Undercover in the Dark

by Ann Jensen

  After her encounter in the woods with Max, they had cleaned up and endured some good-natured teasing when they rejoined the Dark Sons at the rally. Afterwards they had come back to the compound to a BBQ already under way. She looked around the large crowd of cheerful people with a touch of awe.

  Knowing the Dark Sons had over fifty Brothers was one thing, but seeing them and their families bonding over beer and good food was another. The sense of community and camaraderie was something she had never seen in a group this large. If it weren’t for the overabundance of tattoos, black clothing, and leather cuts, she wouldn’t have believed it was a gathering of bikers.

  “You look as wide-eyed as a minister’s daughter at her first frat party.” Val’s southern twang broke her out of her thoughts.

  Avery chuckled and shook her head. The gorgeous redhead was striding over to the table where she was sitting dressed in an emerald shirt that said Partying for Two in gold glitter over her large baby bump. Glad for the familiar company, she waved for the woman to join her.

  Max had left her alone a little while ago to talk to some of his Brothers and she had decided to stay and people watch while she pulled her thoughts together. The next day they would put together plans about what to do about her situation, but they had both agreed to let it go for now and enjoy the nice day.

  Val settled herself across the picnic table, a warm smile on her lips. “Not what you expected?”

  “No. I was expecting more of what I saw last night at the Clubhouse. Drunk men, barely dressed women, maybe some fights. This is…” Avery wasn’t sure how to describe it.

  “It’s family. Oh the boys get wild, no mistake, but not at family events.” Val rubbed her stomach with a small smile. “My daddy used to say an MC needs three things to thrive. The wildness that calls them to the open road. The fight to protect and keep what they claim. And the strength of a solid home so they can rest their tired souls.”

  Her words were beautiful and seemed to wrap up everything Avery had been pondering. Max’s words earlier had started her mental journey, but Val had summed it up much more succinctly. “I’m not a passive woman.”

  Val’s loud laugh was completely uninhibited and filled with a sense of joy. “No. I don’t suppose you are. Is that what you think Max wants?”

  Avery snorted, then raised a hand to cover her face in embarrassment. “No. I mean, I don’t think so. We barely know each other.” She shrugged. “We don’t have any claim on each other. It would be foolish to think I knew him well enough to say for sure.”

  “Well, I’ve known him for years and I’ll say he’s never shown interest in a woman for more than a romp and the women he picked for that were, let’s just say, troublemakers.”

  Heat raced up her spine as jealousy reared its ugly head. Why was she jealous of who he had been with? She had been planning on taking off as soon as her name was cleared. Had that changed?

  “Has he been with someone lately? A girlfriend I need to worry about?” Her question was inappropriate, but Avery couldn’t help but ask.

  “No girlfriends ever, as far as I know.” There was laughter in Val’s eyes that made Avery have to admit how silly she was being. Saying in one breath she had no claim, but in the next acting the jealous lover.

  “Sorry.”

  “Nothing to be sorry about, sweetie. I’ve seen it too many times to count. Our men are like tornados, sudden and wild. They sweep you off your feet in a moment and before you know it the world is a changed place and you are just trying to get your bearings.”

  “I don’t know–” her words were cut off as the rock music that had been coming through the speakers cut off and was replaced by ‘Highway to Hell’ playing at a ridiculously loud volume.

  Val stood, her head turned toward the Clubhouse. She looked back and shouted, “Come with me, Cat. No arguments.”

  All around her, people had started to move with purpose. The women were gathering up the kids and heading towards the houses on the other side of the enormous field where the party was being held. The men were all heading in different directions, but each looked like they knew what they were doing. What the hell was going on?

  Val’s grip on her arm snapped Avery out of her confused state. She followed the pregnant woman, scanning the area looking for Max.

  “What’s happening?” Avery was shocked at how fast the pregnant woman was moving. They were headed over to a gathering of women and children by the bouncy house set up in the middle of the large field.

  The lighthearted gathering had, in moments, turned into a strange mess of controlled chaos.

  “Police raid. That song means we don’t have time to get people home so we change location. Women to the back of the compound.”

  Raid. The word sent ice racing down her spine. She needed to run. If the police caught her here, there would be hell to pay. None of these people deserved that. She looked around at her options. There were woods beyond the houses, the mountains in the distance, but she didn’t have supplies. The police might already be watching the road, so that wasn’t an option. What to do?

  They came to a stop in the middle of a group of women most of them she recognized from her first night here. Val looked her up and down, a scowl filling her face. “Oh, I know that look. Don’t you dare try to take off. Try it and I’ll have these ladies tie you up like a spring calf at a rodeo.”

  “I wouldn’t test her if I were you.” Pixie stood in the center of the group of women, bouncing a fussing baby on her shoulder.

  The loud music finally cut off, but the action around them didn’t slow. Avery shook her head. “They can’t find me here. You all will get in trouble.”

  Tari placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “You have Dark Sons’ protection. That doesn’t change when the pressure is on.”

  Shock and not a small amount of awe made her chest feel tight. She expected fear, anger, or at least annoyance from these people she had just met, but looking around she only saw one common emotion.

  Determination.

  “The guys are probably coming up with a plan as we speak.” Cami shrugged. “But if not, we’ll take you to my place, there is a secret bunker under it with all the luxury you could want to last a month.”

  Avery couldn’t help her slack jaw. “But you don’t even know me.”

  “Nonsense.” Val waved a hand as if waving off inconsequential thoughts. “You’re family, or will be soon enough. All right Ladies let’s move this party to the other side of the houses so our men don’t start worrying.”

  The roar of a motorcycle racing across the field had them all looking back towards the Clubhouse. A single rider sped across the grass, straight toward them. He wore a black full-face helmet but Avery would recognize that sure handling of a bike and lean muscular build anywhere. It was Max.

  He pulled up next to them, not even kicking up dirt with how smooth his quick stop was. He held out a helmet to her and nodded to the back of his bike. A million questions flowed through her mind, but knowing now was not the time, she slammed the helmet on her head and scrambled onto the back of the bike.

  “You ready, Wildcat?” Max’s voice echoed in the helmet.

  She couldn’t resist a smile that no one could see behind her visor. “Yeah.”

  He must be able to hear her because they took off immediately. The momentum threw her back for a moment till she gripped her thighs and clutched his hips. Faster than she thought possible they were past the houses and on a dirt road heading into the forest.

  “It’s going to be a bumpy ride so hold on tight.”

  She gripped his hips a little tighter. Unlike their ride the other night, this one was bumpy and the seat occasionally smacked into parts of her still tender from their earlier games.

  “What’s going on?” She did her best to keep her voice calm.

  “Agent Taylor got a federal search warrant for the main compound to find you. We don’t know how he knew you were here but our man in the local police said they al
so have orders to detain for questioning several of the Old Ladies, myself and a few of the other Brothers who have been around you over the last 24 hours.”

  Ice settled into her veins as she contemplated what that could mean. A large metal fence appeared along the side of the road that must be a marker of the end of the compound. Up ahead a section of it was open, and she had to hold back a scream as the bike bucked as he drove off the road and through the opening. She looked back to see the fence sliding closed behind them like some secret gate.

  Of course they would have a back way out. She held back her questions until they settled back onto another dirt road.

  “What are you going to tell the police?” She hated the idea that this whole thing was her fault. The party ruined and the Club getting hassled.

  “Nothing.” His derision was clear.

  “What do you mean, nothing?”

  “You don’t get it, Cat. I can’t get taken in or questioned any more than you can. If Viktor recognizes me, a man who is supposed to be long dead, and starts asking questions, the wrong people will hear. People in our government who also think I’m dead though not for quite as long. That happens and my world implodes. Best-case scenario they put a bullet in my head to make my death a reality.” His sigh was clear, even through the headset. “Hell, it may already be too late. If he has been surveilling the Dark Sons, he could have recognized me.”

  Guilt was like a fiery knife in her stomach. These men who had saved her not once but twice were going to end up paying a price they never bargained for.

  “What about the others?” Her throat was tight.

  Max’s chuckle felt inappropriate. “Yeah, they’re not going to enjoy that.”

  “You’re chuckling over your Brothers being unhappy?”

  “Oh, my Brothers aren’t the ones going to be unhappy. Cami is one of the people to be detained.”

  She wanted to smack him and would have if she didn’t think it would make him wreck the bike. “Her pain is amusing to you?”

  Max’s laugh was full throated this time. “Oh, she’s not going to be the one in pain. Believe me. She may look sweet or crazy depending on the day, but that is one scary woman. By the time she is done, she will have them all begging for forgiveness and praying they keep their jobs.”

  This whole situation confused her. What the hell kind of people had she gotten herself mixed up with?

  Chapter 18

  It takes a strong woman to admit when she is wrong and a rare man to be smart enough not to gloat.

  * * *

  Relief filled Max as he pulled out of sight into the open garage. The colonial house the enclosure was attached to was set far back in the woods. He hoped they would be safe here. The house was technically owned by a corporation out of Louisiana who ran programs that assisted veterans to reintegrate into society. In reality, Hannibal and Ink owned both the property and the charity, though neither of their names appeared on any of the legal paperwork.

  It was the fall back location Hawk had chosen for them since with federal law involved it was possible they could and would get a warrant for any property known to be owned by any of his Brothers. Depending on how things went back at the compound, he might or might not keep Cat here for a while to let things calm down. If things got too hot, they would have to leave the state.

  How had that asshole Viktor found out she was with them? The warrants were too specific to not believe the Club was under surveillance. At first, Max had thought they had been watched last night inside the Clubhouse. But if that was true there were two names missing from the list of people wanted for questioning, Pixie and Val.

  When you removed those two ladies from the equation, it narrowed down the timeline. They must have been spotted at the rally. Which meant the agents had moved fast to get the court order. Hopefully, that meant they hadn’t followed all the rules because Deep and Cheryl would rip apart shoddy police work. How much had the unknown surveillance seen? Physically he had changed much since his stint in Russia, but age and a less polished look might not be enough. If Viktor had pictures of him, would he recognize him as his old friend who was supposed to be dead?

  “I can almost hear you thinking through the helmet speakers.” Cat hugged him from behind. Max shook himself mentally. They had been sitting idling in the garage for an awkward amount of time.

  “Just trying to get my head wrapped around the situation.” He tapped her leg. “Swing off and I’ll park the bike.”

  He needed to turn the bike around in case they needed to make a quick exit. The maneuver would be easier without a passenger in the small space. Max had only been to his Brothers’ house a few times since it was far off the beaten track. Ink and Hannibal enjoyed the remote location surrounded by woods and rarely invited people over.

  Once he had his bike turned around, he pulled off his helmet and tried to decide what to do next. They needed information quickly, especially if he was going to have people from his past hunting him. He led Cat into the house, mentally reviewing which of his contacts would be safe to reach out to.

  The hallway off the garage was longer than he expected, but the kitchen, he remembered, was down at the end. If his memory was correct, the living room where he had hung out with his Brothers was out front and there was an office with computers on the other end of the house.

  “I need to use the ladies room.” Cat grabbed the handle of the door next to her.

  “Of course it’s–” her horrified gasp cut him off. Max looked over her shoulder and chuckled. The room exposed behind the door would be a shock to anyone who didn’t know his Brothers well. The stunned look on her face was adorable. He hadn’t thought she was someone easily surprised. It was no secret that Ink and Hannibal were kinky men. But he hadn’t realized they had a BDSM playground in their house.

  “What kind of pervert are you? We’re on the run and you bring me to a sex dungeon?” Her raised eyebrow and challenging tone were erotic as hell.

  “No.” He did his best to hide his amusement, but her scowl said it wasn’t working.

  She crossed her arms, and he couldn’t help but notice the way her breasts lifted. She stepped into the room and made a sweeping gesture that covered the large space. “Oh, I’m sorry, are you going to try to tell me this is an unconventional gym?”

  Max leaned on the doorframe and took in what she was seeing. Damn, the kinky shit was obviously more than a hobby for his Brothers. Bigger than most living rooms, it was an impressive sight. One wall held floggers, whips, paddles, and some implements he didn’t even recognize. A St. Andrew’s cross was against the right wall. Chains, restraint points, a bed and a sex swing were all present, along with several chests and benches. He had seen BDSM clubs with less quality equipment than was contained within these four walls.

  “I brought you to a house that has a sex dungeon. Which neither of us would have known about if you didn’t assume you could open doors without permission.” He couldn’t resist a smirk. “Seems to be a habit of yours.”

  Max enjoyed the way she flushed with embarrassment. It was tempting to see if she might enjoy some of the equipment here, but he wouldn’t use anything without permission and they needed to find out what was going on.

  Movement out of the corner of his eye caught his attention, and he saw Hannibal in the kitchen looking unhappy.

  “If it’s not yours, then whose is it?”

  Max stepped back into the hallway and nodded to his Cajun Brother. Cat’s eyes went wide as she quickly exited the room and saw over six feet of pissed off man glaring at her from the kitchen.

  “Sorry, Hannibal. I was looking for the bathroom.” Her tone was somehow defensive and aggressive. As if she was blaming him for her invasion into his privacy.

  “Cher, today is not a day to push me. I got a call that the police shut down my shop and took Ink away for questioning.” His Louisiana accent did nothing to lessen the bite of frustration in his voice. “And instead of being able to go back him up, I have to help
babysit you. Do I get a thank you for that? No, I get to listen to you judge my lifestyle choices.”

  The fact that Ink had been picked up wasn’t good. Hannibal was normally calm and rational. As a sniper, he had patience that most men would envy. The only exception to that was when Ink was in danger.

  “I’m sorry.” She should have left it at that, but Max could see she wasn’t going to. “I was shocked and shouldn’t have said anything.” She lifted her chin defiantly. “You have to admit that what you’re into is outside the norm.”

  Hannibal gave his Wildcat a glare. “She who lives in a glass house shouldn’t throw stones. You will behave with respect in my house or you will be punished.”

  His Wildcat had a nasty habit of lashing out when she was scared or embarrassed. His Brother had probably triggered both of those emotions with his words. Hannibal’s jaw tightened, but much to Max’s relief he stayed silent. Silence was apparently not what Cat wanted, because anger sparked in her eyes. He needed to cut her off before she pushed too far.

  Max stepped in front of the woman, about to throw a match onto gasoline. He leaned down, so they were eye to eye. “Wildcat. You are in someone else’s home. You implied he was a pervert and now are about to throw attitude. Don’t be a hypocrite. You and I both know you are far from vanilla. Apologize.”

  She reeled back and her angry gaze switched to him like he intended. “I didn’t, I’m not–”

  “Not into kinky shit?” Max cut her off. “The bruises on your ass and the claw marks on my body beg to differ. Apologize.”

  The struggle on her face mirrored the one probably going on in her head. When anger switched to embarrassment, then guilt, Max took a deep breath and stepped back.

  “I’m sorry, Hannibal. If you want to go to Ink, you should. Don’t worry about me.” Her tone this time held a genuine apology and a hint of exhaustion.

  Hannibal’s body loosened slightly, and he nodded. “Not the way it works. I’ve got my orders.” He gestured deeper into the house. “The guest bathroom is in the other hall first door on your right.”