Heartless (Steel Demons MC #6) - Crystal Ash Page 0,11

nervous glances.

“While I certainly understand your feelings, Reaper, Four Corners is a territory of refuge. Our army is built on principles of protection, of defense first and foremost. I’m hesitant to send soldiers to almost-certain deaths when the vast majority of them came here to ensure safety for their families.”

“We want the exact same thing, sir.” Gunner clasped his hands in front of him. “I wasn’t kidding about the stay-at-home dad thing. I want to live in a world where my wife can do work she loves and I spend my retirement doting on my kids. But none of that is possible if we just sit and wait while Tash and Blake wreak destruction all around us. We have to fight, bleed, and sacrifice for that peaceful life.”

“General Bray would agree with you,” Vance sighed. “He can tell you himself when he gets here how frustrated he is at my inaction. The army is sharp and well-trained under him, he’s just waiting for my command. I know I’ve had a privileged life compared to you men, but I don’t take the responsibility of my citizens’ lives lightly. If Bray says we must go to war and you do as well, I am prepared to make that call, but only if there’s no other way.”

“Is he supposed to get here soon?” Gunner tilted his face up, making note of the sun directly overhead as it peaked through the clouds. “Mari wanted me to pick her up for lunch soon.”

“Yes, yes. Anytime now.” Josh looked at his watch.

“He has some new recruits he might be spending some extra time with,” Vance mused. “A father figure to all the runaways, that one. He demands a lot from his soldiers, but has a soft heart underneath.”

“Shit.” Gunner rocked back on his heels, looking around in all directions. “She wanted me to come get her, but I don’t wanna miss this meeting.”

“Shadow,” I angled my head toward the large, silent man. “Why don’t you pick her up?”

“Me?” His eyes widened. “But if she asked for Gunner—”

“Yeah, go, man.” Gunner slapped his arm. “You’re her shiny new toy.”

Shadow looked between us both as if wondering if this was a test, or a trick. “Are you sure?”

“Positive.” Gunner gave him a playful shove. “She didn’t want to hurt my feelings, but it was really you she wanted anyway. Go.”

“Unless you’re just dying to listen in on military strategy,” I chuckled, pulling out a cigarette.

“Ah, okay. I’ll...I’ll pick her up from the hospital.”

“Don’t look so excited,” Gunner ribbed. “Get goin’. We’ll fill you in on who to assassinate later.”

Without another word Shadow turned, walking quickly across the small bridge. I daresay the guy had a spring in his step. The anxiety in my stomach eased just a little. Gunner was a great shot and more than capable of protecting Mari, but Shadow would make a swift kill before the enemy even knew he was there. Our woman was in good hands with him.

“He’s, uh,” Josh cleared his throat politely. “A bit of an odd one, isn’t he?”

“You get used to it,” I said, lighting up and taking a deep drag. “He’s had it rough but he’s good, loyal. And the most efficient killer the Steel Demons has ever had.”

“Ah. Good, good.” Josh smiled politely but paled a little, swiftly looking away. “Oh, there’s General Bray now,” he said, sounding relieved.

Gunner and I turned in the direction he looked, spotting the man decked out in a camouflage uniform marching toward us. I squinted through my smoke, feeling an eerie sense of familiarity in the general’s posture and the way he walked.

I’ve seen this man before, I realized. More than that. I knew this man, but from where?

“Gun.” I leaned toward him, lowering my voice. “Does he look familiar to you?”

He gave a slight shake of his head. “No, Reap. Can’t say he does.”

“I know him,” I growled under my breath. “But fuck if I can remember how.”

“Do I need to draw?” His hand was already drifting toward one of his guns.

“Not yet.” The general’s face was shaded under the brim of his hat, but the width of his shoulders, the mouth set in a firm line--they were all features that poked at long-buried memories.

“General.” Vance outstretched his hand. “So good of you to join us. This is Reaper, president of the Steel Demons MC, and his captain of the guard, Gunner.”

“It’s a pleasure, gentleme—”

General Bray turned to me, his hand outstretched in greeting and his face now clear to