Chapter Seventeen
“So, what’s your plan?” Skye rolled onto her belly, struggling for air. She tingled from head to foot, their recent lovemaking sending sparks through every inch of her body. “You said something about being desperate.”
“Not for this.” He playfully slapped her ass, pulling a squeak out of her. “The gang’s going to be down a driver, and I’m going to apply for the job.”
“How are you going to do that?” She laid her head in the crook of his shoulder. “Don’t believe you’ll find a Help Wanted sign outside their clubhouse.”
“I’ve got a plan.” He glanced over at the clock. “And we’ve got to get going. First to meet the Watleys and take possession of the truck stop, and after that I’ve got to go to work.”
She dragged a finger down the center of his chest, twirling through the light body hair there. Her heart was racing, but not because of the past—it was the future that had her on edge. “This is where it gets dangerous, isn’t it.”
“Yes.” He caressed her arm. “I won’t lie to you. From here on, it’s going to be crazy, and I don’t know when or if we’ll get any time like this together.” His arms went around her, pulling her atop him as he kept speaking. “I’ll be working my part by hitting the bars late at night and helping you during the day at the store. You have to stay frosty at the truck stop, keep things going when I’m not there. Keep those cameras rolling so we can document every move those bastards make.”
“I saw the Wolf today.” The words came out before she could call them back.
He stiffened under her. “What? When?”
“He was at the truck stop with two of his buddies, filling their tanks. It was around noon.” The memory filled her with dread, cutting through the recent pleasure. “Bastards smiled at me.”
“Did they say anything? Did they approach you in any way?” Finn’s tone shifted to an interrogation, grinding against her ears.
Skye sat up, her palm flat against his heart. “No. I was okay. Smith came into the store and bought some soda. Son of a bitch belched then grinned like he was a little kid, trying to get a rise out of me. Wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.” Heat rushed to her cheeks, anger flaring up. “I did want to get the shovel out of the storeroom and beat his head in before dancing on his balls.”
Finn began to chuckle. It evolved quickly into a full-bellied laugh before he cupped her face with both hands, delivering a hard, fast kiss.
“Skye Harris, you are one amazing woman. And I am glad you came to the Devil’s Playground to find me.”
“I’m glad you came as well.” She smirked at her joke, enjoying his reaction as he winced. She cast a quick peek at the clock before sliding one hand down between his legs, feeling him rise under her touch. “We’ve got a bit of time left. Let’s see how we do under pressure.”
He let out a hungry growl and tangled his fingers in her hair before pulling her into a passionate kiss.
…
The package was sitting against the apartment door when they got back from securing the Rest ‘n’ Relax and sending the Watleys on their way. Finn smiled and he placed it on the coffee table as he sent a quick text to Trey to say it had arrived.
“What’s that?” Skye asked as he ripped open the cardboard box.
Finn held up the box. “This is what we need to tie into the cameras at the store.” He turned it around and showed her the input jacks. “Plug the lines in here and here.” Finn showed her the piece of paper taped to the top. “Trey’s got the information here along with his private phone number for us to call if we have any problems. We can put it on tomorrow morning.”
She nodded. “I’ll hook it up as soon as I arrive.”
“Okay.” He glanced at his watch. “I’m going for a short run to clear my head before I’m heading off to the bar to see if I can work my way in with the gang. Put down a few bills, maybe buy a round or two.”
Skye nodded. “I’ll see you early tomorrow morning when you come to bed. I’ll set the alarm so I can get up and get ready to open up the station at eight.”
“Listen. This is important.” Finn put both hands on her shoulders and pulled her to face him. “From now on, if I disappear for a full twenty-four hours without any contact, you get your ass to Vegas. No ifs, ands, or buts—you get in the car and floor it. You don’t call anyone, you don’t tell them you’re leaving town.” He hesitated, knowing this part would be the hardest for her to do. “You don’t call Pat. You don’t stop at the hospital. Drive straight to the Devil’s Playground. Call Dylan while you’re on the road and let them know you haven’t heard from me, and you’re on your way based on these instructions.”
“Robby…”
“No. He’s got Ace and Wyatt with him. The two of them can get Robby out of the hospital, but they can’t cover you. You show up, you’ll be an added weight. Let them follow their orders, and you follow yours.” Finn gave an angry shake of his head. “Robby would want you to save yourself first. You’re no good to him if you’re hurt or worse.” An icy ball formed in his belly at the words.
“Okay. I cut and run to the nightclub.” She drew a staggered breath. “Then what happens?”
“All hell breaks loose.” With a Code Red, every member of the Brotherhood, as well as their associates, deployed with the sole purpose of bringing a fellow warrior home.
“I don’t like it.” Skye shook her head. “Are you sure there’s no other way around this?”
“No.” It came out sharper than he wanted.
She pulled back, frowning. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s not you,” he said quickly, trying to make amends. “I don’t like to think about the mission going sideways. It’s a luck thing.” He forced a smile. “Like those rabbit’s feet you can buy at every shop in Vegas. Not so lucky for the rabbit.”
“I just don’t want to think about what could happen, what could…” She sighed. “I don’t know if I could take losing you and Robby.”
“Hey.” Finn drew one finger along her cheek. “This is just a precaution. I want you to know this in case something happens—we always prepare for if something goes wrong. It’s not a forecast. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I can take care of myself. I’ve been on dangerous missions before, and I’ve always come back.”
“So far.”
The whispered reply dug into his heart.
“Promise me.” He locked eyes with her. “Promise me you’ll do this.”
Skye pressed her lips into a tight line before continuing. “Okay. I understand. I don’t like it, but I understand.” A flash of anger came into her eyes, one he knew all too well from his own experience. “If something happens to you I’ll see to it Smith goes down.”
“You call Dylan. You follow his lead and do as he says.” Finn put as much force into his voice as he dared. “I’m counting on you to do the right thing. Promise me you won’t go after Smith on your own, no matter what.” He cupped her cheek. “If you care for me, please promise.”
She paused for a second then nodded.
…
A few hours later, Finn checked his image in the rearview mirror again, hoping he looked like a man strapped for cash.
He’d returned to the Broken Spoke, the bar where he’d placed the trackers on the gang members. It was after midnight, and the parking lot was full of motorcycles.
Time to set the trap and see who would bite.
He rubbed the day-old stubble on his chin. The identification Trey had manufactured for him was good and would hold up under scrutiny. If the bikers checked him out, they’d find a man with a few run-ins with the law and a dishonorable discharge from the army, making him prime recruitment material.
He just needed to prove he was a guy who would do anything for money.
Finn studied himself in the rearview mirror. The dark circles under his eyes and the strained look on his face weren’t just for show. This was where it could go wrong really fast, a slip of the tongue or an angry biker taking his frustration out on the nearest target.
He hadn’t been joking when he told Skye to bolt for the nightclub if he disappeared for twenty-four hours. If his cover was blown, she’d become a target, and he didn’t want to think about that. It was hard enough to detach himself emotionally from the job.
He pushed Finn Storm into a box.
Finn Trotter didn’t have a woman in his life.
He rolled the name around in his mouth, sliding into the role he needed to break the Wolf’s Teeth.
Finn Trotter was an asshole.
Well, at least he’d been typecast in that role.