Page 35 of Johnny Gun

“Thanks again.” Johnny folded the paper into his front pocket. “I’ll go back to the clubhouse, check out the locations on my phone, and make a decision.”

“Don’t take long. You don’t have much time.”

“I hear you.”

Viper rose to his feet and shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “Remember this, Rover’s chomping at the bit to attack. Once his meeting with Josh is over, he’ll be on us.”

“And we’ll be long gone.”

When Johnny returned, dusk had already darkened the gravel path to the clubhouse to a blur, and the outside work had ceased. He turned on the bike’s headlamp, wondering how long it would be before the perimeter lights would turn night into day. This first security circle was set up to work at the slightest movement. Any meandering creature could trigger it. Yet he was halfway down the path, and not a single light had turned on.

Could he be that lucky? He could use a break. If the system had a glitch somewhere, he wouldn’t have to sneak around later to disconnect it. Darkness was essential for a successful escape with Isolde.

As he entered the communal front room, he understood the absence of lights. It wasn’t armed yet. Axel and Deacon had converted the bar shelf into a makeshift instruction area. Axel explained step by step how it worked, while Deacon listened and asked questions. As they stared at the laptop screen with confused expressions, their vexed voices carried outward.

Meanwhile, his guys and the Dalton crew, lounging on the sofa, watched a football game without a care in the world. Not a single guy showed a bit of interest in learning how to arm and disarm the sensor system or learn how to monitor a hostile invasion.

Perfect. The stage was set. Time to make a bullshit scene.

Shaking his head, he blocked the TV screen.

“You’re in the way.” Ghost, the road captain, waved at him.

“What a bunch of lazy fucks,” he growled. “Do all of you know how to operate the system? What’re you going to do if Deacon or Axel fall?”

“We’ll have you,” Gomez drawled. “I’m told you’re one of the specialists.”

“I could be hurt. What then?”

“Made your point, dude.” Ghost left the sofa. Jax and Major went with him.

Johnny locked gazes with Gomez. “When the shit flies, you’re on your own. Got me?”

Gomez lifted his beer by way of response. He wasn’t moving from his spot.

This brought Johnny’s concerned act to a close. He’d tried to involve Gomez, but pushing the guy too hard could backfire. Gomez suspected him every step of the way and might question Johnny’s motives.

Changing tactics, he strode into the hallway, hoping to run into Isolde, but found Sydney instead.

He nodded. “Evening, Sydney.”

She didn’t speak, but as he passed her, she gripped his arm and moved close to him. “Isolde is ready and waiting for a time,” she whispered.

Johnny stiffened.

Fuck. Sydney’s in on this? Not good.

Pressing his lips into a line, he breathed through his nose to calm his irritation, then cocked his head to speak. He wouldn’t confirm or deny.

“Nice to see you. What time is dinner?”

Sydney blinked. “Um…seven?”

“I appreciate what you do.” Johnny tapped his forehead, then kept on moving toward his bedroom. He walked in, put the phone on speaker, and called Barron while he gathered the few items of clothing he’d brought up. His friend answered right away.

“Hey.”

“I got the list. Now what?”

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