Chapter Ten
IONA GLANCED AT Elias, surprised to see he was still awake. “I thought all operatives could sleep on command. Why aren’t you asleep?”
“Can’t. Andre and Riley’s questions about my father stirred up some terrible memories.”
She reached over and squeezed his hand for a beat. “I’m sorry. Is there anything I can do to help?”
“You’re already helping by choosing to be mine.”
“That doesn’t seem like it’s enough.”
Elias’ gaze shifted toward her. “Sometimes, all you can do is just be there. I’m grateful.”
“Unnecessary.” She returned her hand to the wheel.
The last thing she wanted was Elias’ gratitude.
Iona was going for the big guns. She wanted his heart.
Might be an impossible dream, but she was going for it.
They both deserved the best partner and friend for life.
For her, Elias was the epitome of the best partner and friend. She hoped he saw her in the same light.
He twisted in his seat to lean against the truck door and study her profile. “So, Iona Byrne, what’s your biggest dream?”
She blinked. “Why do you want to know that?”
“We’re supposed to be an established couple, and that’s the information that will trip us up when we’re questioned by the Blackthorn Riders and we come up blank. Plus, I want to know to satisfy my curiosity.”
“All right.” Iona tightened her hands around the steering wheel. “I want to write a book someday.”
He was silent long enough that she glanced over at him before returning her gaze to the asphalt ribbon unwinding in front of them. Was silence good, bad, or neutral? One good thing? He wasn’t laughing, as she’d feared he would. Instead, Elias looked thoughtful.
“What kind of book?”
Her cheeks burned. She wished she’d chosen another dream to share instead of being honest about this one. “A romance.” There. She’d owned up to it. What would he do with the information?
“Ah, so you’re a closet romantic.” He fell silent again.
“You won’t ask why a black ops soldier wants to write romance?”
“I don’t need to. You view the world in black-and-white when you’re on the job, and the endings aren’t always good. If you write a romance, your characters will go through a tough time, but the ending will be happy. It’s a requirement of the genre.”
“Insightful. All right. It’s your turn. What your biggest dream, Elias?”
“I want to learn to play the piano.”
Huh. Not what she’d expected of Elias. “Are you taking lessons?”
He snorted. “When would I have time to do that?”
“If you have the right teacher, he or she will accommodate your strange schedule.”
“Maybe.”
“We know someone who plays the piano.”
“Who?”
“Darcy Kincaid. She was a concert pianist until her health forced her to change careers.”
“I’d forgotten that Rio’s wife was a pianist. She lives in Otter Creek, though. I don’t see how she can help me learn to play.”
“We can ask. Perhaps she’d be willing to teach you over a videochat or recommend a teacher for beginners in this area.”
“I don’t know, Iona. She’s busy running her deli.”
“It doesn’t hurt to ask.”
“Before I do that, I’d have to buy a piano to practice on.”
“We can definitely ask for Darcy’s input on purchasing a piano. She has to have played on many pianos and must have opinions on the best brand. Send Rio a message and tell him you’d like to contact his wife and why. I’m sure he won’t mind. You can do this, Elias. I know you can.”
He was silent for a beat, then burst into laughter.
“What is it? Share the joke.”
“Not a joke, really. I was thinking how ironic it was for me to learn to play the piano when I grew up in a motorcycle club known for delivering death to people who didn’t fall into line with my father’s rules.”
“You said you were on the road frequently, that the MC didn’t stay in one place for long. Where did your love for piano music come from?”
“Radio. I was riding my motorcycle on this country road and flipping from one radio station to another. I landed on a classical music station where they were playing a recording of a piano concert. It mesmerized me.”
“Do you know the name of the piece?”
“Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven. The pianist was amazing.”
“Who was it?”
He chuckled. “Darcy St. Claire Kincaid. Now you see why I’m reluctant to ask Rio’s wife to teach me to play.”
“You know what? Every pianist starts at the same place. I can’t wait to hear you play. I love the idea of you fulfilling a dream despite your father.”
“Next question.”
“Hit me with it.” This could be interesting.
“Let’s get the most common questions out of the way. Favorite food?”
“Vanilla yogurt with granola.”
He stared. “That’s not actual food.”
“My stomach says otherwise. What did you expect me to say?”
“Something normal, like pizza or Mexican food.”
“What’s your favorite food?”
Elias mumbled something.
Her eyes narrowed. “I didn’t hear that. Repeat what you said.”
“Bagels with cream cheese.”
“What happened to pizza or Mexican food?”
“They’re second and third on my list of favorite foods.”
She laughed. “I will keep bagels with cream cheese on hand for when we spend the day together.”
“Favorite vacation spot.”
“Beach. You?”
“Mountains. Favorite book?”
Iona frowned. “Oh, that’s a tough one. I love many books. Can I choose a series of books?”
“It’s your answer. So, what’s your favorite series of books?”
“J. D. Robb’s In Death series. Each one is absolutely brilliant. They’re the perfect blend of mystery and romance. You?”
“The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan.”
“Oh, that’s a good one. I enjoyed reading all the books. Your favorite color?”
“Blue when I’m off duty and black when I’m working. You?”
“Teal when I’m away from work and black when I’m working.”
“Favorite television series?”
She thought about that for a beat and was honest. “I don’t have one.”
“Oh, no. No welshing, Byrne.”
Iona held up her hand. “I’m telling the truth. The only television I watch is the news, and that’s sporadic.”
“Is there a reason you don’t watch television?”
“I have such limited time available that I’d rather read a book.”
“Fair enough.”
“What about you? What series do you enjoy watching?”
“Any kind of DIY show.”
She smiled. “You like to work with your hands.”
“I’m good at fixing things.”
“Do you fix your own SUV?”
“Are you kidding? Of course not. Bear would kill me for touching one of his mechanical babies.”
For the next two hours, they asked and answered questions the members of the Blackthorn Riders might ask to see if they were lying to infiltrate the MC.
The beauty of it was that they were only lying about their last names.
Everything else was true. When you went undercover, sticking as close to the truth as possible was always better. That way you didn’t trip yourself up.
By the time they drove through Red Rock and headed toward the compound, Iona and Elias had learned new things about each other and confirmed things they had already observed. Nice to know they’d paid close attention to each other even though they hadn’t admitted to the attraction.
With Elias navigating, Iona followed his directions into the countryside and up into the hills 20 miles from Red Rock.
Her stomach knotted. They were out in the middle of nowhere.
The only establishment this far from town was the post office and a combination gas station and deli named Nick’s.
Someone hadn’t bothered to get creative with the name.
“Wonder if Nick’s is owned by a man named Nick. ”
“At one time, I’m sure it was. Whether he still owns the place is the question. With a business like this, many times new owners don’t bother changing the name since it’s an established business. If we’re here long enough, someone will tell us the story behind the name.”
“I hope we’re out of here before we become that chummy with the locals.”
“Same. Turn right at the next road.”
“It’s more like a cow path than a road.”
He snorted. “This is the type of area that my father chooses for his compound. No obvious law enforcement for miles around. No civilization so that his word is law.”
“But your father isn’t in this area, right?”
“Zane is tracking him down. We should know soon.”
“I really don’t want to deal with the Reckoners and the Blackthorn Riders.”
“Same. The clubs working together isn’t a good sign.”
“Why not?”
“I’m afraid the Blackthorn Riders is a weaker, smaller club.”
“Which means?”
“They’re looking to the Reckoners to protect them if another club comes after them.”
“And if the Reckoners come riding to the rescue?”
“The only ones who would recognize me would be the old-timers, including my father. If he realizes I’m in the compound, he’ll come after me with everything he has at his disposal.”
“You haven’t talked about your mother.”
He remained silent for a moment. “No, I haven’t.”
“Why not?”
“She’s not part of this.”
“How can you say that? She left you with your father.” How could any mother leave their child with a cruel father?
“According to him, she dumped me and took off.”
“That’s not what happened?”
Elias shook his head. “My father threatened her life if she didn’t leave me behind, but I don’t have evidence to prove it. Just her word that’s what happened.”
“Maybe Zane or Riley can help us with that.”
“I don’t think so.”
She’d ask Riley to look into it anyway. Their friend and teammate might turn up something.
“Turn left at the next dirt road.”
Iona scowled. They were driving farther into the boonies.
What happened if a biker needed medical help?
The response time would be too long, not to mention the impossibility of toting an unconscious passenger to the ER on a motorcycle.
“Are we stopping soon? We’re too far from civilization if we need help. ”
“Two more miles to go.”
Soon, the Fortress operatives stopped in front of a roadblock manned by members of the Blackthorn Riders. “What is this?”
“Making sure unauthorized civilians stay out of Blackthorn territory.”
“That’s normal?”
“Oh, yeah. The Reckoners kept everyone off their land so no one could spy on them.”
“Really? That’s a thing?”
“It’s a thing. If an enemy club watched you long enough, they’d have first-mover advantage or could put together a countermove.”
She blew out a breath. “Never thought of that.”
“Oh, believe me, my father does. He’s like the boss. He always thinks five steps ahead of everyone else.”
“Brent has him beat. I think he’s ten steps ahead.”
Elias chuckled. “Wouldn’t surprise me.” He sobered as two more bikers swaggered toward their truck.
Iona lowered her window and stared at the two men staring at her.
“Name?”
“Iona.” She inclined her head toward Elias. “This is Elias.”
More staring ensued, then the linebacker-sized biker said, “Why ain’t your man riding his bike?”
“A cop shot him in the shoulder. Show him your bandage, baby. I don’t think this gentleman believes me.”
Linebacker held up his hand. “Nah. Don’t need to see. Prez told us to be on the lookout for you. Follow your friends. No detours. We don’t like strangers snooping in our business.”
She stared again, this time with her eyebrows raised.
The second man, shorter than his buddy, continued to watch Iona.
Really? Did his mother not teach him any manners? “What?” she asked curtly.
“I can’t wait to get to know you better. I like beautiful women to warm my bed at night.”
Eww. “I don’t think Elias would appreciate another man moving in on his territory.”
Linebacker slapped the center of his buddy’s chest with the back of his hand. “Knock it off. There’s time for that later.”
There would never be a time for that. Iona’s stomach lurched. Not happening. No one could touch her without her permission. Not anymore.
Linebacker yanked Shorty back and motioned for them to drive on.
“Are you okay?” Elias asked.
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You know why. I know the exchange bothered you. Will you be able to throw it off?”
“I don’t have a choice, do I?”
“There’s always a choice. We can make something up about my problem being solved and dump the mission back in the FBI’s lap.”
She shook her head. “We’re here. Let’s do this and go home.”
“I like that plan.”
But would it be enough? They needed to finish this mission and get Elias home to rest and heal.
Iona followed her teammates deeper into Blackthorn territory and, minutes later, parked beside their friends’ bikes.
The parking area surrounded a two-story building.
To Iona, the building looked as if it used to be a roadhouse.
From the shape the outside was in, Blackthorn must have picked it up for a song.
Elias snorted. “Typical clubhouse.”
“Decorated in just this side of a garbage dump?”
He laughed. “Oh, yeah. Thanks for the laugh. I needed it.”
“Glad to help.” Iona opened the door and exited the truck as MC members poured from the building. Most were curious. A few were hostile. All suspected the newcomers. “Trouble in paradise?” Iona murmured as she and Elias joined their teammates.
“Not yet.”
Seth studied the gathering crowd for a moment. “We’re looking for Dutch King.”
A six-foot-five bruiser separated himself from the group. “That would be me. What’s your business?”
Definitely not the trusting sort. Iona’s teammates used hand signals to tell her they were ready to act.
All she had to do was give the word. The best thing they could do at the moment was to remain ready but wait for things to develop.
This may not turn into a brawl. She hoped it didn’t.
Elias wasn’t ready to take on anyone, much less the muscled and large members of Blackthorn.
“Zeke sent us.” Seth motioned to Elias. “One of our own is a target for the local cops. Took a cop’s bullet in the shoulder. He needs a place to lie low and heal.”
“That sounds like one or two people asking for sanctuary. Didn’t know I would host ten people. How do you explain that?”
Seth shrugged. “He needs backup. We’re the backup.”
Dutch stared for a moment. “Is he royalty or something?”
“He’s a teammate. We’ve worked together for years. He needs us, and we’re there. No questions asked.”
“Teammate?”
“Military.”
The president of the Blackthorn Riders relaxed his stance and gave a nod. “Got it. How long were you in?”
“Seemed like a lifetime. We were in the Sand Box a long time.”
“And you ran into trouble with the cops, huh?”
“Yes, sir.”
Dutch looked pleased by Seth’s courteous address. “Your president requested a house or condo. Now I know why.”
“Is there a place for my team and our Old Ladies?”
The other man motioned to one of his club members. “Show them where they’re staying.” He paused. “After I see the injury.”