by Ana Night
Rome grunted and took a deep breath. “Marco’s gay. Has known since he was a kid and, growing up, all we had was each other. Fooling around with anyone else would’ve been too dangerous. Too obvious. There wasn’t anything emotional to it except the comfort we could give each other in knowing we were in the same shitty fucking boat.”
“That’s…” Juno trailed off and shook his head. “That must’ve been awful.”
Rome blinked at him. That was not the reaction he’d expected from him.
“It was. It’s the reason we’re as close as we are. The reason he trusts me with his life.”
Juno nodded slowly, his bottom lip between his teeth as he watched Rome with sympathy in his eyes.
“I’m glad you had each other back then,” Juno said, a wicked smile spreading on his lips. He got into Rome’s lap and wrapped his arms around the back of Rome’s neck. “As long as he knows you’re mine now.”
Rome grinned at Juno. He liked the sound of that. A lot.
He ran his hands up Juno’s thighs to his ass, grabbing two handfuls of it and making Juno moan. Juno lowered his head but before he could kiss Rome, Rome’s phone beeped. Rome squeezed his eyes shut, a smile playing on his lips as Juno cursed Marco.
He looked up at Juno and gave him an apologetic look before lifting Juno off him. He stood and walked into the bedroom to grab his shoulder holster and gun. He shrugged into the holster and turned to head out of the room only to have Juno stand in the way. Juno had his arms crossed and his eyes narrowed at Rome.
Rome walked up to him and pressed a quick kiss to his lips.
“I’m sorry. I have to go.”
“Nuh-uh,” Juno said with a shake of his head. “You don’t get to do stupid shit without me.”
A surprised laugh escaped Rome and he cupped Juno’s face in his hands. He brushed a kiss to Juno’s lips, then leaned back to meet Juno’s gaze.
“You’re crazy, you know that?”
Juno shrugged, then said, “Life would be boring if I wasn’t.”
Rome shook his head as he smiled at Juno. He may be right, but Rome doubted it. His life would be anything but boring with Juno in it.
Juno
As much as he hated getting in the cage, he didn’t want to get his bike involved in whatever Serrano had planned. He loved her too much. He would do more than just cut a bitch for getting his baby a scratch. She was his pride and joy.
He opened the door to the passenger seat and slid in. He glanced at Rome who was looking at his phone. The frown on his forehead didn’t exactly bode well.
“What’s wrong?”
Rome jerked his head up, his eyes landing on Juno. “Neil has found some of the product Alvaro stole.”
“Who’s Neil?”
Rome tensed for no more than a heartbeat before taking a breath and relaxing.
“He’s the guy Marco’s been fucking for years,” Rome said, the tone of his voice making Juno think he was holding something back. It was none of his business, so he didn’t ask about it and just gave Rome a nod. He didn’t really care who Marco was fucking as long as it wasn’t Rome. Unless Marco tried to come between them, he’d stay out of it. When Rome had told him about their past and Marco being gay, it finally made sense why Marco didn’t seem to care too much about Rome fucking a guy. Honestly, he hadn’t put much thought to it because Rome hadn’t seemed worried in the least. Now he knew why.
Rome drove them to a really nice part of town and parked in front of a long, six-story building. Juno looked around as he got out of the car. The place looked expensive. Exclusive. He followed Rome to one of the doors. When they were let in, he followed Rome into an elevator. They walked out on the third floor and Rome made his way to one of the two apartment doors. He unlocked it and opened it, then held it for Juno.
They went into the living room and found Serrano there along with a man in a suit. He had black hair and gray eyes that nearly made Juno shudder when the man turned them his way. There was something… dark and dangerous in that look. Something deadly.
Juno ignored Serrano who was glaring at him and walked up to the other man.
“Hi, I’m—”
“Juno Meyers. I know. I’m Neil.”
Juno was frowning at him as he shook his hand. Not like that was creepy or anything. He decided against asking about it because he was certain he wouldn’t like Neil’s answer.
“What’s the plan?” Rome asked.
“Go get my shit back,” Serrano said as if it should’ve been obvious.
“Pretty sure Rome was asking how we’re gonna get your shit back,” Juno drawled.
Serrano turned to scowl at Juno. Before they could get into it, Rome stepped between them.
“Knock it off. If we’re gonna do this, we need to get moving and soon.”
Juno sighed and crossed his arms.
“Marco’s shit is being stored in a warehouse in Dundalk,” Neil said.
Juno took a step to the side so he could see Neil for Rome.
“How did you figure that out?”
Neil’s lips twitched. “I have my ways.”
Juno arched a brow at him, but he didn’t bother asking, figuring he wouldn’t get an answer.
“So, what is the plan?”
Rome
He didn’t like bringing Juno even if he knew the man could take care of himself. He was an outlaw biker, after all. He didn’t know where his protectiveness was coming from. He’d only ever felt that protective of Marco and Dante. It wasn’t that he wanted to coddle Juno, he just didn’t want anything to happen to him. It was… strange. Yet he doubted it was a phase. Doubted how protective he felt of Juno would ever lessen.
They parked their cars within walking distance from the warehouse. He got out of the car and walked up to Neil’s car with Juno at his side. Marco was leaned against the side of the car while Neil rummaged through a duffle bag. He looked up when they neared.
“Recon first,” Neil said and gave Marco a stern look. “Don’t get too close.”
Marco huffed but didn’t say anything.
Neil threw a pair of binoculars at Rome who caught them and gave Neil a funny look.
“Juno, with me. You two,” Neil said with a glance between Rome and Marco. “Find a good spot to use that.”
Rome swallowed a curse and watched as Juno followed Neil, then turned to Marco.
“So, he’s just bossing us around, now?”
Marco sighed, then said, “You forgetting that this is actually what he does for a living?”
“He babies you for a living?” Rome quipped.
Marco’s glare had him biting his tongue.
“Let’s find a place to use that damned thing,” Marco said through clenched teeth and nodded at the binoculars in Rome’s hands before taking off. He dropped his head back with a sigh, then went after Marco.
There were a few houses across the street from the warehouse. Alvaro, the dickhead, had chosen a legit warehouse to store Marco’s products in. Had probably even paid for it legally. The place had security cameras, guards, and the people there wouldn’t hesitate to call the cops. They were rather fucked, if he had to say so himself.
He followed Marco to the front door of a house without a car parked out front and waited while Marco knocked on the door. When no one answered within a minute, Marco motioned for Rome to head around to the back of the house. He looked through a window, then walked up to the patio door only to have Marco open it from the inside.
“Spare key under a flowerpot,” Marco said with a shrug.
The house was small but did have a second floor, which they made their way to. Rome walked to the window overlooking the warehouse. He lifted the binoculars, only to stop and stare at all the buttons on it he hadn’t noticed before.
“Please tell me this thing has thermal vision,” Rome said.
“Let me see,” Marco said and took the binoculars out of Rome’s hands.
He fiddled with it for a while before letting out a sound of vi
ctory.
“Got it,” Marco said and looked through the binoculars.
“How many?”
“Six inside. Two outside, not counting Neil and Juno.”
Marco handed him the binoculars and after counting the red figures, he agreed with Marco’s assessment. He managed to turn off the thermal imaging in time to see one of the two men outside use a keycard and then type in a code to open the door.
“Shit,” he mumbled.
“What?”
He put down the binoculars to meet Marco’s gaze.
“We need a keycard and a passcode to get in.”
Marco dropped his head back with a sigh, his eyes squeezed shut for a moment before he looked at Rome. “We’ll figure it out.”
Rome hoped so, otherwise, they would’ve gone there for nothing.
They left the house and made their way back to the cars.
“What the fuck?” Marco exclaimed.
Rome jerked his head up, his gaze landing on the man leaned against the front of Neil’s car. Marco pulled his gun, but Rome put a hand on top of it and pushed it down.
“Don’t.”
Marco’s glare was mixed with confusion. Instead of explaining, Rome turned to the bastard who was now grinning at them.
“And here I thought you’d be happy to see me,” Bones said.
Footsteps had Rome glancing over his shoulder to see Neil and Juno returning. Juno cocked his head to the side, a puzzled look on his face when he saw Bones.
“Bones? The hell are you doing here?” Juno asked.
Bones shrugged. “Your text pretty much spelled out, ‘I’m gonna do something stupid,’ and I just couldn’t let you do it alone.”
“You texted him?” Rome asked Juno, a bite to his voice.
Juno released a groan. “I… Didn’t tell him. He just… It doesn’t matter.” Juno turned to Bones with an arched brow. “How did you find us?”
“I asked Auggie to trace your phone.”
“Asshole,” Juno grumbled.
Bones grinned and asked, “So, what are we doing?”
No one answered for a long moment until Juno glanced around, then sighed and said, “We’re stealing back the shipment that was stolen from Serrano.”
Bones’ brows hit his hairline, then he snorted out a laugh. “Well, shit, count me in, then.”
As much as Rome preferred keeping Bones out of it, he had to admit an extra set of hands would be very helpful and from the lack of protesting coming from Neil and Marco, they’d likely come to the same conclusion.
“We need a keycard and a passcode to get in. The guards have both,” Rome said.
“Doesn’t matter. Auggie’s gonna let us in. I figured you were here for the warehouse so he’s just waiting for my text,” Bones said.
“I doubt the workers are gonna be armed,” Juno said. “The two guards are, though.”
Neil nodded and said, “Let’s keep this to no casualties. These men aren’t involved and are only doing their jobs.”
“We’re gonna need a truck,” Rome said.
Neil cocked a brow at him and said, “Already taken care of.”
Of course, it was. Fucking spook.
Neil popped the trunk of his car and pulled out a bunch of ski masks and gloves. Rome took a ski mask and put it in his back pocket. Putting it on before they got closer to the warehouse was stupid. The gloves he put on, though.
He wasn’t looking forward to this. It could go very wrong, especially with civilians involved. He didn’t like it. Not one bit.
“Why is it always warehouses?” Bones mumbled with a shake of his head.
Rome met Bones’ gaze and gave him a look he hoped stated that he shared the sentiment.
Juno
Neil led the way to the back of the warehouse property where there were products stored outside in the lot. They’d agreed to go through the back even though the front gate was open. If they went in there, the guards would spot them immediately and likely alert the cops. If they were gonna have even a chance of moving Serrano’s products, they’d need to be more discreet than that.
Neil stopped right outside the camera's view and motioned for everyone to put their mask on. Juno met Rome’s gaze before pulling on his ski mask. They look in Rome’s eyes told him pretty clearly that Rome didn’t like having him there. He found the man’s concern for him kinda sweet. He wasn’t sure why he liked Rome’s protectiveness. He’d never had anyone want to protect him like that. Sure, his brothers and sisters were ready to lay down their lives for him, as he was for them, but they’d never wanted to keep him safe. Not like Rome.
The barbwire on top of the chain-link fence surrounding the warehouse had seen better days. Neil jumped the fence as he had when they’d done the recon earlier, landing on a pallet of boxes. The rest followed. The only one having trouble getting over the barbwire was Bones who complained about Emery feeding him too well, which was probably true.
“Remember,” Neil said. “No casualties.”
Bones leaned into Juno and asked in a stage whisper, “Does he think we just go around shooting people for no good reason?”
Neil jerked around to glare at them. “In my experience, bikers tend to be volatile and prone to taking stupid chances without thinking of the consequences.”
Bones mock gasped and turned to Juno with a twinkle in his eye. “I think he just described both of us to a T.”
Juno snorted and shook his head. He had to agree, though, and from the sound Rome made, he wasn’t the only one.
Neil gave Bones a stern look before motioning for them to split up. Juno and Bones went with Rome. They went along a row of pallets, looking for the guards. Rome jerked to a halt and held up a fist. He turned and pointed at Bones, then motioned for him to go the other way around. Juno walked up next to Rome and peeked around the corner. A guard stood only a few feet from them, his phone in hand.
A thump sounded from where he knew Bones would be and, as much as he would like to claim Bones had done it on purpose, he doubted it. It worked well for them, though. The guard snapped his head up and whirled around, turning his back to Rome and Juno.
“Hands up. Say a word and you die,” Rome growled as he walked up behind the guard, his gun aimed at him.
Juno was grateful the ski mask because he was smiling like a lunatic at hearing that growl in Rome’s voice. He liked when Rome got all growly. Liked it more than was probably considered sane.
The guard thrust his hands in the air, still holding his phone. Bones appeared in front of him and took the phone, then made the man get on his knees. Rome tied him up with the zip ties Neil had passed around and gagged him, then tied him to a pallet. The poor guy looked like he was gonna shit himself.
They made their way to the entrance they’d agreed to meet at and found Neil and Marco waiting there for them.
“What took you so long?” Neil grumbled.
“Bones tripped over himself,” Juno said.
Bones gasped and hit Juno in the shoulder, saying, “Did not.”
Neil let out a grunt and from the look in his eyes, Juno was sure the man would rather strangle them both than listen to another word out of them.
Bones pulled out his phone, tapping out a text and, a few seconds later, the door unlocked. Juno grabbed the handle and opened the door a sliver, then glanced over his shoulder at Neil who gave him a nod. He pulled open the door and held it for the others to walk through, then went in as the last man.
They all had their guns out as they walked further inside the warehouse. Once they reached the first rack they split up, knowing the six workers would be spread all over the warehouse. Bones went with Juno. They headed to the other end of the warehouse and checked every aisle on the way until they turned down one where they found a worker looking at a clipboard.
“Hands up,” Juno said.
The man stared at Juno for a second before jerking his hands up, the clipboard hitting the floor with a thump. Juno watched him while Bones walked further
down the rack. He returned soon after with another worker. With the two men walking in front of them, they made their way to the middle of the building. Rome was there with two workers and shortly after they’d arrived, Neil and Marco showed up with another two.
“This is a robbery,” Neil yelled in a perfect English accent. He pointed to the corner of the building where there looked to be an office. “If you want to live, you go in there.”
Most of the men looked frightened while some seemed to be in shock. They all scurried toward the office where Juno was sure Neil would lock them inside. Neil motioned for Bones and Rome to help him and together they followed the workers.
“Find the damned crates,” Neil told Marco before disappearing inside the office.
The second the door closed after Neil, Marco turned to Juno.
“They’ve gotta be by one of the loading docks.”
“Why?” Juno asked.
“Because he’s gotta have plans to move them soon. It’s what I would do.”
There were several loading docks around the warehouse, so they had to check them one by one until they found one with a truckload of crates piled in front of it.
“There they are,” Marco said.
The crates looked small enough two men should be able to carry one. It would be hard work, but they’d get it done, and hopefully, before anyone noticed they were there.
Juno walked to the loading dock and pressed the button to open the garage door. He jumped down and walked up to a truck parked close by, knowing the keys were left in the ignition thanks to the guy Neil’d had drop it off while they’d gathered the workers inside.
He crawled into the cab and started the truck. He backed it toward the dock with the help of Marco. He thought he did a decent job even though it’d been years since he’d driven anything near the size of the semi-truck. He opened the door and leaned out enough to see Marco’s thumbs-up, then jumped down.
There was an exit with a staircase right next to the dock, so he made his way up the stairs. The door opened before he reached it, Rome standing in the doorway. He could tell the man was smiling from the gleam in his eyes and he knew Rome would know when he returned that smile.