Chapter Twelve. #2
“Mike, get home now. We have a viable threat. A team is extraditing the girls,” Jude ordered.
I didn’t hesitate, but shot up. The sudden movement made Dynamo flinch. “On the way.” I ground on. Dynamo’s eyes widened in fear, and I crouched down, making myself smaller.
“Honey, stay with me. There’s been a threat against my family. We have to head home. Can you hold shit together?”
“Yes,” she gritted out. Chin lifting, Dynamo rose to her feet and took my hand. “Let’s go.”
I quickly paid the couple and handed them a hefty tip. Apologetically, I explained there’d been an accident, and we left.
“Mike, what does a viable threat mean?”
“Chatter has been intercepted, which puts my family at risk. Jude is moving to secure them.”
“What happens then?”
“We track it. This is about the trafficking ring we busted.”
“Mike, why you?” Dynamo asked, confused.
“Because I’m the only one with children. Whoever this is, is sending a warning,” I ground out.
“You’ll stop them, won’t you?” Dynamo whispered.
“Yes.” My girl was worried about my babies. That sank deep. Despite her protestations, Dynamo was all in.
The SUV ate up the miles as I floored it towards home. “Are you okay?” I asked, realising she’d fallen silent.
“Yeah. Just drive,” she murmured, eyes watching the road. Dynamo’s fists opened and closed on her thighs nervously. My phone rang as I entered Camden.
“Yo.”
“We have the girls. Come to the command centre,” Jude ordered.
“I’m bringing Dynamo,” I replied and cut the call.
“Drop me off at the clubhouse,” Dynamo said, and I shook my head.
“No. This isn’t how I wanted our date to end.”
“But I’m an outsider,” Dynamo exclaimed.
“No. You’re my woman.”
Dynamo bristled, and despite the situation, I held back a grin. She was used to being the alpha, and the fact I was also dominant bit hard.
“You’re my man,” Dynamo said, sounding like she was testing the words.
“Yup, we can agree on that.”
She looked a little stunned, and I guessed this was the first time Dynamo understood what I was building with her.
“We’re in a relationship,” Dynamo confirmed my thoughts.
“Yeah.”
“Huh, don’t know how I feel about that,” Dynamo replied, sounding puzzled.
“Take tonight to think it over. It’s okay, I’m a lot to be grateful for,” I teased.
Dynamo snorted and reached out and slapped my arm. She froze, waiting for a reaction.
“If you believe I’m going to be your bitch, reconsider that, babe,” I said, and Dynamo’s eyes widened. She’d picked up on the teasing note in my voice, but it hurt that she was unsure how to respond.
“If I say you’re the bitch, you are,” she tested, and I grinned as she lit up. My woman was slowly regaining her confidence and self-esteem. That meant everything, especially as I was helping Dynamo achieve that.
The command centre came into sight, and I drove down the road; my gut tightened. My girls were in there and probably scared. Then again, knowing my kids, they’d think their uncles were kidnapping them to mess with me and spoil them.
“Nobody here will harm you,” I said, parking.
“Okay. I can squish them if need be,” Dynamo retorted, but I noted her wariness.
The door opened, and Gage waved us in. “The kids believe we’re rescuing them from their boring dad.” “When did the alert come in?” I demanded.
“An hour ago. We moved on the girls straight away,” Gage replied as we followed him down a hallway.
“Daddy! Uncle Jude says you’re old and miserable, and we’re staying here for a few days and having fun!” Raven yelled.
“You brought Dynamo! We can do hair and makeup!” Robin squealed.
Dynamo looked appalled, which made me chuckle. She certainly wouldn’t be up for that.
“Did Uncle Jude feed you?”
“Take out!” Robin said gleefully.
“Uncle Jude better remember how to cook because you’re not living on that,” I stated, folding my arms and looking stern.
Raven laughed and threw herself at me. “Daddy, Uncle Jude doesn’t cook. He does a real man’s job!”
I blinked. Did my seven-year-old daughter insult me? Dynamo snickered loudly.
“Did she…? Did I…?”
“Get thoroughly dissed by your kid? Yeah. Better fetch your apron, bitch,” Dynamo murmured the last word and chuckled.
“Okay, you horrible brats, I have a real job. Now let’s get you settled.”
“We’ve had baths,” Robin stated.
“Then time for bed.”
“Daddy, Dynamo has to tell us a story,” Raven demanded, and Dynamo froze on the spot. She sent me a terrified glance, and I instantly felt bad.
“Not tonight, girls; Dynamo has to help me with some work,” I said, coming to her rescue. The one thing I adored about my kids was how easy they were.
“Okay, Uncle Freddie can,” Raven declared.
I nodded. “Go get into bed, and I’ll send Uncle Freddie. Give kisses, love you guys.”
“Love you, Daddy,” the girls chorused, and then flung their arms around Dynamo. “Goodnight, Dynamo.”
“Night,” she replied somewhat faintly.
They rushed down the hallway, and I walked Dynamo into the acting command room.
“We need that fuckin’ land like a week ago. We’re too exposed here,” Jude complained the moment I appeared.
“Freddie, the girls want a bedtime story,” I called.
Freddie unfolded from his chair and left without a word.
“The sale’s processing,” I said to Jude.
“Make it happen yesterday,” Jude retorted. “Dynamo.” He nodded to her.
“Captain,” she replied.
“Sorry to interrupt your date, but this couldn’t wait. Caleb picked up chatter at twenty-one hundred hours. It mentioned a hit on a former ACI member with two kids. The buyer wanted you dead, and the hitman could do what he wished with Raven and Robin. They’re a bonus for him,” Jude stated coldly.
Inside, he was raging. I’d known Jude for over twenty years. The colder he got, the angrier and more methodical he became.
“Rules every fucker out apart from me.”
“Why?” Dynamo asked.
“I’m the only one with kids. Threat level?”
“Ten. It’s solid. Rainbow collected,” Caleb replied.
I absorbed the words and let them sink in before throwing my head back and laughing. “That fucker wants to come after me? I’ll rip him apart with my bare hands.”
“I’m missing something here,” Dynamo said quietly.
“He was one of us until he killed two men in cold blood. Jude put him up for court martial and he bounced. Rainbow got away with murder but has been a thorn in our side ever since,” I explained.
“How much of a threat is he?” Dynamo inquired.
“He’s a former SEAL Team Six member, fuckin’ dangerous,” Tomahawk replied.
“Who put the hit out?” I asked.
Jude sent Dynamo a look.
“The Royal Bastards.”
“The fuck we did,” Dynamo flared up instantly.
“We know. We cleared your club quickly,” Jude said.
Dynamo subsided but was still bristling.
“Caleb broke through in minutes. McKay from the Screaming Barons MC placed the bounty on you for two reasons. He knows you were involved in the rescue, and he’s seen you with Dynamo. He’s aiming at the Royal Bastards and us using you. You’re on lockdown, Mike.”
Dynamo turned with guilt written across her face. Her shoulders slumped, and she looked defeated.
“Told you I was bad news,” she murmured and walked away.