“Okay then,” John says, whistling out a long breath. “Here’s what we’re going to do, men. Kelly is going to get in touch with her cousin. Tell him that she’s lost her way in life. Just got out a bad relationship or something.”
“That’s actually true,” I cut in, “But why—?”
“She’s going to ask this cousin to put in a good word for her with the Las Vegas chapter of the Wraiths,” John presses on, “Say that she just wants to be around an MC again, spend some time living the wild life she missed out on as a kid.”
I feel myself blushing, and avert my eyes from John’s. I wonder if he knows how true all of this actually is. Could he have guessed?
“Kelly’s going to take that pretty little butt of hers to the Wraiths and hand it over,” John goes on, “She’s going to become an honest-to-god sweet butt for them.”
“What?!” I exclaim, “You want me to just...just—”
“Yes,” John cuts me off, “Work your way into their good graces. Do whatever you have to do to win one of them over. Get yourself all set as someone’s favorite piece of ass. And while you’re there, find Kassie. Make sure they’re being good to her. And just as importantly, hack into whatever you have to and figure out what their exact beef with us is. Who’s feeding them this shit about us crossing them. You have to get inside their hive mind, find out what we have to do to set things straight between us. And you have to be discreet about it.”
“That’s...a lot to ask of one person,” I say.
“Damn right it is,” he nods, “But I can tell that you’re the sort of person who doesn’t back down from a challenge. So, what do you say, Kelly? Are you going to live up to your word or not?”
“Let me see if I understand you,” I say, looking around at the assembled men, “You want me to throw myself at a group of ruthless outlaws, knowing full well that they’ll likely to use me as a sex toy, so that I can risk my neck to hack into their computers and maybe gather you some intel along the way?”
“And make sure that Kassie is safe,” John adds.
“Anything else?” I drawl, “Want me to sell any of my organs? Assassinate any political figures? Seduce any foreign dictators?”
“If you’re not up to the task—” Declan begins.
“Of course I’m up for it,” I snap, cutting him off, “Someone has to help Kassie. It should be me.”
“So you’re in?” John asks.
“I’m in,” I tell him, “Heaven help me.”
Chapter Six
The Nine send word to the Wraiths that there will be no retaliation for Kassie’s abduction. They want to mend things between the clubs, after all, not further strain the relationship. Tot carries the message over to the Wraiths himself¸ which is probably for the best. Declan couldn’t be trusted not to snap. The now-rival MC has to believe that Declan trusts them to take care of Kassie, whether or not that’s true. And of course, the Wraiths can’t have any idea that I’m about to come sneaking into their circle. If Matthew can help me out, that is.
Declan begrudgingly gives me a ride back to our building after the meeting is adjourned. As we tear ass back toward Vegas, I’m halfway convinced that he’s going to toss me off the back of his bike. His entire body is pulsing with rage at not being able to help Kassie. I can feel it as I cling to him, fighting to keep my seat on the Harley.
By the time we finally get home, I can’t wait to slip away from Declan. But he snaps at me the second I break for my own suite.
“Come with me,” he commands, wrenching open the door marked “A”.
I set my jaw and follow him into the suite he shares with Kassie. Hasn’t he harassed me enough for one day?
The cavernous space feels so empty without the sound of her voice. The adrenaline starts to ebb from my system, leaving heartache and worry in its wake. Is she safe right now, wherever she is? Can the Wraiths really be trusted to leave her alone? Declan seems to be wondering the same things, as he crosses directly to the liquor cabinet.
“Scotch or vodka?” he asks.
“Both, I think,” I tell him, standing awkwardly in the middle of the floor.
“I know I’m being hard on you,” Declan says, pouring me a double vodka on the rocks, “This is just a terrible time for the club. Your arrival was not...well timed.”
“It seemed like Kassie needed the company,” I say, accepting the icy drink.
“That’s why I let your visit continue,” he says, “But now you can see why I didn’t want another innocent hanging around, getting in the way.”
“Well, I won’t be much of an innocent for long,” I quip, “Not considering what you’d all have me do with the Wraiths.”
“You backing out?” Declan asks.
“Not a chance,” I tell him, swigging my vodka.
I’m terrified to be a part of this plan. Absolutely scared shitless to have so much hinging on my success. But as nervous as I am about infiltrating the Wraiths...part of me is deliriously excited. This is what I’ve been hoping for, after all, a chance to see what MC life is really like. And it doesn’t hurt that there’s one Wraith in particular that I’d like to know a little better. I wonder if I can catch Leo’s eye? If he were to claim me—
“How serious were you about getting in with the Wraiths, when you were younger?” Declan asks, walking over to the wall of windows.
“Not very,” I lie through my teeth, “It was really just a fantasy.”
“So we’re not going to have to worry about your loyalty at all?” Declan presses, turning away from me to look out over the strip.
“My only loyalty is to Kassie,” I tell him. And that, at least, is the truth.
“I wish I knew she was OK,” he says quietly, “She must be so scared.”
“She’s tough as nails,” I say, “And she knows how important it is that the Wraiths keep her safe. She’s no groupie, after all. She’s your old lady. Right?”
“Right,” Declan says.
“We’re going to get her back,” I say, joining him at the window, “You know that, right?”
“If only I could go after her myself...” Declan says, shaking his head, “I have full faith in my own abilities.”
“But not mine?” I ask.