Page 32 of Cipher

Wrangler waited inside the secure vehicle garage beside Bex’s SUV. The building held armored transports, executive sedans, tactical response vehicles, and enough specialized equipment to move clients through almost any threat in the world. Bex’s compact SUV looked ordinary among them, which was the point. Nothing visible advertised how thoroughly the systems beneath it had changed.

Wrangler greeted Bex, then walked her around the vehicle while I explained what every modification meant in practical terms. When I was done, Wrangler handed Bex the new key set, explained the emergency-start sequence and panic control, then excused himself to deal with an armored transport waiting in the next bay.

I opened the passenger door for Bex and placed one hand at her nape before she climbed inside. She paused close enough for the scent of her skin to cut through engine oil and warm metal, her smile softening as she looked up at me. “Between the phone, the house, and the car, I’m beginning to think there isn’t anything in my life that doesn’t report to you.”

“Even you, baby.”

Her brows lifted. “I report to you?”

“Like you already agreed, you call me first when something’s wrong.” I let my thumb slide beneath her ear, feeling the quickening pulse there. “Everything else is so I know if you can’t.”

12

BEX

Normally, I’d love to spend a day off with my best friend, but I was disappointed that Corbin wouldn’t be with me. We’d spent so much time together over the past four days that I’d gotten spoiled. Before we left his house, I crossed my arms and glanced over at Corbin. “Are you sure you can’t stick around?”

“Sorry, baby. Need to head to the compound.”

He hadn’t given me many details about what he planned to do today, so I figured it was club business. Or something illegal related to Nina’s ex. Whatever it was, I knew better than to ask too many questions, no matter how much I wanted to know all the details. But he’d been such a good sport about me helping out where I could. It was only fair for me to give him the same respect.

“I understand.”

At least I got to ride on the back of his bike to Jacqueline’s ranch. Being wrapped around him with the engine rumbling beneath me was one of the best parts of my day.

Corbin pulled up in front of the house and cut the engine. Two of the Black Crowns were already visible near the barn, another by the front porch. The place had always felt safe to me because it was Jacqueline’s favorite place in the world, but today the extra security made the reason I was here impossible to ignore.

He waited for me to climb off before doing the same, taking my helmet from me and putting it in his saddle bag. Then his hand settled at the small of my back. “You stay inside the house. Ghost has men on the perimeter too. You need anything, you call me.”

“I will.”

He leaned in and kissed me, and when he pulled back, his thumb brushed across my lower lip. “Be good.”

“I’m always good.”

The corner of his mouth twitched. “Debatable.”

Jacqueline stepped out onto the porch, and Corbin dipped his chin in greeting before climbing back onto his motorcycle. I stood there and watched until he disappeared down the long drive.

Jacqueline came down the steps and linked her arm through mine. “Come on. I have coffee ready for you.”

“Thanks.” I let her steer me toward the house, wishing we didn’t need armed guards for me to visit her. But I didn’t feel like Corbin had gone overboard, especially since Jacqueline was pregnant right now. “I’m surprised Stryker agreed to let me come over.”

My best friend snickered. “Only because he has this place locked down like Fort Knox. There’s no risk because nobody will be able to get close to the house. He made sure of that after the brick through the window incident, and then Ghost sent over armed guards.”

“And Corbin told me there are more guys on the perimeter of the ranch too,” I added.

“Corbin, huh?” She led me into the kitchen and got me settled at the table with a mug of coffee before making herself a cup of herbal tea. Then she sat down across from me and quirked a brow. “You want to tell me what’s going on with you two? Or am I supposed to pretend I didn’t just hear you call him Corbin when the Black Crowns have very few exceptions about who can use their real name?”

Heat crept up my neck. “It’s…new.”

“Uh-huh.” She wrapped both hands around her mug and gave me a knowing look. “I’m well aware of the timeline. I was there at the wedding, remember?”

I rolled my eyes. “It would’ve been weird if you weren’t, what with you being the bride.”

“Good point.” She laughed softly.

“But nothing actually happened at the wedding.” Unfortunately, because now it felt like we’d wasted three weeks that we could have spent together before my life went to hell.