Page 31 of Declan's Dove

“They have more off the books, black ops details. They’re similar, but not the same as Garrison. Of that, I’m certain.”

Hawk eyes me suspiciously. “All team members are former military special forces from various branches. The owner?—”

“Kayce Eaton,” I supply, cutting him off again.

“You know him?”

“We served on a few missions together. I saved his ass once.” I don’t give details, and Hawk doesn’t ask. He knows my time in the military isn’t something I like to talk about. My conversation with Violet is the most I’ve said to anyone about that period of my life in a long time.

“Does this guy owe you a favor?”

“Whether he does or not, I’m cashing one in.” I’m not above using an old war wound to get Kayce to tell me what he knows about Violet’s situation. We haven’t talked in years. It was part of the agreement when our team disbanded. We gradually lost contact. Some went on to have families. Kayce started his business and kept himself active with his cause, and I found my MC brothers.

“You think he’ll help?” Hawk leans back in his chair, studying me. “I mean, obviously someone’s going to some pretty far lengths to cover Violet and Carter’s tracks. What if it’s his team?”

I grunt, because I’m thinking the same thing.

“Either way, people with this kind of skill don’t come cheap. You think Violet has the money to pay for their kinds of services?”

Hawk’s got a point.

“I don’t know. The woman is the most frugal person I’ve ever met.” I sigh. “When I went through her room at the apartment, she had minimal clothes and belongings. Her bedroom wasn’t decorated. No pictures. No trinkets. Nothing that says she lives there other than a comforter and a couple of gifts Carter made for her on the dresser.”

“Maybe she doesn’t like material things,” Hawk suggests.

“Or she’s on the run and is keeping shit light in case she has to take off again.” It’s my turn to scrub my face in frustration. “Fuck. That must be it.”

“How can you be sure?”

“I’m not. But it would make sense if Kayce and his team are involved.” My gut tells me Violet’s situation is going to take me down a fucking rabbit hole, and if she had to use Trident to get her out, it’s going to be bad. “Shit. Do we know who she was married to? Anything on her ex-husband? Divorce filings? Anything?”

“No. I’m telling you, it’s like she and Carter are fucking ghosts,” Hawk grumbles.

“Fuck. What if she’s still married? If she’s hiding from him? What other reason could she have for not giving what we have a chance?” It’s all starting to make sense.

“Maybe she doesn’t like you in that way.” Hawk lifts his arm to block the slap he knows is coming.

Fucker.

“Or it could be she’s afraid to get close to anyone. She doesn’t want to lay down roots because she might have to leave again.” I’m talking more to myself than Hawk, processing through the information and scenarios.

“She’s pretty tight with Skyler,” Hawk chimes in. “Violet doesn’t seem worried about leaving her. If your theory is correct, wouldn’t she avoid all relationships?”

“Skyler was the first person she met when Violet and Carter moved to town. She knows something, I’m sure, because she was quick to shut Little Man up when he almost spilled their secret.”

“What secret?” Hawk asks, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. I’m pacing the floor in his room.

“I don’t know. But I’m going to find out.” I take my phone out and shoot a text to Ethan, asking if he got anything new out of Skyler last night. “Keep looking. And reach out to Trident Elite. Email asking for a meeting with Kayce Eaton. Tell him Shamus wants a meeting.”

“Shamus?” Hawk looks at me, puzzled.

“He’ll know.”

There’s a knock on his door. When I open it, I find Blake on the other side.

“Pres told me to come find you. He’s calling everyone to church.”

“We’re coming” I reply.

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