Page 50 of Hunter's Game
Eden ran through smoke and chaos, her stolen gun clearing a path through panicked guards. The Blind Jacks were pulling back now, their part in this elaborate dance complete.
She reached the extraction point just as Hunter pulled up on his bike. Even through smoke andchaos, she recognized the relief that flashed across his features when he spotted her. It was quickly masked by professional focus, but it was unmistakable to someone who’d learned to read his micro-expressions.
“You’re insane.” But he was grinning as she swung up behind him, his hand briefly covering hers when she settled against him—a momentary reassurance that communicated everything words couldn’t. “You know that, right?”
“Less talking, more driving.” She wrapped her arms around his waist, allowing herself the comfort of physical contact after twenty-four hours of calculated risk. The solid warmth of him beneath her hands provided grounding beyond tactical necessity, a connection that had become essential rather than convenient.
More explosions lit up the night, but with Hunter, Eden found herself feeling something dangerously close to safe, despite the chaos surrounding them.
“We’ve got about thirty seconds before—”
The rest of the charges went off, taking Romano’s entire operation with them. Eden felt the heat on her back as Hunter gunned the engine, carrying them away from the destruction.
“Tell me you got what we needed.” His voice carried over the wind.
Eden patted the drive hidden in her hair. “Everything. Including proof of who really killed my mother, and why.”
“Going to share with the class?”
“Later.” She pressed closer, letting herself feel the fear and exhaustion she’d been holding at bay. “Right now, I just want—”
“I know.” His hand covered hers where it rested on his chest. “I’ve got you.”
They rode through darkness toward the Blind Jacks compound, leaving fire and destruction in their wake. Behind them, Aleksander Romano was no doubt already calling in resources, preparing for war.
Eden closed her eyes, feeling Hunter’s heartbeat under her fingers. They’d won this battle, but the war was far from over. Romano’s international network was still intact, still powerful.
But for the first time since finding her mother’s body, Eden had real proof. Real hope.
And something else she hadn’t expected: someone to watch her back while she finished what her mother had started.
Even if that someone was an outlaw who made her question everything she thought she knew about right and wrong.
Even if loving him might get them both killed.
The night stretched ahead, full of possibilities and dangers. Eden held on tighter as Hunter opened up the throttle, carrying them faster into the darkness.
They reached the compound to find it under siege. Multiple rival MC crews had surrounded themain perimeter, just as Aleksander had promised. But the Blind Jacks hadn’t survived this long by being unprepared.
Hunter guided them through a concealed access road—a narrow passage obscured by dense foliage and debris that appeared impassable to anyone who didn’t know exactly where to look. It had been built years ago as a contingency for precisely this kind of situation.
“Club insurance policy,” Hunter explained as they navigated the hidden path. “Only patched members know about this entrance. Not even prospects are told until they earn their cut.”
The route deposited them safely inside the compound’s defensive perimeter, allowing them to bypass the rival crews who remained focused on the main gates, completely unaware their targets had slipped right past them.
“Took you long enough,” Darkness called from behind a makeshift barricade. He looked more annoyed than concerned about the ongoing firefight. “Your plan work?”
Eden tossed him the drive. “Everything we need to take down Romano’s entire operation. Including his international contacts.”
“And his brother?”
“Pissed off and probably on his way here.” She accepted a spare weapon from one of the patches. “How many crews we dealing with?”
“Four. So far.” Darkness’s smile was all teeth. “Though they’re finding out why you don’t mess with the Blind Jacks.”
As if to emphasize his point, another explosion lit up the perimeter. Eden recognized the handiwork of the club’s demolitions expert.
“We need to move this somewhere more secure,” she said, nodding at the drive. “Once Aleksander realizes what I took...”
