Page 52 of Calypso's Shield
Allura’s eyes flick to Calypso before locking on me. “Word just came in. Someone’s been asking around about her. And it’s not Dave Train’s people.”
My blood turns to ice. “Who?”
Allura shakes her head. “Not sure yet. But whoever they are, they’re not locals. They’re looking for her. For you. And they’re not fucking friendly.”
My hands curl into fists. I just got my family back.Now there’s another goddamn threat.
I turn to Calypso, who’s already trying to sit up straighter. “Stay here,” I order.
She glares at me. “Not a chance in hell.”
I grit my teeth. Here we go again. This isn’t just about her anymore. This is about our kid and I’ll be damned if I let anything touch them.
20
CALYPSO
I’ve fought battles my whole damn life. I fought my way out of the streets. I fought against every bastard who ever tried to put their hands on me. I fought for my club, my girls, and my freedom. And now? Now, I’m fighting for my baby, for Farris, for us.
This fight is different because I don’t know who the hell I’m fighting yet.
Allura’s words keep bouncing around in my skull as I sit in the common room, trying to breathe past the dull ache in my joints, past the steady throb of exhaustion from my last flare-up. Someone’s been asking around about me, and it’s not Dave Train’s people.
I press a hand against my stomach, steadying myself. This isn’t just about me anymore. This isn’t just my fight. I don’t get the luxury of going in fists-first like I always have, not with this baby growing inside me. Not when I have more to lose than I ever have before, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to roll overand let some faceless enemy decide my fate. I need to know who the hell I’m dealing with, and I need to know now.
Allura stands by the bar, phone in hand, her expression dark as sin. She’s already working her contacts, already digging, because that’s what she does. She’s the kind of woman who doesn’t wait for war to come to her, she takes the fight straight to the enemy.
“Tell me,” I say, my voice steady. “What do we know?”
She exhales through her nose, her jaw tightening. “Not enough. Someone’s been sniffing around, asking about you, but they’re careful as hell. Not sloppy like Train’s people.”
I swallow hard, an uneasy feeling twisting in my gut. “Could be someone from my past.” My voice is steady, but my mind is already running through the list of people who might still hold a grudge.
Allura shakes her head. “Not likely. We’ve had eyes on all the usual suspects. Nothing’s moved in months.”
A cold sensation curls along my spine. “Then it’s not about me,” I mutter more to myself than to her.
Allura doesn’t say anything, but I see the realization settle into her sharp green eyes. She’s already put it together and, suddenly, so have I.
It’s about Farris.
I push to my feet, ignoring the dull ache in my body. “Who the hell did he piss off?”
Allura tucks her phone into her pocket. “That’s the question, isn’t it?”
I find Farris where I always do when he’s dealing with too much shit at once, out by his bike, smoking a cigarette, muscles tight with barely leashed rage. He only started to smoke recently due to the stress of everything going on around us.
He feels me before he sees me. I watch the way his back stiffens, the way his hand tightens around the cigarette before he exhales, turning to face me.
“Thought you were resting,” he says, voice rough.
“I’ll rest when I’m dead,” I shoot back. “Right now, we’ve got bigger problems.” His jaw flexes, his blue eyes stormy as hell. I step closer, crossing my arms. “Who is it, Farris?”
His eyes flick to mine, and something sharp cuts through them. “I don’t know.”
He’s lying. Not outright, but I know him. I know when he’s holding something back when he’s already put the pieces together but doesn’t want to say it out loud.
“We promised no more lies, Farris. I’m doing my part. Now, it’s your turn to do yours.” Frustration flares hot in my chest. “Bullshit. You have an idea, so spill.”
