Page 70 of Johnny Gun

“I’d stop to get you clothes, but it’s very early. Nothing opens before nine, and we can’t delay. It’s important that we arrive in Garden City as soon as we can. I don’t want to alarm you, but we could have people chasing us. As far as the bathroom isconcerned, use it dressed as you are. We’re in emergency mode, and adjustments have to be made. All right?”

“All right. Can I sit with you?”

“When we stop, you can switch seats.”

“Cool.”

He gave a soft chuckle when she calmly sat back. Not everyone would wake up out of a dead sleep and take all this information without freaking out. Then again, Isolde was unique. He’d known that since day one. Holding the steering wheel tighter, he sighed. The arrival at Garden City with everyone there promised to be interesting.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

The early morning sun was barely casting a pinkish hue on the sky when Johnny hit the remote control on the truck’s visor, and the gate to the Devils’ Spawn parking area opened to allow him in. The drive northeast had taken him a little over two hours, with only a single stop to allow Isolde a bathroom break. She’d received a few startled reactions when she entered the service station in her pjs, but she’d ignored everyone. Holding up her head and straightening her shoulders with a perfect queenlike attitude, she strode to the restroom. Her body language was clear: there’s nothing to see here.

Once parked, Johnny killed the engine and turned to face Isolde. “We have a committee waiting for us.” He tilted his head in the direction of the porch. “Are you ready for this?”

“Yup. I saw them when you pulled in.”

Johnny sighed, resigned to the situation. On the phone, Barron had given him some of the highlights, but had withheld the full story until they arrived. The most salient detail for him was Gomez’s condition. After finding him severely wounded, Trent had raised the alarm. They were taking care of him in aSavannah level-one trauma center, and he was holding on to life by a thread.

“I’ll help you down. Might as well face the music,” he said.

She grasped his hand. Her features had darkened. “Daddy, nothing is changing between us. My father’s here and he might as well accept the reality. I’m with you, unless…”

Johnny scrunched his lips together. He could guess what she was about to say. “Unless?”

“You don’t?—”

“Finish that thought, and get your butt ready for a major spanking.”

Isolde’s expression didn’t waver. “This is no game. I had to say this. We’re emerging from an unusual situation. We’ve lived in a hideout, separate from everyone. Now we’re reentering life. Your feelings could’ve?—”

With any other man, she might have a point. Not with him. He grasped her fingers. “I’ll say it again: finish that thought, and you won’t escape a huge spanking. I love you more than my own life. You’re my baby, and no one’s taking you from me. Once and for all, it’s you above anyone else. Is that settled in your mind?”

She gave him a sunny smile and nodded. “Absolutely.”

“Okay, then. I’ll help you down. We do this together.”

“This is going to be interesting.” She scoffed, as he brought her down. “I see Trent in the welcoming committee. Who’s the woman?”

“Cel, Blade’s wife. She’s super nice, and a Little too. I have a feeling she’s here to help you get settled.”

“Moral support from another woman just rocks,” she murmured.

Hand in hand, they walked through the clubhouse’s front yard, and Deacon ran out to them. “Isolde, baby. I’m so happy to see you.” He enfolded his daughter in a bear hug. “I’ve been so worried.”

Johnny watched in silence. Isolde returned her father’s embrace, but he sensed a peculiar distance in her. It was a slight thing, an almost imperceptible difference in behavior. Deacon’s child was no more. Though she still loved her father, the allegiance in her heart was for another man. Johnny occupied the space, with the exception of tiny openings for other people, such as Deacon, Sydney, and Opal.

Tightening the sheet around herself, she moved back a step. “I was always safe, Dad. Johnny protected me.”

Deacon gave Johnny a murderous glare. “Bastard took you.”

Johnny held his ground.

“No.” Isolde tugged her father’s arm. “He didn’t take me.”

Seeming confused, Deacon turned to his daughter. “But?—”

“I went with him. I wanted to. He explained his concerns, told me about the snitch, and I agreed with his plan.”

---