can I use my phone? I need to make some calls,” she asks.
“Calls can be traced.”
“I know, that’s why I have a burner. I need to call people, or they will issue a missing person’s report and my face will be plastered all over the country. I don’t need that right now. I also need to call Derek so I can rip him a new asshole and find out what the fuck he was playing at.”
“Fine, but I have to warn you, at least one of us will be here while you make those calls. I want to know who this Derek guy is.” I fold my arms over my chest and watch as her expressive eyes turn icy.
“So, I’m expected to trust you not hurt me, trust you to watch over my brothers, and trust you to keep your word, but you don’t plan on offering any trust in return. Right, got it.” She whirls around and storms over toward Bates. I shrug. She doesn’t have to like it. There is more at stake here than just her. I have a whole club to look out for.
“Bates, take her down to get her stuff and get her something to eat. I’m going to call the LA chapter and see if they’ve heard anything. When I’ve listened to your full story later, Reign, I’ll let everyone know when and where we need them. Is all your family in LA?” I need to know if there is anyone else who might be targeted to draw her out.
“My dad, Owen, and Travis work at the same precinct as Garrett—he’s the cop I have an issue with. Tate is in LA too, but in a different district, and Kayden and Alex are stationed in Florida.”
“Okay, leave it with me. I’ll get the brothers to do some digging.”
She nods before letting Bates lead her out the door and down the stairs.
“I hope you know what you’re doing,” Saint says with a sigh.
“Me too, Saint, but don’t tell me you don’t feel it. Whatever this is between us, it crackles. When any of us touch, it’s so charged, I half expect to see sparks of fire licking my skin. I should have spoken to you both first. I reacted on instinct and the words were out of my mouth before I even thought about it. Once they were said—”
“You didn’t want to take them back,” he finishes. “I get it. Like I said, she’s the first woman my dick has been interested in since I got home, but have you thought about what this is going to be like for her?”
“She’s from a family of cops. We deal in guns and protection for hire. It’s two very different worlds she’s going to be torn between, and we’re not giving her time to adjust. I want her, no lie, I’m not mad about you making her our old lady, but I don’t want her to end up hating us in the process.” Saint snaps, running his fingers through his hair in frustration.
“She won’t hate us. Jesus, she has no idea how many women would trade places with her, given a chance.”
“That might be true, but it brings up something else you didn’t think of. She just became top dog over all the females here, and she doesn’t even know it. There are going to be some who will try to knock her down a peg or two, and she’s going into this blind with no idea what’s in store for her. If she’s expecting everyone to welcome her with open arms, she’ll be in for a shock. It doesn’t matter if she’s here by choice or because her hand was forced, they’ll still test her. Nobody will accept her as their queen if she doesn’t prove herself worthy,” he points out, running a hand over his hair.
“Don’t underestimate her, Saint. There is something in her eyes that tells me she can handle anything we might throw at her,” I warn him.
“I hope you’re right, Priest, I really do.”
Chapter Sixteen
Reign
I walk beside Bates with my hand clamped tightly in his, letting him lead me through the throngs of people littering the main room. Bates nods to people who call out to him, but he doesn’t stop to strike up a conversation, thankfully.
Pushing open the main doors, we step outside as the early evening sun casts a pink hue over the parking area and the compound. He walks me quietly toward the gate as arguing breaks out to