Driving back to my place with Margaret in the seat beside me, was almost unreal. How long had it been since we’d been alone together? Over a year, but it seemed like a lot more.

“You okay?”

Margaret turned from looking out the window. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Well, getting abducted and forced to do your least favorite thing in the world for a whole year, must have been traumatizing.”

“Coerced not abducted. Petrov said it was me or you, so I just went.”

“Why the hell would you do that? Help me understand.”

“Can’t believe you need help working that out. You were the one always pulling me out of the shit the whole time we were growing up. I just thought it was my turn to suck it up and make shit happen for a change.”

“You hate sniping!” Sarah cringed at how her shrill voice filled the small SUV.

Margaret slid down in the seat propping her knees on the dash board. “I hate a lot of shit. Since I’m fucking destined to be miserable anyway, I figured that I’d take a hit for the team. Why are you making such a federal case out of this shit. I thought you’d poke around for me a month or two, then settle down and pop out a brat or two. The sexy mobster I didn’t count on though. He’s more my style than yours.”

Trying to bring it down a notch or two, Sarah huffed out an exasperated breath.

“Sexy mobsters are pretty plentiful in our world, I’m sure you’ll find a way to fill your nights.”

Grinning shamelessly, Margaret quipped. “There’s the tight-assed sister I left behind.”

Shaking her head, Sarah mumbled under her breath. “It’s just incomprehensible to me that you’ve been held by Dragonfly all this time. I’m beginning to hate that company.”

Suddenly, Margaret’s voice became serious. “Sarah, don’t think for a fucking minute that your handsome little mobster is a match for Dragonfly. Their clients are sheikhs and heads of state. It’s not the kind of company the mob moves on without anyone noticing.”

“Well, I’m not giving Johnny up. If his father decides to take them on, we are going to do everything in our power to make sure it flips without anyone getting killed.”

“You mean any mobsters getting killed?”

“Of course that’s what I mean.”

Eyeing Sarah suspiciously, she queried. “You know Johnny and his father are not going to take that company over without someone getting hurt. Is that going to be a problem?”

“Dragonfly is stuffed with the biggest assholes you’d ever want to meet. I make them bleed every single chance I get. Maybe that makes me a bad person, but I honestly don’t’ give a shit.”

“Then we’re in agreement.”

“Your mobster said he didn’t want you anywhere near Dragonfly.”

Sarah sighed. “I’ll be honest. I don’t give a crap about Dragonfly. I care about Johnny, his father and his crew. We cover their backs wherever they go and that’ll be good enough for me.”

“You that serious about the mobster?” Though her sister sounded casual, Sarah could tell this was the question that would define their relationship moving forward.

“Yea, he’s my one. I won’t take any chances with him.”

Falling right into line, Margaret nodded. “Alright then, team Henson has the sexy mobster’s back.”

Glancing at her, Sarah asked curiously. “Team Henson? We were kind of tag teaming life before, not working in unison.”

“Yea, but we were a good team. Maybe working together instead of always trading things off, we’d even be phenomenal. You still got that container down at the docks?”

“Yes. It’s just the way we left it.”

“I say we weapon up and bug the shit outta your guys.”

“I hate doing that, but we need to know exactly the kind of things they’re not going to be telling us.”

“Don’t get your panties in a bunch. A little snooping never hurt anyone.”

“I suppose we can at least alert the cavalry if things get sticky.”

“Yes, and a whole lot more. If you’re serious about keeping your guy safe, this is the only way to do it.”

“Then I suppose we’re doing this thing.”

Veering off the road they headed for the docks. When they were less than a mile away Sarah’s phone rang.

“Where in the hell do you think you’re going?”

Pulling the phone from her ear, she did a little double take.

Pulling the phone out of her hand, Margaret spoke into it. “Hey, you overprotective stalker. Nice to see you’re paying attention. She’s taking me to get my stuff. Got a problem with me having my own clothing and shit?”

“When I want to talk at you, I’ll fuckin’ ask for you by name. Put Sarah back on.”

“Hey, babe. You sound pretty upset.”

“I thought you were going to your place and now you’re headed to the dock. I don’t like surprises, Doll. You know that.”

“Liar. You just like sexy surprises.”

“Don’t fuckin’ try to sweet talk me.”

“Fine. We’re going out to the container. Sarah wants to grab some stuff and so do I. Thought I might grab you a party favor or two for this face off with Dragonfly. I know what kind of toys you like.”

Sounding relieved, he responded slowly. “Well, that’s fine. Just let me know from now on when you change up the plan. I’m not tryin’ to be a grade A asshole or anything. I just need to know where you are in case things go bad.”

“Hey, Johnny? I did just fine by myself long before you ever came along. You know that, right?”

“No you fuckin’ well didn’t. You lost your sister and couldn’t find her. I’m not lettin’ that shit go down on my watch. If I have to assign you a couple of guys, I will.”

“You don’t have to do that. I’ll let you know where we’re going from now on.”

“Fine. Get your sexy ass home as soon as fuckin’ possible. I miss you.”

“Will do. I miss you too.”

The moment she clicked the phone off, Margaret commented. “Your guy’s an ass to say that shit about you losing me.”

Sarah sighed, glancing over at her. “He’s not wrong though, is he?”

“Whatever. I still think he’s a ridiculously sexy overprotective bastard.”

“Maybe, but he’s my overprotective bastard and I want him safe.”

“I’m hearing what you laying down, sister.”

“And stop noticing how sexy he is. He’s off limits.”

Margaret giggled, tossing her a mock salute. “Roger that, ma’am. He’s nowhere near as sexy as that big biker anyways.”

Sara’s breath hitched as her body stilled. “You like one of the guys from the MC?”

“Like as in maybe like to fuck, not as in like to keep or anything like that.”

Glancing curiously at her sister she couldn’t help but guess. “It’s Charlie, right? That would explain why Enzo about flattened him last night.”

“Nope, not the pretty boy. Try the dark and dangerous one.”

“Darkness? Isn’t he a little young for you?”

“His father, Dark. It’s strange that they named his son after him that way. Dark and Darkness? I’m sure someone thought that was hilarious.”

“I heard his wife committed suicide and he hasn’t been in a serious relationship since.”

“If I hook up with him, he still won’t be in a serious relationship. Don’t get any ideas about hearts and flowers.”

“You’re seriously not interested in a real relationship?”

“Why would I be?”

“You’re welcome to stay with Johnny and me. You don’t have to make any rash decisions about long term relationships. I think you’re being smart, taking your time.”

“The thought did occur to me that the MC would want a nice safe place for you to hang out while I figure shit out. Let’s face it, I’m not Johnny’s favorite person in the entire world.”

“That’s not true.”

“If anything, I’m a distraction. He wants it to be just the two of you. I can feel that, he doesn’t exactly hold his cards close to his chest.”

“I don’t give a shit what he wants. I want you to stay with us for a while.”

“We can spend time together. I don’t have to live with you for that.”

“You could stay at my place, or even Johnny’s old place. Now that the guys are all buying houses, no one will be there. Hell, he can even put you up at club or one of the properties his father owns. You’ve got a lot of choices.”

As they pulled up to the docks, her sister asked pointedly. “What do you have against the MC?”

“Nothing. I just want you to know you have choices.”

“Sarah…”

“There are a lot of drugs, alcohol and club whores at the MC.”

Laughing off her concerns, Margaret replied cheerfully. “That’s not me anymore. I haven’t used drugs or drank since I’ve been with Dragonfly. Don’t even miss it anymore. After putting that shit behind me for a year, I can see how it screwed me up. I have no intention of going through that again.”

“You really have the hots for this MC president, don’t you?”

“Didn’t know he was their club president, but he’s nothing short of spectacular. Perhaps you didn’t notice, but he’s built like a freaking bodybuilder and all that long gorgeous black hair. Let’s just say I could get used to the rest of what goes on at an MC , at least long enough for a short vacation.”

“Can’t think of anyone who deserves a ridiculously sexy overprotective bastard more than you.”

“Fine, throw my words back at me. You’re not funny, you know. You look as though you should be but you’re not.”

Quoting one of their favorite movies made her laugh. Cracking open the huge doors, they followed the sunlight right into the dark interior. Margaret switched on the battery powered lighting and they began pulling the place apart.

Sarah watched as her sister went straight for their surveillance equipment. Opening a hard sided case, she pulled out a tiny ear bud. Shoving one in her ear, she tossed one to Sarah. “It’s been a while since we used this kind of stuff.”

Margaret snorted a laugh. “Speak for yourself. I’ve been a busy camper.”

Sarah pulled out a huge trunk of weapons as she thought about her sister sniping for a living. “How’d you get over your aversion to shooting folks in the head?”

“Who says I did?”

“You must have. Back in the military the few times you did it, you kind of mentally checked out afterwards. That must not have been a problem or they would have tried to trade us out. Did they give you some therapy or something to help you get over it?”

Slamming the case shut, Margaret twirled around and pressed her back to the side of the container. Sitting there for a brief moment, she closed her eyes and lulled her head back. Sarah though the woman who looked so much like her seemed lost in her own thoughts. Finally she spoke.

“Want to know the God’s honest truth?”

“If it won’t damage you to tell me, yeah, I’d really like to know.”

“When they first took me, I was terrified that they’d go after you as well. I realized at some point that Dragonfly didn’t even know about you, only Petrov did. I knew that if my performance was shitty, they’d try to get a refund from the dirty Russian and that would lead them to you. I was panicking and really felt like my back was against the wall. It’s not like I could ask them for help, ‘cause you had a reputation as someone who could get the job done.”

“Jesus. It sounds like just the kind of thing to make a person totally lose it.”

“I did the only thing I could do. I pretended to be you. I went through all the intel on each target, read his dark deeds and reminded myself how much better the world would be without him. The thing is, most people who utilize Dragonfly are shady themselves. The people they want to have killed are invariably some of the worst of humanity. I simply phrased the self-talk in exactly the same way you always explained it to me. I woke up and told myself I was channeling my inner Sarah, went out, did the job and came home. You’d be surprised how easily I conditioned myself, knowing that it was to keep you safe. After a while, I just didn’t think about it anymore.”

Sara crawled over, wrapped her arms around her sister and held her for a long time. Unsure whether she was doing it to console herself or her sister, she whispered an apology.

“Ain’t you two sweet as can fuckin’ be?”

Sarah turned to see Johnny standing in the doorway. A crooked smile sat above his dimpled chin.

“What the fuck are you doing here?”

Sarah slowly approached until she was close enough to get wrapped up by his beefy arms. He looked down at her with what could only be described as open adoration. “So, you two bitches are gonna keep me and my pops safe. Did I hear that shit right, cause I thought I expressly said to stay outta it?”

Gasping she tried to pull back. “You were bugging my SUV?”

“Don’t get all holier than thou on me, princess. You two were planning to bug me, I just beat you to it, ‘cause I didn’t half think you were gonna listen to a damn thing I had to say.”

“We can’t just sit around and do nothing, Johnny.”

“You damn well can.” Jerking her slightly in his arms he snarled. “The only problem is, you won’t though will you?”

Shaking her head, she was too shocked to answer. Then she saw his expression soften. Unless she seriously missed her guess, he looked rather aroused.

“Ain’t no bitch ever gave a shit if I lived or died, exceptin’ you.”

“Sorry for caring. I suppose this is where you threaten to turn my ass red.”

Biting his bottom lip, he shook his head. “Nope. Same deal as when we first met. You get a nice punishment fuck, only this time you don’t get to shove your chores off on other women.”

Hooking her fingers through his belt loop, she pulled him closer. “You’re not even really mad. I can tell because you have wood.”

Looking up her spoke matter-of-factly. “Darlin’, if you think those two things are mutually exclusive for an outlaw, you better think again. You running around, gatherin’ up weapons and talking about watchin’ my back, well that’s enough to give any man wood.”

“Thankfully, I have just the cure for your little problem.”

“He ain’t little, Doll. How’s about you and your nice little sister gather up all your toys and let’s get the hell back to someplace safe.”

“We can bring our surveillance equipment?”

“If I say no, you’re just gonna trot your ass back out here and get it the minute you think my back is turned. I’ll make you a deal. If you promise to stay out of the shootin’, I’ll you two surveil everything all up. You can give me an ear bud and do your best to make sure nothing bad happens to me.”

“We’ll stay well away from the action, with our sniper rifles. You can consider us to be your last line of protection.”

“Fine. I’m only agreeing to that, to keep the two of you where I can see you. I don’t like you skulking around running your own little operation on the side, so no more of this shit. Just come to me from now on. It won’t be easy, but I’ll make an extra effort to be more accomodatin’.”

Grabbing him by the front of his shirt, she hauled herself up to plant a wet one on his lips. “You got it, tiger.”

“I ain’t never compromised with a chick before. This feels weird.”

“Thanks for meeting me halfway. Don’t worry, I won’t take advantage.”

“If you think about putting yourself in danger just remember one thing.”

“What that, babe?”

He was getting ready to say something monumental like he loved her, she could just feel it. Instead, he simply placed one gigantic hand against her stomach. Feeling like all the air had been sucked out of the small area, she knew exactly what he was insinuating.

Margaret gasped. “You’re fucking pregnant? And you were just going to let me lead you right into danger…”

Shaking her head, she tried to find the words to explain. It was Johnny who spoke up first.

“She ain’t pregnant that we know of, but we’re trying.”

Margaret began rambling. “Oh, I see. Since the two of you fuck just all the time, it could be that she turns up pregnant anytime. That’s it, then. You get no rifle.”

Sara rounded her, suddenly fired up. “What the fuck, Marge? Who’s side are you on here?”

A melodramatic wave of her hand and the other woman was shouting. “I’m on my niece or nephew’s side. You are not stepping one single foot outside the damned house and you might as well get your head around that shit, right now. If you keep it up, I’ll just head right back to Dragonfly and be done with it.”

“You wouldn’t dare!”

“You just try me.”

She noticed Johnny rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “You two are something else. I’m liking your crazy sister more by the fuckin’ minute. Let’s just get this unit cleared out. We can stow the stuff at Enzo’s until our new place is finished.”

“Our new what?”

“I bought the last few acres near Enzo and Gino. There ain’t a house, therefore we have to build one. If you’re real nice, I’ll let you pick the fucker out. Now, let’s go.”