Chapter 42
CHAPTER 42
T he Call
Dean
We’re in the penthouse, as Muni Long’s “Conversation” is playing in the background. Ronan has my naked back pressed to the window while he rocks into me. I’m clinging to his back as I look down at his powerful body working against mine.
“Fuck,” he groans before pulling my nipple into his mouth.
“Ro, baby, shit,” I pant.
I throw my head back as my legs begin to shake. Ronan reaches for my hands and laces our fingers together. He then pins my arms to the glass above my head.
Moving his lips to my neck, he sucks on my skin while grinding into me. My eyes roll back, and I begin to convulse against him. He growls and takes my lips in a drugging kiss.
As he spills inside me, he breaks the kiss and murmurs into my ear. “Ya still think we have a problem?”
“Yes, I want pizza, and you want that bullshit from across the street. The dick was A1, but I still want pizza.”
He roars with laughter and kisses me hard. “I’ll get us both something. I don’t know how ya can eat that shit nearly three times a week.”
“Their sauce is priceless. Don’t forget my extra cheese,” I sing.
My phone rings and I frown. It’s late. I’m not expecting any calls at this hour.
Ronan slaps my ass as I walk by him to grab the annoying device. I turn and lift a brow at him. He chuckles at me, causing me to shake my head.
Turning my attention back to the phone, I pick it up and look at the screen. I knit my brows as I don’t recognize the number. With a shrug, I answer.
“Hello.”
“Danika? Danika Peoples?”
I gasp and hold my breath. A chill runs through me and I can’t help but shiver. My grip on the phone tightens.
“Yes?”
“Hi. It is time. They are your new family. Make the world fear them. Be the roar before they see them coming. Pave the path for me to rule. The queens of death open the doors for the kings of balance.
“Be my mom’s hidden hand and my dad’s secret weapon. They won’t get to you. The ones who watch will keep you safe. Do not fear the bears. The eagles soar above them. Now raise your head and ride, pale one.”
With that, the child hangs up. I stumble back and bump into Ronan’s strong body. The call from a child.
It’s begun.
* * *
LaSalle
It’s like I come out of my body and begin to watch this all from above the room. We’ve just been through an attack, but the bodies and bloodshed aren’t what I’m looking at.
I watch as all at once, Tasha, Val, and Roni move to the center of the room. I see these women before me with new eyes. This has been coming for a long time.
Freddie’s letter and Phoebe’s final message come back to me. They were pieces of the whole. It all starts to fall into place and make sense. La Belle Mafia. The horsemen’s new regime.
“It looks like you have your general. I’m claiming my seat at the table,” Roni says.
“Good, I have someone you’re all meant to meet,” I reply.
* * *
Tasha
I was ready to hold my babies and go to bed after all that. However, the look in LaSalle’s eyes piqued my interest. He made a call and told me, Val, and Roni to climb into the waiting cars. Of course, John and Uri followed.
Now we’re pulling up to an old warehouse. It looks abandoned except for the glow coming from inside. We pull to a stop outside and climb out.
Everyone gathers together, looking confused. The doors roll back, and LaSalle leads us all in. He keeps his hand on the small of my back.
As we get inside, I understand the glow. There are hanging lanterns swinging above our heads. I look ahead through them and there’s a woman standing there, about six-two.
She’s dressed in a black one-piece catsuit with a black leather half jacket, and knee-high black leather slouch boots. Next to her, on her left, is a big-ass gray dog and over her right shoulder she’s holding a semi-auto rifle with air holes.
“Danika,” LaSalle says in greeting. “I want you to meet my wife and some friends.”
“LaSalle. I think you already know my husband.”
My mouth drops open as Ronan McGowan steps forward holding the chains of two more big-ass pony-looking dogs. These two are black.
“Wait a damn minute. Are those heads? Oh shit. I found my new bestie,” Val sings.
I squint and look forward through the swinging lanterns. On either side of this woman, Danika, are two heads with bullet holes in the foreheads, swinging along with the lanterns.
“I always bring gifts,” she says with a smile.
“Whose heads are those?” I whisper to LaSalle.
“Men who told me no.”
A grin comes to my lips. Now this I can work with. This is the type of shit my husband needs.
“I like her boots.” I shrug.
“Right?” Val says and nods.