Page 45 of Brood

Chapter Thirty-Seven

“They are on their way here,” Roman tells the table. “Our sources spotted them. A days ride away.” I knew it was coming the moment he said Rico called. “The Siberians will be here in less than an hour. Rock has already sent as many men as he can part with. They need to watch their backs too.”

“All right then. It’s going down. Get the cage moved and set up some cots. Bring in all the weapons we have.” I sigh and look over the table. It’s been twenty-four hours since I put the clubhouse on lockdown and having our families here doesn’t sit right with me. I need to move them, make sure they are really safe in case things don’t go in our favor. “Get the families out of here. None of them will be caught in the crossfire. One of the safe houses, send Ink and Heard with them. Show?” My enforcer raises his head. “I want you with my family. I won’t be able to focus if I don’t know they are taken care of.”

“Mine too.” Sage comes in, glancing down the table at me then across at Show.

“It’s an honor brothers.” He takes his orders in stride. I know full well the brother wants to be here in the action. Roman might be my best friend and my VP, but Show? He is the right man for this job. I will be less on edge if I know Show is watching over my family.

I know shipping Jordyn away isn’t going to go over well so after church is adjourned I go right up to my room where I left her. I make her come at least a dozen times. Now she is lying limp in my arms, both of us sprawled in a mess of tangled limbs on the messy bed. I decide to tell her what is happening. “I’m not taking any chances.” At my words, she slowly rises up on her elbow. “We have already called in our allies, they will be here by nightfall.”

“It’s happening.” She looks almost scared as she scoots away. “Brood, I can’t let you do this.”

“Too late. The club is behind you. Butch might be coming, but he won’t get anywhere near you. I’m sending the women and children to a safe house. You are going with.”

“But—”

“Not even going to argue about it. So don’t try. You are going. I need you to watch over Kasin for me. You two have a bond, and he’ll be calmer with you there.” I know she wants to argue more but playing the Kasin card works. I’m not proud of it, though I don’t feel bad for using it either. The two most important people in my life will be somewhere safe when the bullets start to fly, and that is all that matters.

* * *

I don’t wait until darkness falls to get everyone rounded up and on the trail to the safe house. I chose the one closest to the Canadian border. Fifty miles of gravel roads will sit between them and us. Enough to put me somewhat at ease. I wish I could say the same for Jordyn. “I wish you would let me stay. I could—”

“I know what you would do, baby, and I won’t let you do it. I made a promise, and I’m not going to break it. Now kiss me and get in the truck.” I give her a reassuring smile as I bend down to capture her lips with mine. Getting lost in the kiss, I pull her in close and wrap my arms around her. She is bundled up in one of my sweatshirts and a pair of those tight fitting jeans Buggs left behind in her parents’ house. I make a mental note to take my woman into town so she can get some clothes that she can actually call her own. Until then, I just need to kill a few assholes.

“Are we going to sit here all day?” I know that unamused voice is from Cammy, who, even though we are no longer together, still must be salty toward the fact Jordyn and I have become something that the two of us never were.

“Behave yourself, Cammy. You could very well sit your ass at home,” I warn when I pull away from Jordyn who shoots a glance over to where Cammy stands, arms crossed and obviously annoyed.

“Let’s get going, ladies.” Show comes from the clubhouse, black bag slung over his shoulder, his long-range rifle in the other. The kids are already buckled in their seats, having said goodbye to their fathers while their mothers reluctantly climb in after them. Some of them might not see each other again and it weighs heavily on my shoulders that this is the path we have been forced down, but my brothers are here of their own free will. Knowing full well that if it was their families on the line, they would have us in their corners. No questions asked.

“Get in.” I know she is going to protest again, so I cover her lips one more time, lifting her up into the truck after I do. I don’t let her say anything more before slamming the door shut. She tries to open it again, but thank fuck for child locks, she isn’t able to, and Show is already moving out of the parking lot. I stand there and watch the truck leave, carrying my family with them as they go.

I take a few more seconds to compose myself, then I suck in a deep breath.

“Let’s get ready.”

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