Thunder’s lips wanted to curl into a smug fucking grin. The fuckers took care of the two sharp thorns in the Handlers’ side with one idiotic move.
Perfection.
But he kept his mouth set in a thin line. Once the sheriff left, they could celebrate with a huge fucking party. First, they needed to get rid of the man in uniform.
“Well, like I said. We got no clue.” Copper stood. “Forgive me if I don’t walk you out.”
The room stayed quiet until the door slammed shut behind the sheriff. Then every head in the place swiveled in Mak’s direction.
Copper lifted a meaty paw. “Not yet.” He waited a few minutes for the sounds of the police cars to leave before nodding. “Okay. Who the fuck is Delilah? And how do we thank her for getting rid of the CDMD?”
“Fuck yeah!” Screw yelled.
Maverick pounded his fist on the table, and the rest of the men started stomping their boots. Relief and the desire to celebrate were palpable.
Beside him, Mak sagged in either reprieve or utter exhaustion. The day had been absolute insanity, and she needed sleep more than a wild party.
Copper raised his hands. “All right, all right. Simmer the fuck down.” He directed his attention toward Thunder and Mak. “Anything you two wanna tell us?”
When Thunder opened his mouth, Mak put a hand on his shoulder. “It’s okay. I got it.”
As he nodded, he lifted her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm. Though he hated to have to put her through the difficulty of revealing her identity, he was damn proud of her for her bravery.
She stood. “I was born with the name Delilah into a militant community that used children for labor and women for breeding. I don’t want to get more into it than that right now, but I escaped with my younger siblings about two years ago. We’ve used different names a few times, but the ones we have now are what we are hoping to stick with. I have all the necessary documents even if they aren’t exactly…legal.” She winced.
Not one of them would even blink at the thought of a woman, or anyone obtaining an illegal identity to save themselves. Hell, his club wasn’t exactly keen on following the rules in general.
“My father runs the community and has been hunting for me ever since we left. I…” She took a deep breath and blew it out.”
Across the room, Jaz nodded, and Toni yelled out, “You got this, honey. We’re all behind you one hundred percent.”
Thunder coulda kissed her at that moment. You know, if her boyfriend’s baseball bat, affectionally named Louie, wouldn’t bust his head open like a watermelon.
“At nineteen, I was married off to a man in his sixties. I’m assuming my father and…and my husband led the men who attacked the CDMC.”
“Well fuck me sideways,” Screw said, wide-eyed.
“Anytime,” Gumby shot back, making everyone laugh as he tended to be the most subdued of the triad. Thank Christ, Makenna laughed as well. The tension reliever hit at the perfect time.
“I take it this is what you two were coming to talk to me about?” Copper continued once the commotion subsided.
“Yeah,” Thunder said as he drew Mak onto his lap. She didn’t resist; in fact, she rested back against him as though wanting and needing the support of his arms around her. Of course, he obliged her immediately, wrapping her in a firm embrace. “We got wind that they’d discovered where she was living.”
“Okay.” Copper stroked his beard. “Until we catch word of who died in the attack and who might be alive and looking our way for revenge, no one is to be alone. That includes us. No riding solo until we’re sure no one will mistakenly retaliate against us. Anyone who needs to is welcome to stay here. Mak, the kids are here and upstairs with Cassie already.”
“Thank you,” she said. “Is it all right if I run up and see them?”
Copper nodded. “Of course. This is your home as much as it is my wife’s now.”
“Thunder, what about Kara and Lee?” Anxiety bled through her tone.
“I’ll have Copper put a few guys at the hospital. I’m guessing there’s no way to keep you away from there, huh?”
Her head shook violently. “No. I need to be there in the morning to pick her up. But Lee can stay tonight.”
Arguing would be pointless. She’d given him more than he’d expected, which was her demanding he drive her straight to the hospital. Now that he knew more about Lee’s upbringing, he felt confident he could be trusted to protect his little sister. Especially once he had the back up of a few Handlers.
Thunder pressed a lingering kiss to Mak’s forehead. “Okay, babe, you run up and get the kids settled while I figure out protection for the hospital. Later, when it’s just us, we’re gonna talk about all this cuz it’s gotta be fucking with your head.”