Chapter 15
“You look a lot better. That kind of lunch didn’t come from a brown paper sack,” Street told him when Vex ran in ten minutes late with wet hair and wearing new clothes. His previous outfit had become unexplainably… juicy.
Not even the kidding of his MC brothers could ruin this amazing mood.
Vex grinned and grabbed a pallet mover to unload the truck that had arrived during lunch.
His stomach growled loudly from hunger at the thought of his sandwich still sitting in the breakroom fridge.
He’d survive until time to check out and head home.
“Vex. Eat this. We can’t have you fainting from hunger,” Razor said, tossing him a protein bar as the MC’s doctor walked through the warehouse.
“Thanks, Razor.” Smiling, he tore open the wrapper and ate on his way to pull everything out of the truck.
Thankfully, time flew by with no complications. When he had time to check the clock next, the end of his shift was minutes away. Vex spotted Razor walking toward his medical office. Setting an intercepting path, Vex headed to ask a question.
“Hey, Razor?”
“You don’t need stitches again, do you?” Razor’s keen gaze raked over him, checking for an injury.
“No, I’ve got a good reason to take it easy on myself. I hoped I could set up an appointment with you for Angel.”
“Is she having any problems? Bad dreams?” Razor asked.
“Sometimes, but they aren’t horrendous. She’s a survivor,” Vex said proudly.
“She’s strong, but she lived through a traumatic event. There’s nothing wrong with getting mental help if she’s struggling.”
Vex nodded. “Sorry, I answered that poorly. I’m ready to support her with whatever she needs.
I meant Angel is thriving with me. She’s not a slacker though.
I know being at home is going to weigh on her in the near future.
She’s used to working. Before she dives into anything, I need to make sure she’s healthy. ”
“I agree. When would you like to bring her in?”
“Next week?”
“You’re off on Wednesday, right?” Razor asked.
“Yes.”
“Ten o’clock. I’ll make a space for here. Any birth control she used before has probably lapsed. Are you protecting her?” Razor pinned Vex with a laser-sharp look.
“Yes, Razor. She’s tied my heart into a knot. I’ll always take care of her.”
Razor whacked him on the back. “Welcome to the club. That’s exactly how a Daddy is supposed to feel. Let me know if something urgent pops up before her appointment.”
Vex smiled as Razor strolled away. This was one club he never wanted to leave.
“Vex! Meeting in Lucien’s office in ten minutes,” Wraith yelled as he walked through the warehouse.
Wondering if he could skip the gathering and no one would notice, Vex noted Wraith’s progression through the warehouse.
Fuck! Wraith wasn’t telling everyone. The MC’s enforcer was on a mission.
Vex’s phone buzzed, underlining that thought.
He pulled his device out to check and spotted a message from Lucien.
Your Little girl is with Caroline. They’re having a tea party and gossiping about you. She’ll be fine.
Vex raised his hand to flash his middle finger at the cameras. Of course, Lucien was monitoring both the warehouse and the compound. Shaking his head, Vex headed for Inferno. Something was up. He’d have to go. With a selected crew notified, the Ravagers had to be involved.
Walking into Inferno, Vex studied the crowd.
Wraith had set up a bouncer at the door for the entire span of Inferno’s operating hours and closed down access for deliveries without supervision.
No one knew where the Ravagers would retaliate for burning down their compound.
Every member of the Devil Daddies MC anticipated they’d make a big play at revenge.
The increased security hadn’t decreased the business. If anything, more people filled the interior spaces of Inferno than Vex would have expected. The early evening dinner crowd chattered with happiness.
Nodding at Toxin, who guarded the stairs to Lucien’s elevated office and observation spot, Vex climbed the stairs.
He could see figures moving inside the partially shaded windows that overlooked the floor.
Lucien could track everything in Devil Daddies MC territory, except for the interior of each member’s cabin.
As he entered, Dead Eye, Street, Wraith, Razor, and Scythe turned to acknowledge him with an upward nod. The group had clustered around Lucien’s massive desk, studying something on the top. Vex approached the group and stared at the roughly drawn map.
“What’s this?”
“The Ravagers have abandoned their previous clubhouse and are dividing into three separate areas,” Dead Eye said. “I’ve been keeping track of the members as they relocated.”
Vex stared at the paper in front of him. The Ravagers’ new settlements surrounded Inferno, the warehouse, and the Devil Daddies Compound. “Somehow, I don’t believe that’s random,” Vex said.
“Doubtful. In those new positions, they can monitor everyone who comes and goes. If they choose to, of course,” Wraith said.
“Dead Eye? Have you noted a Ravager presence? Are they tracking our movements?” Lucien asked.
“I sent out members in random directions. No one was followed. Whether that’s because the Ravagers aren’t focusing on us or if they are waiting for certain people or a person,” Dead Eye answered.
“You think they’re waiting for Angel?” Vex asked bluntly.
“Yes.” Lucien met his gaze directly. “They had asked for an extremely steep ransom from Angel’s father.”
“How steep?” Vex asked, afraid of the answer. Dammit! He’d just found her. His resolve hardened. If he had to kill every Ravager to guard her safety, he would.
“A million dollars,” Lucien answered.
Razor shook his head in disgust. “So what do we do to protect Angel and keep the other Littles safe? Anyone of them could be used as a pawn.”
“That’s what this group is going to decide,” Lucien told them. “Dead Eye is here as a resource. He’s got the most inside knowledge of the Ravager’s comings and goings.”
“Why am I here?” Street asked. When the group turned to consider him, Street said, “Tech?”
“Exactly. You are the most tech-savvy of the MC. We need your insight,” Lucien suggested.
“Got it. I’ll listen for tech solutions,” Street said and studied the map again.
“The compound is the safest location. We can control everyone’s access. The warehouse is next in line for best security, and Inferno is a close second. The staff and the MC are trained to spot problems and stop them before anything happens,” Dead Eye stated.
“Caroline works from our cabin,” Wraith said. “I’ll require she always has an escort.”
“The women won’t like that,” Scythe said. “Cage them and we’re no better than the Ravagers. Besides, Winnie has to go to school. Her new principal is supportive, but the parents will flip if a biker sits in the back of her room every day.”
“Honey just got that new position as head of her old department. She won’t leave it,” Razor said.
Vex shrugged his shoulders. Angel wouldn’t wish to sit around every day. Look how much trouble she got into his first time leaving her alone. “Angel will start searching for a new job soon.”
“What I’m hearing is escorts when possible, and what? Trackers on them when they’re alone or out together?” Street asked.
“They won’t like that either,” Scythe warned.
“They will if they understand the risk. Angel has experience dealing with the Ravagers. She’ll carry something,” Vex said, sure she would agree.
“Razor, Scythe, Wraith, and Vex. Go join the tea party and see what your Littles will agree to wear or attach somewhere. I already put a tracker on their cars. You’ll need to activate the devices on your phone.
You are the only one with the data unless you choose to share it,” Lucien said. “I will send you the details.”
The four men turned and headed for the door. They didn’t speak until they reached their bikes.
Vex broke the silence. “Angel didn’t cause this problem with the Ravagers,” he stated firmly.
“Once the Ravagers thought of ransom, no one was safe,” Scythe declared, straddling his bike. “No Devil Daddy will blame Angel or Razor. He was captured too.”
Razor seconded that idea. “This is definitely not Angel’s fault.”
The others echoed his words.
With that settled, they started their motorcycles and headed for a tea party.
Focused on finding the best solution, Vex’s brain worked overtime.
He needed to protect his Little girl without making her feel trapped again.
His Little girl would never suffer like that again.
With that vow made, Vex relaxed. They would come up with something to keep the Littles safe.