“Thanks, Jordan. I’m really excited. There’s just one teensy little problem.”
“What’s that?”
“My, uh, catering van is in the shop,” I lied. I had a reputation to uphold, after all. As far as he and his MC knew, I was aprofessional business owner with a catering empire. “I’m not sure how I’ll transport all the food to their clubhouse.”
“Then it’s lucky I called, isn’t it? I can definitely help you.”
“I’d hate to put you out, but if you aren’t busy…” I trailed off.
“It’s no trouble, Sexy Lexie. Maybe I can play sous chef. Isn’t that what they call the assistant on those cooking shows?”
“Or they call them an assistant?” I chuckled. At least we’d have fun.
“What time do you need me?”
“Is 3:00 o’clock too early? I can order the groceries online so all we need to do is pick them up. But I’ll need to get to the clubhouse around 4:00.”
“Sounds perfect.”
“Thanks, Jordan. I really appreciate your help.”
17
BEAR
“It was a pleasure getting to know you, Bear.” Lucifer shook my hand as I loaded up my saddlebags.
“And we look forward to returning the hospitality someday. The intel from Demon has been very insightful.”
“About that,” Lucifer began with a grin.
Fuck.I should have known I couldn’t get away this easily.
“Demon spent a lot of hours compiling that information. In the spirit of our new alliance, I’m feeling a little bereft.”
“Bereft?” What the hell was he talking about? That information was in return for luring Balthazar out.
Lucifer raised his eyebrows. “Yeah. Bereft. That doesn’t seem like a good way to start our new relationship.”
I sighed. I hated playing politics. I was the enforcer. My job was to bang heads. Not wheel and deal. My mouth formed a thin line as I forced out the words. “Well, we’d hate to leave the Diablos feelingbereft. How can we help you, other than helping you get that president patch, I mean?”
Lucifer’s eyes narrowed, but I didn’t care. I’d done my part. Now it was time to get home and talk to Lexie. We’d texted a couple more times. She was warming back up to me, especially after that fancy mixer was delivered. But it wasn’t the same as putting my arms around her. Or my cock inside her.
“I’d like to send someone with you. Let him get to know your club, be our, uh, on-site representative. Like an exchange program, but without the exchange part.”
“You want to cast off one of your brothers into our club? That’s a big no. We’re already taking care of one problem for you. We don’t need to take on any others.”
I straddled my bike and reached for the key when Lucifer grabbed my shoulder. His sleazy smile was gone, and for the first time since I met him, he let down his guard.
“I wouldn’t ask if we had any other choice. See the kid over there?” He jerked his head toward the surly teenager that had been stomping around all week. I hadn’t spoken to him, just figured he was a brother’s kid who’d been suspended from school.
“He yours?” I asked.
Lucifer shook his head. “Fuck no. He was Balthazar’s. His mother was a club whore. She showed up about two years ago, dropped him at the front door and left. No one has heard from her since. I don’t think there was a lot of love between him and his father, but I don’t want to worry about some sixteen-year-old stabbing me in my sleep, ya know?”
“And you want to send him with me? He’s a minor. I am not going to jail for”—I paused, thinking—“whatever the hell I’d go to jail for.” Kidnapping? Trafficking? I didn’t need to find out.
Lucifer smirked. “Don’t worry about that shit. I mean, someone will need to be listed as his guardian, but once you figure out who that is, let me know. I’ll make sure Balthazar signs the paperwork before anyone knows he’s missing.”
