“You two want to go out...alone?” he asks. I can hear the resistance in his even tones.
“That was the plan,” I say, straightening up, “Is that...OK?”
His brow furrows, and all at once I remember the significance of today. Part of me was hoping that Lorenzo’s threats would just fade away without any fanfare, but Declan’s uneasy. He doesn’t seem convinced that the coast is clear for him yet. Or for me.
“Would you rather we hang out here?” I ask.
“No, no,” he says, “You should be able to enjoy yourselves. Would you just...do me a favor, before you go?”
“Of course, anything,” I say, lacing my fingers through his.
He tows me across the room with purpose. What is it he wants me to do? Alarms start to sound off in my mind as he pulls open the door of his secret armory. I haven’t set eyes on this weapons locker since I accidentally happened upon it. I follow him inside, uneasy in the face of all this deadly hardware.
“Declan, what—?”
“I need to know that you’re safe,” he cuts me off, scanning the walls and cupboards.
“It’s broad daylight,” I remind him, “And I’m going to have Kelly with me. What’s going on, Dec? What are you afraid might happen?”
“Nothing,” he says, unconvincingly, “You’ve just rarely been out and about here without me at your side, lately. Don’t want to take any chances.”
I stare as he plucks a tiny piece off the wall. It’s the smallest gun I’ve ever seen—really, it looks more like a toy than a weapon. But when Declan holds it out to me, my blood runs cold all the same.
“Will you take this?” he asks.
“Dec, I’m really not comfortable with that,” I breathe, eyes fixed on the minuscule killing machine, “I don’t even know how to use a gun.”
“Please, Kassie,” he insists, “I’ll feel so much better about letting you out of my sight if I know you can protect yourself.”
“Can you tell me what it is you’re afraid of?” I ask softly, taking a step away from him.
“I can’t,” he says, his voice mournful, “You just have to trust me. There are some...business relationships in flux right now, where the club is concerned. It could make our lives a little tumultuous—”
“Do you really think that something could happen to me?” I ask.
“I don’t think...it’s likely,” he says, “But it’s not impossible.”
I stare at him for a long moment, heart kicking against my ribs. Until now, the threats of danger and violence against us have seemed hypothetical. But here, surrounded by Declan’s arsenal, everything is suddenly very real.
A cold streak of fear cuts through me as I realize that I could actually be in danger. All summer, it’s like I’ve been playing at living dangerously. Riding on the back of Declan’s bike, hitting the casinos, overhearing the dealings between Lorenzo and the club—I’ve been circling around the real grittiness of this life, but it has yet to touch me. Declan’s protected me from the real consequences of the outlaw life. But is that protection really infallible?
“Does it have to be...a gun?” I whisper, looking around at the collection of weapons.
“Not necessarily,” Declan allows, “Though I have to say, a firearm is your best bet.”
I suck in a deep breath and stare at the piece in Declan’s hands. Slowly, reluctantly, I hold out my palms to accept his offered gift. He places the gun in my hands, watching me expectantly. The metal is colder than I expected, and heavier too...the thing feels alive. I wrap my fingers around it, testing out the feel of it in my grasp. I expect to feel powerful, or secure, but instead I just feel faint.
“So?” Declan asks, “What do you think?”
“The serial number is scratched off...” I observe, cocking an eyebrow at him, “I can’t carry this around with me.”
“Why not?” he presses.
“Well...it’s illegal, isn’t it?” I ask. The very word “illegal” sounds ridiculous, echoing off these armored walls. Declan and I can’t help but chuckle as I invoke the law here.
“I’m sure you won’t have to use it,” he says, “Just humor me, all right? Besides, a woman with a piece is sexy as hell.”
“Oh please,” I say, rolling my eyes.
“I can’t help what I like,” he grins, taking me in his arms, “Thank you for being patient with me. I’m just a bit paranoid these days.”
“It’s fine,” I tell him, “Though some answers would be much appreciated, Tiberi.”
“I’ll fill you in as soon as I can,” he promises, meeting my gaze, “But not right now. Why don’t you and Kelly go and have a good time? Take the card, hit the shops, whatever you like. I have some business I need to attend to anyway.”
“What kind of business?” I ask.
Declan mimes zipping his lips closed, and I swallow a sigh. This whole intrigue and mystery thing is getting old, fast. But I guess that transparency is reserved for old ladies and Dante’s Nine wives. Interns who double as sexy buddies? Not so much.
“How about this,” I say, taking a step away from him, “I’ll agree to keep this thing with me while I’m out of your sight. If you give me the faintest idea of what has you so spooked. You don’t have to give me any specifics at all. Just a hint.”
“You’re relentless,” he sighs.
“I’m worried,” I correct him, “Spill, please.”
“All right,” he says, squaring his shoulders, “But only because you know where I live, Bennett. Let’s just say that there is somewhere I’m supposed to be tomorrow night. There’s something I agreed to do that I am no longer willing to do. My unwillingness may end up costing a ruthless man quite a bit of money. Now, there’s a good chance that he’ll have resolved his end of our voided deal by now. But it’s possible that he might take drastic measures to get me back on board. Is that enough information for you?”
“That’ll do,” I say quietly, “Though I’m kind of turning on the idea of leaving the house now, I have to say.”
“Why do you think I invited Kelly to stay here? I wanted you to have company at all times,” he says.
“A strategic surprise, eh?” I ask.
“Pretty much,” he shrugs. “Oh, it's loaded by the way, and the safety is on.” He points to a small switch on the top side of the gun. “Make sure to flip that off if you actually want to do any damage.”