Chapter 4 #2
Getting to my feet, I grab the beer and head to the kitchen.
My eyes skim over the country-style design, which is all oak and white, with a deep ceramic sink and brass faucet fittings, complementing the sleek black stove.
The central island is bare except for a fruit bowl full of apples, and I can almost picture Delphi pulling out one of the high-backed chairs lining the island and sitting on it as she snags one.
There’s an oval dining table across the room, with four chairs in different shades, adding a pop of color to the otherwise neutral room.
There’s a fancy candle chandelier light fixture hanging directly over the table that illuminates the whole room, somehow managing to not look out of place with the country vibe.
I shove the beer into the fridge before heading back to the living room.
When my phone beeps, I pull it out and see a text from one of our new prospects, Pig.
I snort when I see his name. Even now, that shit cracks me up.
MCs are notorious for giving road names.
Some stick for obvious reasons, like Hannibal’s and mine.
Others because you get remembered for some shit you wished you didn’t, like Probe and Pig.
Well, it’s actually P.I.G because the first night of hazing led to him so fucking drunk that he passed out after watching two club girls getting it on, muttering “pussy is god” over and over for an hour.
What can I say? Bikers are assholes. But fuck me, it’s funny for the rest of us.
I grab my cut from the hook near the front door.
I didn’t bother putting it on to collect Delphi.
It’s against the rules to wear your colors in a cage, and there wasn’t much point once we got back.
And yeah, maybe for a second, I worried Delphi wouldn’t be able to see beyond the cut to the man for a change.
But she did, though she’ll be loath to admit it.
I slip my coat on, make sure my bike keys are in the pocket, and head out. I find Pig parked in front of the house, so I jog down the steps to meet him.
“Door’s unlocked. Only go in if you think she’s in trouble and needs help, which is very fucking unlikely.”
“Got it.”
I nod and head toward the garage. “I won’t be long. If she asks, tell her the truth. She’ll know if you’re lying. Your face is too expressive, and I’m trying hard not to piss her off any more than I need to.”
He tries to school his features but sucks at it.
At twenty, he’s one of our youngest prospects, so I’m willing to give him a little leeway.
MC life isn’t for everyone. The willing pussy might make it look attractive to a kid, but after a couple of years of prospecting, he’ll either patch in as a man, ready to put his club first, or fuck back off to civilian life.
It’s hit or miss as to which way this bunch will go.
I get on my bike and head to Au. The ride takes twenty minutes, so where Havoc got thirty minutes in and out from, I don’t know.
The alarm is still going off when I climb off my bike and walk over to find broken glass on the pavement.
“Motherfuckers.” I unlock the door with my spare key and type in the code for the alarm, sighing happily when it cuts off and silence descends.
I check the time and call Nathan. “Hey, boss. Miss me already?”
“Like a boil on my ass.”
He chuckles as I take in the room. Nothing looks like it’s been touched.
“I’m guessing you’re not calling just to shoot the shit with me.”
“I’m at Au. The alarm has been going off for the last hour. I’m surprised I didn’t find the cops here.”
“Major traffic incident. Not entirely sure what’s happened, but I heard over the scanner for all units to respond.”
“Damn. Alright, keep me in the loop. Anyway, I’m here. The alarm is now off, but the front window is broken. Can’t see any signs that anyone has been inside, but can you check anyway?”
“I’m on it.”
I walk over to the window and stare out into the night, thinking about whether Delphi even knows I’m missing right now.
“Fuck. Cameras are out.”
“Alright, I’m gonna check things out.”
“Want me to call the cops?”
“The ones tied up in a major incident? Fuck no. I’d rather stick my dick between two slices of bread and make you eat it.”
“Consider me a vegetarian until that thought never crosses your mind again.”
I grin but pull my gun and cock it. “Gonna put you in my pocket but leave you connected. You hear anything like me getting shot at? Call Havoc.”
“Always wondered why you gave me his number.”
“Next of kin,” I grunt out as I sweep the room, finding nothing out of place and nobody hiding.
I move down the short hallway to the back of the building and check the rooms there before heading up to inspect the apartment as well.
The door is open, which makes me roll my eyes.
I get that nobody’s living here and nobody can access this door without going through the shop first, but tonight proves it’s possible.
Luckily, the apartment is clear. Though I don’t have a key to lock up, I make a mental note to get Midas to give one to Delphi so I can come back and lock it later.
“All clear. Must have just been kids fucking around. They likely saw the place was empty and figured nobody would notice.”
“This is why I don’t like kids. Kids are assholes.”
“I’m telling your kids you said that.”
“Of course you will. Bikers are assholes, too.”
I grin, heading out and locking up.
“Gonna let you get back to whatever the fuck it is hipster yuppies do. I’m gonna go find some wood to board it up.”
“Aye, aye, captain.” He hangs up, leaving me shaking my head.
My mind quickly slips to Delphi once more. These thirty minutes now have the potential to become three hours. God only knows how pissed she’ll be when I get back.