Chapter 11
CHAPTER
ELEVEN
Riptide
I’ve never laughed so hard in my entire life. Brothers are going down the slide with beers held over their heads. Most of them end up receiving a shower from them while the others toss theirs to the side when they’re in for a hard landing.
Elodie, always the task master, has everyone in a one line file, but it’s a given that after she has her turn she gets to cut in line before the next one up. She has Icer standing there as her personal guard, making sure the participants are in compliance with her decree.
“Those two are going to run the world one day,” Van surmises, her voice whisper light. “She’s the brains and he’s the brawn.”
“You have no idea,” Zoey inserts. “Together, they remind me of that cartoon, Pinky and the Brain.”
Little G is in my arms, cooing and flailing his limbs through the air.
He’s obsessed with the slip ‘n slide, but my old bones needed a break and Van doesn’t really care for the contraption and has chosen not to take a turn.
Icer is otherwise occupied taking orders from the mini tornado to take him down it, so instead, we’re sitting near a sprinkler, letting it hit us now and then to keep the rays from the sun from roasting us completely.
There are a few overhead tents popped up that are providing some extra shade, and we are sitting beneath one.
Misters are being set up around the canopies so that’ll add some extra relief to the heat.
Even this time of year, when the weather should be starting to cool, Texas is still in the higher digits to where it’s sweltering and uncomfortable being outdoors.
There are times I’m jealous of our northern chapters who are wearing jeans instead of shorts, that is, until I realize they have to store their bikes during snowstorms, then I’m thankful we live in a warmer climate because I can’t stand being caged—even if it is in a lifted pickup truck that stands taller than most diesels.
“Got a second?” Rio asks, angling his head sideways letting me know he wants this chat to be covert and had in private.
“Sure,” I tell him, passing the baby to his mother before telling her, “I’ll be right back.”
She smiles up at me and says, “Take your time. It’s his nap time so I’m going to see if I can get him to close his eyes for a bit. Indiana went inside to find a portable fan.”
“If he can’t find one, have him come see me. I’ll direct him to where I have one stored,” Rio orders.
“You have a hidden fan?” I ask, raising my brows at him.
“Sure the fuck do. These assholes will snatch it and I’ll never see it again if I don’t,” Rio discloses. “Around here, everything is fair game.”
I emit a short, sharp laugh as I follow him through the line of brothers and into the clubhouse. When the breeze from the air conditioner slaps me in the face, I sigh. “Damn. You don’t realize how fucking hot it is out there until you come inside.”
“That’s because Texas is the gateway to Hell,” Rio teases.
“Isn’t that the damn truth,” I agree. As we walk into his personal office and he shuts the door behind me, he locks it. “What’s this about, Rio?”
“Got a call from Slayer, Rip. He asked me to bring you into the office and have you call him behind doors. He doesn’t want the men to hear what he has to say until after he’s spoken with you.”
“That doesn’t sound promising,” I mumble underneath my breath. Slayer would call me directly if it was something he could share within hearing distance of others. “Did he give you any clues as to what’s going on?”
“None, but that could be because Issy was standing there with me when I accepted the call,” Rio admits.
“Alright, well let’s call him and see what’s happened,” I say, lifting my phone and calling him. It rings three times before I hear the line connect.
“Riptide, you missed all the fun, brother,” Slayer says in the way of a greeting.
“Is that right? Wanna fill me in on what that was or am I supposed to sit here and play twenty questions with you?” Rio cups his mouth to hide his laughter, finding my lack of patience with my VP funny as hell.
I flip him off and put the phone on speaker.
I don’t wanna be the only one who has to deal with this insolent bullshit.
“We managed to capture us a few mice scuttling around the clubhouse property, trying to find themselves an opening,” Slayer informs me.
Now he has my undivided attention. “Dragons?” I ask, my blood roaring in my veins.
“Closely connected. Parents of one of our female critters,” he tells me, erring on the side of caution by using code words instead of using names.
Considering we only have one old lady in our club, I know exactly who tried to invade my club.
“They didn’t even have the decency to use the doorbell.
They just crawled on through the gates as if they were invited. ”
“Now isn’t that a damn shame,” I whistle. “Got them trapped? We can’t have them getting loose, don’t want their droppings spread around.”
“They’re playing in the mousetrap with the other unwanted vermin,” Slayer proclaims, which has Rio leaning back in his chair and shaking his head.
He knows that’s a euphemism for them being shut in the catacombs with the rest of the bones from those who crossed us.
Those will soon be seeing our incinerator, but we’ve been busy and they’re safe for now so we haven’t rushed to dispose of them.
Nobody will ever think to look underneath the heavyweight slab hidden beneath a tombstone to find our secret entrance to the underground crypt—it was purposefully designed to be the keeper of our enemies while they wait until I’m ready to put an end to them.
If it was ever unearthed, it could land us behind bars for life.
We all know the risks we take when we put on our patch and accepted our roles in the Kings, but that doesn’t mean we won’t fight tooth and nail to keep ourselves topside and breathing fresh air.
I hum as I digest the fact that we have the two people who’ve harmed Zoey the most and a mirthful smile spreads across my cheeks.
“Keep them alive until I get back to inspect them. They may be just the species I’ve been looking for, but I’ll need to dissect them before I know for sure,” I continue, keeping up with the jargon, knowing Slayer will get my meaning and act accordingly.
“It’d be my pleasure,” Slayer says, a little too enthusiastically. Like I give a shit if they’re worse for the wear by the time we make it back to Canton. “Mind if I start the dissection process?”
“Go for it, just make sure they’re still functional when I get back,” I order.
“Of course,” he replies. “But the boys and I have been curious about how their minds work. Wouldn’t mind digging in there and starting the scientific experiment for you.”
“Keep me updated. Make sure you record all of their squealing, Slayer.” Glancing up I notice Rio has broken into the bottles that hold his good liquor. My cousin is just as blood thirsty as I am when it comes to someone who’s hurt one of our own.
“Will do, catch you later, Rip,” Slayer says, disconnecting the call.
“You going to tell Zoey?” Rio asks.
“I’m gonna tell Indiana and leave that up to him.
I’ll advise him to wait until it’s time to head back before telling her.
This is the first time I’ve seen her relax and let her guard down.
I’ve heard more laughter and have seen more smiles from her since we’ve been here than I have since we rescued her from those Onyx pussies. ”
“That’s what I would do as well if it were me in Indiana’s place,” he admits.
“Thanks for the use of your office, cousin. For now, let’s keep this between the two of us. I’ll catch Indiana tomorrow and tell him about my call with Slayer.”
“Anytime and I’ve got your back, Rip. Always have and always will. Let me know if you need back up when you talk with him.”
“I will but I think I’ve got it. I know you have shit that you and Issy are taking care of in the morning. The sendoff is in just a couple of days,” I remind him.
“Yeah. I’m sure Issy is going to have me running around doing all the last minute shit,” he sighs.
“Let’s go rejoin the party, I have a feeling it’s the last time we’re going to hear that laughter you’re so fond of until after Gage’s final ride.
Don’t think I haven’t noticed how you gravitate to Van either.
” I roll my eyes and wave him off. I’m not sure what’s going to happen between the two of us, but if I have my way, she’ll be in my bed and with my patch on her back before the year ends.
For now, I’m going to keep those thoughts close to the chest because I don’t need him to rag me about it.
I carry little G to the car for Van and put him in his seat, keeping my hand at the back of his head so it doesn’t slam against the side of his seat when I place him in it.
I step back and watch her strap him in. I don’t know what I’m doing and I couldn’t live with myself if he were hurt because I did it wrong.
“Thank you, Riptide. I had a blast today and I know Gagey did too.”
“It was my pleasure. Listen, I have something to take care of in the morning, but how about I take you and little G out for dinner?”
“Like a date?” she asks, tilting her head to the side, licking her bottom lip.
“If that’s okay with you, Van. I know you are still getting over Gage, and I won’t push you for anything more than what you’re willing to give until you’re ready for more than friendship, but I’d really like to take you out.”
“Riptide. I got over Gage a long time ago. I came here for closure and answers for my son. I wanted to have them for when he started asking about him. I’d like to go on a date with you. You already accept that I’m a package deal, so we don’t have that hurdle to climb over.”
“If he was an issue for me, I wouldn’t have invited him along. I would’ve found a sitter for him. I can name two who’d fight for the chance to watch him,” I tell her.
“I’m pretty sure I know who you’re referring to.
And it’s not that I don’t trust them, but I’m not ready to relinquish sitter duty to them.
Remember, attachment issues,” she states, poking herself in the chest with the tip of her thumb.
“That’s going to be the biggest hurdle of all, don’t you think? ”
“No, I don’t, Van, because I believe once you get settled and get to know us better, you’ll realize we’re not going anywhere and those feelings will be laid to rest.”
“What time?” she asks.
“I’ll pick you up at four. We’ll take little man to the park and swing him on the toddler swings and I’ll slide down the slide with him. Then we’ll hit the diner and see what else we want to do afterward to fill the rest of the hours.”
“We could stream some movies and talk. Get to know each other better,” she suggests.
“I’m down for that. We’ll hit a store, grab some snacks, and go back to your place.
” I take the chance to lean forward and capture her lips with mine.
She opens up for me and accepts my kiss.
I don't draw it out because it’s getting late and I don’t like the idea of her walking through the parking lot to her cabin in the dark.
When I back away I smirk because Icer is sitting on his bike, ready to follow them back and make sure they get inside without any issues.
Good man. I tap her on the ass and open her car door, strapping her in once she sits down.
I wave her away and as she backs out, I feel a pain in my chest, it’s as if she’s taking a piece of me with her.
Yep, I think I’ve been shot by Cupid’s arrow and bitten by the relationship bug because my heart aches at the prospect of spending a single moment separated from her.