Chapter 4
Razor didn’t like the expression on Lucien’s face when he walked into the vast office on the second floor of Inferno.
A glance past the MC’s president standing in front of a bank of windows revealed the usual bustle to ready the place to open for lunch.
The regular staff mingled with some MC members seamlessly.
Lucien had created an interesting mix of those loyal to him and a workforce who appreciated the bikers that efficiently dealt with any conflicts.
“You look concerned, Lucien. What’s up?” Razor didn’t waste any time.
“There’s a growing problem with the Ravagers MC.”
Razor rubbed his fingers across his thumb, almost feeling his MC brother’s blood that had coated his hands. “That’s who stabbed Vex?”
“Yes. A group of Ravagers turned up as Vex and the others collected the shipment. This isn’t the first time, of course.”
“You’re plotting a response to the stabbing,” Razor guessed. He strove not to reveal his inner turmoil and to remain calm. He’d already patched up one man this morning. Other injuries would be inevitable.
“Less revenge and more protecting our territory. I didn’t mind the group as long as they stayed in their area and didn’t interfere with business. Confiscating that plane’s supplies should have signaled to them that the Devil Daddies MC is in charge.”
The complete lack of emotion on Lucien’s face chilled Razor. This wasn’t good.
“There was an agreement?”
“No. That needs to happen.”
“Or we’ll need to eliminate them?” Razor asked.
“Yes.”
“How am I involved in this conversation?” Razor couldn’t help stressing the word. Lucien had a reason for sharing this information with him.
“You’re the best at reading people,” Lucien answered simply.
“You want me to attend with you?” There was no way to refuse. He owed the Devil Daddies. Yet gorgeous brown eyes flashed into his thoughts.
“If I go, that gives them the message that I see them as equals,” Lucien said.
Razor nodded. Lucien was right. If the MC president didn’t attend in person, he must not have considered the other MC as a threat. “So, I go instead of you. Who else are you sending?”
“Wraith and Fury. Dead Eye will cover you. Pirate too.”
Lucien had put together a good team. No one wanted to mess with Wraith.
He was an immense physical menace. Fury had a scar to remind him of the risk the other MC posed.
It didn’t matter that The Devil Daddies MC had no definitive proof the Ravagers had targeted him.
Everyone knew. Including Fury, who would always remember but put his MC first. Dead Eye would perch in a high location.
The sniper was viciously accurate. And finally, Pirate.
If the Ravagers carried anything electronic, Pirate had the computer hacking skills to turn the item into a weapon.
He would lurk from a distance as well, targeting the group in an entirely different way.
“Have you talked to the others?”
“Everyone but Fury. He’s coming in thirty minutes.”
“I guess we need to get started then. Tell me what you want to get out of this. And what you’re willing to give up,” Razor requested.
“Sit down.”
“First, you’ve found your Little girl,” Lucien stated, as if forging that relationship was an accomplished feat.
“I think so,” Razor hedged, preventing himself from revealing the extent of his feelings toward Honey. Not because he doubted she was his Little girl. He wanted Honey to reach the same conclusion without knowing looks or comments from the MC.
“No, you don’t,” Lucien challenged him.
“You’re right. I’ve found her,” Razor admitted. “It’s going to take her a bit of time.”
“Everything special is worth waiting for. Be careful tonight, Razor.”
Razor nodded. “Definitely.”
“Let’s come up with a plan,” Lucien said. “Here’s what I need to happen.”
Pulling out his phone to make a few notes for himself, Razor leaned back against the seat and listened as Lucien shared his strategy.
It was brilliant. Razor had interacted with a lot of smart individuals in higher education.
Lucien’s shrewd mind put them all to shame.
The MC president and Inferno owner could have chosen several career paths.
Razor hoped someday he’d find out how Lucien had become who he was today.
Razor rubbed his hand over his face as he descended the stairs from Lucien’s office with Wraith, Fury, Dead Eye, and Pirate. The others had joined the meeting an hour after Lucien had explained his plan. It could work. Or it could totally go to shit. No one knew when dealing with the Ravagers.
Between patching up Vex and plotting the response to the Ravagers, Razor had lost the whole morning. As soon as he hit the bar area, Razor found a seat and composed a message to Honey. Would she think he was making excuses or understand he would much rather be with her?
Honey,
I had something urgent crop up. I hope you’ll forgive me for missing the movie tonight. What’s your schedule like tomorrow? Can I convince you to see me then?
Razor
“Hey, Razor. Want a beer?” the bartender asked.
Razor struggled to remember her name. Inferno was a pass-through zone for him.
The path to see Lucien in his office or to check on someone he’d treated in the clinic.
The Devil Daddies were notorious for ghosting him after an injury and not returning for their follow-up.
Razor didn’t hesitate to track them down.
“I’m Dakota,” the bartender told him.
“Thanks, Dakota. I’ll take a cup of coffee if you have one around.”
“You’ve got it, Doc. I’ll remember how you like coffee next time.” Dakota obviously recognized him.
“Thank you, Dakota.”
His phone buzzed in his hand. Honey? Instant disappointment flooded him. It was a message from Wraith about tonight. He opened it and read more details.
Razor wasn’t worried about the meeting with the Ravagers. He would be on high alert and focus on keeping everyone healthy. As for the result, it would go well or to hell. Lucien always had contingency plans for all the possible outcomes.
“Here you go, Razor. I got it from the server’s station, so it’s fresher. My pot smells like they brewed it hours ago,” Dakota announced as she placed a steaming cup of coffee in front of him.
“Thank you.” Razor lifted the cup to his lips and drank a healthy swallow of the hot brew. “It’s perfect.”
Dakota hovered nearby, making small talk off and on as Razor sat there, eyes glued on his phone.
Each second clicking past made it more likely that she was upset.
It took several minutes before he realized Dakota hovered nearby, cleaning the counter around him repeatedly. Did she need to talk with him?
“Is something wrong, Dakota?”
“Can I ask you a medical question? I’m sure you get tired of everyone deluging you with symptoms and looking for information,” she blurted.
“It’s not a problem. What’s going on?”
“My two-year-old keeps getting nosebleeds at night. It’s so scary to walk in there and see all that.”
“It’s probably nothing. Start with something easy. Put a small humidifier in his room at night. Don’t have it blow on him but add some moisture to the area. He may simply have a dry nose.”
“Oh! I have one I used when he was a small baby,” Dakota said.
“If that doesn’t work, add socks on his hands,” Razor suggested.
“You think he’s picking his nose.”
“Probably. If those two remedies don’t stop it, call and make an appointment. I’ll be glad to check him out,” Razor told her.
“I’m always short on cash, Razor. I’ll give you everything I can, but I may have to pay in installments,” Dakota said with pleading eyes.
“Not a problem, Dakota. I’ll see him without charge. Consider it the tip for this cup of coffee.”
“Really? Thanks, Razor. I’ll try the other things first. I bet they’ll work.”
“If not, make an appointment,” Razor told her.
“You like kids?” she asked, bracing her forearms on the bar and leaning over to display her breasts.
He didn’t feel an inkling of interest toward the attractive server. Honey already held his complete attention. “Sorry, Dakota. I just met the one I’ve been waiting for,” Razor said gently.
“That’s how it always is. I’m a dollar short and a day late.” Dakota straightened up and winked, showcasing her good nature. “It was worth a chance. If things go sour….”
“They won’t,” Razor said, returning her smile. Honey might not have answered yet, but he had confidence in his ability to convince her. “Let me know how everything goes with your son.”
“I will.”
“Dakota! For god’s sake, can a man get a beer? I’m running on empty here,” a drinker at the other end of the bar called, holding a glass stein with barely an inch left of the golden liquid.
“On my way, Al.” Dakota waltzed away with a small wave.
After finishing his coffee, Razor checked his messages. Nothing. Worry pricked at the back of his mind. Had she fallen again? Was she running away from him?
He slid off the stool and headed back toward the clinic. Razor debated whether he should drive back to her house to check on her welfare. He didn’t want to scare her away. As he reached Inferno’s back door, his phone buzzed.
Hi, Razor. No problem. It’s been a tough day here. Tomorrow would work better for me as well. Where should I meet you?
Razor smiled at the message. She’d answered. Perhaps his luck was changing. He’d never expected to find his Little girl. Now, he’d met Honey and couldn’t imagine a future without her.