Page 55 of Outlaws' Single Mom
I nod. “I've only known Stiff, Jackal and Lash for a couple of weeks, and I already feel like they'd do anything for me and Logan. I'm just doing my best to deserve it.”
“Ain't that the truth?” She laughs while we watch Logan doing somersaults on the lawn, the cartwheels temporarily forgotten. “They fall fast and they fall hard. It's part of what I love about them. I had a hard childhood, and I didn’t find out until myguys literally kidnapped me and Anne that a lot of what I knew about myself was a lie.”
“That sounds like a hell of a story.”
“You don't know the half of it. Stick around and I'll tell you one day. But here's the thing, you're already doing what you need to do to deserve it. If you weren’t, they wouldn’t waste their time, so it’s just up to you to decide if you’re up for the challenge.” She sounds like she knows from experience.
“I don’t know. We haven’t talked about the future so maybe it’s pointless to even worry about it. It would be easier to walk away when this is done and go back to a life I understand.”
“Easier isn’t always better.”
I laugh.
“What?”
“Jackal would tell me to worry about one step at a time. Right now, all I have to do is stay safe, and trust them.”
“That sounds pretty smart, actually.” Jessica grabs me firmly by my upper arms and pins me down with agaze so stern it just as well could've been Jackal's. “They’ll keep doing what they're doing now. The club is committed to seeing this through, because one brother's promise is every brother's promise. This isn't a game to them. Trust me on this. They wouldn't be doing all this for you, if you weren’t important. No matter what you decide in the end, you—and Logan—have earned yourself protectors for life.”
Wow. That was more than I expected.
“Maybe I should just talk to them.”
“Smartest thing you've said so far.” She smiles and winks. “And if you stick around? I'll send you an invitation to Bonnie’s Gun Club. We're always looking for new members. Oh, and how do you feel about romance books?”
30
JACKAL
“Flashthe lights if the sound’s good,” Grimm mutters under his breath.
Gathered in the back of the van, me, Stiff, Lash, Hellfire and Poe hear everything loud and clear. It's real fucking packed with all of us here, but no one was willing to wait this one out. Lash reaches into the front and flicks the headlights.
Now it's just a matter of seeing if Dillard takes the bait so we can get him away from the safety of the pig pen. Once we knew he was a cop, it was easy enough to track him down. I doubt he knows we've connected him to Jay, but at this point he’s probably burned that identity. If he’s smart that is.
Good news is, that means he’s running scared. Bad news is, it makes it hard to get our claws in him, and until we've done that, Dakota is a walking target.
Didn't take much to convince Grimm to play a role where he gets to talk shit about Hellfire. He positively glowed at the opportunity, just as much as Hellfire glared at him while explaining the plan. They might be pissed at each other, but that’s why he’s the perfect choice for the job. Personally, I think Grimm was happy to have something real to do.
It only takes about ten minutes before Dillard is out of the gym and heading back to his car. Grimm moves as soon as Dillard passes him, stepping up too close to be comfortable.
“Back off, asshole,” Dillard growls.
“I’ve got a proposition,Jay.”
Dillard freezes. He turns slowly and studies Grimm. “What did you call me?”
“Or is it Ezra? Officer Dillard? You’re a multifaceted man, Jay.”
“What do you want,” Dillard hisses. “I’m a police officer. Do you really want to mess with me?”
“Shit, that’s why I’m messing with you. But if you don’t want to chat, see if I fucking care. It’s your career on the line.” Grimm shrugs and turns around.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean? Hey, turn around before I arrest your ass.”
Grimm stops, puts on a confident grin, then faces Dillard slowly. “Do it, but that's not gonna save your skin. You think I'm a fucking idiot? I got insurance.”
Dillard grimaces. “What the hell could you possibly have on me?”
