Chapter 30
Falcon
After a long day–only two clients but the second was a long session–we finally headed home. I wanted to fall into bed and bury myself inside my woman. Especially since I knew I had a long ride ahead. But she didn’t know about that yet.
We also had to discuss her working. I didn’t give a fuck if she wanted to strip, but right now I wasn’t sure what was safe aside from her being with me. I had a bad feeling but couldn’t put my finger on what. Every time I thought of her being away from me or the clubhouse, something nagged at me. My gut hasn’t steered me wrong yet, and I didn’t plan to start testing it on her.
I’d have to explain things in a way she’d get it without giving up too much information. I understood her feelings, but she couldn’t know all the details .
Knowing I’d be making a run soon, I found myself holding her tighter and closer. I squeezed her hand at my chest nearly the whole way home. My phone buzzed in my pocket so, at a red light not far from the clubhouse, I finally pulled my hand from hers and fished it out to check it.
Church in half an hour.
I replied and shoved it back into my pocket before the light turned green again. Once it did, I grabbed her hand again, hoping it wouldn’t mean a fight. As soon as we got back, I’d have to head to church, and our conversation would have to wait.
Once we had pulled in and were both off the bike, I grabbed her hand and led her inside.
“Hey,” I said as I planted a kiss on her temple, “why don’t you grab a drink and catch up with Lacy. I’ll be back in a few.”
She glared at me, the blue in her eyes popping more than normal. “Okay,” she said with a sigh.
I squeezed her arm and pulled her closer, then wrapped her in a bear hug. “We’re going to talk soon. Just wait a few minutes.”
She relaxed against me, then tipped her head up. “ Okay . But I expect groveling for the extra wait.”
I couldn’t contain my chuckle, though I wasn’t sure if I was more amused at her demand or the fact that I immediately thought of ways to successfully fulfill her wish.
Leaning down, I took her mouth in a ravenous kiss. I hoped to leave her wanting more but only ended up teasing myself. Still, I had to leave her with something to think about so I said, “I’ll make it up to you so much you won’t be able to walk tomorrow.”
“I don’t think you understand what grovel means, but we’ll talk later.” She smirked as she patted my chest and walked away. But I could tell with the sway in her hips, she wanted my kind of groveling, even if she planned to make me work for it.
I tried to wipe the grin off my face before I stepped inside and took a seat. Apparently, I didn’t do a great job with all the looks I got. But Hawk was all business and Butch had come in behind me, so everyone was there a few minutes ahead of schedule.
“We have some intel. There’s no new clubs that appear to be a threat but there is a crime ring.”
I spoke up. “Do we think this could be who took out Raven?”
Eagle had been relaxed in his chair but sat up. “Anyone we would’ve done business with?”
Hawk shook his head. His jaw was tight, and his piercing blue eyes scanned the room. I did so as well, trying to gauge reactions.
Red asked, “What do we know about ‘em?”
Hawk leaned back in his chair, his hands clasped. “From what little we have to go on, they seem to be running a trafficking operation. They have their hands into some guns, but I don’t think they’re moving them. I think it’s to keep their players armed. Seems like mostly human trafficking.” Hawk rubbed his hand over his hair, leaving it mussed up. “This is the first real lead we’ve gotten, even though it’s not much to go on. There haven’t been any crime rings we didn’t supply for years. ”
“Except we don’t supply people,” Eagle said.
I asked, “Drugs?”
“Nothing to speak of,” Hawk replied.
Butch asked, “Do we have any leads on headquarters or holding areas? If they’re moving bodies, they’ll need somewhere to hold them until they can move ‘em. They wouldn’t move one at a time.”
Hawk answered, “Not yet. Just a lot of whispers. This is a long shot but it’s the most logical. We’re going to dig deeper. Keys is already searching around on the dark web.”
“Why come after us? You think they’re worried we’ll decide to get in on that trade?” I asked.
Hawk said, “We control a lot, but Pops wouldn’t entertain that option.”
“We all know that, but do they?” Red asked.
Rooster sat quietly, though it looked like his wheels were spinning. Butch rubbed his short mohawk and Eagle watched Hawk carefully.
“He’d been pretty clear. I’m not entirely sure what their motivation was if they are to blame, but I like the lead.”
Butch asked, “Where’d you get the tip?”
“Jackal,” Hawk answered.
“You think his sources are good?” Butch asked.
“Jackal’s been a member of the Enforcers for years and was one of Pops’ oldest friends. Plus, it was corroborated by Squatch and Treads,” Hawk said. Squatch was a member, and Treads was a nomad like Jackal, but he’d been in town a while this stretch.
“Jackal’s good fucking people, he just hasn’t been here for a while. Gotta explore all options, man,” Butch said. “Especially when we can’t eliminate the possibility of an insider.”
Hawk nodded. “True. But Jackal hadn’t come back around until he heard the news from me. And again, he’s one of Pops’ oldest friends. Hell, he was in their wedding.”
Eagle thrummed his fingers on the table. “We just gotta keep eyes and ears open. Don’t forget to be asking around the strip club, too.” Butch spent a lot of time there. Mama Hen wanted to keep him close when she found him, and the strip club was her baby. It made sense Butch was one of the main bouncers and head of security there. Rooster took some shifts and a few members filled in the gaps. It was open from noon to three a.m. most days, so plenty of muscle was needed.
“Been trying to check in with the girls between shifts, but so far nothing. I’ll tell them to watch themselves. Maybe we should bring in some extra guys, at least until this is sorted out?” Butch asked.
Hawk agreed. “With Ma being there so much, I’d appreciate that. And we certainly don’t want any of the girls getting taken. Some of the new members are about to earn their keep. Red, we’ll beef it up at the bar, too.”
“What about the run?” I asked. We were making plans to throw a lot of weight at the businesses, but we were already scheduled to go.
“We go and get back fast. Rooster, stay back on this one and keep your shift at the club. You, Butch, and Red hold it down,” Hawk instructed.
Eagle and I locked eyes. Normally, we could handle the run without Rooster, but throwing so much extra at the businesses here and taking from our run seemed to leave us open to more shit. Especially when we didn’t know if this crime ring was watching us. Or if there was an insider and they’d be snitching that our ride was a man down. But I wasn’t about to argue with Hawk. We’d have to make it work.
“We’ll head out as planned without Rooster. Get the guys for the truck ready.” Hawk stood and looked me dead in the eye. “And no detours this time.”
I gave him a nod and he pounded his fist on the table. We all knocked on the table as well and followed him back outside. Now I had to go grovel. I’d never groveled for shit, but if that’s what she needed, I was up for the task. Hopefully it would work quickly because I needed to hold her as long as I could before we had to leave.
“Hey, Hawk, can I holler at you real quick?”
Hawk stopped, waiting for everyone to clear out. “Yeah. What’s up?”
“Can I get a burner phone from Keys? Daisy doesn’t have one and I haven’t had the chance to get to the store.”
Hawk rubbed the short scruff on his chin. “No time, or you can’t track her on a random phone? ”
“Listen, she’s hell bent on working and needs her own space or some shit. I gotta bad feeling, and with us leaving town, I want eyes on her. Keys doesn’t have to tell me shit unless something goes down. I just need to know we can easily find her if necessary.”
Hawk cupped my shoulder. “I feel ya, brother. I wish I could talk some sense into my sister, too. She doesn’t know at least two members trail her anywhere she goes. Maybe if she agreed to the tracker, I would only send one. Just go see him. I’ll shoot him a text.”
I hustled down the hall to Keys’ room. He’d have it ready before I got there.