Page 67 of Secret Betrayals
My head tilts as I watch her fidget and look everywhere but at me. I shake my head. She leans down, kisses me—quick, light—and scurries out like the room’s on fire.
I watch her go. My jaw tightens.
“What the fuck was that?” I ask, still looking at the door.
Neither of them reacts much. But then Nitro shifts, releases a long breath, and finally speaks.
“Talon, since you got shot… she’s been acting shady as fuck. And I don’t mean worried-about-your-old-man kind of shady. I mean, sneaking around, disappearing for hours. Shits suspect.” His voice is cautious, eyes on me, waiting for a reaction.
I slowly drag my eyes between my brothers, then focus on him. He holds my gaze, but there's a warning behind it.
“I know she’s your ol’ lady and all,” he says, “but the night Pop told us what he found out about Demon and the Keepers, she vanished. No security. Didn’t take anyone with her. She gets phone calls, and suddenly she’s slipping off where no one can hear.”
There’s more. I can see it on his face.
“Spit it the fuck out, brother,” I growl.
He rubs a hand over his face like he’s not sure if he’s about to make things better or worse. “That day we were in the family waiting room—when you were in surgery—Sebastian checked everyone.”
My brows knit. “Checked?”
“Checked for bugs. Trackers. Whatever. Apparently, Gabriella and them had suspicions. Only one person set it off.”
He doesn’t have to say her name.
I already know.
Nitro’s voice drops, hard and certain. “It was her, Talon. Now I’m not saying she’s the mole. But I’m not…notsaying it either.”
My heart kicks against my ribs like it wants to come out and throw hands.
“You really think Heather would pull some shit like that?” My voice is low and lethal. “What the fuck are you saying, brother? How the fuck do you figure?”
“I’m telling you what Isee, not what Ithink, alright?” His tone matches mine now. “And what I’ve seen? It doesn’t fucking add up. I know Axel wants to pin everything on Gabriella, but I’m telling you—Heather’s off. And just so you know, nothing’s popped off with anyone else in the club. No leaks. No weird movement. Just her.”
He stares straight into my eyes. Not flinching. And that pisses me off more.
“She’s the mother of my fucking child!” I bark. “We’ve been together a long-ass time. She wouldn’t betray the club—or me. She’sfamily, Nitro. So whatever paranoid shit’s in your head, get it the fuck out.”
“She’s been checking up on Luna,” I add through clenched teeth. “Making sure our daughter’s okay. That’s it.” At least that’s what I try to convince myself of. That has to be it. Right?
But I see the look they share—the one Axel tries to hide and Nitro doesn’t bother to.
“Think what you want,” Nitro says. “You asked. I answered. I’ll keep doing my job—keeping this family safe. And that means looking intoeverythingandeveryone. You don’t like it, too fucking bad.” He growls out, giving me a hard look.
He leans forward, his voice sharp, calculated. “Let’s stop pretending we know her. She showed up outta nowhere. Broke up your two-year relationship and got pregnant quick. No friends. No family. Justyou.” He pauses, raising a brow and then adds, “That doesn’t bother you? ’Cause it fucking should.”
We stare each other down. Neither of us is backing off. My pulse pounds in my ears, and I swear I can feel a pressure building in my skull. And still… I can’t shake the sense he’s holding backmore. The door swings open. I don’t look away from Nitro. He doesn’t look away from me.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Masterson,” a voice says behind me, oblivious to the war simmering in the room. “Glad to see you awake. How are you feeling? Any pain?”
The doctor walks in and doesn’t introduce himself. He just heads straight for the machines, starts fiddling with my IV, and reads charts like I’m not a second away from crashing the fuckout on my brother and what he’s insinuating. When I don’t answer, the doctor stops, looks at me, and flinches the moment our eyes lock.
He clears his throat. “Ah—sorry. I’m Dr. Danforth. I’ve been overseeing your care since your arrival. You were in critical condition when they brought you in, but we believe you’ll make a full recovery.”
Half-hearted smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. He glances around and stiffens when he realizes my brothers are staring him down. “Doc.” My throat’s still dry, voice scratchy. Axel hands me the cup again, and I take a slow sip. “Cut the bullshit. When can I get out of here?”
His mouth opens, then closes again.
