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“I heard his father killed his own woman.”
“Warlock’s situation was different. Very Goddamned different. Beverly worked for the CIA. Because of Iron Tzars’ contacts with a company who does international business, she was planted to spy on us and used Warlock to do it. He never fully trusted her, but he loved her. She was using him, and he let her.”
“Did he kill her?” I wasn’t sure I wanted the answer to that, but I needed it.
“Yeah, baby. He did. And it nearly killed him to do it. But she was nothing like you, Pepper. This club has a rich history of fighting the worst of the worst. It’s what we do. Sometimes it’s policing our own territory. Sometimes it’s because we’ve been hired by various organizations or governments. We can’t have this club coming under scrutiny from anyone. When Bev disappeared -- because when we take care of things, they’re taken care of completely -- the feds didn’t darken our door, because they have as much to lose as we do. When the administration changed, so did their goals regarding this club.”
“I feel like an idiot. I’m so sorry, Rage.” I stepped toward him, and he readily pulled me into his embrace.
“No, baby. You’re still new. We’re still new. I get it and, honestly, you’d be a fool if you didn’t take all that into consideration.” Rage stood there for long moments with me in his arms. I loved the feel of him surrounding me like this. The only thing better was the way he held me at night while we slept. “You good now?”
“Yeah. I don’t have to bring Cassie to see Dustin, do I?”
“No. In fact, I’m gonna insist you don’t. I don’t want that baby anywhere near Dustin until we know what’s going on.”
I looked up at him in surprise. “You mean, you don’t already know?”
“Nope. I’m as much in the dark as you are. Sting kept me completely out of this because we both suspect he’ll have to be dealt with permanently, and he doesn’t want me to have a part in that. Honestly, after hearing what he did to you I could care less what happens to the bastard. Brother or not. But the club’s policy is to keep personal shit outta club business. Him being my brother is as personal as it gets.”
“You sound so calm.”
He gave me a small grin. “I am, baby. I trust Sting. If he says the little shit has to die, then that’s what’s gonna happen. And before you ask if the same applies to you, it doesn’t. But you have nothing to worry about on that account. Do you honestly think he’d have greeted you the way he did a few minutes ago if he thought you needed killin’?”
“I guess not.” I took a breath and smiled up at him. “Let’s get this over with. All we’re doing is prolonging it, and I want it over.”
“That’s my girl.” He leaned down and took my lips with his in a hard kiss before leading me back to the common room. Then Sting called Church, and Rage took me downstairs with him to the club’s meeting room.
Rage held us back, letting everyone else enter the meeting room. Once we were alone, he leaned down and spoke softly to me. “Normally, only patched members are allowed in here, but this is a special case. Sting wants you here until you’re ready to leave. He’ll also have you give your account in front of Dustin. Can you do that?”
I nodded. “Yes. I’ll do whatever you need me to do.”
“Good. If he asks you to speak, tell the truth. That’s all you have to do. I have your back. You can always look to me if you need support. Understand?”
“Yes.” I hesitated a moment before placing a hand on his chest. “What’s going to happen, Rage?”
“I don’t know, baby. I’ve really not been kept in the loop on this one. Not about anything. All I know is this is about Dustin.” He looked hesitant, then added. “I know he came to the front gate looking for me. But because I knew Sting wanted me completely out of the picture on this one, when Deacon called to let me know he was there, I told him to call Sting for permission to let him in.”
I gasped. “You didn’t tell me?”
He gave me an impatient look. “And send you into a worrying frenzy? Hell, no, I didn’t tell you! You’d have panicked and worried about Cassie when she was perfectly safe with Sting and Iris. Once Sting got word from Deacon, he texted me and told me Iris and Cassie were with Roman and Winter. The last thing I wanted you to do was stress over that bastard when there was absolutely no reason.”
I looked up at him, unsure if I was grateful or irritated. Maybe a combination of both. Finally, I sighed and grumbled at him. “It’s a good thing I love you.”
