CHAPTER 14
SPOOK
I’m not sure what Honor and Angel said to each other that night after the family dinner when we got everyone up to speed on Mulally, but whatever it was, it brought them closer. Axle and I were damn happy to see it.
We’d been schooled that night; a sharp reminder that sometimes we forgot just how strong women could be.
I should’ve known better. Over the years, I’d worked alongside several women on operations, and I wouldn’t have hesitated to have any of them at my back.
Hell, I was mentoring one of the most kick-ass women to boot.
Yeah, I should have known better.
“VP.” I look up from the contract I’m reviewing when Muppet knocks on my door. I’ve been using my office at the clubhouse more than the one at Hit It since Honor agreed to be my Ol’ Lady. I preferred being nearer to her and our boys rather than twenty minutes away.
“Prospect.”
“Pres wants you in his office.”
Surprised at the request, I check my phone, but there’s no message. Usually, Maverick would have sent me one.
“Thanks Muppet,” I say standing. Leaving my office, I secure it behind me before walking the short distance to Maverick’s office two doors down. Walking in I close the door behind me.
He’s on the phone. From the concerned look on his face, it’s not good news. My gut tightens, as I take a seat in one of his comfortable as fuck visitor chairs that hug your ass.
Leaning back, I lift one leg resting my ankle on the knee of the other, as I tune into his conversation.
My eyebrows rise when I realise he’s talking to Banshee from the Grave Prowlers MC.
“Fuck Banshee, yeah okay, we’ll be there.”
He’s silent as he listens to whatever Banshee is saying. The frown he was wearing when I walked in deepens and his eyes harden.
“Yeah, I’ll be bringing Spook and Carnage with me. You’ll let the Queens Wraiths know?”
The tension in his face eases at whatever Banshee’s reply is. “Good. Yeah man, we'll see you in two days.” Maverick ends the call, tossing his phone on his desk with a heavy sigh.
“What’s going on, Mav?”
His eyes flick to me, and I can see the indecision in them, but we’ve never kept anything from each other. “That was Banshee, he’s calling a meeting. He wants both of us there.”
“He say why?”
Mav shakes his head, closes his eyes, and chews on his lip. He’s thinking. I wait him out.
When he opens them and looks at me, I see concern. Something is not sitting right with him.
“He’s got Glacier and Maestro coming in for the meeting too. Whatever he wants to tell us it’s big enough that he wants us there in person. Can’t say I’m thrilled to have all of us in the same place at once. Be a good way to take us out.”
He’s not wrong to be worried, but somehow, I can’t see Banshee doing something like that.
“I’ll have one of my units on standby. They can follow us. I don’t think Banshee’s the type, but then we don’t know him that well, so we’ll take precautions. You going to call Glacier or Maestro?”
Maverick shakes his head. “Nah, I’m sure if they’re worried, they’ll call, and so far, I’ve not heard from either of them. Rowena going to be part of the unit?”
I nod, “Yeah, I’m transitioning her to being a team lead.”
Maverick looks surprised. “Is she ready for that?”
Shrugging I reply, “We’ll see. If she can get a handle on her temper, then she’ll be good.”
We leave it at that. Maverick doesn’t get involved in Hit It unless I need him to. That’s entirely my domain.
“Everything good with you and Honor?”
I’m surprised at his change of subject, but I shouldn’t be. Maverick often jumps from subject to subject. I’d learned to go with the flow.
“Yeah,” I smile and settle deeper in the chair. “She’s fucking amazing, Mav.”
“Good brother,” Mav nods. “You deserve some good in your life. Been a long time coming.”
Tilting my head I study my friend, my brother from another mother. There had been a hint of melancholy in his tone. “You do too, Travis.”
He lets out a short, sharp bark of laughter, “Nah, brother I’m good,” he says with a shake of his head. “Women don’t see me, they see the money, or the club. I’ll stick with being the fun uncle to the brood of nephews and nieces you’re going to give me.”
I hate that for him. He’s not wrong though. I’d seen it happen. The way women threw themselves at him, hoping to be the one he picks. Shallow and callous. The lot of them. Maverick wasn’t the type to want that.
His parents had been in love with each other, and I knew he wouldn’t settle for less. I hoped that one day he’d find it. Because whoever he ended up with, would be fucking lucky to have him by her side. There was nobody more loyal than Maverick.
Deciding to change the subject, “What’s going on with the new gym?”
Maverick takes the change of subject with a relieved smile. Launching into what the hold-up is with us acquiring it.
***
Two days later, I’m regretting agreeing to go to the fucking meeting with the Grave Prowlers, as I strap Mason and Reed into Honor’s SUV.
“It will be fine, honey,” Honor soothes me running her hand up and down my back. I snap the last buckle closed and turn so I can get a good look at my woman. She’s exhausted. The dark circles under her eyes highlight how little sleep she’s had.
Hell, we’re both exhausted and running on fumes.
The boys have been running a fever for twenty-four hours.
We’d get it under control, then it would rise again.
None of the over-the-counter children’s medication was working.
We’d been alternating giving them meds and cool baths.
Their temperatures would lower but then come back within an hour. And Honor was getting worried.
“I can have someone else go with Maverick, baby. I don’t want you going by yourself.”
“Hey,” she smiles up at me, and runs a hand over my cheek. “I’ll be fine. We’ve not heard a peep from Mulally and I won’t be alone. I’ll have one of the prospects as well as Ash with me and Tru and Janis are on their way. They’ll keep me company.”
My gut is telling me this is a bad idea. I’m not sure if it’s worry about the boys or if it’s something else.
“Fuck,” I growl, pressing my forehead to Honor’s. Closing my eyes, trying to make the right decision. They were safe while they were at the clubhouse, travelling an hour away to the closest emergency room wasn’t ideal.
We needed a clinic in Stonepoint. Why hadn’t we thought of this before?
“I hate this,” I grumble.
Honor laughs softly. “I know, but that’s because you’re overprotective. I promise we’ll be fine. You go do your thing and trust me to look after our family.”
“I do, baby. I hate not being with you though. I wish I hadn’t sent my other unit out now.”
Honor laughs, her amusement comes through loud and clear when she says, “I don’t think sending a mercenary team to the emergency room because our toddlers have fevers, is what they signed up for.
” She raises on her toes and presses her lips to mine before sinking back down, as Tru and Janis pull up over the road in the golf carts they’d bought to travel between the two properties.
They walk over, back packs slung over their shoulders, looking bright eyed and bushy tailed.
They both slow down, when they see the way I’m holding Honor until they come to a stop. Their eyes dart between us.
“What’s going on?” Tru asks.
Honor turns her head resting her cheek on my chest. “Spook’s worried about us leaving the grounds.”
Janis nods. “I can understand why, but we’ve got protection going with us, right?”
I nod. “I’m sending Muppet and Ash with you.”
“Then we’ll be good. Ash is your enforcer and Muppet, despite his name, isn’t one,” Tru reassures him.
“Nobody’s heard a peep from Mulally. And you haven’t found any connection that he’s from the same Irish faction that was after Aunt Angel.
You go do what you’ve got to do, and we’ll keep Honor and the boys company.
We’ve got snacks, cards, and drinks, so we’re set if we have to stay overnight. It’s all good.”
She’s not telling me anything that I don’t know, but still, I can’t shake the feeling of foreboding.
Reed whimpers, “Mama,” and Honor tenses in my arms.
“I’ve got to go honey,” she looks up at me. Worry for the boys written all over her face. They’d started calling her mama a few days ago. Not sure who was more overwhelmed, Honor or me.
My phone beeps, and I step back helping her into the front of her SUV before taking it out of my pocket.
Ash: At the gate VP ready when you are.
Me: On their way.
“Ash is waiting for you at the gate,” I tell Honor, as I shut the door. She opens the window, and I lean in. “Love you, baby. Let me know as soon as you know what’s up with the boys.”
“I will,” she promises. Janis and Tru get in. It’s time. I’ve either got to cancel the meeting, or I need to let Honor go. Lowering my head, I kiss her hard. “Be safe. Any worries, you call right away. If you can’t get hold of me or Maverick, call Axle or Roman.”
“I will,” she promises, putting the vehicle in gear, and reversing off our drive.
I stand hands on my hips, watching my heart leave, my gut twisted into a tight knot.
“Fuck,” I whisper, raking my hands through my hair, as Maverick rides up the road towards me.
I get on my ride starting it up before sliding my helmet on.
Joining him, we ride to the clubhouse where Carnage is waiting.
It’s a long ride and an even longer day.
Fuck, scratch that, it’s been a long couple of days.
Honor keeps me updated with messages about what’s happening with the boys.
That goes a long way to making me feel a little better.
The boys are getting fluids and something stronger than the children’s meds we had on hand, to bring their temps down. They’ll be at the hospital for a few hours. Ash and Muppet both send me pictures of Honor, curled up on a bed, with both boys. All three are asleep.
Fucking love my brothers.
The meeting at the Grave Prowlers isn’t a long one, but it’s an important one. We have a new threat on the horizon. Just what we need. Fucking hell, if it’s not one thing, it’s another.
We don’t hang around after the meeting. Maverick smooths things over, not that Banshee seems concerned, but it’s always good to keep things cordial with our allies.
It’s late afternoon and we’re nearly home when the call comes through to Maverick. He pulls over into the closest gas station and answers the phone.
In my gut, I know it’s Honor.
Maverick doesn't hesitate to put the call on speaker so we can hear the information Janis is relaying.
Then, there she is. My heart stops when I hear the gunshots fired.
I expected panic. Fear. Anything but the steady calm in her voice when she said, “Love you, Luca. I’ll keep the boys safe, but you need to get your ass to us. Like yesterday.”
I’m nowhere near as calm as her as I shout back, already gunning my bike, that I love her and we’ll be there soon.
I don’t know who called the rest of the brothers, only that they’re on the road.
Axle’s leading them with Roman right behind him.
He doesn’t slow or stop as they roar past us.
I don’t blame him. I gun my bike and tear after them.
We pass Honor’s SUV, as it comes flying past us. Janis is driving, face pale, but determined. Remembering my Bluetooth I call Rowena who answers calmly, “Boss, want to tell me why you’re all going hell for leather.”
“No time. SUV coming your way, follow and cover. My boys are in there with Honor’s family. Keep them safe and escort them to the clubhouse.”
“On it.” she replies and ends the call.
We continue because Honor wasn’t in her SUV, so where the fuck is she.
Pride, anger, relief, and worry slam into me when we find her clearing the back of a shot-out vehicle on the side of the road. She’s filthy, bruised, and handling the gun in her hands like it’s an extension of herself.
And Jesus, if I had any doubts that Honor was made for me, they were put to rest there and then. My woman’s a warrior.
I take in the scene at-a-glance before I focus on getting to Honor.
There’s one guy dead, a hole between the eyes, and the other, an injured Muppet is holding down. I have no clue where Ash is.
Parking my ride, I dismount and run toward Honor, hugging her to me. My heart is beating so hard, I’m worried it’s going to jump out my chest. It’s only then that I realise I’m shaking, but so is she.
It doesn’t surprise me that her first thought is of the boys.