He’s still not recovered by the time Prez takes a call, which involves him giving permission. Shortly after, there’s the sound of a vehicle arriving outside the hangar. The back door opens, and Curtis shows the newcomers in.
“Prospect?” Lost calls, then points to the vomit. “Come back and clean that up when we’re out of here.”
“You got it, Prez,” Curtis replies.
The man who’s entered has a shock of blond hair, and twinkling eyes. There’s also a woman with him. He steps forward.
“Sean Cooper and this is my wife, Nessa.”
Bolt’s eyes lighten up and he’s the first to step forward and greet them. “Nice to meet you in the flesh. You’ve helped us a time or two. I’m Bolt.”
“As have you.” Sean pumps his hand enthusiastically. “Nice to put a name to the face.”
“This him?” Nessa’s eyes are on Devon. She raises them to Swift.
“That’s him. You got your instructions?” Utah’s enforcer confirms.
“Yeah. Devil’s sorted it and the feds are waiting for their package to be delivered. Hey, nice to meet a fellow limey.” Ness grins at Swift, and I note she doesn’t seem to be intimidated at all by her. “Swift, I presume? We’ve talked before.”
“We have,” Swift confirms with a quick grin. “You’ve got quite the brain for analysis.”
The members from Utah and the newcomers put their heads together for a moment, then it all happens fast. Devon’s put in handcuffs again—a pair that’s appeared out of Sean’s pocket. Then they start toward the door, stopped by a call from Kink.
“Hey.” He approaches them, his eyes gleaming. “You work for Devil? You know anything about that BDSM club he owns?”
Nessa’s eyes drop, but Sean’s meet Kink’s head on. “Sure do, man. You ever in the UK, give me a call. I can get you set up with an invitation.”
Kink looks like all his dreams have come true. “You for real? Club Tiacapan has one hell of a reputation.”
“And well deserved, man. Well deserved.”
After they disappear, Bolt and Swift escorting Devon out to whatever vehicle the British pair have brought along, Dart shakes his head.
“Really, Kink?”
Kink laughs. “That man’s a Dom through and through. It was a safe bet. And that woman? Well, he’s collared her for sure. She’s submissive to the core.”
Swift chooses that point to return. “Submissive to her man, maybe, but don’t underestimate Nessa. She’s a qualified Close Protection officer, even though neither of them work in the field anymore. They’re on Devil’s personal team.”
“What’s Devon’s long-term prognosis?” My eyes zero in on Swift.
Without missing a beat, she confirms, “Once he’s sent to the pen, he won’t last long. Child abusers aren’t popular inside.” She raises her chin slightly, a narrowed stare speaking volumes. It’s so cold it almost makes me shiver, but instead I raise my chin back to her, knowing she’s just made me a promise.
Prez walks up. “I don’t know about anyone else, but I could use a drink.”
“See?” Bolt nudges Swift. “These San Diego boys ain’t all heathens.”
I chuckle and step beside the prez, noticing Salem has positioned himself next to Swift. They seem to be talking animatedly to each other.
Numerous pairs of boots echo behind us as we walk to the clubhouse, and it’s only then I notice the sun is already rising in the sky. It seems a lifetime ago I rolled out of bed answering that summons to church. No wonder I feel so damn tired.
I’m getting too old for this shit.
No, I’m not. Better buckle up. If Mary’s pregnant, I’m in for a lot of interrupted nights.
One thing’s for certain, if she is, then what we’ve done tonight has made the world a slightly safer place to bring up a kid in, if only for a short while.
Once we’ve got beers in our hands, I corner Bolt. “When can those videos come down?”
“Your daughter’s?” I don’t correct him. I’m starting to think of her as that now. If I’m claiming her mom, I’m claiming her too. She’s part of the package, and hell, I’ll be damned if I don’t like it.
“Yeah.”
Bolt thinks for a moment. “Feds will start casting their net, trying to catch everyone red-handed. Can’t afford to give anyone the heads-up. But one video getting corrupted? Doubt anyone will think much of that. And, in the scheme of things, while it was fuckin’ terrible to happen to her, it was almost innocent considering some of the other shit on those servers. I’ll get Honor and Duty onto it.”
I breathe out deeply. “Thank you, Brother.”
“Nah, only glad we could help.” Bolt raises his bottle to his lips, then takes a long swig. “You know? I’ve enjoyed seeing how another chapter ticks. I think Swift has too.” His eyes soften on his colleague who, now reunited with her dog, is still talking to Salem. “I did wonder how you were going to take to her.”
I choose my words carefully, knowing what I want to express, but not exactly how to voice it. In the end I settle for, “Couldn’t understand how a woman could wear a Satan’s Devils patch, Brother. But she’s one in a million, isn’t she?”
I seem to have summed her up to his satisfaction.
“That she is, Brother. That she fuckin’ is.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Mary
Nearly two weeks have passed since the Monday that I went to bed worried about where Grumbler was and what he was doing. I don’t think I’ve been as concerned about anyone in my life, easily equalling any unrest felt when Alicia’s stayed out late at night. Maybe it’s because I lost Dave so unexpectedly that I couldn’t stop worrying that I might just as quickly lose the new man in my life.
It would have been so unfair, I’d thought to myself. Just when he’d made me love him, he could disappear from our lives.
When the phone had rung at dawn, waking me from the fitful sleep
