“Hoping, more like it.”
“Delete the pictures. Now,” he commands as he retreats behind the enormous desk. “And then you can be on your way.”
Having already uploaded to the cloud, I do as he says and stand. “Who are you?”
“I’m a businessman, nothing more.” He smiles widely at me. “And, Miss Fullerton, the next time you decide to chase a story, it better not have anything to do with me.” He waves a hand at medismissively. “You may go.”
Not needing to be told twice, I hustle out to the truck, where a man holds open the door, and as I slide into it, he takes my camera.
“Hey!”
He gives me a bored look as he flicks through my photographs, then hands it back. “Have a nice day.”
Turning over the ignition, the truck roars to life, and I speed down the driveway and onto the street where Highway and Winchester are waiting.
Highway motions for me to wind down my window. “Follow us.” His tone and expression tell me all I need to know.
He’s pissed.
ChapterSix
HIGHWAY
The meeting with the Khans has cleared them of involvement in the rally shooting, but Gwen’s unauthorized surveillance jeopardizes our relationship with them. Reaper’s anger over the phone was palpable, and I’m seething too.
Gwen, headstrong and willful, has a knack for getting under my skin. Despite the excitement she brings, she needs to learn our ways and understand the boundaries we uphold.
As we pull into the compound, Reaper waits outside the clubhouse, a silent sentinel of authority. His subtle gesture of a chin lift calls me to him. Winchester and I dismount, striding across the compound with purpose, ascending the stairs in unison.
“Winchester, meet us inside,” Reaper directs, and Winchester acknowledges with a nod before continuing on his path. Reaper’s hand rests on my chest as he halts me. His question catches me off guard. “Do you like this woman?”
“W-what?” I stammer, taken aback by the sudden inquiry.
“Do you like her?” His gaze pierces through me, demanding honesty.
“Yes,” I admit without hesitation.
“If you’re keeping her, you need to let her in,” he asserts, his words weighted. It’s a departure from our club’s strict code of secrecy, a breach of tradition that leaves me unsettled. “Not everything, but enough. Lucy has my back. If you believe Gwen has yours, then she deserves to know, but…” he pauses, his gaze drifting to Gwen, “… make it clear she can’t breathe a word of it. Understand?”
“No,” I respond, uncertain of the implications.
“Then figure it out,” he commands, his tone final. His attention shifts to Gwen. “You. Inside. Now.”
Turning, I look at Gwen. She’s clutching her camera to her chest and looks apprehensive.
Good.
Sheshouldbe worried.
Hell, she could have gotten herself killed.
Reaper casts one final glance in our direction before striding back into the clubhouse, disappearing into the confines of our meeting room.
“How worried should I be?” Gwen’s voice breaks the silence, laden with uncertainty.
Pursing my lips in a hard line, I look into her eyes. “You fucked up. But you’re a big girl, right?”
“You shut me out. What was I supposed to do?”
