Page 65 of Rebel

The silence that followed felt like a physical presence in the room.Charming looked at the flash drive, then back at the emissary.

“We’ll need both Ripper and Samurai with us,” he finally said, his voice leaving no room for negotiation.“But I’m coming too.”

The emissary raised an eyebrow.“That wasn’t part of the arrangement.”

“It is now.”Charming stood, suddenly seeming taller, his presence filling the room.“Java is part of this club.Samurai and Ripper are my men as well.I don’t send family into the fire without walking in myself.Take it or leave it.”

For a long moment, no one spoke.The emissary studied Charming, reassessing.Finally, he nodded.

“Acceptable.But only you.No other additions.”

“Agreed.”Charming didn’t offer his hand to shake.Neither did the emissary.Some deals weren’t sealed with handshakes.

“We will contact you tomorrow with the meeting point.”The emissary moved toward the door, then paused.“Mr.Roberts.If you are planning anything… creative, I should warn you that my organization has contingencies in place.”

“I’d expect nothing less,” Charming replied.

After Gator opened the door and closed it behind the departing emissary, the room fell silent again.Charming stared at the flash drive in his hand, his expression unreadable.

“Get Shade,” he told Gator without looking up.“And find Samurai.”

“I know where Shade is,” Rebel said.“I’ll go get him.”

I watched as my man walked out of the room, leaving me behind.

“What about Ripper?”Bones asked.

Charming’s mouth twisted into something that wasn’t quite a smile.“I know exactly where Ripper is.That’s not the problem.”

As Gator left the room, Charming finally looked at me.“You didn’t hear any of this.”

I nodded.“I was never here.”

“Smart girl.”He downed the rest of his whiskey in one swallow.“I’m sure Rebel is pissed.”

“Because you’re going?”I asked.

“Because he’s not.”Charming set his glass down with a sharpclick.“And because I’m about to ruin Samurai’s fucking day.”

He seemed older suddenly, the weight of the decision visible in the set of his shoulders.I hadn’t been with the club very long, and I had no idea what Samurai had been through, but if I had to guess, he’d lived in hell before coming to the club.It seemed he’d finally found peace.Taking that away, even temporarily, wasn’t something Charming would do lightly.

“But you’ll get Java back,” I said softly.

Charming’s eyes met mine.“Yes.We will.”He stood up.“Now go find your man.”

I walked out, letting the door click shut behind me.In the hallway, the music was louder, the bass pounding through the floor into my bones.Normal life, oblivious to what had just happened.In three days, Charming, Ripper, and Samurai would be walking into what sounded like hell to get Java back.And Rebel would be here, furious at being left out of the action, and wanting to go save the boy he’d watched over.

As I moved toward the main room, I caught sight of Rebel leaning against the bar, his cocky smile in place as he joked with one of the Prospects.He hadn’t noticed me yet.I took a moment to watch him.Since Shade brushed past me, it seemed he’d been found.And for whatever reason, Rebel had remained out here.Maybe he reallywaspissed about being left out.

But part of me was glad he would be here with me.All we could do was stand on the sidelines and hope they all came back alive.And that’s why I was glad he wasn’t going.If I got the news he hadn’t made it, it would gut me.

* * *

The main hall of the Devil’s Boneyard clubhouse pulsed with energy, a living thing fueled by music, booze, and bad decisions.I worked the bar with practiced efficiency, mixing drinks and handing out beers without missing a beat.Charming had said the Prospects always manned the bar, but I’d wanted to do it on the nights I came here with Rebel.Since we’d met here, it seemed appropriate.Unlike the other old ladies, I wouldn’t avoid this place.I belonged here more than the club girls did.

None of the old ladies liked coming here during a party.I could understand why.The mostly naked women roaming around and trying to latch onto any man in a cut wasn’t a pleasant sight.Not that I begrudged them the chance at finding a moment of fun or happiness with one of the guys.As long that man was single.

“Two shots of Jack,” barked a Prospect.His cut was still too new, the leather not yet softened by time and road grime.

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