Page 31 of Johnny Gun

So much for escaping detection.

Isolde turned. Sydney’s steady gaze probed hers.

She found no judgment there. Nevertheless, she sighed, preparing to sidestep the comment.

Sydney cut her off. “Think before you lie to me. I don’t deserve it.”

“You don’t,” Isolde agreed. “But you have to tell me exactly what you mean.”

“Are you allowed to speak?”

“Don’t play with me, Sydney. Either you tell me what you know, or this conversation is over.”

“I don’t recognize you, Isolde. You’re never this abrupt or determined about anything.”

Isolde huffed. “You’re still holding back. We’re getting nowhere. Gomez and Trent are on their way.”

Sydney gave her a soft smile and clasped her shoulders. “Viper and I spoke earlier, sweetie. He explained the need to sneak you out of the clubhouse before a possible Wolves attack. I told him he was crazy, and we argued until he told me about the mystery informant. I got really scared for your safety. We can’t protect you if we have a traitor in our midst.”

Gently, Sydney pulled her into her arms. “You’re like a daughter to me, and I want the best in life for you. Johnny’s guarded and private, but I know he’ll do whatever is necessary to protect you. Put your trust in the man you love. Go with him. You have my blessing.”

“Thank you.” She pulled back. “Your blessing means a lot to me. I am scared, though. This feels so dangerous.”

Sydney touched her cheek. “It is dangerous. But take heart. Johnny’s not a boy, and he knows what he’s doing. Do whatever he tells you. If you need a vehicle to get away in, you can have my SUV. I’m here for you both.”

“No, he wouldn’t leave you without wheels.”

“Who’s taking your wheels?”

Gomez’s voice froze Isolde. Sydney snapped her head up. “What?” she asked.

“I don’t know. Something about leaving you without wheels.” Gomez dragged Trent into the kitchen, then pushed him toward a chair. “Here he is. Like I promised.”

“Great. How do you want your eggs?” Sydney asked.

“But what about your SUV?” Gomez insisted.

“Huh?” Sydney leaned a fist on her hip. “Are you going to tell me how you want your eggs or not? Stopwaffling.”

“Waffling? Who’s waffling?” Gomez asked, wide-eyed. “I’m confused.”

Trent laughed. “For fuck’s sake, tell her how you want your eggs.”

Hiding a smile, Isolde turned her back to the silly exchange. For now, Sydney had effectively twisted Gomez’s attention away from her and Johnny. That wouldn’t last long.

CHAPTER SEVEN

By early afternoon, the process of installing state-of-the-art motion sensors—courtesy of Shifter—all along the property’s path was well underway.

As Johnny Gun moved on with his work, he gave the landscape a thorough assessment. The clubhouse’s location was appealing and strategic. Anyone who didn’t know the clubhouse existed would drive past it. The surrounding thickets of pine trees hid the house from view and buffered traffic sounds from the city road. The private blue-green lagoon added a charming air to the property.

His new appreciation of the place might have been good, but in a bizarre twist of behavior, Gomez surprised him with sporadic visits, questions about the sensors’ reliability, the best way and height to secure them, and who’d be in charge of monitoring their operation.

For someone who liked working alone, Johnny handled the initial flurry of questions with patience. But the guy wouldn’t give him a moment’s peace. He was about to tell Gomez to leave himthe fuck alone, when Viper sent the biker to the hardware store to buy more supplies.

The vice president’s timing was perfect. With his precious privacy restored, Johnny focused back on his job. As he tightened the set of thin wires around the next evergreen in line, he allowed himself a mental break from his pressing troubles. Inhaling a deep breath, he took in the crisp afternoon breeze, heavy with the refreshing scent of pine. Winter was coming to northern Georgia, but down south where he lived, summerlike heat would hang on to the last possible minute.

His thoughts shifted to Isolde. She’d grown up here. Would she adapt to the weather in the south? If she couldn’t, would he move north for her? Her happiness was everything to him, but so was her safety. Getting out of Dalton without a trace should be the first and only concern on his mind. They could decide where to live later.

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