Defining Darkness - K E Osborn Page 0,67

six.

We were out in the open.

For far longer than I planned.

Time’s crept away from me. It’s on me if something happens because of this.

Tension rolls through me as the black SUV keeps its tail on us. As we reach the Courtney Campbell Causeway, he continues to follow. After this stretch, if he doesn’t take off in a different direction, an uneasy churning in the pit of my stomach tells me something may be wrong. I hammer down but not so fast I alert Eva that something’s up.

I continue my course home, but I will change our route if this car follows too closely. I head down S 20th Street, and he continues to follow. This is a little too fucking coincidental now. There’s no way he’s come all the way from Clearwater Beach to this exact spot. He’s a definite tail. I take a right on Maritime Boulevard, but he drives right past me continuing on S 22nd Street. Pulling over on the side of the road, I peer over my shoulder to see where the car is heading as Eva follows my line of sight, but it’s too late. The car is gone. My stomach knots, my muscles tensing all over as a sweat beads my brow.

“What’s going on?” Eva asks.

“Nothing, thought I saw something. We’re good,” I lie as I take off back toward the clubhouse at lightning speed.

Ominous pulls open the gate while tapping on his wristwatch. I flip him the bird as I ride us in, then park my bike. Void rushes up the ramp throwing his hands in the air like a damn madman. Eva jumps off the back, and I turn off the engine.

“What the fuck, Nycto? I was about to send out a search party!”

Eva places her helmet on the rack on the fence, then I lean in pecking her cheek. “Chiquita, go spend some time with Ivy. Got some club business I need to attend to.”

“Okay, thanks. I needed that. Talk to you later.”

I wink at her as she saunters off down the ramp heading inside.

Void stares at me like I’ve lost my damn mind. “So what… you took her somewhere and fucked her for a couple of hours?”

I groan. “No… took her to Clearwater—”

“What? Why the fuck would you take her there? Nearly an hour away from the clubhouse. That’s too fucking far if you needed us.”

I roll my shoulders. “She needed something. To relax.”

“Then take her to the back of the compound and fuck her. Don’t put us all in damn danger.”

“You done?”

He groans, waving his hand through the air. “Fucking yeah.”

“Good ‘cause while you’re busy flapping around like a bitch, I think we have an issue.”

Void pinches the bridge of his nose like he’s been waiting for shit to hit the fan and not in a good way. “Fucking hell… here we go.”

“I’m sure Eva was made.”

He turns, starting to pace. “The fuck were you thinking takin’ her out?”

“Trust me, I know what shit we’re in. If it were one of Andrés’ men…” I trail off because I know the consequences.

“Jesus, Nycto. Why weren’t you careful?”

“Eva took off her helmet before I had a second to stop it. I figured once it was off, the damage was done. If we were being tailed, they would have seen her, so she may as well enjoy the beach.”

“Well, your fucked-up move might cost us all our lives, including Eva.”

He’s right.

I have to get ahead of whatever might be coming. If one of Andrés’ men were in that car, I need help, and I need it now. but for the first time, I don’t think we can count on Miami. Hatch was crystal clear when he said his chapter would help with the cash, but that’s all. It’s time I finally do the right thing. My club is in danger because of my actions with Eva and Ivy, now they could be in danger by being here.

I can’t risk Eva being hurt.

“I need to make a call,” I tell Void.

“Need me with you?”

“Nah, brother, this is something I need to face up to on my own.” Storming past him, I make my way inside the clubhouse, through to the chapel. Closing the door behind me, I yank out my cell as I sit at the head of the table dropping down onto my seat. Placing the cell on the table, I stare at it for a solid minute before dialing the number I need.

The call I’ve been dreading.

Hating it’s come to this,