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“It means I was lead operator.”
“Got it. So badass assassin it is. Why’d you leave?”
Copper cut in. “The real question here is how did he leave. Rocket started noticing some inconsistencies with their contracts. Turned out Esposito was taking on contracts that were questionable if the price was right.”
Questionable. Rocket almost laughed. The contracts Esposito favored were downright fucking wrong. The face of the last man Rocket killed for Esposito floated through his brain. A cop in Russia who’d taken too much of an interest in putting a stop to the mafia. Esposito had been hired to take him out. Gave the job to Rocket complete with a thick file full of years of terrorist activity and affiliations.
All lies to manipulate Rocket into carrying out the execution.
The last hit of his career.
The mission that haunted him for over five years.
“Shit,” Mav muttered as Jig grunted. Zach sat silent, but his fists curled.
“Rocket walked and—"
Rocket blinked himself back into the present. He may not be a chatty Cathy, but this was his story to tell. Time to man up and own it. “I got this, Cop. Esposito let me go with the condition that I owed him. Think he knew all along I’d catch on at some point. Figured if he let me walk, at least he’d get something out of me in the future. He’s tried to collect a few times.” Rocket shrugged. “I always turn him down.”
“Let me guess,” Zach said. “He’s not taking no for an answer this time?”
“Something like that.”
“He gonna send someone to take you out? Come after the club?” Zach asked, face hardening with displeasure. This got his enforcer hackles rising.
“That ain’t his style. He’s a sneaky shit. More likely to go after an ol’ lady than come for us guns blazing.”
The tone of the room turned deadly serious. Each of his brothers wore expressions of varying disbelief and rage. With all their anger directed Rocket’s way, he struggled to keep his head high and meet their solemn gazes.
“How likely are we talking here?” Zach asked.
Rocket folded his hands on the table, leaning on his forearms. “He’s in town. Popped up at my jobsite right before I came here.”
“He make any threats?” Jig’s eyes were sharp, fully engaged and ready for action. He’d lived through the devastating loss of his first wife. As independent and capable of taking care of herself as Izzy was, any kind of threat to her or around her set Jig off.
“In a roundabout way. Told me the club has some beautiful ol’ ladies. Let me know he’s had eyes on us.”
“Fuck,” Mav said. “Let’s go get the ladies.” He looked to Copper who nodded. “They’re all together. They have a girls’ night planned for tonight. Drove out to Pigeon Forge to check out that new café, and then were gonna stock up on wine and junk food.”
“Let’s do it.” Zach popped up and followed Mav out the door with Jig and Viper not far behind. Rocket remained seated for a moment as did Copper.
“He know about her?”
Rocket could play dumb. Ask who was the her Copper was referring to. But why waste his energy? The clock was ticking and he was itchy as fuck to make sure Chloe was protected.
“Yes. Mentioned seeing me with her a few times.”
Even through his full beard, the thinning of Copper’s pressed lips was evident. As was the angry glint in his eyes. “What happened to just following her to make sure she was safe?”
“It started that way, but…shit.” He ran a hand down his face.
“Fuck, Rocket. You know you gotta bring her in now, right?”
He almost laughed out loud at the thought of asking Chloe to come to the clubhouse. That was going to fly as high as a lead balloon. But it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered beyond keeping her safe. She could hate him and his brothers all she wanted, she was coming to the clubhouse and he’d protect her. Esposito was capable of things that made what happened to her before look mild. Just being on Esposito’s radar put her in great danger. And nothing would touch her on Rocket’s watch. He’d happily take out any man who made her so much as stub her toe.
“I know. I already sent a prospect to watch her house until I got there. I’ll call her on the way. Might be a little bit. She’s not exactly a fan of the club.”
Copper’s snort was full of disgust. “Good luck with that, brother. Better you than fucking me.”
As he left the clubhouse, Rocket dialed Chloe’s number. No answer.
Two seconds later his phone rang. “Yeah?” he said when he saw Thunder’s number. He’d been a prospect for a few months and was proving his worth.
“She ain’t home, Rock.”
Well, shit.
“Thanks, Thunder. Stick around a while and let me know when she shows up.”
