Page 16 of Fallen Flame

Now it was another place the Northbound Reapers had touched—another reminder that nowhere was completely safe while they were still breathing.

Ever’s expression tightened. “That’s exactly why we can’t pretend the Dairy Bar doesn’t exist. My parents are coming home. Are you going to tell them everything that is going on with the club? Because you know they aren’t going to just go along with you shutting down the Dairy Bar with no reason given.”

“We really can’t bring more people into this,” Jude said.

Wrecker turned toward him. “Yeah, I got that, Jude.” He sighed. “Go, but you think you can manage to not have more shit hit the fan? Pacify Ever’s parents, but get them out of town as fast as you can.”

Lark saluted Wrecker. “We will keep the fans off, and the shit will not hit them.”

“Jesus Christ,” Wrecker groaned and nodded once before looking toward me.

I knew what was coming before he said my name.

“Oliver.”

I set my coffee mug on the bar. “Yeah.”

“You’ll go, too.”

Lark’s head swung toward me so fast her hair brushed across her shoulder.

I kept my attention on Wrecker.

“With Lark?” I asked, even though the answer was obvious.

“With Lark.”

Her smile started slowly.

I ignored it.

Dad straightened beside Mom. “I can go.”

Wrecker shook his head. “You and I have other shit to handle. We need to talk to the brothers checking the roads and figure out what the hell the Reapers are doing after losing another man.”

“I can go with Oliver,” Thorn offered.

“No,” Wrecker said. “You’re taking Fox to check the cameras at the Social Club.”

Fox groaned. “Why am I involved?”

“Because you know how the system works.”

“I know how to press play.”

“That’s more than Thorn knows.”

Thorn lifted his middle finger.

Wrecker didn’t react. He focused on Jude and me instead. “You two are going to the Dairy Bar, assessing the damage.”

Lark raised her hand.

Wrecker stared at her. “What?”

“I would just like to say thank you, sir.”

Wrecker stared at Lark for a beat and then turned to Alice. “You seeing this?” he asked her.