On the good side of things, Drew is making progress with the apartment in our salon building. Franky has ordered the list of things that we need in order to have a fully working salon and we decided that we would fix up the top floor because it was Drew’s idea in the first place. Through Franky’s connections, he has managed to find us a plumber who can do the kitchen we want. He’s oddly cheap and I have a feeling Franky sneakily has something to do with it. I’ve told Lauren about the apartment and I felt awful when I did. She looked so let down and sad. After I explained that it was for me to get on my own two feet she understood and was happy for me, I do understand how she feels though. Since she was thrown into the grotty basement, naked and scared, we’ve hardly spent a day apart from each other.

Devlin shifts under me. “I’ll go see what that call was about.”

“No you won’t.” I push him back down. “I’m too comfy.”

“He’s coming back now anyway.” Lauren adds, after watching after Grim.

“That was dad,” Grim looks down to Devlin. “He wants to talk to me.”

“Just you?” Baby asks as he sits on the arm of the sofa.

“Yeah, he said it’s about Bomber.” Grim frowns.

I see Elise turn at hearing Bomber’s name and she races to her cousin. “Bomber?” She asks Grim.

“It’s club business Lissy.” Grim pats her shoulder. With promises to call Devlin if he needs him, he orders the men to stay where they need to be. Which sounds a bit odd, but they all agree and he leaves to meet Franky at his office at home.

“Why couldn’t he tell me about Bomber?” Elise sulks.

“I don’t know why you’re so bothered about him.” Scrappy scowls.

“Oh shut up!” Elise snaps at her older brother and storms away.

Wow! I’ve never seen her act like that. Scrappy falls down into a chair not looking very happy either.

“Fucking hate that guy.” He grumbles.

“What’s so wrong with Bomber? He helped us.” I point out.

Scrappy looks to with me sympathy. “I get that and I’m happy he did but I don’t like the man and I want him kept away from my sister.”

“He’s in America anyway.” Lauren reassures him.

“Yeah well it better stay that way.” Scrappy looks to where Elise stormed off and shakes his head. “I’d better go after her.”

I ride my bike to my parents’ house and walk straight in. My Mum runs right over to me and fusses.

“Brandon!” She smiles. “What are you doing here?”

Apart from Lauren, my mum is the only one to call me Brandon, even Dad hardly calls me that anymore. It’s either Grim or VP to him.

“I’m here to see Dad.” I answer, and as soon as I do her back stiffens. She can tell this isn’t a family drop in, this is club business.

“He’s in his office.” She walks off and leaves me to it. Years of being married to the Kings of Rebellion President has made my mum sensitive as to when it’s family or club time.

I give his office door one knock and let myself in. My dad is sat on his chair, his feet up on his desk and looking up to the ceiling. He looks stressed.

Fuck, this isn’t going to be good.

“Having a family get together is a pretty dumb idea son.” He points out without even looking at me.

“It was Lauren’s idea and what was I supposed to tell her when you thought it wasn’t any of the women’s business, even those who have dealt with The Devils.” I snap.

“Calm down VP.” He groans. “I haven’t asked you to come here about that.”

“Yeah I know, you mentioned Bomber.” I remind him.

He sighs, letting down his boots from the desk and sits up straight to look at me.

“You might want to take a seat.” I really don’t want to sit down, I want to hear what he has to say and get back to Lauren. Not knowing where Strike is puts her in danger and I’m constantly on edge. Strike has a weird obsession with my woman and I will not let him have his grubby hands on her again.

Being the obedient VP, listening to my Prez, I take a seat on the sofa in the corner and wait to hear what he has to say.

“Bomber just gave me a call.” He begins. “He says we have a rodent problem.”

“You fucking with me?” I freeze.

My dad’s face turns harsh. “Do you think I would fucking joke about this?”

My head drops, I look at the floor in anger. “Shit!”

“My thoughts exactly.” Prez stands and walks over to me. “We need to find this fucker.”

“Damn straight.” I quickly stand, shaking with anger. “He won’t have her again.”

Dad places his hand on my shoulder. “And he won’t.”

“Time to find us a rat.” I growl.

“Oh, I already know who it is son.”

I look up at him in shock. “Tell me who it is and I’ll kill him.”

I’m still sitting beside Devlin when he gets a phone call. I turn enough to see that it’s Grim, so I’m not surprised when he stands to take the call. God forbid I overhear anything club related. I watch him as he walks away and I notice the change in his as he answers. He becomes very tense and serious. I sit up straight, just knowing that something is up. Whatever Franky has told Grim is bad, I can see that written all over Devlin’s face.

Devlin hangs up and ushers some of the men around him, quietly mumbling whatever he has been told. The women watch, thinking the same as I do. We’re all close and related to the club in some way and know them enough to know shit is going down. I can feel the nervousness in the air.

The circle of member’s breaks up and they walk to their women, explaining they have to go. Within seconds, everyone is leaving the house and I look to Lauren seeing that she’s as confused as I am.

“What the fuck?” Drew asks as Baby guides her out the door.

“Don’t bust my balls Drew, I just gotta get you home.” He explains to her and to her credit, she just and does as he says.

“Alright!” Elise shouts. “You don’t have to pull me so hard!”

Scrappy is literally pulling Elise out the door. “Come on! I gotta get you to dads!”

She quickly sends us a wave before being dragged out the door. None of us like this, but we know they’re doing it for our own good. I’ve known for a few days that’s something’s not been right and this crap just proves I was right. It’s all very odd and Devlin hasn’t even approached me yet. No, he’s too busy making sure all the doors and windows are shut and locked tight.

Lauren comes to sit beside me as we watch Devlin, knowing that something serious has definitely happened. There’s a knock and Lauren gets up to answer but Devlin stops her is a stern quiet voice. “Go and sit down.”

Shocked, Lauren does as he says and returns to her seat next to me. “What the fuck.” She whispers.

Devlin walks up to the door. “Who is it?”

As he looks through the peep hole we hear Grim. “It’s me.”

Devlin lets him in and Grim shakes his head, not looking happy. They make sure the security cameras are on and the gates are locked at the bottom of the garden.

“This is ridiculous.” I watch as they make their way back inside the house.

“I’m guessing Franky didn’t have good news.” Lauren adds quietly as the men walk towards us.

“Right girls, I think you two should get some sleep.” Grim suggests and I almost laugh.

“Sleep?” Lauren asks and Grim nods. “I’m not a child.”

“I wasn’t saying that but considering what is happening I need you to go to bed.” Grim is on edge, I can tell. His senses are alive just looking for anything out of place.

Lauren sighs, giving in. “Fine.”

“You too.” Devlin looks at me.

“Oh, you’re ready to talk now?” I cross my arms and glare up at him.