Merlin just stares at her.
The conversation I had with Heidi about reining in my overprotective side and teaching the girls to trust their gut tickles at the back of my mind.
“Awful big risk, lying like that,” Rock says.
“It saved me from a beating.” Remorse fills her dark eyes. “I’m sorry, though. I didn’t know they were going to get so crazy over it. Goober and I were planning to run away.” Her bottom lip quivers. “But they found out and…”
“What’d they do to him?” I ask.
“I don’t know,” she whispers. “They said they had something special to show him. I never saw him again after that.”
Rock glances at me. His eyes seem to be saying what I’m thinking. Goober’s dead somewhere on that property. The doll we found hanging had probably been a stunt to fuck with the guy before they killed him.
Her gaze lands on Carter. “I’m so sorry. Merlin did everything they asked. I never, ever thought they’d attack a civilian.”
Merlin stares at the closed door, probably wishing he could escape. “That’s, uh, not the only reason they went after Carter. Your Dad figured out that I skimmed some money.” He shrugs. “Your lie about me being the father of your kid mighta actually saved my life.”
Guess all the secrets end here in this chamber of death.
Sometimes the truth is only a few lies away.
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Teller
We step outside and the cool night air washes over me. Standing in the dark, quiet parking lot of the funeral home, I’m overwhelmed with the need to unlace my boots and touch my toes to the grass.
Later. When I’m home.
I feel nothing for the men we killed tonight. They brought it upon themselves. If they’d left Carter alone and stayed away from my club’s territory, they’d still be living their lives.
Every action has a reaction. A consequence.
They broke the simple outlaw code and paid the price.
I tip my head back. The bright stars pinpoint the inky black night sky. Not far from here, Charlotte can see the same stars.
I can’t wait to get home to her.
I’m thankful I will be going home to her.
Tonight’s events could’ve gone differently.
I glance over my shoulder at the funeral home and mentally examine each step of the night. We took plenty of precautions. I flex my fingers, my leather gloves irritating my skin. I’ll toss them in the fire with the last body. No fingerprints should’ve been left behind. Since we’re the closest MC to South of Satan’s territory, if someone complains about their disappearance, eventually law enforcement might ask us questions. But I doubt anyone will care enough to bother.
A heavy hand lands on my shoulder. I don’t have to glance over to know it’s Rock but I do. He tilts his head back and inhales a deep, cleansing breath. “You can head home, if you want.” He side-eyes me. “You need to take care of that hole in your side.”
“I’m still standing. I’ll be fine. This was my mission. I’ll see it through.”
He nods once. “Few more hours and they’ll be nothing but ash.”
“And we’ll scatter them in the dirt where they belong,” I agree.
Charlotte
A loud, vibrating buzz pulls me awake.
I unglue my cheek from the sticky couch cushion.
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
Where’s that coming from?
Pocket.
I reach for my phone and stare at the screen.
Ol’ Man
Thank God. “Marcel! Are you okay?” I answer.
“I am now,” he rasps. “Hearing your voice cured what’s ailing me.”
Love for him squeezes the air from my lungs. I’m almost scared to ask my next question. “Did you find Carter? Is he okay?”
“He’s surprisingly cheery, considering the night we’ve had.”
I burst into laughter and tears at the same time.
“Talk to your sister. She’s worried about your ass.” Marcel’s voice moves farther away. There’s a strange roar in the background. My heart lurches. Carter’s okay.
“Char?” Carter says. “It’s me. I’m alive.”
“Carter! Oh my God,” I sob. “Are you all right?”
“Uh, I’ve been better.”
Marcel grumbles something in the background.
“I’m okay, Charlotte,” he says with more confidence. “Wrath gave me a road name.”
“What?” Laughter cuts through my tears. Who worries about road names during a rescue mission?
“Yup. Scribbles. I like it.”
“I like it too,” I whisper. It’s perfect, actually. “When are you coming home?” I need to see him and make sure he’s really okay.
“Uh, you know your ol’ man’s not fond of me asking questions.” He lowers his voice. “And, uh, Rock’s MC president face is much more terrifying than his boss face.”
I’d seen a small glimmer of that side of Rock when we were in Mississippi. “Well, keep that to yourself.”
“Believe me, I will.” He’s quiet for a second. “Uncle Chuck actually came too.”
“He did.” I strain to hear what’s going on in the background. “Is my ginger twinny okay?”
Carter chuckles. “Yeah, he’s on the phone with Heidi, I think. Oh, your man wants you again.”
“Charlotte?” Marcel’s low rumble comes over the line.
“Do you need me to come help with anything?”
“No, we’ll be a little longer. Where you at?”
“Uh.” I blink and take in my surroundings. All my laughing and sobbing seems to have woken Bianca and Swan. They both stare at me with wide, expectant eyes. I nod quickly to indicate Carter’s okay. “Clubhouse downstairs,” I answer. “Swan and Stash brought Bianca up and we crashed in the living room.”
“Good. Stay there.”
“I will,” I promise.
ROCK
“Good news.” Z tucks his phone in his pocket and joins us. “Doc said he’ll come up and treat our injured soldiers.” He slaps Teller on the shoulder. “Bad news, he’s going to charge us triple.”
I stare Z down. I’ve known him for far too long. There’s something else he’s not telling us.
“Really bad news.” Z takes a careful step away. “Carla’s coming with him.”
“Jesus Christ. This night keeps getting better and better.” I stab my fingers through my hair.
Teller snorts. “Who gives a shit? Getting her out of your life was the best thing that ever happened to you.”
“While that’s true,” I answer, “I don’t want her bothering Hope.”
Murphy steps up. “I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen.”
“See,” Teller jerks his thumb at Murphy. “Hope’s ginger-headed personal superhero won’t let anything ruffle Mom’s feathers.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. It’s too late for this. “A lot of punchable words in that sentence.”