can all see him?”

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