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“No.” The word was short and definite. “You would’ve risked all of us if you’d gone that first night. You would’ve risked her. But you haven’t fought for a second on going to get her.”
“You said wait.”
“Still expected a push from you.”
A laugh scraped up my throat, edgy and frustrated. “If I would’ve pushed, you would’ve kept me back when the time came.”
He lifted a shoulder, refusing to confirm or deny, before repeating, “Know you’re planning something.”
I studied him for a moment before giving him the same noncommittal shrug and turning for my boots. “You gonna stop me?”
“Waiting to hear what it is first.”
I considered his words and weighed the very real possibility that Maverick had kept something from our boss for the first time. “Don’t think you’re gonna like it,” I admitted, then blew out a steadying breath as I faced Dare again. “Kinda have a feeling you’re gonna lose your shit when I tell you.”
Dare’s head dipped in a bouncing sort of nod before he said, “I trust you more than you realize. I value your input more than you give yourself credit for.” When I started scoffing, he added, “You’re an absolute pain in my ass because you joke too much and we need to feed you every hour, on the hour. But we wouldn’t get through situations half as easily without you. None of us would be alive without you.”
A smile edged at the corner of my mouth to hide my growing discomfort. “I’m flattered, but you’re married.”
“Diggs.”
The teasing fell away as easily as it had risen, but Dare thankfully continued before the silence could make it more uncomfortable.
“Look where we are, Diggs. That was you.”
“I led us to the worst possible place, considering who ambushed us,” I shot back, my eyes narrowing on him. “And where we are? What about Sofia and Jess?” I lifted my arms before letting them fall. “We just buried one and have nothing more than a headstone for the other because of me.”
“Us,” Dare corrected. “We all fucked up that night—Jess’s death is on all of us. And my mom?” His jaw shifted a few times before he said, “She knew the danger. She made the decision not to come here. And despite that shitshow of an ambush, this is the best location for us right now. Something I would’ve never considered if it hadn’t been for you.
“Now,” he went on, lifting his chin in my direction, “I’ve explained a fraction of the faith I have in you...so give a little in return, and tell me what you’re planning before I have Maverick disable all your motorcycles.”
I sucked a breath in through my teeth, my head slanting at the low threat, but still confessed, “I’ve been in contact with one of James Keane’s daughters.”
“Fucking hell,” Dare muttered as I hurried to continue.
“I think her resentment for her old man outweighs her loyalty for Keane Street.” I swallowed as doubt slowly twisted through my gut, but this was the best chance we had, so I had no choice but to believe Autumn. “Also think she wants to help because we inadvertently saved her from a shitty life.”
“They could be feeding her lines,” Dare said firmly. “You could be playing into their next ambush.”
“I know,” I admitted softly. “Trust me, I’ve considered that so many times. But I—” I pressed a hand to my chest, my head shaking as I thought over pieces of my conversations with Autumn that stood out. “This is how I get Willow back...I can feel it.”
Dare studied me for a while, his expression not giving anything away, before he finally said, “I told you to end your battle, Diggs.” My head shifted back and my mouth parted to respond, but he continued before I could. “I told you to end your battle, and you made your decision. You brought her here...you pulled her in.”
“I know.” A self-patronizing laugh bled from me. “If you’re gonna blame me for this, get in line.”
“I’m not blaming you for anything other than not doing what I told you to,” he ground out, eyebrows drawn close. “I told you to end your fucking battle, and up until the last second, you were pushing Willow away.” He gestured to me before turning it on himself. “I know what you were doing—I know you wanted to protect her. But protecting people we love never includes pulling them into our lives and then reversing that.
“So, for the last fucking time, I’m telling you to end your battle,” he demanded in a tone that held no room for argument. “Right now, before you take another step or say another word. Because, even though I get what you’re doing, all you’re doing is hurting her and destroying yourself in the process. So, either you go get her, and she stays, or Conor gets her, and she disappears from our world forever.”
“You done?” I asked after a few seconds passed. “Because you’re talking to me like you never fucked up with Gia before she was murdered or like you didn’t do the same damn thing with Lily before finding out who she really was.” I gestured to the room around me, clearly void of the woman my soul begged for. “I know what I did. I know every way I’ve fucked up with Willow, but that’s on me. That’s my shit I have to work through, and I have been. So, the real option right now is whether the rest of you are gonna help or hang back. Either way, I’m getting her and keeping her with me.”
“Just like that,” Dare muttered, seemingly unconvinced. “Decision made.”
“My decision was made before I ever brought her here.”
“You sound real sure for someone who tried having her relocated just a few days ago.”
“Moment of panic,” I defended tightly, my voice taking on a lethal edge when I continued. “Then I saw her in someone else’s hold and heard her scream before she was taken from me.”
