Page 10 of Blade

“What does Eliska have to do with any of this?” Raptor finally asked.

“Maybe nothing?” Squirrel pinched the bridge of his nose. “But everything started going wrong with us the same time she started getting threats and having weird shit happen.”

“What kind of stuff?” Gator asked.

“Someone broke into her apartment and trashed it. We got it cleaned up and got the door fixed, but she keeps finding things moved in her apartment when she gets home. She’s been getting odd phone calls and text messages. She wouldn’t say what they said to her, but they obviously rattled her. We had Good sitting outside her apartment one night. Someone came up behind him and slit his throat. Hawk wanted her out of the area until we can figure out what’s going on with us. It was too much trying to focus on both,” Squirrel replied.

“Jesus,” Phoenix muttered. Along with Raptor, he and I had come from the Ankeny chapter. We knew Good well. He was one of the originals of the chapter and he was a great brother.

“Do you believe these events are all connected?” I asked.

“We’re not positive, but it sure feels like we have giant targets on our backs.”

The fact that someone was causing her unrest set a fire in my chest that made me want to burn the world down to find out who was behind it. The fact that she was still connected to the club set my teeth on edge—because what did that mean?

Trying to seem nonchalant, I rested back and hooked one arm over the back of the chair. “Why is she still hanging out around you guys? Did she start seeing one of the brothers?”

I couldn’t get myself to say her name. I think if I did, my obsession with her would be too noticeable.

Squirrel’s attention shot up and locked with mine. His neck went red, and I clenched the fist in my lap.

No fucking way.

Squirrel looked away, but I knew he had heard me when he muttered, “It wasn’t like that.”

Gator, Torque, Ares, and Tigger gave him confused looks. Phoenix raised a brow and stared pointedly at me. The Ankeny boys were the only ones who knew what I could do. I’d kept my ability close to my chest. My new chapter was cool, but I didn’t know that I completely trusted them. Trust was hard for me.

Damn hard.

“I really don’t care why she’s still around. I’m willing to watch over Eliska because the poor girl has been put through hell. What I want to know is if you guys need us to go up there to help you out. I can probably spare a couple of guys,” Raptor offered.

“That would be great. Venom didn’t want to ask, but I was going to do it on my own anyway. I have a bad feeling that this is only the beginning.” Squirrel looked uneasy and that was never good. Dude was usually unflappable.

“I’ll go,” Tigger said, and everyone glanced his way. “I don’t have anyone here like a lot of you. It was part of the reason I was a nomad for so long—I like to travel, and roots are kinda non-existent for me.”

“Well, hell, if that’s the case, I might as well go too,” Rhino chimed in with a grin. “Ain’t nothin’ or no one to miss me either.”

“I’ll make a call to Declan. Maybe he can send someone too. They could meet up with you in Oklahoma City,” Raptor added. Squirrel looked relieved.

“Why didn’t Venom ask for help before this?” Gator rubbed his jaw as he studied Squirrel with a narrowed-eyed gaze.

“Not really sure. Other than I guess we thought we could handle it. But we’re now down three members and a prospect with no clue as to who is behind all of this.” Squirrel buried his face in his hands momentarily, then dropped them to rest on the table. “I don’t want to lose anymore brothers, and if that makes me a pussy, then so be it.”

Sometimes, Venom was too stubborn for his own damn good.

“As soon as I hear back from Declan, I’ll let you know if they can help. Tigger and Rhino will follow you back,” Raptor concluded before he ended the impromptu church.

Everyone dispersed.

As I packed the van with the supplies I would need for the job today, I couldn’t help but chastise myself. I should’ve volunteered to go. It would get me out of her orbit.

Yet I couldn’t make myself do it.

“Can’tBreakMeDown”—CharlieScene

I’d filled Cookie—Sage—in on what had been happening. Guilt ate at me that I’d left a few details out. But those didn’t have anything to do with the RBMC.

“I’m so proud of you,” Sage said with heartfelt vehemence.