Page 38 of Submission

“Is he being protected?”

“He is now.”

My eyes darken. “Contact the presidents of both gangs and arrange a meeting tomorrow night. Maybe I’ve been too lax.”

“This is all just a little too convenient.” Christian stretches his legs, looking thoughtfully at his laptop. “There’s definitely somebody behind the scenes who’s pulling the strings. Just a few days ago, one of my contacts told me that there’s been some unusual activity between those two gangs.”

“Like what?”

“Both gang leaders have been meeting someone for the past couple of weeks. The meetings are held in private, and she’s been trying to find out who it is, but now that three of our allies are dead, she’s keeping a low profile for now.”

“She?”

“She’s the old lady of the sergeant-in-arms of Blood Nation.”

“And you trust her?”

“As much as I trust anyone who’s a part of a biker gang. Remember, I’m a lawyer.”

“Did she see anything else?”

“She keeps hearing a name that is being tossed around in the club. She said they call him the Executioner.”

I digest this new information and lean back in my seat. “We’ve heard that name before, and it’s coming up far too often for my liking. Keep looking into it.”

“Both Vaughn and I are on it, but if Jonathan is this Executioner person, I still don’t understand why he sent a shooter to your penthouse. The attack was unsuccessful.”

“He was sending a message,” I say plainly. “The assassination attempt was well planned out, but I don’t think he wanted or expected it to work. He just wanted me to know that he could get to me, especially in the place where I feel safest: my home. Whoever this is, I’ve underestimated him, but I’m not going to do it again.”

“Coward,” Christian hisses.

“His approach is quite smart, actually.” My smile is cold. “He’s trying to garner support and allies by overriding my previous alliances.”

“Alliances?” Christian echoes. “I’d hardly call the relationship you have with those gang bangersalliances.”

I tap my fingers on the desk and consider the last few months of my life. I’ve been lax. I’ve been distracted. I’ve been worried about protecting one woman when the whole underworld network I’ve built is falling apart around me.

“Point taken, but that’s why I think it’s time to remind these people why I’m at the top of the food chain.”

“Now that’s what I’m talking about.” Christian grins with approval. “I look forward to refreshing some memories out there.”

I smile in return, but instead of sharing Christian’s enthusiasm, Megan’s beautiful face pops into my head, and for the first time in my life, I feel the impulse to hesitate.

I’m not out here playing a kid’s game. This is a dangerous and deadly world. And I have to wonder… is all of this really worth the chance that I could loseher?

Chapter 13

What A Dick

Hunter

The next morning, I wake up to a full house. Lars is waiting for me in the kitchen as usual, watching the morning news, and Vaughn is still here, half asleep on the couch. I don’t know why the man just doesn’t sleep in my spare bedroom. It’s not until I walk by the bedroom on my way to my home office that I understand why. Christian is here, snoring under the blankets like a newborn baby.

“Why can’t they just get hotel rooms?” I mutter under my breath. I even tried changing the locks, and they still manage to find a way inside.

Homeless bastards.

Preparing a cup of coffee, I take a seat at my kitchen island and give Lars a look.

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