“I’m glad to hear it.” He frowns. “Well, not if someone messed with her.” He pauses and glances away as if he’s considering his words carefully. “Some of the floor choke holds, where we get inside the guard,” He must feel the heat of my glare because he holds his hands in the air, “I had the girls practice those moves on each other. But seriously, she seemed freaked out. I didn’t want to make a big deal, so I had her skip it.”

There’s that sick feeling rolling through my gut again. More secrets Lilly’s keeping. She never mentioned anything at the class bothered her.

Was it normal discomfort from trying something new or is there a more specific reason it bothered her?

And if there’s more to it, is it a secret I’m even entitled to?

Chapter Forty-Four

Z

The next day I get the news I’ve been waiting for.

“I got your man!” someone shouts into the phone when I answer it.

“Who is this?”

“Loco.” He almost sounds hurt.

“Sorry, didn’t recognize the number.” The last thing I want to do is offend him when I think he’s calling with the news I really need to hear.

“Your sicko placed an order today. I told him we couldn’t accommodate his request until later.”

“Sounds good.”

Loco won’t say more than that over the phone, so I’ll have to wait for the details.

It’s been a tense couple of days, waiting to see if anyone jumps out and slaps a subpoena in Lilly’s hands. She hasn’t left the house much.

After tonight, she won’t have to worry anymore.

“I’m sorry, Lilly, I have to go.”

Her weak smile doesn’t do a lot to hide her surprise. Can’t blame her, told her this morning I’d be home all day.

“Club business,” I offer as an explanation. It’s not quite true, but I have a feeling if I confide that I’m off to murder Senator Kelly, she’ll try to stop me.

“Is everything okay?”

Instead of answering the question, I lean over and kiss her. “Love you.”

Chance is more forgiving of my exit. “Bye, Daddy!” He waves without getting up from the floor where he’s playing.

I reach down and pick him up, squeezing him tight to me and kiss the top of his head. “Love you, Chance. Take care of your mom while I’m out, okay?”

“Okay!”

Before straddling my bike, I send Rooster a text, letting him know it’s go time.

He’s waiting out front with a rather unremarkable black sedan. Nothing to draw anyone’s attention. One more bland car to blend in with all the others in Ironworks.

“Got everything?”

“Go bag’s in the trunk,” he answers. “Let’s do it.”