Page 36 of Rebel

“I’m some princess who needs rescuing?”I snapped.“Bait?Like I need to wait for you to swoop in and save me?Forget that shit.”

“No, you’re a strategic asset who needs protecting,” he shot back.“And I don’t mean just your body.Your testimony can put those rapist pieces of shit away.That’s justice.That’s power.”

I held his gaze for a long moment before giving a curt nod.

Charming moved to the gun cabinet in the corner, unlocking it with practiced efficiency.“Everyone gear up.Standard armament plus comms.”

“I’ve got something better than standard,” Shade said, pulling a small black case from his backpack.He flipped it open to reveal earpieces smaller than the ones you typically saw.“These run on an encrypted frequency I set up last month.No chance of interception.”

I took one, fitting it into my ear.“These are awesome.”

Ashes distributed burner phones next.“One call, then destroy it.Emergency protocol if comms go down.”

The room transformed as everyone moved with purpose.Weapons checked and loaded.Extra magazines distributed.Vests for those who wanted them.Through it all, I felt Rebel watching me.I took a Glock from Ashes, doing a quick check.I glanced over at Rebel and arched an eyebrow.

“I was military, remember?I can handle myself.”

“Never doubted it,” he replied.“But handling yourself and walking into whatever this is…”

“I’ll say it again.Former military.Were you so worried you wanted to babysit me?”

He checked his weapons before answering.“No.It’s because I’m the best shot in the club, and if those men get within fifty yards of you, I want to be the one putting bullets in their heads.”

I could understand where he was coming from and gave him a quick nod.

Charming called for attention with a sharp whistle.“Listen up.This isn’t just about protecting Rio, though that would be reason enough.These men aligned with Moretti are testing us, seeing if we’re soft.We show them today that the Devil’s Boneyard MC protects their own, and we do it with extreme prejudice.”

Murmurs of agreement filled the room.Rebel glanced at his watch.

“Fifteen minutes until they reach our perimeter,” he announced.“Everyone know their positions and routes?”

Nods all around.Charming made eye contact with each person in turn, a leader making sure his people were solid.

“Rebel,” he said finally, “you’re sure about this plan?”

“As sure as I can be without time for recon,” he answered honestly.“I trust Rio.If something changes, we adapt.”

“Good enough for me.”He straightened, looking every inch the club President.“Let’s move.”

The energy changed instantly.Plans were one thing; action was another.We filed out of the back room, and I fell into step beside Rebel.

“For what it’s worth,” I said quietly, just for his ears, “thanks for not treating me like I’m broken.”

He glanced at me.“Being hurt and being broken aren’t the same thing.Take it from someone who knows.”

I didn’t ask for details.Now wasn’t the time for that sort of discussion.We needed to focus or we’d end up dead.

As we reached the door leading to the compound’s yard, I caught Ashes looking our way.

“Watch her six,” he said simply to Rebel.

He nodded.“With my life.”

And I could tell he meant it.

* * *

Rebel

---