Page 31 of Talon
“Strong women are hot, little warrior.Never be afraid to let me see you armed or ready to defend yourself.And none of my brothers would try to hurt you or take it away.”
“Do you have a holster?”Malice asked.“I mean are you prepared to carry it with you until this is settled?”
She frowned.“Yeah, I’ve got a belt and holster in the bag.I can carry everywhere but work.”
“Do you have a way to conceal it?Is there any way you can carry at work concealed?”Ghost asked.
Her gaze flicked back and forth between Ghost and Malice wondering why one seemed to be of the same mind.As they were asking questions she felt were heading in the same direction, she couldn’t help but wonder if these two were really into guns like Dad had been or if it was something else.
“Yeah.”She frowned as she thought about it.“I packed my inner pants holster.It’s the one I prefer to carry if I can.I’d rather not carry at work though.Like I said, I need my job, and I don’t want to risk losing it if I don’t have to.”She relaxed, hoping they would understand.
“Good.We’ll worry about how to handle things while you’re at work once you go back.Since you’re comfortable carrying, and you’re prepared, I’d like you to keep your pistol on you while you’re here,” Lurch said without moving from where he still leaned against the wall.
Tension sang through Madison’s body.It wasn’t that she minded carrying her pistol.But what had they learned to make the boss here want her to carry it all the time?While she could reasonably see carrying when away from here, if they were promising her she would be safe here, why did she need to be armed, even on the ranch?Was there more going on here that she didn’t know about?Was she getting involved in something she would rather stay far away from?
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TalonfeltMadison’sbodytense when Lurch asked her to start carrying her pistol everywhere she went.He didn’t know what was running through her head, but he would do everything he could to make her feel comfortable again.
“I’m not saying you won’t be as safe as we can make you while you’re here.But you’re not the first woman one of our men has settled on that has trouble chasing her.I’m determined to learn from past mistakes.You being armed will be just another line of defense.I’d rather you be carrying, and not need it, than need it and not be armed.”Lurch met Talon’s gaze, letting him know the ranch foreman and Demented Souls chapter president had seen her reaction.
Some, but not all the tension left Madison’s shoulders.Talon wanted to reassure her that he wouldn’t leave her alone, but who knew what would be coming in the next few days?He also didn’t know if Jake and Gizmo had found something while they’d been on the road that he didn’t know about.So instead of saying anything to her, instead of making promises he didn’t know if he could keep, Talon gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze to let her know he was there.He hoped she knew he was telling her that he’d have her back.He didn’t want to interrupt his brothers asking what they needed to know and getting an idea what they were getting into, but he wanted her to know he was there and not going anywhere.
“All right.I think that’s the bulk of it.We’ve got a room ready for you in the main house,” Lurch said.“Bonnie and Heather will show you where it is.I’ve got some club business to talk to Talon about then he’ll be up.”
Madison stood, letting his hands slide off her shoulders.She turned to look at him, her eyes wide as if not sure she should go with the women or wait for him.
“Go on up with them.This probably won’t take long, then I’ll be up.Unless you want to take it now, I can get your bag and bring it up if you like?”
Madison shook her head.“I’ll get it.I want to get my pistol out, so I have it, just in case.Is the truck locked?”
It was his turn to shake his head.“We don’t lock them here on the ranch.Gives us somewhere to escape in case a bear or moose wanders up.”
The possibility of wildlife roaming didn’t seem to bother her as she nodded then turned to look for Bonnie and Heather.They both stood a few feet away, waiting for her to be ready.
“Take care.I’ll be up soon.”He leaned in and dropped a brief, hard kiss on her lips.He wasn’t worried about the ribbing he was sure his brothers would give him, but he wanted her to be sure he wasn’t changing now that they were among other people.She leaned into him as he kissed her then straightened and blinked up at him for a moment before turning to find Bonnie and Heather.
“Ready?”Madison asked the others.
“Whenever you are,” Heather said.
“Let’s go.I need to stop by the truck, but I’ll only be a minute,” Madison said, following the other two women to the door and out.
“No hurry.Our guys will be here with yours, so we’ll hang out with you, show you around, until they come to get us.”Bonnie shot a look over her shoulder at Malice.Talon saw him nod at her, letting her know he’d come find her when they were done.
Talon waited until Bonnie had pulled the door closed behind them, then for several more seconds, giving them a chance to get away from the building so he wouldn’t be overheard then he turned and scanned the room, taking in all the somber expressions.
“What did you find while I was on the road?”Talon hadn’t lied to Madison when he’d told her they wanted to be sure she was safe, but he also knew there was likely more to the issue than they were telling her.If only to keep her from worrying too much or, he hoped, to let him decide if it was something she needed to know.
“I discovered that despite reports, he’s not in South Dakota like we thought.He’s got some kind of set up in his home that makes it look like all his online activity, calls, emails, et cetera, are all coming from his home wi-fi, but I found the trail that says he’s not there.He hasn’t been there in over a week from what I can find.”
“Where is he?”Dread filled Talon and it felt like a rock sat in his stomach.
“I don’t know.I’m able to tell he’s not home, but I haven’t found where he is yet.I’ve got Gizmo and Nikki looking into it too, we hope to have an answer soon.”
“Ok, good.Let me know.I need to go check on Madison.”
“That’s not all,” Lurch said.
