Chapter Nineteen
ELIAS STARED AT the leader of the Blackthorn Riders. His heart sank. Perimeter. He’d used the term without thinking about how the word sounded or what his word choice said about him. Law enforcement also used the same term. It was hard to break the habits of over two decades.
That was no excuse, though. He’d put their mission in jeopardy because he wasn’t paying as much attention as he should have to the role he played. So how did he explain this away?
Once again, Iona bailed him out of hot water. “You haven’t met the president of the Iron Wolves, have you?”
Dutch shook his head. “Why?”
“Z is as military as you can get. He served for the full twenty years and acts like he’s our drill sergeant.”
Teagan wrapped her hand around Seth’s and laughed.
“You should see the brothers of the MC. The Wolves are treated more like a military organization than a motorcycle club. Z has them doing physical training in the mornings that includes at least a five-mile run. It doesn’t matter that you work outside the organization.
You’re expected to show up and try your hardest. No excuses accepted. ”
“I noticed the lot of you are in top physical shape. I guess that’s because of your president.” He shifted his gaze to his own men, who were standing away from the operatives. Many of them were overweight and lazy.
Elias almost felt sorry for them. They wouldn’t know what hit them if Dutch asked Seth to lead the group in physical training.
“You know, that’s not a bad idea,” Dutch said. He turned to Seth. “Do you keep up the same routine away from your home base?”
“Yes, sir. Our president insists on it.”
“Have you done your exercise routine this morning?”
Seth shook his head. “Why?”
“Would you mind taking the Blackthorn Riders along when you do your exercises?”
And there it was, the request that would make enemies of the Blackthorn members. None of them would thank the operatives for having to work out each morning.
Seth smiled. “I’d love to bring them along. It will be fun for all of us.”
Right. Elias could think of many things more fun than PT.
Dutch beamed. “As soon as your Old Ladies have some time on the bikes, you can start my people on their new routine.”
“You know, Z is right in the thick of training with us. You should join us, Dutch. That way you’ll know what we do every day, and you can create your own routine based on ours.”
The other MC leader was already shaking his head. “Oh, I don’t think so.”
“That is a great idea,” Iona said. She let her gaze coast over Dutch from head to toe. “Not that you need training, Dutch, but seeing you set the example for your people, that just gets to me.” She pressed her hand to her heart. “I love powerful leaders, don’t you?”
“Ah, well, as a matter of fact, I do. How did you know?”
She laughed. “Oh, leadership power is so attractive, especially in a man who is fit.” Iona turned her gaze to Elias. “A powerful leader is exactly why I fell head over heels for Elias. He reminds me of you, Dutch.” She sighed. “Trish is a blessed woman to have you.”
The more she praised Dutch, the more relaxed and puffed up he grew.
Elias glanced at Seth. Amusement sparked in his eyes. Yep, exactly how Elias felt about this conversation. Dutch could look at Iona, but not touch her. If he touched Iona, all bets were off.
Teagan released Seth and stretched with her arms above her head. “So, Dutch, are you ready for us?”
Dutch smirked at Teagan and Iona. “Oh, sweetheart, I’m always ready for beautiful women.”
The women laughed as though he’d said something funny. Their eyes, though, told a different tale. They weren’t amused at all. Although the men of Blackthorn wouldn’t know the truth, Elias saw the disgust in Iona’s eyes.
Satisfaction filled his gut. He didn’t want Iona to be comfortable flirting with other men.
Yeah, he knew that was a double standard.
He’d done his fair share of flirting to get the information he needed on missions or undercover assignments.
Elias had a feeling his days of flirting were over.
The idea of pretending to flirt with a woman other than Iona was distasteful to him and had been since he met her.
He hoped Maddox understood his reservations.
Iona and Teagan headed for the motorcycles along with their teammates. One of the Blackthorn Riders rubbed his hands together.
“So, ladies, which one of you wants to learn to ride a motorcycle first?”
Teagan sauntered up to Seth’s bike and stroked the gleaming handlebars with her hand. “That would be me.”
“Well, hop on the bike, little lady, and I’ll show you what to do.”
She flashed him a grin. “Oh, it’s sweet of you to offer, but I already have a teacher lined up.”
Seth stepped up, captured her chin with his palm, and brushed his mouth over hers. A moment later, he broke the kiss, and the lesson began.
Elias watched the proceedings with interest, as did the rest of their teammates.
Minutes later, Teagan rode down the dirt road through the orange-cone path the MC members laid out for the women, successfully turned in a broad circle, and returned to her starting point.
After turning off the engine, she smiled at her husband.
“Well, how did I do?”
“You’re a natural,” Seth said and kissed his wife. After settling her against his side, he glanced at the other women of Artemis. “Who’s next?”
“My turn,” Iona said. She walked to the bike, confidence oozing from her with every step.
Elias followed in her wake. Once Iona sat on the bike, he explained the basic mechanics of operating a motorcycle, even though Iona didn’t need the lesson. “Ready to give riding one of these babies a try?”
She nodded and cranked the engine. Soon, she was riding along the path laid out by the MC.
By the time she returned, her riding skill astonished Elias. Shouldn’t have. After all, she owned two motorcycles.
When she turned off the engine, Iona beamed at him. “That was fun. You might have to buy me a motorcycle, Elias.”
He chuckled. “If you really like it, I’ll see what I can do about getting you a bike.”
One by one, the remaining three women took their turns at instruction and a practice run.
Violet was the last one to go. Surprising all of them, she begged Noah for a second run and then a third.
When she finally turned off the engine, the medic turned to Noah, beaming.
“When we go back home, we’re going shopping. I want my own motorcycle.”
He laughed. “Anything you want, babe.”
Dutch clapped his hands, soon joined by the rest of his men. “Very impressive, ladies. I can’t believe how easily you took to the motorcycles.”
“They’re sharp,” Seth said.
“I believe it.” Dutch turned to his men. “Now that we’ve helped the ladies, it’s time we had some fun.”
His men exchanged puzzled glances. “Fun doing what?” one man asked.
He chuckled. “I’m not exactly sure. Seth?”
“Dutch wants us to take you through our workout routine this morning. If you’re game, we’ll meet you in front of the clubhouse in twenty minutes.”
The Blackthorn leader eyed his men. “You’re all game, aren’t you?”
He received slight nods in return.
“Good. Seth, we’ll see you and your men in a few minutes.”
Echo’s leader inclined his head. “Wear comfortable running shoes and clothes to work out in,” he said as the other men climbed onto their bikes.
Once they were gone, he turned to the operatives. “Ladies, let’s have some fun. Go change.”
When the women were ready, Echo unit changed into their workout clothes and rejoined the women. “Load up. Keep your phones on you as well as a weapon. Dutch sounded as though he was genuinely interested in physical fitness, but I’m not taking that interest at face value.”
“Stay with the group,” Noah said. “No hot-dogging.”
“Yes, sir.”
They rode to the clubhouse and parked at the side of the building.
Seth spoke to Dutch for a moment, then turned to the group.
“My name is Seth. We’re members of Iron Wolves MC, based out of Nashville.
Morning physical training is part of our routine.
” He grinned. “Our president acts as if he’s still in the military, and we go along with him.
That means we do PT with him every morning.
Dutch thinks you would enjoy the challenge. Are you ready?”
A few low-voiced grumbles were his response.
He chuckled. “You’ll do fine. According to your president, Blackthorn Riders can handle anything. Let’s prove him right.”
Seth warned Echo and Artemis to remain alert for trouble as they ran. He looked at Iona, then set off at a warm-up pace. Artemis fell in behind Seth. The rest of Echo followed next to keep a barrier between Artemis and Blackthorn. After the first half-mile, Seth picked up the pace.
The farther they ran, the more Elias’s shoulder ached.
He continued to run the last three miles on pure grit.
When they returned to the clubhouse, Elias joined the rest of the operatives in cooling down while the members of Blackthorn staggered into the clearing in front of the building. Dutch was the last one to arrive.
“Good job, all of you.” Seth glanced at his watch. “Catch your breath, and we’ll go on to the next set of training exercises.”
Groans filled the clearing. Elias didn’t blame them. He’d groan too if he wasn’t used to this routine. The fact is, though, Seth had taken it easy because of Elias and their guests.
Echo’s leader gave the group five minutes. After giving Elias a hand signal to stand down, Seth took the operatives and MC members through the physical training regimen he’d created for the good of his team.
One by one, the MC members dropped to the ground and remained there until the only ones still keeping the pace were the operatives and Dutch.
From his position against the wall, Elias had a good view of Dutch and his men.
Most of them tapped out before the end of the session.
Dutch, however, was one stubborn man. He pushed himself to keep going, and out of all the Blackthorn Riders, Dutch was the last man standing.
Elias had to give him credit for sheer grit.
Wet with sweat, Seth held out his hand to Dutch. “You’re in great shape, sir. Congratulations.”
Sweaty and exhausted, Dutch found the energy to smile.
Seth moved a step closer and dropped his voice. “Turn around and see who’s still standing from your group.”
When he did, the MC leader’s mouth gaped, then his brows lowered as he glowered at his men. “Roll over,” he roared. “Finish the exercises. Now.”
His men reluctantly did as ordered and resumed the push-ups. When they finished, Dutch pointed at the Fortress operatives. “This will be your fitness level soon. The workout we just survived will be our normal routine from now on. Is that understood?”
The clearing filled with reluctant acknowledgments of his order.
Elias joined his teammates. “We just lost our welcome,” he murmured.
“No doubt.” Iona glanced at him. “How’s the shoulder?”
His lips curved. “Better since I stopped running. I’ll be glad when it heals.”
“Won’t be long based on your run time.”
“Ha. That’s what you think. I barely made it. Only the prospect of Blackthorn taunting me over wussing out made me keep going.”
She laughed.
Over the next few minutes, the Blackthorn Riders scattered to their homes to shower and go to work, leaving Echo and Artemis in the yard with Dutch.
Seth turned to Dutch. “Do you still want us to provide security for your project?”
He nodded.
“What about The Committee. You said you had to discuss our participation with them. How did it go?”
“They turned you down.” He smiled. “I’m not, and you answer to me, anyway. You’re still willing to help us out?”
“Of course. It’s the least we can do since you’re providing sanctuary for Elias.”
The MC leader glanced at Elias, speculation in his eyes. “Yes, there is that. Loyalty is everything in our world. Anyone who breaks that trust deserves whatever happens.”
Elias stilled. “You think I’ve been disloyal?”
“You tell me.”
His blood heated. Was Dutch fishing, or did he know more than he’d said? “If you’ve got something to say, just spit it out.”
Blackthorn’s leader held up his hands and took a step back. “No offense, man. When a brother is shot by a cop, there’s a reason behind the assassination attempt. Just making an observation. That’s all.”
“You want to know the truth?” Seth folded his arms across his chest. “Iron Wolves is the most loyal group of people I’ve ever known. I would trust any of them at my back. If you don’t believe me, I’ll have Z call you to confirm my assessment of Elias’ character.”
“No, no. That won’t be necessary. I believe you.”
Which meant he didn’t believe Elias. Nice. “I’m sorry about your friend, sir.”
Dutch’s expression sobered. “So am I. I’ll miss him.”
“How big is his farm?” Noah asked.
“About four hundred acres.”
“Did you visit him often?”
“I tried to visit him twice a week. We played chess every time I visited. Merriweather was a sly chess player. I never beat him at a game.”
“Wonderful memory to have.”
Seth studied Dutch for a moment. “If you want us to provide security, we need to know where we’re going. Z taught us to plan, scope out the place, and have many plans at the ready when the earlier plans failed. So, what’s the location of the meet?”
Dutch shook his head. “Doesn’t matter now. We have to find another location.”
That confirmed what Elias had suspected. Dutch had planned to use Merriweather’s place as the site for the gun sale.
He sighed. That meant their only clue, shaky though it was, was now dead in the water.