“I sent Lucien on a mission to New Orleans. Something has been going on with the Arkansas Guardians and I needed him to go alone and see if he could find something out.”
“Like what? Like Guardians going rogue?” Zane cocked his head.
“Like Guardians going missing.” He kept the emotion out of his voice. He had a lot to tell them and he didn’t need emotions getting in the way.
The room grew silent.
“Maybe they can’t contact you, Barrett. I know I’ve been working a case where either I don’t have reception or calling would put me in danger.” Damon shrugged.
“There’s more.”
He stood from his desk. “I got a package in the mail with no return address. When I opened it, it was Heimy’s Guardian tattoo. They’d skinned him.”
“Are you fucking serious?” Damon pushed off the wall and fisted his hands. The other Guardians let out low growls and curses under their breath. He could feel their anger rolling off them in waves.
“DNA tests confirmed it was Heimy’s. And then a few days later I got his middle finger mailed to me.”
“Why the hell didn’t you tell us sooner?” Jaxon narrowed his eyes.
“Because I knew if I did you all would go off halfcocked and get yourselves killed.” He glared at Jaxon. “Just like I knew you were back in your room packing to go find Lucien. That’s why I sent Ryker to stall you.
“I wasn’t even sure who was behind this or where it was taking place,” Barrett continued. “The only thing I had to go on was that Heimy guarded the lower part of the state and he was from Louisiana. So that’s where I sent Lucien.”
“He needed backup. Why would you send him alone?” Jaxon thundered.
“I couldn’t send any of you with him because if they caught you realized you were a Guardian, you’d end up like Heimy.”
“Dude, and what do you think they’ll do if they catch Lucien?” Zane frowned.
“Lucien is different.” He looked at the ceiling and then back at his men. “If they caught Lucien, they wouldn’t find the identifying Guardian tattoo on him.”
“I don’t understand.” Damon shoved off the wall. “He’s one of us, he’s got the tatt like the rest of us.”
“No he doesn’t.” Barrett stated.
Silence filled the room.
“Why not?” Jaxon asked.
“I’ve already told you too much. It’s Lucien’s secret to keep. Let’s just say the ink won’t take on his back.”
“So you sent the only one of us who couldn’t be traced back as an Arkansas Guardian.” Zane nodded. “I can understand that.”
“I heard from Lucien. He’s found out the location where the Guardians are being held.”
“Damn, it’s more than Heimy?”
“Mitchell is missing too. Heimy, I believe to be dead.” His throat hurt as he spat the words out.
“I can’t imagine him to be alive after being skinned and cutting off his finger,” Jayden snarled.
“Are any of the other states missing Guardians?” Jayden asked.
“No. I’ve asked the other surrounding states. Even met with Mississippi’s Pack Master. He seemed shocked to hear about such a thing.”
“And you trust him?” Damon asked.
“I could tell he wasn’t lying.”
“So what’s the plan?” Zane flexed his fingers as he waited orders.
“The info Lucien gathered indicates the Guardians are underground near the shipyard. We believe the owner of the Triple X strip club is involved. It makes me think the Pack Master of Louisiana knows about it. Maybe turning a blind eye.”
“What the fuck?” Jayden spat on the floor. “I knew that motherfucker was nothing but a punk ass, shit face…”
“Easy, brother.” Damon placed his hand in the middle of Jayden’s chest. “We need to concentrate on what Barrett needs us to do first.”
Barrett applauded Damon’s restraint. He knew the werewolf wanted to avenge his fellow Guardians as much as the rest, but he also had developed the patience to know how the order of things worked. Damon was becoming a better leader with each passing day.
“Right now I want you all ready to ride. We’re headed to New Orleans and I want you all weaponed up. Let me make myself clear. It is my belief we are going into a hostile territory. Keep your weapons on you at all times and keep your tattoo covered. Once we are inside where the Guardians are being held, you can shift. Don’t fucking hold back.” He walked around to the map on the wall of the United States. “I don’t know how this is going to play out. All I know is I believe the Guardians are being targeted because of me and what went down with the Louisiana Assassins.”