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I came behind Deacon and wrapped my hand around his bicep. “You might want to put on some pants before you do anything unnatural to him there, babe.” I tried to joke, to defuse the situation but, honestly, I was about to laugh until I peed.
“He did this on purpose.” Deacon threw me an exasperated look over his shoulder. “Just to piss me off.”
“No, bro! I swear! Rocket said he needed you at the clubhouse. I think Crush has something for you on the guy named Calhoun.”
Deacon stilled, turning his head slightly as if making sure he’d heard Falcon correctly. “Martin Calhoun? Stepfather of Bear’s woman, Olivia?”
“Yeah. That’s the bastard.”
I sucked in a breath. This was part of the same group of people Deacon had left me to hunt before. Would he do it again? Would I survive if he did? Would Lemon lethimsurvive?
“Tell Rocket we’ll be there in ten minutes.”
“Sorry, man. Apple can’t be in on club business. I don’t imagine things are any different at Iron Tzars.”
“They’re not. But Apple goes where I go. Don’t like it? Take it up with Lemon.”
Falcon stiffened. “Not on your fuckin’ life.” He backed off another step. “You take it up with Lemon.”
Deacon rolled his eyes before slamming the door on Falcon. Then he sighed and knocked his head against the door once. Then again. “Fuck.” The word was muttered. Deacon heaved a long sigh. “Just…fuck.”
“You have to go.” I tried to pretend it didn’t hurt he was leaving again, but it did. And it sucked ass.
“Never said that, baby. Let’s get dressed, then go see what’s goin’ on.” He turned and pulled me into his arms. “Everything will be all right. I promise.”
“Can you make that promise?” I didn’t look up at him but buried my face in his chest.
“I can and I am, Apple. I made you a promise and I absolutely will not break it.”
“But --”
He cut me off with a kiss. “Don’t borrow trouble, Applejack. Trust in me.” He gripped my shoulders as he searched my gaze. I could almost feel him willing me to take that leap of faith. It might be foolish, but I knew I was jumping in with both feet.
“You better catch me,” I muttered. Instead of asking what I meant, he just grinned at me.
Exactly eight minutes later, we were in Rocket’s office.Lemon had, indeed, made the guys let me in. As usual, Rocket merely grinned at his wife with affection like she amused him and, therefore, he’d give her whatever she wanted. Surprisingly, Venus was standing quietly in the corner, Piston stood a few feet away so still and silent he almost seemed to disappear into the background even though he wasn’t a small guy.
“If you want to get this guy, now’s the time.” Crush finished the details of his report. Looked like he and Byte had set something in motion to flush out Martin Calhoun, and it was working. “He’ll be on that private island he bought in exactly two weeks. I’ve arranged for a company called ExFil to take the private detail. ExFil is owned by a guy named Joe Gill who used to be president of Bones MC in Somerset, Kentucky. Pretty sure Iron Tzars has a relationship with him.”
“Cain,” Deacon said. “His guys gonna take care of the bastard?”
“No. And he’s adamant no one should find out about Calhoun’s disappearance until several weeks after they pull out. Which is where I come in,” Crush continued. “Me and Byte are gonna create some footage to prove Calhoun was out and about right up until everyone forgets ExFil was anywhere near the guy. Cain doesn’t want to tarnish the company’s reputation by a guy they’re protecting getting whacked on their watch.”
“Reasonable,” Rocket said, stroking his beard. He turned his gaze on me. “Well? This was your baby. What’s the next move?”
“I’ll get someone from the Tzars to take this. They can take care of business as good as anyone without the wrong people gettin’ wind of it.”
“Thought you’d be the one goin’.” Rocket gave Deacon a curious look.
“No. I made a promise to Apple I intend to keep. I went back on my word once, and it almost cost me everything, Rocket.Much as I want this kill, I’m not takin’ it.”
“Suits me.” Ringo sat back in his chair. “I’ll be happy to take it on.”
“Not if I take it first,” Bear, Olivia’s man, growled at Ringo. “I think I get first dibs on this one.”
“I’ll take it.” Venus moved from where she stood in the corner. “I’ll find out everything he knows, and maybe few things he doesn’t know he knows.”
Rocket raised an eyebrow. “You sure about this? You’ve been gone from Salvation’s Bane for a while. That’s your home club. Maybe you better check in with Thorn before you commit to something like this.”
