Hyde: Northern Grizzlies MC Next Generation Book 1, page 7
“How do you know they don’t know about this place?”
“Because they haven’t come knocking already,” I drawl out the words and she looks down, seemingly embarrassed. “Time to break into the reserves. Come with me.”
I brace myself when I stand up but other than a slight pulling sensation, the wound doesn’t hurt as bad as I feared. Leslee follows me back to the master bedroom and her eyes widen when I close the door behind us.
“This was designed to be the safe room when Alex rebuilt the place,” I instruct her.
Reaching out, I make sure she’s watching when I slightly open the bottom drawer of the dresser next to the door. That releases the catch which holds it in place, and it swings around to hold the bedroom door shut. The back side of the dresser also reveals a cache of guns and ammo.
“Any shit that goes down, this is where you have to get to,” I state the obvious before pointing to the other door in the room. “In the back of the linen closet in the bathroom, you’ll find an entrance to a tunnel that’ll get you about a hundred yards away. There are go-bags stored at the far end of that. If you’re in the other bedroom, push on this panel to crawl through into this room. Once you’re in this room you secure it with these support bars. Doesn’t matter where I am, you fucking lock yourself in.”
“This is quickly becoming my dream home,” Leslee whispers, reaching down to latch, then release the levers that secures the panel I indicated.
“Leslee,” I snap her name out, drawing her attention back to me. “Promise me you’ll lock it and get out.”
She looks between the doors and back at me. “No. I won’t ever leave you behind.”
I open my mouth, wanting to argue with her and make her give me her word. But I know her well enough to know she won’t. Leslee’s never lied to me, and she won’t start with a promise that could cost me my life.
Studying her face, I finally see what I’ve been missing and want to kick myself. Behind her cocksure attitude, she’s terrified and way out of her depth. For all that she’s always acted so mature, Leslee is eighteen with a price on her head—that’s enough to break most people.
Opening my arms, she doesn’t hesitate. Even though she’s careful not to hit my wound, she wraps her arms around my torso in such a way that I’m not sure she ever plans to let go.
I wind one hand into her hair, dipping my head down to deeply inhale her scent as I hold her against my chest.
I’m not going to kid myself.
I’m keeping her pinned in place because I’m not sure that I can bear the full weight of those amber eyes if she looks up at me again.
“Joe?” Leslee’s voice is hesitant when she speaks. “I’m exhausted, but since we’re on our own do you need me to take watch with you? Or at least in shifts?”
“I turned on the motion detectors when we came in,” I tell her. “If anyone makes it past the first perimeter, we’ll know it. Just past the second perimeter, there are other devices I can activate—if needed.”
“Alex doesn’t mess around does she?”
It’s hard not to smile at the tone of Leslee’s voice, especially since it sounds like she’s mentally adding all the features I told her about to a demented Pinterest board.
“I’d rather you take this room, so go grab your bag,” I say by way of response, without releasing the grip I have on her.
“Stay with me,” she murmurs, seemingly content to stay in the circle of my arms a little longer.
“No,” I whisper the single word close to her ear and force myself to let go of the most beautiful woman I’ve ever held.
Leslee
I squint my eyes at his back when he walks away from me, but I take a breath and smile to myself. I’ll have time to get him to see things my way.
Really, it just feels so good to see him again, it almost takes away all the fear and frustration that I’ve been bottling up since that witch blew into Idaho with her hellish shitstorm in tow.
Considering I just snuggled into him for comfort, I have to get him to see me as an adult and not a child who’s easily overwhelmed.
Northern Grizzlies do not take weak women to be their Ol’ Ladies, I think to myself. I was raised around some of the toughest, smartest women and each of them have a loving and dedicated man, or two, by their side.
I may not have a clue of what exactly I want to do with my life, since I’ve always figured I’d stumble into it—after things with Joe were settled.
The only thing I am certain of is that he is mine.
*
Lurching out of bed sometime later, all I can think of is what Joe said about defensive devices on the property and of all the wildlife that must be around here.
Worried about animals I’ve never seen, I grab my hoodie as I slip out of my room. I’m barely awake when I peek in the door to the second bedroom and the bedside lamp shows that the room is empty. Turning, the light at my back helps me see that Joe fell asleep sitting upright in the recliner. The idiot didn’t even put the footrest up and his head is tilted at an angle that hurts me to look at him.
“Hey!” I whisper as I approach him.
Joe jolts out of the chair like I tazed him. “What’s wrong?” he barks out at me.
“The devices that you said you can activate if someone tries to sneak up on us. I was wondering about the deer and bunnies out here—will they be alright?”
“Fuck,” he growls, shaking his head as he tries to work the crick out of his neck. “They won’t go off accidentally and I’m pretty sure if anyone comes calling, that’ll scare the animals away. I don’t know. Christ, I need some ibuprofen.”
Nodding my head, I turn back to my room and dig a bottle out of my bag. Tossing it to him from across the room, his eyes widen at the size of it.
“You don’t mess around do ya?” he asks, shaking the bottle with a grin. I just shrug, not wanting to discuss how bad my cramps get every month.
“Why don’t you go lie down, I can keep watch for a while,” I tell him and he grimaces, knowing he was sleeping on ‘watch’ anyway.
“Your dad would beat the shit out of me if he had caught me sleeping,” he mumbles.
“Then here’s my offer: you go and get some actual sleep and I won’t tell him that you fucked up on guard duty.”
“First of all, you’re still a brat. Secondly, until today, I’ve never heard you swear before and you kinda suck at it,” he tells me, his eyes somewhat hooded as he seems to be assessing my threat.
“Bed. Now,” I demand, stepping back and pointing in the direction of the rooms.
Chapter 6
Riley
“Sweetheart?”
Gunner’s voice tells me two things. Our baby is still in danger, but alive.
I take a deep breath, the first since I heard Jasper call all of the present Northern Grizzlies into Church.
It took every fiber of my being not to barge in there today. Looking up at the face I know so well, there’s something else that he’s worried about telling me.
He tilts his head, standing aside so I’ll have room to pass him. I leave the table that I’m sitting at with Charlie and Molly, without a word and continue up to the room that’s still assigned to him after all of these years.
Looking around, it hasn’t changed much, besides some of the things I’ve added over time. I’ll never forget that day I came here, so damn confident—and foolish. Memories of other days and nights here flood my mind and I wonder how I’ll categorize today, once he gets around to telling me what’s happening.
“I remember that helmet I gave you on your first day here, and how Leslee would use it for her dress up games when she was a munchkin.” Gunner’s low voice makes me smile, the fact that our minds have gone to the same place brings me as much comfort as the feel of his arms circling around me. “The Navaja cartel was waiting for the plane, Parks is dead, but Leslee’s safe.”
My legs give out with the first part of his update, and I find myself swung up into his arms as he crosses to the large recliner. His eyes holding mine as he repeats, “She’s safe.”
“Tell me.” I can’t believe the effort it took to get those two words out of my mouth. Focusing on the slow and steady beat of his heart through his chest and cut, I wait for the other shoe to drop. Because the shadows in his eyes have already told me there’s something else bothering him.
“They didn’t mess around with Parks, just put him down, but they weren’t firing directly at Leslee, so that tells me they want her alive. Um, our guy got there right in time to pick her up, he was nicked, but it was minor enough that she tended to the wound. He got her to Silver’s brother’s old place,” he informs me. “I spoke to her.”
“But, Jasper was going to send the Virginia chapter for her. Why was there only one guy? Why isn’t she at their clubhouse?” My voice gets louder with each word. It’s not like Jasper to change plans on a dime, he’s too methodical.
“Flint brought up a valid point, keeping her hidden for a while is easier done without dozens of people—some we don’t know, being involved. Vector agreed, and Flint called someone else to pick her up.” Now Gunner’s just stalling.
While I narrow my eyes at him, I focus on trying to get ahead of the chess game that Flint always seems to be playing.
“Who would Flint… No. No, he did not call that man to secrete our daughter for the duration of this…” I bellow in his face.
“Sweetheart, calm down.” Gunner tries to soothe me, tightening his arms to keep me on his lap. “I know, I wasn’t happy about it either, but it’s done.”
“Oh, you weren’t happy about it? Are you going to be happy being a grandfather? Because I am too fucking young to be a grandmother!” I only seem to have one volume right now, and the fact that Gunner isn’t immediately flying across the country to keep them apart, makes me even more furious.
“Riley, first of all, you like Hyde, remember? Second of all, he understands that she used to have a crush on him, but he’ll never touch her. Honestly, I think I’d be more nervous if it was any of the younger guys from Vector’s chapter. And if Hyde finally comes back here after all of this, then it’s a win-win.”
“Me liking that man has no bearing on me wanting him as a son-in-law. I respect, love, and need you more than the air I breathe, but you are fucking kidding yourself if you think she’s over him.” I ground out the words, watching them sink in. “Do you know how many times I’ve gotten the mail in the past four years? One time, the day she broke her ankle. The next day, she hobbled her butt down the driveway to the mailbox when I went to the bathroom. And wasn’t he supposed to stop sending the postcards at some point?”
“I trust Hyde, Riley. And Flint wouldn’t have…” the words are no sooner out of Gunner’s mouth than I see something click in his eyes. “Son of a bitch.”
“Bree misses Joe,” I softly prompt him. “And Flint’s not getting any younger.”
“And there’s nothing Flint wants more than to make Bree happy,” he concludes. Finally, I think, but save myself the eye roll; at least until he continues. “But that doesn't mean that Joe will cross that line.”
“Christ, Gunner, the only person nearly as diabolical as Flint, is Leslee.” I sigh, exasperated.
“Really? Because I’d put Xander about ten pegs above her,” Gunner says with a proud smile pulling at his mouth, and I lean up to kiss his full lips.
He deepens it, working out a release for the worry we’re both feeling, until I pull back. “That’s because she’s had you wrapped around her pinky since she popped out of me.”
“Mom’s right.” Xander’s voice startles both of us, and I look over to see our son peeking through a narrow opening of the door before he pushes through it. “Leslee’s only ever wanted to be with Hyde. Dad, you know you terrify the fuck out of all the guys, so you just assumed that’s why she wasn’t dating anyone. It was the perfect cover for her.”
“We’re gonna have a talk later, Xan,” Gunner tells him. “Now, if you wouldn’t mind twisting the bottom lock before you shut that door.”
Xander’s eyes widen, but our kids know us well enough that they back off when Mom and Dad want private time.
“Gunner, I want to talk to…”
“Tomorrow. We’ll get a different burner and call to check in,” he growls, gathering my hair tightly up in his large hand, and leaning in to kiss me. “I worked that out for you, after that we’re radio silent for a week.”
“I’m going to talk to her, then you and I are having a whole other conversation.”
“Yeah, but later,” Gunner says, before lowering me to the rug and doing his damnedest to distract me.
Chapter 7
Hyde
Waking up the next morning, I adhere to my routine of slow stretches. Starting from my toes and moving upwards, I assess my aches and pains.
Considering how close I came to eating dirt yesterday, I decide that I’m luckier than I have any right to be. The only thing that bothers me more than my side, is my conscience.
Falling asleep when I was supposed to be guarding Leslee, seems like a small infraction when compared to how many times I’ve thought about her in the last eighteen hours.
While Alex has a full selection of board games tucked away in a cabinet, I decide that it’s probably best if we go out for a hike or down to the stream to fish for our dinner. That plan has the added benefit of keeping Leslee’s mind off of her troubles and tiring her out before tonight.
“I’m glad you’re up,” Leslee says the moment I open the door to my room. “I wanted to go outside to see if there were berries I could gather, or any fruit trees, to add something fresh to our breakfast, but I need to know where the perimeter thingies are before I go out there by myself.”
I blink in her direction. Then I take in what she’s wearing and exhale. It isn’t the shorts that perfectly show off her long legs, so much as the fact she’s not wearing a bra and her headlights are pointed in my direction as she stands with a hand on one hip, waiting for me to respond.
Turning, I walk into the guest bathroom to relieve myself and splash some water on my face. Her eyes are above her chin, I coach myself, staring at my reflection in the mirror. Fuck me. Her eyes are… dammit, Gunner’s gonna snap my neck.
Opening the door, I see her open her mouth and I hold up my hand to stop her.
“Is there coffee?” I ask her.
Her eyebrows are pulled close enough together to deepen the line between them and her lips remain pinched together when she finally shakes her head.
“Get dressed. We’re going to town.”
I’m not thinking clearly. I know that, but since Vector’s men aren’t coming with supplies, it’s up to me to handle that.
At least, she’s quick, I’ll give her that. By the time I’ve dressed, deactivated the alarm system, and located the keys for the old truck that Alex keeps in the barn, Leslee is ready to go.
“Get your hoodie, and keep your hair covered,” I instruct her, after giving her a once over. Remembering it from last night, I know it’s loose enough to keep her figure hidden also.
Leslee stays remarkably silent during the fifteen-minute ride to town, merely pointing out a parking space that I hadn’t seen across the street from the market. Twisting my head between her, the diner, and the store, I make a quick decision.
“Do you drink coffee?” I ask her.
“Nope.”
“Okay, you go and start shopping. Plan on a couple of weeks of food, say for three people, just in case anyone shows up in the next few days. Keep your head down, and don’t do anything to stand out. I’m going to get a cup of coffee and I’ll be there in a minute.”
“Alrighty, see ya in a few,” she responds, reaching for the handle of the door.
I lay a hand on her shoulder just before she hops out. “Are we okay?” I check, worried about how quiet she’s being.
“Yeah, Dad doesn’t like talking much before coffee, so I figure you’re the same,” she responds looking nonplussed.
I click my tongue against the roof of my mouth in agreement, surprised at how relieved I am that she didn’t take my surliness the wrong way.
Remaining in the truck as she enters the store, I keep her in my sight long enough to make sure she’s keeping her hood up. Once I’m sure that she’s good, I head inside the town’s diner, which thankfully has surprisingly solid coffee.
Catching up with Leslee a short time later, I find my eyes focusing on her long legs but shake my head when I get to the long hem of her sweatshirt.
“Feel better?” she asks me, eyeing my to-go cup and I nod. “Good, go grab a bottle of vodka and whatever beer you want, from that section over there.”
The area she indicates has a doorway to a separate liquor store, with signs warning of severe consequences for minors.
“You that big of a drinker?” I ask, raising an eyebrow as I look down at her.
“My parents are fine with me drinking, within reason, of course, but I need the vodka for my pasta sauce. I’m going to make a big batch that we can just reheat as we go,” she explains, and I’ve had her mom’s lasagna enough times that I immediately turn to fulfill her order.
While I’m in there, I pick up one other item that catches my eye. Better safe than sorry.
It might be too much to hope for, but I think we made it to town and back without catching any unwanted attention.
*
Considering we’re in hiding and Leslee’s life is in danger, I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed a day as much as today.
After the run into town, she spent the rest of the morning cooking—even chasing me away when I offered to help. I sat on the couch until I nodded off, but this time she was ready with coffee when she woke me up from my nap.
“Refill?” she asks, sitting across from me as she sips on a Diet Coke.
“Nah, I’m good. What time is it?”
“I think it’s time to go on that hike you mentioned,” she responds, stretching her legs out in front of her. “I’m getting a little stir crazy.”
