Chapter Ten #4
Keys was a little shocked at how protective he felt toward Lyric.
He felt her reluctance to be held against him, under the shelter of his shoulder, so he held her hand.
She would have to live with that. He was making it clear to all of them—no matter what they thought of his ability to stay faithful to a woman, or his past choices in the type of woman he preferred to fuck—Lyric was his one.
His only. He didn’t care what they thought. Not even Czar.
“Honey, you’re giving off some pretty aggressive vibes,” she whispered just as they reached the group of his Torpedo Ink brethren.
Keys had the sudden urge to drag Lyric close to him.
He knew Czar. Knew that piercing, speculative gaze that rested on Lyric, not on him.
Czar had gifts. Keys knew those gifts were very real.
It had been Czar who’d chosen those children who would form unbreakable bonds, intensely loyal to one another and willing to do whatever it took to survive.
Czar had given them a strict code of honor they still lived by.
Somehow, he knew when two people fit. He would see past any mask Lyric wore to the woman she was.
He would see her loyalty and her survival skills.
She did fit with Torpedo Ink, but would Czar look at Keys and see what the others did?
That he wasn’t worthy of Lyric? That he would never be the man she needed?
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Lyric,” Czar greeted.
“I understand a couple of the brothers made complete fools of themselves. They’ve been known to have foot-in-mouth disease.
Fortunately, all three of them have women, and I won’t have to spend time explaining to them what idiots they are. The women will take care of it.”
“Arrogant pricks,” Keys corrected. “I’ve been guilty of that myself, but I have to say, Czar, this one looks sweet, but take a look at this.
” He tugged the hood off her head, revealing Lyric’s vivid crimson hair.
It was clear it was natural and the brightest, purest red he’d ever seen.
“She’s got a nasty temper and, when she’s upset, a foul mouth. ”
Czar raised his eyebrow when Lyric’s mask slipped and her laughter bubbled up. Keys loved that sound. It cleared the tension from the air immediately.
“Somehow, Keys, having known you for years, I doubt that she can keep up with your colorful vocabulary.”
Lyric’s laughter rose into the air, her light shining brighter than the sun for Keys. He couldn’t help the look he shot to Czar. Czar’s nod was nearly imperceptible, but it was there. His approval. His knowledge that Keys belonged with Lyric.
“I’m told you’re excited about the shop.” Czar gestured toward the building beside Label 287. “The brothers say it can be put to rights quickly. Blythe, my wife, asked me to find out if you work with children.”
Lyric nodded. “I do, but sadly, I’m not going to be able to open a salon. I’ll work for someone else, and when I have the money to replace my things, I’ll try again.”
Czar shook his head. “Not happening, Lyric. You’re Torpedo Ink. We all help each other with our businesses. I’m sure Keys hasn’t had time to talk to you about how that works. The club will get whatever you need and renovate the building to your specifications.”
Czar stated it like it was already a fact of life. Keys willed her to be gracious. She could be a prickly little thing when it came to her independence.
“I don’t know what to say.”
Keys squeezed her hand tighter and brought it to his chest. “We’ll work it out, Czar, thanks.”
“We’ve got a few little problems that have cropped up,” Czar continued.
“You lived around the Headed for Hell club for some time. Keys says you have extraordinary insight into people. I’d like your take on a few things if you don’t mind.
I thought Keys could bring you around to the clubhouse next week if you feel up to it.
I’d like to discuss Headed for Hell and the reference you made to Declan’s Russian friend. ”
Before she could answer, Czar switched his attention to Keys.
“We’ve got a party coming up, and I’ll need you both there.
Our Trinity chapter will show the first night and stay over.
Rampage is invited the second night. We owe them both for supporting us when we went after you and Lyric.
I want everyone to mingle and talk to as many of the members of Rampage as they can.
We’ll compare notes after. We have to make a decision on whether to patch them over or let it go. I want to make the right decision.”
Keys knew Czar had worded his request to Lyric to come by the clubhouse as if it was her choice, but it was a command.
He had questions. That put Keys on edge.
A party might be good for Lyric to see that she would have fun being around the members.
At least the first night with Trinity. He had never partied with Rampage, so he didn’t know how wild they would get.
“When next week, Czar?”
“Monday, around one. You two take another week off. With all the work coming up, you need the time.”
With Czar that could mean anything, but Keys was grateful. Lyric was still fragile and prone to headaches.
“We’ll work on the shop. Send a list of all the items she needs—don’t leave anything out.”
“On it,” Keys said.