Page 71 of Rebel

“Working as private security in the next town,” Shade replied.“They live in an apartment complex three blocks away from their job location.Separate units, but same floor.I’ve got work schedules, regular haunts, the whole package.”

“That seems fast,” I said.

Shade snorted.“Remember what I said?It looks like they have help.”

Charming nodded.“Good work.”He turned to the group.“We need to decide how to approach this.Clean, quiet, and permanent.These fuckers hurt one of ours.”

“I’m handling them myself.”Rio’s voice cut through the room, firm and unyielding.All eyes turned to her.

“Like hell you are,” Ashes snapped from the end of the table.His fist came down hard enough to make his coffee mug jump.“This isn’t a solo operation.”

“Didn’t ask for your permission,” Rio replied, her tone flat.

Ashes leaned forward, scarred forearms pressed against the table.“We need caution -- acting alone could end badly.These aren’t just some random assholes.They’re trained.Military.”

“So am I,” Rio shot back.

“Yeah, and look how well that worked out for you,” Ashes retorted, then immediately clamped his mouth shut, as if he knew he’d crossed a line.He cleared his throat.“I just meant because they’re back now.”

The room went deadly quiet.Rio’s face drained of color before flushing bright red.I tensed, ready to intervene if she went for his throat.

Renegade broke the silence.“That was out of line.”His voice was low, dangerous.“She’s earned the right to get closure on her terms.”

“Bullshit,” Ashes countered.“I want these fuckers dead as much as anyone but sending her in alone is suicide.Or worse -- she gets caught.I understand she’s tough and can handle herself, but there’s an entire club here ready to lend a hand.”

“I didn’t survive what I did to sit on the sidelines now.”Rio’s voice had dropped to a near whisper, which somehow carried more weight than if she’d shouted.“I’m the one who suffered.The one whose life they destroyed.They’re mine.”

I watched her hands -- steady, not a tremor in sight.That controlled rage was more frightening than any outburst.

“You were drugged at the time,” Samurai interjected, his tone measured.“Against two men with combat training.The odds weren’t in your favor.”

“And now they will be,” Rio replied, meeting his gaze without flinching.“Because I know exactly what I’m walking into.I hurt those fuckers when I saw them in the warehouse.This time, I’ll make sure they can’t walk away.I’m not playing by civilian or military rules anymore.I’ve learned my lesson.It’s time to handle this the way the Devil’s Boneyard would do it.”

The argument exploded around the table.Raised voices bounced off concrete walls as members took sides.I caught fragments of heated exchanges -- safety concerns versus Rio’s right to vengeance, tactical discussions about surveillance and extraction plans, debates over club involvement versus personal vendetta.

My jaw tightened as I watched the scene unfold.I understood both sides.Rio deserved her revenge -- needed it, probably, to ever move forward.But Ashes wasn’t wrong about the risks.These men had hurt her once.Given the chance, they’d do worse.

A sharp whistle cut through the chaos.Charming stood, his expression thunderous.

“Enough,” he ordered.“This isn’t a fucking democracy.Rio, what exactly do you have in mind?”

She straightened in her chair.“I approach the first target at his apartment.They’re both arrogant, and they’ll want revenge for me kicking their asses.”Her lip curled with contempt.“I get inside, I handle him.Then I move to the second target before word can spread.”

“And if something goes wrong?”Charming pressed.“What if there are repercussions?”

“It won’t.”

“Not good enough,” Samurai cut in.“We need contingencies.”

Rio’s eyes narrowed.“I’m not asking for help.”

“You don’t have to ask,” I found myself saying, surprising even myself.All eyes turned to me.“We’re offering it anyway.”

Rio studied me, weighing my words.I met her gaze steadily.This wasn’t about questioning her capabilities.This was about having her back, the way we always did for family.And the simple fact I didn’t like my woman walking into this situation on her own.Didn’t matter if she could handle herself or not.

“Surveillance,” Renegade suggested, breaking the tension.“We keep our distance, but we’re there if shit goes sideways.Your play, your way, but with backup.”

Rio considered this, then gave a tight nod.“I can live with that.”

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