Page 41 of Johnny Gun

“No, you don’t.” Barron waved. “Listen, I was assured the place would have enough supplies to get you started. Check everything. Make sure you have what you need. If not, call them, all right? Don’t forget to check in with me when you get there. I want to know you’re both safe. Besides, I’m sure I’ll have an update for you. The news of your escape will have exploded by then.”

“Will do.” Johnny turned to Isolde. “Come on. You’ll need a boost up.” He helped Isolde to her seat, then climbed behind the wheel. He waved at Barron again, pulled out of the station, and merged once more onto I-75 south.

“Second phase of the trip, baby.” He smiled. “Next stop, White Springs, Florida.”

“I don’t want to sound silly, but this is exciting.”

Johnny sighed. “It is…sort of.”

He didn’t want to kill her high spirits, so he kept his thoughts to himself. The truth was, this could go either way, and the outcome was out of his hands. Most of it depended on what happened in Dalton. At least he’d accomplished what he’d set out to do: move Isolde out of the line of fire. Hopefully, when Deacon learned about the traitor in their midst, he would realize why taking her out in secret was the only way.

CHAPTER NINE

Gomez rode as if the devil nipped at his heels. He sped down the path to the clubhouse, ignoring bouncing pebbles, acorns, and small branches hitting his legs and bike.

The night before, he’d drunk more than his usual six-pack of beers, and when the morning light filtered through his windows, he’d woken up with a start. Bolting out of bed, he’d called out to his houseguest. Pilot hadn’t answered. The fucking bastard had left for the clubhouse without waking him up.

As he dressed in a hurry, an uncomfortable feeling, a strange foreboding, nagged him until he was on the road. But the ugly sensation didn’t go away once he parked. Actually, something about the number of bikes lined up next to each other hit him the wrong way. Only, he couldn’t put his finger on it.

He opened the front door and walked into a storm. Deacon and Axel yelled and insulted each other so loudly, he couldn’t make out the words. As he glanced around the communal room, he located Sydney and Opal. Clinging to each other’s hands andlooking terribly distressed, both women cowered in a corner.Odd.They rarely came to the MC part of the clubhouse.

The men were scattered around. Some listened to the argument, standing around the bar. A couple sat on sofas, while others stood with arms folded, frozen expressions on their faces.

And the fight raged on.

“That motherfucker! I opened my house to him.” Deacon leaned dangerously close to Axel’s face. “You can’t control your fucking men.”

Axel shoved him back. “Get the fuck out of my face, asshole.”

Gomez glanced to his right. Trent, a wicked smile on his face, sidled along the wall in his direction. The ominous feeling started to register. It was tied to the argument.

Johnny Gun?

Isolde?

Where are they?

“They’re not here,” Trent said.

He gawked at his friend. “What the fuck. Can you read my mind?”

“It’s your expression, dude.” Trent snickered. “You show what you’re thinking.”

“Are you gonna tell me or fuck with my head?”

Trent spoke under his breath. “Johnny and Isolde took off in the wee hours. No one heard them. When she didn’t come out to help with breakfast, Opal went to her room and found a note she’d left. Deacon is going out of his mind.”

“I’m not Johnny Gun’s handler,” Axel growled at everyone in the room. “He’s an adult and does whatever the fuck he wants. Ain’t my fault Isolde went willingly with him.”

“Fuck you!” Deacon thundered.

“It’s the truth,” Axel shouted back. “Did anyone hear her call out for help? I didn’t, and I’m a light sleeper. She left because she wanted to go. I’ve had enough. I’m calling Blade.”

“Go ahead, call him. He can’t fix this,” Deacon said.

“There’s nothing to fix, asshole. He’s my prez and has to know why I’m getting the fuck out of here and taking my guys.” Axel tapped the number to engage the speaker. The ring could be heard throughout the room.

“Axel, what’s up?” Blade’s deep voice rumbled.

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