Chapter Twenty-One
“I have a meeting. I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone. I need you to cover for me again.” Barrett walked over to the secret wall that hid the weapons room and pressed a button. He didn’t bother to wait for Damon to agree to fill in for him. He didn’t have to. He knew Damon wouldn’t refuse.
“What’s up? Does this have something to do with the Pack Master meeting the other night?” Damon followed him into the weapon room.
Barrett grabbed a nine-millimeter Sig Sauer and tucked it in the waistband of his jeans. He tugged his leather jacket on and turned to face his Guardian.
“Some things I can’t tell you. But there is one thing you need to be aware of.” He scrubbed his hand down his face.
“What?” Damon asked
“Jaxon is no longer in Arkansas looking for that witch.”
“Where is he?” Damon scowled.
“He’s in Louisiana.”
“What the fuck is he doing there?” Damon scowled.
“He claims the witch got away from him and he managed to follow her across the state line. I was hoping he’d apprehend her and get the fuck out of that state before Boudier found out, but there seems to be a problem with that.”
“Go on.”
“He somehow ended up with Ginny Wilson, his ex-girlfriend… who happens to be Edward Boudier’s daughter.”
“Fuck. Me.” Damon took a deep breath and blew it out.
“Oh, there’s more.” Barrett narrowed his eyes. “Ginny’s mother and her husband are both dead. Ginny did it but he’ll sure as shit take the blame.” He held up his hand to keep Damon from interrupting. “I’m not so sure Boudier cared that much for his wife, but the fact that his son-in-law was the one financing his trek to power and destruction is not going to sit well with Boudier.”
“Shit.” Damon shook his head. “How close is Jaxon to crossing into Arkansas?”
“Pretty fucking close. But he can’t. Boudier has set up traffic stops on every major highway and road. He’s got the police in his pocket and the power to keep looking for them.” He pulled his cell phone out of his jacket and hit a few buttons.
“Right now, there is a storm over the area where Jaxon is. He sent a message saying he’s somewhere safe.”
“Lucien just called and told me that Jaxon reached out to him.” Barrett held Damon’s gaze. “He is wondering if Lorcan can be of some use in getting our Guardian out of there.”
“Jesus. Man, I don’t know. I would have thought after he helped us get Lucien out of New Orleans, Lorcan would have stayed in Arkansas and sworn loyalty to you.” Damon shook his head. “I don’t understand how he can see what Boudier did and still work for him.”
“It’s fucked up, to say the least.” Barrett shook his head.
“You know, your job sucks sometimes, man,” Damon growled.
“Yeah. Yeah, it does,” he agreed. “Boudier just sent me a text. He wants a meeting.”
Damon tensed. “You aren’t planning on going by yourself, are you?”
“Yeah.”
“No offense, but fuck no. You need to take some backup. That motherfucker could be waiting on you to take you out with a silver bullet in the head.” Damon growled, walked over to the wall, and picked up a .45.
“Where do you think you’re going with that?” Barrett stepped in front of him and glared.
“With you.”
“No. You can’t do that. I need you here.” Barrett shoved his finger in Damon’s chest. “Don’t mistake my allowing you to fill in for me as an opportunity to disregard my leadership. You still answer to me.”
“And you need to listen to reason,” Damon countered.
Barrett glared, and then for the first time in a very long time, he let out a laugh.
“What’s so funny? You’re not losing it, are you, Barrett?” Damon’s brow creased with concern.
“Yeah, Damon. I’m fucking losing it.” He sobered and looked at the Guardian. “Who would have thought that you’d be standing here telling me to listen to reason. I remember not so long ago you were about to rip my head off because you thought I was interested in Ava.”
Damon scowled. “Yeah well, when people start bandying around words like mates and destiny, it’s hard to see reason.”
“I’ve never let you guys down before. I’m not planning on doing it now.”
“Boudier is a sneaky son of a bitch. Don’t walk in there thinking he’s not going to try something.”
“I have no other choice, Damon. My Guardian is in his state. I didn’t let him know, and now he’s going to rub that shit in my face. I’m going to try to work out something where I can get Jaxon back without getting anyone hurt. We may have to cut our losses when seeking revenge for Heimy and Mitchell and Lucien.”
“Are you fucking serious? You can’t just let that shit go,” Damon growled.
“Oh, believe me. I’m not letting anything go. I’m just going to let Boudier think I am.”