Page 11 of Jaded Red

“It’s confirmed. She gave Rush the name Tatianna back when she won that race a few years ago. After that race, she stayed away from our racing circuit.”

“She went into stripping,” Aftermath growls. “Because she was afraid of running into you guys again.”

“We can’t assume that Aftermath,” Nolan states pissed off.

“Like fuck I can’t. She’s my Ol’ Lady’s best friend outside of this club.” Aftermath’s nostrils flare. “You failed her like so many others in her life. Now’s the time to fix it.”

“Is that why the Royal Bastards are involved?” Krimson asks.

“No,” I respond sharply, so my voice is clear and my intentions are heard loud as day. “We’re involved because of me and my past. Nadia and I were seeing each other for a few months until she disappeared.” I tell them the whole story, minus the intimate details they don’t need to know, and how I found out she was missing. “I failed to protect her. Once we get her back, I will do everything I can to make it up to her and make her mine.” The finality in my voice doesn’t let anyone question my motives. I fucked up and I will fix it.

“What’s the plan?” Nolan asks.

Capone goes through the plan with all of us from start to finish. He also tells us how Allure and the Royal Harlots will fit in.

“I think that will work. When are we rolling out?” I ask.

“Red, you’re not going anywhere,” Capone responds.

“But...” I protest.

“But nothing.” Capone interrupts. “I need you here checking every single security detail on this. Let us do our job and you do yours. I need you here to make sure everyone else is safe.” Capone doesn’t let me get a word in otherwise. “Wheels up at six a.m.” He slams the gavel onto the table, ending the meeting and any chance I can change his mind. There is no room for argument about what Capone says. His word is law.

“Fuck.” I scrub my hands down my scruffy face wishing things were different. Wishing I’m the first person Nadia sees. I push away from the table and storm out of the Chapel. I stop at the bar, grab a shot of whiskey and slam it back. Striding into my communications room, I slam the door shut and let out afrustrated yell. This is bullshit. I should be there, boots on the ground, rescuing my woman.

A soft knock on the door shuts my tirade up before I punch a hole in the wall in frustration. “What?” I bark.

Kensi pops her head in and enters when she sees I’m a wreck. “You good?”

“What the hell do you think? Would you be good sitting back if Aftermath were in trouble?” I spit out. I know I’m being an asshole and she doesn’t deserve my wrath, but fuck, how much can a man take?

Kensi crosses her arms over her chest, cocks an eyebrow and gives me a perplexed look. It’s the look she gives Aftermath when he’s being a cumquat. “I’ll let that tone slide, Red. Only because you’re dealing with a lot right now. But if you talk to Nadia that way, she will walk so fast your head will spin.”

Releasing a defeated sigh, I sit on my chair with an ungraceful plop. I ignore Kensi because she is right and I’m too stubborn to tell her that at the moment. I need to get my shit together fast. Spinning around in my chair, I unlock my computer and all eight monitors come alive. Four are of the Clubhouse. Capone, Blayze and Derange along with Iris and Allura from the Royal Harlots and Krimson and the youngest kid in her crew, I think his name is Noah, are standing together at the bar. On another screen Torch is with Nolan-fucking-Ryan, Rush and Calypso, also from the Royal Harlots. Bones, my prospect, Dagger and Tiny are on the third camera getting the van ready. The fourth is outside at the gates which is quiet at the moment with one prospect, Pretty Boy and a Royal Harlot with him. There are more cameras but I limited them so I can watch the strip club, hotel and all the roads leading to it. I hacked into LAPD’s camera pods and took them over. The speakers are muted so there aren’t a million voices distracting me. I look back to the first screen when the rest are quiet andsee Capone’s hands moving wildly around and Krimson looks pissed. I shouldn’t listen, but curiosity gets the best of me and I unmute that screen.

Krimson’s voice filters through the speakers plain as day. “What the hell, Capone? I thought you wanted our help.”

“I do, but this won’t work. They’ll know who you are the moment you step foot in there and Nadia will be dead.” Capone responds. “And that won’t happen on my watch.”

“What do you propose then?”

Capone turns to the kid, “Noah goes in with Iris. She’s the Harlots tech expert and since I can’t send in Red, she’s my next best option. Red will guide you two into the hotel safely. Iris can open any door with her skills and won’t trip any alarms. Iris and Noah go in, gets Nadia and whoever else is in the room and get the fuck out. Blayze, Torch, Tiny and Trigger will go in after they clear out and end anyone else.” Capone explains the change in plans and it’s pretty solid.

“Can I take care of any of the scumbags if I see them?” Iris asks. She sweeps her short blond hair out of her crystal blue eyes. Those eyes look familiar, but I push it to the back of my mind for now.

“If you see them.” Capone and Allura agree.

“But you don’t have to, Noah. You don’t even have to do this if you are unsure.” Krimson speaks up.

“She’s right, Noah. It’s your choice.” Capone confirms.

“I’m in. There’s no way in hell I’m missing this.” Noah speaks up. God, he looks like a little kid being thrown to the wolves. They all agree and leave the first camera, heading to Nolan, Rush, Torch and Calypso. I mute the first speaker.

“Holy shit! That is so cool!” Kensi exclaims, making me jump. She takes the empty seat beside me.

“Fuck, I forgot you were still here.” I place my palm over my chest, trying to calm my racing heart and cool down my face.

“Is it OK that I’m here?” Kensi asks.

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