It had taken them two weeks to make this plan, and Jas still knew it was going to go sideways because her mother told her time and time again to remember that. So, she and Dax had made contingencies they didn’t tell anyone. It had to be done, Jas thought, she would not chance someone dying on her watch.
They hadn’t worked the whole two weeks they had been in Spain, no all of them had gone out one time or another, exploring making sure they didn’t see the men who were sent after Jas. So far, they hadn’t seen them, which meant the house was still safe. Really there hadn’t been a question since Creed and Fork bought this place years ago under a fake name. But they also figured that they had also seen Tick and knew he was digging up the info needed, so they were still in France searching for him. They would never find him.
So, it had been a long two weeks what with planning, getting all the clubs up to speed, and digging for information that would help them. They planned on using Bus and Frankie because they still needed to get Frankie’s kid back. So far, they were unsure how this was involved, but they knew it was.
During the days they worked hard or explored as small groups, never alone or just two people, they needed more so they wouldn’t be outnumbered. And at night, Jas and Dax made love, talked and got to know each other better, so much so they could almost read each other’s minds. At least that is what Harmony said when she had called yesterday, she told the couple they were slightly scary. Dax had liked that.
Now they had only five more days to get back to France, grab the drive and get the fuck out of there and back home where they had more back up. Chains had announced him, and Roger was in this until the end since they wanted Chucky to go down and hard. Rebel had a few choice words on the phone with her father, but it had not deterred him at all. Instead, it had almost fueled him because he was bound and determined to keep her safe. Rebel was not happy about this, but she gave in.
If she had to count, Jas would say probably at least once a day someone from the clubs called, and there was an argument. The thing was they were trying to run over Jas like she was a stupid kid. Jas and everyone with her stood up for her, there was no way she was letting her clubs down. She may not be the oldest person in the club, but she had sat at the war tables more times than she could count.
Her mother taught her how to run a mission, and she was confident she could do it. Now she needed to prove to them she was ready, so today they were having a huge conference call to settle the details and once and for all let Jas finally define her space in the clubs. Dax was supporting her and had even helped her plan exactly what she was going to say. And every day she began to fall more and more in love with the guy. In her heart, she was happy, but her head kept telling her things could go sideways, and she could lose him. It was not a happy thought, but it was a real one.
Jas was standing at the bedroom window looking out aimlessly, smiling when she saw Mace and Marble go into the back yard with their yoga mats. Like they really did yoga, hell, they had a bottle of hooch and a pack of cigarettes and were going to sunbathe before the meeting. She also knew all the guys were already setting up the living room for the meeting, getting the monitors and shit set up. Plus, Dax was calling some people to run interference for them when they were going home.
Everything was planned down the last detail, and she thought of a million things that could go wrong. And she planned for all of them, but in the back of her mind, she knew there was something she didn’t think of. But they were still going to get this done. They needed that information for Bus and Frankie, and for them, they needed to know all the players in the stupid game they got caught up in. The only good part was that Fling and the rest of the Furies were seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, then they could all go back to normal, helping where they were needed.
Dawn of a new day, she thought and turned. Leaning against the door jamb was Dax, who was staring at her intently.
“You good?” he asked, and she smiled and nodded.
“Yeah feeling pretty good, even though I know they have all been doing this longer than I have, it is time to prove myself.”
“You don’t have anything to prove to anyone,” Dax said firmly, and she shook her head.
“I do, they all look at me like I am a kid still. But I haven’t been a kid since I was twelve. I feel like I am swimming upstream. I mean, I can say what I think we should do all I want, but ultimately, every single other person here, with the exception of you and Roger, have more rank than me.” Jas said softly.
“What? Are you telling me my girl has no self-confidence? ‘Cause the woman I know and met had a shit ton of it. And it has been a leader for the last two weeks, making sure everyone did what had to be done, checking every single detail to make sure we all knew where we were supposed to be. Hell, you did this better than my CO in the military. You got this shit,” Dax said.
“You are just saying that so I will keep giving you blow jobs.” Jas laughed.
Dax shook his head and grabbed her and pulled her close. “No, I am saying that because for the first time in my life I have someone who I can call mine. Just so you know, I am never letting you go.”
“You may think differently when you get back, you know,” Jas said softly, and Dax smiled.
“Honey, one more time, and this time you need to let it sink in. There is no one but you. The day I met you was when I got my second chance, I am holding onto it with both hands.”
He leaned down and kissed her. Jas opened her mouth instantly and invited him in. Dax didn’t leave her hanging. His tongue swept through her mouth, almost branding her. She wanted to remain like this for the next month, but she knew they couldn’t. Pulling back a little, Dax smiled and said, “Together?”
Jas smiled and nodded, “Together.”
“Let’s get lunch before the meeting,” Dax said, and she nodded.
The duo walked into the dining area, and Jas almost groaned with the smells. Since they had been here, Lena had outdone herself, the food was amazing, she probably gained at least ten pounds, but she didn’t give a shit. She was going to miss the woman who had taken care of all of them.
When Lena came into view, Jas smiled and walked to her. “You know, if I were really on vacation, I would totally stay here for it. You guys are great.”
The woman smiled and nodded, “Anytime you want, you call me.”
“FOOD!” Easy yelled loudly, and Jas grimaced.
“How the hell Freedom puts up with you, I will never know,” she said as she sat down next to Dax.
“My mesmerizing personality,” Easy said, and Maxi laughed.
They ate and laughed like they were in a room right in the compound surrounded by everyone. She could feel them all here, but she still felt alone. This is until she looked at Dax, who was smiling at her. She wasn’t alone, damn it, she was turning into a girl, all squishy. Dax must have seen the looked because he growled at her, and she shook her head.
Well shit, she thought and then looked around the table. The girls walked into the back door with a bottle and a smile. Yeah, she could do this. Finally, they were going to realize she was older than she thought.
Eating lunch had been relaxing, and an hour later, when the video conferencing begun, Jas was tight as a piano string. Shit, she didn’t want to fuck this up, especially in front of her mother.
One by one, the clubs appeared on the screens, apparently, it was a group meeting since they were all sitting in their war rooms. Shit, she thought as she looked at each group. They were not smiling, but Bob did wink at her and wiggle her eyebrows when she saw Dax. Figured.
Well, it is now or never, “Okay, if everyone is ready, we will begin.” Jas said firmly, and everyone nodded.
She turned and nodded to Chains, who leaned forward. “So far we know very little other than three men got on a plane, all with aliases and all very well armed after their arrival. They had people waiting for them; we are assuming paid for by daddy.”
“Why do you think that?” Creed said.
“Because daddy is putting on the pressure to get us under control. Word has it, Chucky III has run back to his plantation for now,” Chains said. “The boys are watching him to make sure he doesn’t leave.”
Creed nodded and looked back at Jas. “In the last twenty-four hours, we have used our resources overseas. Unfortunately, they haven’t been able to pick up Chucky’s trail. But they were able to find who the hired thugs were. A splinter group of the Irish Mob. They are very dangerous, and I would bet since you bested them while on the road, they are pissed and looking for payback.”
Jas nodded, and then she said, “Figured we would run into them when we went back, so we have double the trouble, and we are prepared for it. Maxi, Mace, and Easy are going to run interference with the first group that picks us up. We aren’t sure what they look like but the love to drive black SUVs with tinted windows. There are only so many SUVs with black windows around. We should be able to see them when they show up. Then we will only have one left. I hope it is Chucky, but I have a feeling he is not going to be anywhere near the action. He is going to send his lackey’s, and a few he found on leave to find us as well. Dax knows at least one he recruited, and he is a complete dick. But we have the upper hand since we know what they look like.”
She glanced toward her mother, who was sitting with her arms crossed, staring intently at her, and Jas almost faltered. This was her chance to prove to her she was a leader just like she was. The Sisters were all leaders, they were strong and able to go into any situation. Jas was going to be that as well.
Dax stood and walked towards her and said as he walked. “We are sending you the pictures of the men we know. But Jas has already put feelers out to locate them.”
Jas smiled at him and then continued. “Okay here is the plan, we will be leaving in one group to ride back up to Paris, once there our goal is to have them all running around the city looking for us, while Dax and I are picking up the drive.”
Shady leaned forward, “How are you accomplishing that?”
Mace laughed, “She sent Lena out and got matching outfits for the girls and guys, including helmets, so when we get there, they won’t know who is who. Simple yet, I didn’t think of it, Jas did. We all have routes around the city to drive that will lead us right to the airstrip where the plane will be waiting.”
Shady leaned back and nodded. Jas wanted to clap her hands and dance around when Maxi continued. “Jas also has set up stops for each of us to grab more weapons if needed. It is a stop and go thing with guys Dax trusts. We will have plenty of firepower.”
Easy smiled. “Yeah, and Jas even talked to the Paris police to let them know there was something going down in their city. Roger has a contact, so a few agents will be posted all over the fucking place to help if needed. Apparently, Carole used her connections to get this cleared, but if it turns into a huge gunfight, we will all be picked up until it is sorted.”
Fling then said, “The information needs to be gotten no matter what.”
Jas nodded and said, “If Dax and I are wrapped up, we already have a plan for that, Roger is driving a car up and will go to the café and wait, if we show up he will leave for the airport, if we don’t he will get the drive and meet us at the airport.”
“And if they spot him?” Shady asks.
“Don’t think he will since he has changed his appearance, but if they do, Lena and her husband will also be in Paris as backup,” Jas said slowly, and Lena nodded from the doorway and said to Creed.
“You knew we would help.”
Creed nodded and then said, “Well, sounds like you have shit nailed down. Be careful, see you when you get home.”
Dax wrapped his arms around her after everyone had left the room and said, “You were perfect.”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” Jas laughed as she rested her head against his chest. She needed his strength, and damn if she didn’t care anymore. He knew it, and she also was his strength. What they were headed into was dangerous tomorrow. She only hoped at least one thing went right, and that was they got the thumb drive, she didn’t know who would pick it up, and she didn’t give a shit.
They had all talked honestly yesterday when they nailed down the final plans. The plane was already waiting for them, Maverick was the pilot. If one was caught, they all were caught they decided because they won’t leave anyone behind.
“Come on,” Dax said and pulled her towards their room. “We need a good night's sleep for tomorrow.”
“What, that means no sex, I don’t think I agreed to that when I said goodnight to everyone,” Jas said, and she followed him down the hall. Dax turned and looked over his shoulder and said.
“It will make you more intense tomorrow. Tonight, I just want us to be.”
Jas nodded, yeah, that is what they needed to just be, together.