11. Switch

11

SWITCH

" W hy are we doing this?" Niro asks when he meets me at the back of the center's parking lot and I tell him our plan.

I glance over to where Catalina is settling Sophia into the truck bed. I picked this spot because there is no camera coverage in this part of the parking lot. It's quite possibly overkill. But I didn't feel like testing out the other ways we could have done this, like attempting to walk straight out the front door.

My worry was the reach of her family and how quick the center's security might have been to attempt to restrain us. I didn't like the idea of being forced to hurt Irv.

I was concerned that they would call her family and tell them she was leaving with me.

We need a head start to make this work.

So, we left letters in our respective rooms saying we were leaving, just so they don't think I kidnapped her. They're brief. That we needed out of here, it's voluntary, and we'll contact the center soon. And Sophia will message her family once we're married.

"It's not up for debate. I just need to get out of here," I say, glancing up at the building to make sure nobody is paying us any mind.

"You can't remember the past ten years, but this is not like you. On a scale of one to me on the impulsive spectrum, you were a hardcore two."

I turn to face him. "Like you said, I don't know who that man was, but I can only be the man I am now. And the man I am now needs to do this."

The loud roar of a sports car's engine alerts us of its entry into the parking lot, and I immediately recognize it. It's followed by a black Bentley. They're held up at the barrier at the entrance.

"Soph, stay down." I turn to Cat and Niro. "That's her brothers. We need to cover her quickly."

"I'm scared," Sophia whispers.

"Trust me, Sparrow," I say as Niro hands me one of his weapons out of her sight.

"You need to duck too," Niro says, shoving me down behind the truck. "I'll handle the talking."

He slams the tailgate of the truck up just as the car pulls up three spaces away from us. I see the tires from my hiding place. I don't know who I'm praying to, but I pray anyway that they have no reason to walk around this direction.

Cat and Niro are proudly wearing their cuts as they tug the cover over the back of the truck. Catalina has to step around me, but she never looks down at me. When she's done, she pulls the weapon from her holster and points it at the ground so Sophia's brothers can't see it.

The weapon Niro thrust at me feels solid in my hand. I know I've held one before and often. My ink tells me I've killed more than one man. For the club or during my military service, I'm not certain.

And I realize this must be one of those procedural memory things because I remember every single step in firing this baby.

Shiny black dress shoes hit the asphalt. "You're in the wrong state, brothers," the person says, and I immediately recognize the voice as Luca.

"My old lady's mom is in here," Niro says. "You really going to pull some turf war over a rehab unit visit? Poor bitch is tied up in knots over her mom as it is, you pricks."

I lie down, making it easier to shoot someone's legs out if I need to.

They've come for Sophia. I know it.

We're going to have a five-minute advantage, at best, if they go straight to her room. Someone would have to let them in.

"We see you Outlaws do anything other than come here, visit, then leave, there'll be consequences."

I'm certain that's Leo.

"Okay, well, unless you want to get your dicks out so we can compare lengths, I suggest the two of you fuck off where you were going because we've got somewhere we need to be," Niro says, and I roll my eyes. Although, a whisper of a memory trickles through me, of him saying something in the clubhouse that got King angry but made everyone laugh.

Maybe it'll come to me before Niro gets us all killed with his mouth.

"Fuck you," Luca says.

"I'd rather fuck her, but happy to top you anytime, sweetheart."

I cover my mouth to hide the snort. Catalina looks down at me for a second, then looks back to the Sicilians.

"Leave it, Luca," I hear Leo say.

Their footsteps fade away in the gravel.

"Wait," Catalina says quietly. She puts her hand out to stop me and squints in the direction of the center's entrance. "Now. Quick."

Niro drops the tailgate, and I climb inside before he shuts it with a slam.

I hear Niro's engine roar to life, and then the truck rumbles beneath us. It's dark, with only small freckles of light making it through the cover.

I'm glad Niro put a mattress in the back, but I'm not going to ask where he got it from because…well…it's Niro.

"I guess I just learned I'm claustrophobic," Sophia says to me over the rumble of the engine and the traffic on the street.

"We'll be out of here in five minutes, I promise. Just take a deep breath, Sparrow."

"Are you sure this is safe?" Sophia asks.

There's worry in her voice, and I slide my hand along the mattress to find hers. "It's only for a few minutes. Once we're clear of here, they'll pull over, and we'll get out."

Her fingers tighten around mine, and I rub the back of her hand with my thumb.

This could be overkill. I hear the security guard saying a few words to Niro.

And then we move.

It's uncomfortable as the truck bounces over potholes in the road. The few minutes feel like an age as I hear Sophia's small gasps of panic. When we finally stop, Catalina rips the cover from over us.

Her face is lined with anger. "You want to tell me why we're kidnapping a fucking Italian mob princess?"

"Sicilian," Sophia offers. "I mean, it's technically part of Italy, but I consider myself Sicilian."

"Does it look like she's talking to you?" Niro says. "You seem to want to get my good friend who doesn't know any fucking better right now killed."

Sophia shrinks back.

"Steady, Niro. You're talking out of concern for me, which I appreciate, but I'm not gonna take you talking to Sophia like that."

"He's right, though," Catalina says. "They were the Sicilian serpents. Two brothers who helped with the cleanup of smaller gangs in New York as part of the Viscuso vendetta. It put them at odds with Cillian and his Irish mob."

"Who is Cillian?" I ask. "Wait. Never mind. I have to go. Thank you for lending me your truck."

I make a move to take the keys from Catalina, but Niro blocks me and takes them from Cat. "Dude. I can't let you just ride off knowing who you are fucking with."

"Then just move out of my way. I love Sophia," I lie. "Now you know why I need to give her my legal protections to make sure she remains mine." I look back down the road we just traveled. "It's not going to take them long to realize Sophia isn't there anymore. And they plan to transport her to Sicily to marry some old mobster's son back home for the sake of the family." My sarcasm is heavy on the last two words. "I can't let them do that."

"Then come back to the clubhouse. We'll follow you. Just…don't do anything rash."

Another memory. Cue Ball yelling at Niro for fucking something up. He was young. His hair longer.

"I can't. Please. Just give me the keys."

"We're following you. Wherever you go. So, you might as well tell me."

"Fine. We're going to DC."

Catalina folds her arms. "Why?"

"Because you can marry the same day there."

Niro turns his gaze to Sophia, and I put my arm around her, pulling her close. She's a little unsteady on her feet.

"What the fuck are you roping him into?"

I tuck Sophia beneath my arm. I'll process why she feels so good there some other time, but something about all this feels inexplicably right.

I shake my head. "This is all my idea. They can't marry her off if she's already married."

"So?" Niro asks.

"Please. Niro. I can't risk waking up one morning in that fucking rehab to find she's been taken from me. I need the fucking keys."

Catalina frowns. "We can't let them do this. King will lose his shit."

Niro glances at the two of us as Sophia wraps her arms around my middle. Whatever he sees convinces him. "Babe, I fell in love with you the moment you pistol-whipped me."

She rolls her eyes, but there's a hint of a smile. "You did not."

Niro grins. "I did. We gotta help ‘em do it. I'm a big believer in true love these days. Plus, it's been a while since I pissed King off."

She sighs. "Fine. But I'm gonna tell him you made me do this as the ranking officer."

Niro hands me the keys and the pain relief medication I asked him to grab. "This is fucked up. But if you're going, you're not going alone. Cat will ride with me on my bike, and we'll keep an eye out in case we're followed. And Sophia should probably drive. Or Cat."

I release Sophia and tug him to me. "Thank you. I always get signs before shit happens in my head. I promise I'll drive slowly and pull over at the first inkling."

Niro tugs a hand through his hair. "This might just eclipse all the wild shit I've done."

"One last thing," I say. "Promise you'll keep it to yourself. Who she is."

Niro frowns. "Don't make me start lying for you."

"I'm not asking you to lie. Just…if no one asks. Don't tell them, yeah?"

"This has ‘bad idea' written all over it," Catalina says.

Niro throws an arm over her shoulder. "Fine. Don't make me regret it though."

Sophia's cheeks turn a delicious shade of pink when she asks if I'll help her get in the truck. Despite the imminent danger, I take the opportunity to help her and steal another kiss.

Part of it is for show…to get Niro and Cat to buy into this fake relationship. Part of it is for myself, testing the waters of whether I'm just selling the schtick or I am dipping my toes into something that's starting to feel real.

We navigate our way out of New York and cross the river into Jersey. I already feel better on our own turf. It's sunny and cool, but the seasons have turned, and I feel like I missed it.

"We don't have to do this," Sophia says finally. "Just getting me out of there for the time being is enough."

I head southwest on the 95.

But as we pass the Twin Rivers on-ramp an hour later, I see chrome.

Lots of it.

"Fuck," I mutter.

Sophia looks in the side mirror.

Mixed emotions hit me as the Iron Outlaws, in official formation, pour onto the road behind us. Niro drops back into his position, and King takes up the lead in the front with Clutch to his left.

Cat or Niro must have called them.

King salutes me, then focuses on the ride.

"Are they mad?" Sophia asks.

"Don't know what they are, Sparrow. But we'll be in DC before we find out what they have to say."

"I don't want you to get in trouble with your club because of me." She reaches her hand across the console and places it on my thigh. I place my palm on top of her hand. It's warm to the touch. I'm not sure who initiates sliding our fingers together, only that someone does.

And that Sophia doesn't mention the slight tremor in my hand I can't seem to control.

I'm relying on old knowledge and the hope that nothing has changed with the loyalty among brothers in the club.

I pray they'll have my back, but as I rub my thumb over Sophia's knuckles, I know I'll do this on my own if I have to.