Page 22 of Calypso's Shield
Calypso’s eyes narrow. “Farris, what did you do?”
I exhale. “I kinda punched my partner in the face and threw my badge at him.”
Calypso stares at me for a long second before throwing her head back with a laugh. A full, unrestrained, wicked laugh. It draws the attention of every woman in the room, their gazes snapping to us like we just flipped a match into gasoline.
Allura arches a brow, arms crossed tight over her chest. "What the hell, Farris? Why would you do that?"
I meet her gaze head-on. No hesitation. No doubt.
“Because I can’t stay in a job where my hands are tied anymore. I want to do everything I can to bring these dirtbags to justice, and holding a badge is limiting me.”
The room goes quiet.
Then, Allura pulls out her phone, dials a number, and waits. Whatever she’s about to do, I have a feeling it’s going to change everything.
“Hey, we have an issue. Can you come over here?” A pause. A nod. “Okay. We’ll come to you.” She ends the call and locks eyes with me. "C’mon. Let's go. You have a meeting."
Then, without another word, she spins on her heel and heads toward the door.
I glance at Calypso. She shrugs, but there’s a glint in her eyes. Something sharp, something unreadable.
I follow the Harlots outside. They straddle their Harleys, the sound of engines roaring to life filling the night air. I swing on behind Calypso, my arms tightening around her waist as we take off into the unknown.
I don’t know where we’re going. I don’t know who I’m about to meet. But I do know one thing.
Punching my partner and quitting my job may have just painted me as a target. And somehow, I don’t regret a damn thing.
9
CALYPSO
Riding to the Royal Bastards compound with Farris pressed tightly against me sends my heart into overdrive. His body heat seeps through my cut, his solid frame molding against mine. It shouldn’t feel this good. I shouldn’t be craving him like this, shouldn’t be wishing his hands would slip lower, trailing over my inner thighs, teasing me. But I do. And that’s a problem.
He’s a fucking cop for crying out loud.
He should be off-limits, but the past week with him has been some of the best days of my life. He’s brought my body alive in ways I didn’t know I needed, and he’s stood by my side, never questioning what my club does. Farris might scoff at the idea of being a knight in shining armor, but I like thinking of him as my Shield, my protector when I need him, my biggest supporter when I don’t.
The roar of engines fills the night as we pull into the Royal Bastards’ clubhouse. I spot Capone in the center of the lot, pacing, a cigarette dangling from his fingers. His gaze sweeps over us, landing on Farris with an unreadable expression.
Allura pulls up first, leading the way. We kill our engines one by one, the air thick with something unspoken.
Capone exhales a slow stream of smoke and steps forward. “What’s the issue?”
Allura doesn’t hesitate. “We need to talk. Privately.”
I arch a brow but keep my mouth shut. Whatever this is, Allura doesn’t want the rest of us to be involved yet.
Capone flicks his cigarette to the ground, crushing it under his boot. “Follow me.”
Without another word, they disappear into the clubhouse, leaving the rest of us in awkward silence.
Tiny rolls his shoulders. “Let’s grab a beer.”
No one argues. We dismount, making our way inside. Music pounds through the speakers, club bunnies grind on pool tables, and old ladies chat in the corner. It’s the usual chaos, but I can’t shake the tension in my gut.
“Calypso, take a seat.” Daisy kicks out a chair for me, her eyes sharp with curiosity. She’s perched on Torch’s lap, looking as comfortable as ever.
Daisy was the first Ol’ Lady I did ink on a while ago when Torch and her started dating. We have grown pretty close over the years and talk every chance we get.
