Chapter 14
Street climbed off his forklift at six and headed for his locker.
He’d worked an extra hour after everyone else had quit for the day to make up for any minutes he’d missed yesterday.
After hanging up his hard hat, he grabbed his helmet and walked to his cycle.
A bunch of his MC brothers had gathered in the parking lot.
As he approached, Street could see their grim expressions.
He stopped at the edge of the group to listen.
“The Ravagers laid low for a couple days after trying to take Street out. We’ve had two drive-bys today. They’re up to something,” Wraith said.
“You told us we’d retaliate for what they did to one of our own. Do we have to keep waiting?” Vex asked.
Everyone in the group echoed his sentiment with similar comments about the attack on a MC brother. Street appreciated their support. He was the new guy in the MC. He didn’t want to cause any waves.
“Hey, guys. I’m okay. Rosa’s fine. You don’t have to avenge us,” Street spoke up from behind the crowd.
“Fuck that. They attacked one of our own. We don’t stand for that,” Wild Cat said in a steely voice.
Street held his hands up, taking himself out of the equation. Inside, he appreciated that he was considered as much a part of the MC as those who’d been with the club for years.
“We’re not delaying because we’re against hitting them,” a growling voice sounded from behind Street.
Lucien scanned those gathered around Wraith and nodded to his Enforcer. “I’ll take over, Wraith, if you’re good with that.”
“Of course, Diablo,” Wraith said with a slow smile that sent a chill down Street’s spine.
What were these two up to? As Street pondered that question, the circle around Wraith morphed into a larger ring centered around Diablo.
Street had asked Wild Cat when he’d first pledged why Lucien went by two names.
The biker had pointed out that Lucien ran the businesses with a steel fist. Diablo stepped away from that role to lead the MC.
As Diablo, he ignored the restraint needed to support the roadhouse and warehouses in the community.
Dark and dangerous, Diablo barely controlled his wild side.
“The Devil Daddies MC will not tolerate any offense paid to one of our brothers or an attack on our holdings or women. Our delayed response was deliberate and designed to make them cocky,” Lucien explained.
“We had valuable cargo coming in that would have undergone a rocky route if the Ravagers hadn’t held their breaths waiting for our response. ”
Street’s thoughts returned to the truckload he’d moved alone. Lucien had allowed no one else in the warehouse and shut Street out as soon as he’d finished his task. The other members of the MC nodded. Of course, they’d noted the President’s actions.
Did they know what was inside? Was he the only one kept in the dark? Street bristled at that suspicion. Sure, he was new to the MC, but he was willing to risk injury or worse in the conflict with the Ravagers. Hell, he’d already barely escaped some horrible fate when his Little girl had interceded.
Scythe bumped his arm and tapped his phone screen. Street eased his phone from his pocket casually as he listened to Lucien address those gathered. He read the message that appeared.
Get ready—Diablo.
He couldn’t tell who else, besides himself, had received the text. Okay, Scythe had been included. Street would have to wait to see who else was activated.
After giving Scythe an upward nod, he struggled to refocus on Lucien.
While the tattooed man drew everyone’s attention seemingly without effort, tonight Street’s curiosity kept floating questions through his mind.
Lucien commanded attention when he appeared.
Maybe the MC leader drew them in by the power and danger that oozed from him.
For Inferno’s patrons, his threatening appearance gave the bar even more uniqueness than the leather-vested bikers keeping everyone in check.
Many would at least suspect that Lucien’s facial marking denoted time in jail.
The MC president’s remoteness created chilling distance that underlined potential danger.
While some visitors flirted with living on the bad side, Street hadn’t seen Lucien or Diablo respond to any of the bar’s attendees’ blatant offers to hook up. Ever.
Lucien didn’t participate in everyday activities, normally. A slight hush fell over the assembled group as everyone noted his presence. If he was here, something big was going down.
Wraith’s low voice brought Street out of his thoughts.
Street had missed the handover from the MC President addressing them to their Enforcer.
Lucien arched one eyebrow at him quizzically, drawing the tattoo at the corner of his eye up slightly.
Street shrugged, attempting to appear unbothered by whatever had distracted him.
Like he had worked too hard and simply spaced out.
Yeah, that didn’t convince the MC President.
Street pulled his gaze away from the slight smirk on Lucien’s face to listen to Wraith.
“Full tanks. Full gear. Two AM. We meet outside the barrier at the compound. I need these people in specific places. Hellcat, you’re on gate duty. Fury and Razor, you’re on compound patrol. Pirate, Gamble, Toxin, and Dead Eye, you’ve got the warehouses,” Wraith announced.
Grumbles followed immediately from the seven men who would remain behind.
Wraith didn’t squelch any of them. Their complaints died out as those with Little girls nodded their thanks for keeping those most precious to them safe.
Street dropped his hand on Hellcat’s shoulder to share his appreciation.
“Fuck, I’m glad to protect but hate to miss out on kicking Ravager ass,” Hellcat swore, making several guys chuckle.
Wraith nodded at him. “We’ll boot a few around for you.” After sharing a few more details, Wraith dismissed the group and headed to take his place at Inferno’s door. A line had already formed to get inside in front of the main entrance thirty yards from where they stood in the side parking lot.
Street needed to see his Little girl. He excused himself and jumped on his bike.
He didn’t know what was coming, but spending time with the most precious person in his life was essential.
The Ravagers were vicious. Street appreciated his former military training, but understood being prepared didn’t guarantee his safety.
He made the trip quickly and waved his thanks to Gamble at the gate when he opened the barrier. Gamble called out, asking about the meeting. Street didn’t pause. His MC brother would get the update from the next member who rolled into the compound.
Backing into the garage, Street sniffed. Something smelled amazing. His Little girl had prepared food. He parked before tugging off his helmet and heading inside.
Rosa turned from the stove, looking nervous.
Adorable with a dishtowel tucked inside her shirt as a makeshift apron, she made him smile.
His borrowed house seemed like a home with Rosa in it.
Street put a frilly, cute apron on his shopping list. Maybe he could talk her into wearing one without clothes.
His cock twitched as he imagined that lust-inspiring thought.
“Hi! I hope you like spaghetti?” she said quickly as he stared at her.
“It smells amazing in here, Dinorosa. You don’t need to make dinner for me, Little girl. I don’t want you to get burned on the stove.”
Her expression changed from apprehension to scoffing. “I don’t cook much, but I can boil water and heat up sauce.”
Street kicked himself as he walked forward to wrap his arms around her. “Thank you, Rosa. I’m starving. Want me to throw the spaghetti in the water before I go change?”
“Oh, I did that about an hour ago. I wanted to make sure the food was ready for you to eat when you got here.”
He deliberately didn’t glance at the pot that sat simmering with a lid on top on the stove.
Whatever noodles she’d found in his pantry would be mush at this point.
Wraith had shared that the tiny room she’d rented had only a toilet, sink, and mattress on the floor.
Wraith hadn’t listed all the things missing.
How had she lived without at least a burner and a fridge?
He took in her small frame and suspected she’d survived on whatever she could find.
“Is something wrong?”
“No, Dinorosa. I appreciate you cooking for me. Do I have time to change, or are you hungry now?”
“I can wait a few minutes. You’re kinda stinky. Want to take a shower? I could come help?”
Street stalked forward to pluck Rosa off her feet and toss his Little girl over his shoulder.
“That’s the best suggestion I’ve heard today.
I’ll flip off the heat under these pots, so nothing burns.
” He smacked her bottom as he slowly walked through the hallway.
Perhaps if they took a long shower, she would blame him for the overcooked spaghetti.
“Hey! I’ve been good,” she protested.
“Did you have any fun today?” he asked.
“I watched a ton of videos. There’s a lot to running piping. After a couple of hours, my head buzzed with information. Maybe I can’t do this like I thought.”
He could hear the nervousness in her voice. “Are the skills something you don’t think you can master or are you overwhelmed because plumbing is different than anything else you’ve tried?”
She was quiet for a few seconds. When he entered the bedroom, she answered, “I don’t know why I couldn’t do it with practice.”
Pride flared inside him at her bravery. His Little girl never gave up hope even after struggling to survive. “Fury thought you were good. Give yourself a chance.”
“Okay, Daddy.”
Reaching the master bath, Street slid her down his body. Her breath caught in her chest at the slow, sensual contact. “Mmm. Coming home to you has become my favorite part of the day.”
Her hands stroked his chest before tangling in the battered T-shirt he wore to the warehouses. “Off, Daddy!”