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Not to mention the flat razor blade he kept hidden in a secret pocket in the back of his belt. It was almost impossible to find on a standard search, and was just enough to let him cut his way out of ropes or duct tape if his hands were tied behind his back.
Most people would probably think of all of that as overkill, but like Piper had said, it was a jungle out there. Pony had seen it up front and personal, time and time again. The military and the outlaw life had let him peek behind the curtain of the everyday world that most people lived in, so that he could see the real, wild side of life.
“How’s your sister?” he asked. “You said she’s staying with you, or something? The other night, when she texted you.”
“Yeah… it’s complicated,” Piper said.
“Sorry. None of my business.”
“No, it’s just… she’s got herself into a bit of trouble, that’s all,” Piper said. “And it’s really only the two of us, now, so I’ve got to look out for her. Especially when things go super sideways.”
“Sounds like a lot to deal with.”
“It would be awfully convenient if the only obligations we had in life were those that we asked for,” Piper said. “But that isn’t how life works, and I don’t like leaving people behind. Especially my family.”
I don’t like leaving people behind. Pony knew all about that. Back in the Rangers, they used to say that all of the time. Never leave a man behind. It didn’t just mean in battle. It meant during training, or during life. You helped your team along when they needed it. Always.
One more thing to admire about this woman who seemed to fit him like a glove in every way that counted.
“Only the two of you?” he said, after a moment’s thought. “I thought you went to meet your dad the other night.”
“What?” Piper said, then, after a shaking her head, added, “Oh. That. It’s… it’s complicated.”
“I get it. I have a bit of a complicated relationship with my old man, too.”
She seemed relieved. “So we have more than just guns in common.”
“Was it around here? Where your sister got into trouble?”
“No, in Philly. She goes to school at Temple. Why?”
“We know some of the cops around here. The MC, I mean.”
“Yeah, I was wondering about that.”
“What do you mean?”
“Come on, Pony,” she said. “Big bad motorcycle outlaws, not exactly the kind of people you’d expect to be cozy with the cops, you know?”
“People can surprise you. Be more than meets the eye.”
“Yes, they can,” Piper said, looking him over.
The quiet started to stretch out, become almost awkward, before Pony punctured it with more words.
“Speaking of which…” he said.
“What?”
“This bike of yours.”
Pony left his gun on the table and walked over to her bike. It was built for speed, like the bike he’d tested the other night, and it got him thinking. If he was going to go check out these illegal street bike racers, he might as well take Piper along if she was up for it.
Hell, she might even be good cover, help him fit in, rather than looking like an out-of-place outlaw biker who should be sitting on a Harley instead. Also, another excuse to spend some time with her. Two birds with one stone.
“Fast one, hunh?” he said, running his hands over the seat.
“Yeah,” Piper said. “A Yamaha. I’d love to get a Ducati V4S, but big girl bills are a bitch and I don’t have an extra forty grand lying around.”
