Rocket (Hell's Handlers MC 5)

“Would he lie?” Zach asked.

“He’d do anything to get what he wants.”

Nodding, Zach looked at Copper then back at Rocket. “Guessing you agreed to the mission.”

“Mmm-hmm.”

Copper blew out a breath. “Fuck.”

“How’s Chloe?” Mav asked, his customary snark absent.

“Freaked but hanging in. She’s tough as shit, but I know this is killing her. She feels responsible. Knows the hard-on I have for Lefty is because of what he did to her.” No one spoke for a moment. With those four sentences, Rocket had shown more of his insides to his brothers than he had since he joined the club. Surprisingly, it wasn’t as torturous as he’d thought. More spikes under his nails than skinning flesh.

“She ain’t the only reason,” Screw added. He was a newly patched member of the club. One who’d been working closely with Zach, learning the role of enforcer. Took a hot minute for Rocket to warm up to him. For the first six months he prospected, he was nothing but a screwball, hence his name. But at some point, a switch had flipped, and he was proving to be a reliable and loyal brother. “Lefty is a scum sucking bottom feeder who’s hurt God knows how many women. Women…shit, he’s hurt girls. We’d be gunning for him even if it weren’t for her.”

A few of his brothers grunted their agreement.

Sure, but Rocket wouldn’t be jumping into bed with Esposito if it weren’t for Chloe. He knew it and so did she. His task for the night would be to show her just how damn worth it she was.

“When are you bugging out?” Copper asked.

“Tomorrow. Ass crack of dawn.”

“All right,” the prez said with a nod. “You need us at any point, you get in contact.”

As each of his brothers nodded their agreement, some of the dread left Rocket. It was damn good to have his family at his back. “Might be doing that, Cop.”

“Whatever you need, Rocket. Now, get out of here. Be with your woman. And when it’s time to collect, Lefty comes to me. You hear me?”

“Yeah, Cop. I got you.” He stood, nodded to all his brothers before heading for the door.

“Rock?” Copper called before he’d gotten halfway to the exit.

He turned.

“Your woman will be safe while you’re gone. We’ll look out for her real close. Both us and the ol’ ladies.”

His gaze met Copper’s and a wealth of understanding flowed between the two men. Rocket might not have voiced his feelings for Chloe, but, without a second thought, he was marching into hell for a chance at the asshole who’d harmed her.

If he could ease just a fraction of her pain, he’d sell his soul to the highest bidder.

Of course, she didn’t want him to do it. She was selfless, not once thinking about revenge or justice for what happened to her. Only worrying over what this assignment would do to him.

The woman was perfection. Gorgeous, kind, selfless, loving. It was no wonder he…

Christ.

It was no wonder he loved her.

Well goddammit.

Copper got it. He’d protect her as he’d protect his own woman.

And that was the one and only reason Rocket would be able to leave her behind.

“SO HOW MUCH trouble am I going to be in for blabbing all that to you ladies?” Chloe asked after sucking back the last of her wine. More than half a glass in three point two minutes. Had to be some kind of record. Unfortunately, the tension relief she’d hoped to achieve wasn’t happening. Instead, she sat at one end of the long banquet table surrounded by Toni, Shell, Steph, and Izzy. Mamma V was rummaging through the walk-in pantry for something to sop up the alcohol.

“We won’t say a word,” Shell said, waving her wine glass around like it wasn’t about to slosh all over the table. Apparently, they’d already downed a glass or four by the time she and Rocket showed up.

Izzy snorted a second before stuffing a dinosaur-sized bite of powdered donut in her mouth. “What?” she said with white tinged lips and a full mouth as all the girls turned to stare at her. “I’m hungry.”

Chloe couldn’t put words to how much she appreciated how hard they were trying to keep the mood upbeat and distract her from what was to come, but she could see the worry in their eyes despite their smiles and attempts at normalcy.

“Excuse me, hungry hippo,” Shell said. “I can totally be trusted to keep my mouth shut.”

After taking a minute to swallow the sugary goodness, Izzy rolled her eyes. “Sure you can, from us. We all know Copper tells you shit we couldn’t pry outta you with the jaws of life.” She took a long drink from the laughably large glass of milk in front of her. Setting the glass down she shuddered. “Fuck, milk is disgusting. Freakin’ Jig,” she muttered. “Anyway,” she said as the rest of the girls snickered, “All it’ll take is one smoldering look from that giant who warms your bed and one, ‘Shell if you don’t tell me what you know, I’ll take you over my knee,’ in that sexy Irish brogue, and you’ll be spilling your guts all over the place,” Izzy said with a pointed look for Shell.