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I wish, not for the first time, I could voice my disapproval, but I settle for a glare, which I hope conveys how much of a prick I think Derek is being right now. If he notices, he doesn’t show it.
“Derek, we can’t just leave our lives behind and pack up for an indeterminate time,” Clara says quietly. Clearly, Slade didn’t let her know this was coming.
“You’re staying. We can’t risk your job at the hospital.”
Her face darkens. “I’m not a tool at your disposal.”
“You’re part of this Club, which means you do whatever is needed.”
“I’m not—”
“You married Slade, let him put his patch on your back, girl. That makes you part of this fucking family. And being part of a family means you sometimes have to suck it up and take one for the team.”
She opens her mouth to say more, but Slade barks out, “Enough,” and she silences. It surprises me that she does, but from her expression, this isn’t over with yet. He’s in for a tongue-lashing the moment they’re alone.
“Is it just me or is everything turning to shit?” Sammy mutters.
I can’t help but agree with this assessment.
I sign, “What about work, about our homes? How are we supposed to keep paying the bills if we’re off in hiding?”
Derek watches my hands before he answers. “The Club’ll take care of anything you girls need. Now, Dax is going over and above to help us out here.”
He’s probably risking the wrath of his National Chapter, who told him explicitly not to get involved—at least according to what Dane told me.
“Don’t make shit difficult for him and his club. Charlie, King, Rabbit and Lucas are going with you. They’ll help the Devils keep you safe.”
Everyone else grumbles, but I’m secretly pleased. I’ll see more of Dane if we’re with his club, right?
“Go and pack. You have thirty minutes.”
“They’re not messing around,” Sofia mutters under her breath as we all get to our feet and head for the door.
The lads meet our gazes as we pass, defiant to the end, willing to do what they think is necessary to keep us safe. Is it, though? I don’t know. I don’t know what’s best at this juncture. All I know is the thought of being shut up again for more time makes my stomach roil. I can’t do more weeks of being behind closed doors, of no fresh air. I hope to hell this place has a gym, because I’m starting to enjoy the routine of an early morning workout.
I’m also wondering which of the Devils will be keeping us safe. As vice president, I’m guessing Dane will be busy with club matters, but I’m hoping he’ll be around some of the time.
Beth moves to Logan and he engulfs her in his arms, Liv and Danny are encapsulated by Dean while Jem, Weed, Wade and Ghost find their way to Piper, Chloe, Paige and Sammy. This is going to be tough, leaving the lads behind, wondering if they’re hurt—or worse. My eyes brim with tears but I don’t let them fall. Everyone has enough to worry about without me becoming a blubbering mess.
With no one’s arms to fall into, I follow Sofia and Cami from the room, Clara surprisingly on our heels. She rushes off up the corridor towards the officers’ rooms. A second later, Slade comes out of the common room and follows after her.
“That’s not going to end well,” Sofia says under her breath.
“He’s as stubborn as she is,” I sign.
“So, you get to come on our impromptu vacation.” Sofia smiles at Cami, her arm going around her shoulder. “Aren’t you a lucky duck.”
Cami shrugs. “I’d rather stay in a safe house than end up dead.”
This seems to sober my sister. Me too, if I’m being honest. I didn’t expect such frank words from the little redhead.
“I’ve been on the receiving end of a beating I thought was going to take my life,” Cami explains. “Believe me, I’m not looking to repeat it. If they think we’re safe out of town, then I’m sitting front and centre on the first bus out of here.”
Sofia stares at her a beat, then says, “You’re still too green to feel the agony of hearing the word ‘lockdown’.”
“They’re just trying to keep us safe.”
They are, but I wish they had a better method.
