I pointed a finger at him. “Sooner, rather than later.”
“It’s been twenty-four fucking hours,” he snapped at me. “Some of us don’t move at warp speed like you love-sick jackasses.”
Scout snorted. “Isn’t that what every patch said before they met their old lady?”
Mac leaned back and cracked a half-smile. “More or less.”
Not in the mood for any more idle chitchat, I looked at Doc. “Let me know the second you have something.”
“Of course.”
I glanced at Mac, and he nodded, giving me permission to leave, so I returned to the kitchen where Brynn was just finishing her lunch.
She beamed at me when I entered, which immediately released some tension in my muscles and made warmth bloom in my chest. “Are you going to eat, or are you ready to go?”
Instead of answering right away, I gave Cat a look, and she popped up from her seat. “See you around, Brynn!” Then she hurried off to give us some privacy.
“We can’t go yet, beautiful. I must have mixed up the dates, so we have some time to just chill. How ’bout I show you around?”
“Okay.” Her smile was sweet as I helped her off the stool and tossed my arm over her shoulder.
A couple of hours later, we’d gone through the whole compound, and Brynn had met several of the old ladies as well as a few of the adorable rug rats who were often running around.
“When is dinner at your sister’s?” she asked when we left the lounge.
I’d already sent a text to my sister letting her know I had to cancel due to club business. Even though I didn’t do it often, she was used to it and knew better than to ask questions. “Canceled, beautiful. I meant to tell you. Something came up, so we’re rescheduling for another time.”
“Oh.” She looked disappointed, but a big yawn hit her, and she tried to cover it behind her hand.
“You’re exhausted. Why don’t you take a nap, and we’ll have some dinner and watch a movie later?” Even though I’d phrased it as a question, I didn’t give her a choice. I simply picked her up and headed to our room.
“But—”
“I kept you up late, beautiful. You need to rest.”
Just as we crossed the threshold, I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. After setting Brynn on the bed, I dug it out and glanced at a text from Bear.
Got the name and location. Be ready in twenty.
I sent back an affirmative and shoved the phone back into my pants.
“I have to run an errand, beautiful,” I told her regretfully. I hated to leave her, but I couldn’t let anyone else handle the threat against her. I’d never be satisfied unless I took care of it myself. “You take a nap, and when you wake up, I should be back. We’ll do dinner and that movie.”
I pulled my cut off her shoulders and quickly put it on, then turned her to face me. “You don’t leave this room without me, is that clear? Unless Cat or Bridget is with you, but I’d rather you stay here. I need my cut and don’t like you walking around without my property stamp on you.”
“Property?” Brynn frowned, and I gave her a lopsided smile.
“Yeah, beautiful. Told you, you’re mine.” I reached around and squeezed her sexy ass. “I own you. This gorgeous body, your sharp mind, and eventually, I’ll own your heart, too. So, yeah. My property.”
Her face softened, and she looked so sweet that I was tempted to eat her and ignore the rest of the world. But I didn’t want this shit hanging over our heads. Instead, I helped her climb into bed, and she was asleep before I finished pulling the blankets over her.
Staying as quiet as possible, I padded to my closet and opened my safe to retrieve my gun. Once it was assembled, and in my concealed carry pocket, I left the room, making sure to lock the door behind me so no one would disturb her.
I jogged down the stairs and into the lounge where Bear, Doc, Patch, and Dom—another enforcer who’d been filled in on the situation—were standing off to the side having a quiet conversation. Scout was sitting at the bar talking to Cat as she cracked open a couple of beers. Detouring their way, I stopped in front of her. “Brynn is napping, but I need to take care of this shit. Will you keep an eye on her?” I asked as I handed her a key to my room.
“Of course,” Cat replied with a nod. “Rylee and Arya are here, too, so we’ve got her covered.”
I grunted a thank you before stalking over to the group waiting on me. “What do you know?” I queried as I joined them.
“The shithead has a brother,” Doc grunted. “Seems he noticed the disappearance before we expected. Not sure how he knew about the office building, though.”