Chapter Five #2
“Then let’s hear the details. What is this assignment? Where and when is it supposed to go down?”
He dragged a hand down his face. Man, he didn’t want to do this, but he didn’t have a way out. Guess in this instance, the only way out was through. “My assignment starts tomorrow.”
“No way.” Violet shook her head. “You were shot and just had surgery. You can’t go undercover, especially not alone.”
“The timing is critical, Vi. You don’t know what’s at stake.”
“That’s because you haven’t told us. So spill.
“The FBI asked me to infiltrate a motorcycle club rumored to be preparing to sell a boatload of military weapons and armor-piercing bullets in the next two weeks.”
“How will you do this?” Andre asked. “Aren’t MCs closed to outsiders?”
“They’re selective in the men they allow into the club. That’s why I’ll have to become a prospect and gain entry into the club that way.”
His friends protested, each presenting a different argument for why he couldn’t take on that assignment, especially alone.
He held up his hand. “I have to go.”
“Why does it have to be you?” Iona asked.
“I’m the best qualified.”
“What does that mean? Stop holding back, Elias. The time for that is over.”
He’d have to bare his soul to his friends after all and confess a secret from his past. “I grew up in an MC, and my father is still the major power player.”
Seth frowned. “Which one?”
Would he lose his friends now? “The Reckoners.” Silence fell, and perspiration broke out on his back.
Finally, Grant said, “You’re serious?”
He gave a curt nod. What else could he say? He’d told the men he considered his brothers and their women, and his woman, the absolute truth. Would they reject him for holding back something so important from his past?
Andre shook his head. “Elias, you’re one lucky man to have made it out of that life. The Reckoners aren’t known for letting people walk away.”
He snorted. “They don’t. You don’t leave the MC unless it’s in a body bag.”
“How did you escape?” Iona asked. Under the table, she wrapped her hand around his fist.
He turned his hand over, threaded his fingers through hers, and held on for dear life.
“I waited until they had one of their parties.
Since my father was the founder of the club, he was always the Master of Ceremonies and responsible for keeping things rolling.
He was too busy to keep a close eye on me.
“When everyone in attendance had passed out from drinking, I slipped out the back door and hitched a ride with Seth and his family to MEPS. I had already talked to a recruiter and signed the papers, so the military entrance processing station was the next step to joining the Army. Once we were on the bus to Fort Benning, I was safe. I never told my father that I wanted to enlist in the Army, so he never thought to look for me in the military.”
Elias tightened his grip on Iona’s hand as he turned to face his team leader and long-time friend. “What now?”
Seth’s brows knitted together. “What are you talking about?”
Oh, man. Was Seth going to make him beg to stay with Echo unit? If that was the price of remaining with his genuine family, he’d do it in a heartbeat. “What do I have to do to stay with Echo unit?”
Seth’s hands clenched. “You did not just ask me that stupid question.”
Hope bloomed inside Elias. “I hid my past from you.”
“So? Everybody has a right to keep some things secret as long as it doesn’t hurt the unit.”
“The Reckoners might be the reason I have a target on my back. They’re not above taking out friends and family to punish the actual target.”
Noah snorted. “Get over yourself, Knight. You’re not a special case. We all have targets on our backs. Your past is making the loudest racket at the moment. Next time, it will be someone else.”
“He’s right.” Andre placed his empty water bottle on his plate. “Sorry, man. You’re not special. It’s simply your turn for trouble.”
Grant rested his forearms on the table and leaned toward Elias. “We’re family, Elias. If they attack one of us, all of us will respond.” His lip curled. “The Reckoners won’t know what hit them if one of their support clubs came after you.”
He frowned. “You know about support clubs?”
“I can read, you know. One of my reading interests is MCs.”
“Most MCs are glamorized on paper. It’s not a good life for anyone except the President, Vice-President, Sergeant-at-Arms, and the enforcers.”
“Not surprised to hear that. However, our point is you’re one of us no matter what’s in your background.”
Elias’ eyes stung. “Thanks.” Facing his next battle, he turned to Iona. “What about Artemis? Can you and your teammates live with my past?”
She looked at her teammates. “Teagan?”
Seth’s wife rolled her eyes. “Don’t be ridiculous, Elias.”
“Rayne?”
“Ditto.”
“Violet?”
“After all these months, I’m surprised you doubted our response. Teagan is right. Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Riley?”
“Sorry, Elias.”
His heart sank. Even one no vote would lead to his expulsion from Echo unit because Echo was partnered with Artemis. If the women wouldn’t work with him, he was toast.
Riley smiled. “We’re keeping you.”
Thank God. One more vote to go. “Iona?”
She looked at the rest of the team members. “I have an announcement to make.”
Seth’s eyebrows soared. “Don’t keep us in suspense, Byrne.”
“Elias and I are dating. I’m claiming him as mine. Does anyone have an objection to that?”
Applause and whistles broke out.
Elias stared. “What did you say?”
“You have two good ears, Elias. I said we’re dating.”
Although relief and joy swept through him, he couldn’t let this stand. “No.”
She leaned close as silence fell on the group again. “Yes. We’ve been dancing around each other for months. It’s time to move this relationship to the next logical step.”
“No, Iona.”
“Give me one good reason this declaration can’t stand.”
Frustration exploded inside him. Why now? Why couldn’t he have the one thing that made his life worth living? “I have a death sentence hanging over my head, Iona. Anyone who is mine automatically carries the same punishment. I won’t put that on you.”