Page 21 of Viking
Wire didn’t look convinced, but he nodded.“All right.So what’s the play?”
I took a deep breath, forcing the rage back into a manageable burn.“First, we need to increase security at the compound.More men on the gates, round-the-clock watches, cameras on all approaches.”
“Already on it,” Atlas said, pulling up security feeds on a secondary monitor.“I’ve upgraded the system.Added motion sensors in the woods surrounding the property.”
“Good,” I said, nodding at the kid with grudging respect.“Next, we need to figure out what exactly Kris documented and where he stored it.We found some stuff, but I bet there’s more.If these people think Karoline has it, we need to find it first.”
I needed to get my hands on the flash drive he’d left with me.It might contain the information we needed, but I couldn’t be sure.I’d hidden it away like he’d asked of me.But that had been a while ago, so there was a good chance Wire and Atlas would find more recent information.
“I’ll keep digging,” Wire promised.“There might be clues in his communications with the journalist.”
“And we need to prepare for the possibility that they’ll come here,” I continued.“Full combat readiness.I want everyone armed, everyone alert.”
Wire rubbed his beard, considering.“I’ll talk to Savior.This level of alert, we need the President’s sign-off.Which means I have to tell him about your girls.”
“He’ll give it,” I said with certainty.“Once he understands what we’re dealing with.”
There was a look in Wire’s eyes I wasn’t sure I liked.I had a bad feeling he was up to something.
Atlas had turned back to his computer, already working on the next layer of security.Wire stood, stretching his back with an audiblecrack.
“You should get some sleep,” he told me.“Can’t protect anyone if you’re dead on your feet.”
I nodded, though sleep was the furthest thing from my mind.“Keep me updated.Anything changes, anything new, I want to know immediately.”
As I turned to leave, Wire caught my arm.“Viking,” he said, his voice uncharacteristically serious.“Be careful with this.Not just the danger out there, but…” He glanced toward the door.“That woman’s been through enough.Last thing she needs is to get tangled up with a biker who can’t separate duty from desire.”
The words hit too close to home, striking at the conflict I’d been trying to ignore.“I know my responsibilities,” I said stiffly.
“Never doubted it,” Wire replied, releasing my arm.“Just making sure you know which responsibility comes first.”
I left without answering, making my way back through the quiet clubhouse and into the cool night air.The compound was peaceful under the stars, belying the danger that lurked beyond our gates.I scanned the perimeter as I walked, noting the positions of the guards, the angles of the security cameras, the potential vulnerabilities that needed to be addressed.
By the time I reached my house, I had a mental list of a dozen security enhancements to implement at first light.I unlocked the door as quietly as possible, checking each room before finally allowing myself to sink onto the couch, too wired to sleep.
Chapter Six
Karoline
I woke before the sun, my body tense despite the comfortable bed Viking had given me.The unfamiliar shadows of his house took shape as dawn crept through the curtains -- rustic furniture, masculine angles.Nothing like my cozy house with its throw pillows and framed photos.Less than a week ago, I’d been a preschool teacher with a normal life.Now I was hiding in a biker compound with my brother’s secret daughter, waiting for nameless government assassins to find us.I pulled the blanket tighter around my shoulders, trying to squeeze comfort from its weight.Sleep wouldn’t return now.Better to start the day, to try creating some semblance of normalcy for Athena.
The wooden floor was cold against my bare feet as I padded down the hallway, pausing to peek into Athena’s room.She was already awake, sitting up in bed with Hopper clutched to her chest, watching the door as if she’d been expecting me.
“Good morning, sweetie,” I whispered.“Want to help me make breakfast?”
She nodded once, sliding out of bed with Hopper still firmly in her grasp.I marveled at how silently she moved.No chattering, no running, none of the exuberant morning energy my preschoolers typically displayed.Just quiet watchfulness, taking everything in, trusting nothing.
“Pancakes okay?”I asked, setting Athena up at the table with a cup of apple juice.
Another nod as she tracked my movements as I fumbled through Viking’s kitchen.The coffee maker was acting up, even though it had worked perfectly fine before.
“You have to hold it down for three seconds,” came a deep voice from the doorway.
I jumped, nearly dropping the measuring cup in my hand.Viking stood there, his massive frame filling the space, hair loose around his shoulders.He wore a simple black T-shirt and jeans but somehow looked more intimidating without his leather cut than with it.
“Sorry,” he said, moving into the kitchen.“Didn’t mean to startle you.”
“It’s fine.I’m just trying to…” I gestured helplessly at the coffee maker.
