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I didn’t get to the clubhouse until over an hour later. Between having to deal with Murphy, who’d died on scene at his house, and the coroner, I was fed up with everything by the time I walked in with Theo at my side.
If I weren’t so damn jealous of the asshole wanting Lexa, I might have actually liked him. He’d kept his cool during the whole situation with my now-dead deputy and tried his hardest to keep him alive until the paramedics showed up to take over. But whatever heart condition Murphy had, the stress of the evening had finished him, and not even defibrillating him repeatedly could restart his heart.
As we walked inside, Bash called down from the second floor, waving me up to what must have been his office. I hesitated, looking around for Lexa, needing to see her if only for just a second before this night got any crazier. But she wasn’t anywhere in sight, and I knew I didn’t have time to go looking for her.
Theo was already halfway up the stairs before I even moved in that direction. Popping my neck to ease some of the tension building in my muscles, I took the stairs two at a time and walked into the office. Over a dozen MC brothers were already there, and Bash motioned for me to shut the door before speaking.
“We all know Sheriff Davis,” he introduced. “And Adrian Volkov’s son, Theo, will also be sitting in on this.”
Theo got nods, while I got a few glares. It didn’t bother me any. I wasn’t there to be their friend. I was there to do whatever the fuck I could to help keep Lexa safe.
“Santino will be hitting my house at two,” Bash told them. “From what Raven got out of Murphy, that’s basically all we know.”
“What’s your plan?” Jet was the one to ask.
“The women stay here. I’ve already called Matt to make sure Rory and Chance come here so they aren’t in the line of fire…” He gave us the rundown of the plan, and I was quick to agree with it.
“We need to move now if we want to be in place in time,” Hawk told him. “Otherwise, they might change their plans.”
“Agreed,” Bash said. “I only want enough men who will fit in my SUV. We’ll pull into the garage so no one can see who does or doesn’t get out, because I know those fuckers are watching the house.”
“I’m going,” I volunteered.
“You sure about that?” he asked with lifted brows. “You’re stirring up a lot of attention tonight, Sheriff. People are going to talk tomorrow about how you’re helping us out.”
“I don’t give a fuck what people say.”
“Yeah, but maybe we do,” Jet said, giving me a strange look. “This attention could be bad for you when it comes to the election, and maybe—just maybe—we like having you as the sheriff around here.”
“Two weeks ago, my being the sheriff was keeping me from Lexa. What changed?” I demanded. I would give up my position in a heartbeat if that was what it took to be with her. Now they wanted me to stay sheriff?
Bash shrugged his wide shoulders. “Maybe we trust you…just a little bit.” He rolled his eyes. “Don’t let that go to your head, though.”
A smirk teased at my lips. “Wouldn’t think of it.”
“And maybe Bash here was thinking you would be his son-in-law eventually,” Jet jeered. “And he figures having the sheriff in the family would make life a little easier around here for us.”
“Yeah, maybe,” Bash said with another shrug.
“Are you telling me I can’t go, then?” I asked.
“Let’s just say it’s better for everyone involved if the law didn’t see us cleaning up the mess we’re about to make.”
“But Volkov is going?” I found myself growling, not liking one damn bit that they were taking the other guy.
“Theo is just as good a shot as our sniper. Fuck yeah, he’s going.” Jet smacked Theo on the back. “Plus, Vitucci would throw a fit if we take out some of Santino’s men and his nephew wasn’t there to share in the fun.”
“Yeah, yeah, just don’t let my mom find out about this,” Theo grumbled. “I don’t need that kind of drama right now, man.”
I popped my neck again. I wanted to go, but I understood their reasons for wanting me to stay as far away from what was about to happen as possible. I needed to be able to cover for them if something happened and everything went south. And if I were caught in the middle of that shit, I wouldn’t have the credibility to keep them out of trouble.
“Keep your phone close,” Bash told me in a low voice as the others started filing out of the office. “Stay on standby in case we need backup after all.”
Jaw clenched, I nodded.
“She’s in her room. Third door on the left once you go through the main room downstairs. Whatever is going on between you two, sort it out and fast. I don’t like seeing my baby girl like this.” He slapped me on the shoulder as he followed his men, and I watched them go until they were out the front door before going in search of my woman.