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Ruin glances at me and then frowns at Armor. “They want us to play their fucking errand boys now.”
“Just kill the assholes,” Peter says, raising his voice.
I instantly catch Mack shoot his boss’s son a dirty look. Peter doesn’t notice his peon’s expression. However, he most definitely picks up on Ruin’s increased hostility.
Lowering his voice, Peter continues, “The safety of our homes and families is what matters. Not whether my father can make peace before he dies. Just end the threat, so we can go back to our lives.”
Despite his jaw clenching, Ruin gives a casual shrug. “Well, again, I don’t know if any of my people are looking to travel. But I’ll ask nicely and see if they’ll take pity on you.”
“Those assholes are coming for you, too.”
“And we’ll deal with them in our territory. Chasing them to this other place seems sketchy, but I’ll still ask if any of my people want to do your family a favor.”
Peter wants to complain. I see him struggling to keep his rich boy mouth shut. Finally, he exhales deeply and gets himself under control.
“Thank you,” he says, already kissing the Steel Berserkers’ ring.
Ruin nods before telling Urick goodbye. I get the feeling he’s just being nice to the old man to piss off the younger one. My president knows how to play mind games, but I’m unsure how he’ll deal with this Halvorson daughter thing.
We ride as a foursome away from the business center, splitting up once we reach the backroads leading to our various homes. With Walla Walla on my tail, I park my hog and hobble my tired ass inside the Pigsty.
The moment Xenia meets me in the foyer, I know there’s nothing in this world that’ll make me play errand boy for the Halvorson family. Not to save the Austen chick or to make life easier for the club’s next generation.
“I need a nap,” I admit when Xenia’s hands cup my face. “I’m so damn tired.”
Xenia helps me to my old bedroom, where she cuddles against my uninjured side. While I doze and let my body rest, she reads on her phone. A few times, I consider telling her how she doesn’t need to stick around. The angry kid inside me wants to demand I take care of myself.
Instead, I keep my mouth shut and let her baby me. Going soft isn’t the worst thing in the world.
Later, when I wake from my nap like a sleepy toddler, Xenia whips up two veggie burritos as if it’s nothing. I’m always impressed watching her in the kitchen. When Walla Walla peeks in his head and looks sad, she makes him one, too.
After our late lunch, Xenia and I sit on the back deck and talk about fishing in the boat the club keeps at a nearby lake.
“Will the fish we catch be thrown back or am I supposed to clean them?”
Chuckling at her grumpy tone, I explain, “We can toss them back. I never catch much anyway. Fishing for me is mostly about being on the water.”
Xenia grins at my words and shuffles her ass closer on the steps. The woman just can’t get enough of me. I doubt I’ll ever get used to that idea.
We’re still sitting out back when Armor shows up and announces Ruin is on his way over.
Xenia gets the hint that she should skedaddle into the house. I watch her disappear through the back doors and wish I could follow. I’m not particularly interested in talking about club business anymore today.
Goose, Tomcat, and Smokey head outside followed by Walla Walla. Eagle appears around the side of the Pigsty. He strolls over to where I remain. A few minutes later, Nomad limps out of the Pigsty with his crutches. Ruin follows closely behind the big man.
“Dice is getting out of the hospital tomorrow,” our president announces as he tugs off his mirrored glasses. “He’s dealing with double vision and headaches but should be back to himself within a month or two. On the other hand, Yagger will be in the hospital for a while. When he comes home, we’ll need to hire a nurse to take care of him.”
“Irina can do the interviews,” Eagle suggests, gaining everyone’s attention. “She’s hired people for Fiona, so she knows what to look for in a caregiver.”
Ruin nods at this comment, seeming on edge despite his best efforts to act casual.
“I didn’t want to say anything about this next thing until I knew what to do,” he explains and leans against the deck railing. “I’m still unsure of the right move.”
Armor picks up where our president left off by explaining, “Peter Halvorson claims the surviving assholes are on their way to kill his sister. He’s asked us to save her and kill the fucks. However, Urick also expects us to bring his daughter home, so he can make peace before he dies.”
Ruin shakes his head “Saving their asses wouldn’t interest me, even if Halvorson’s daughter didn’t live in Banta City.”
Closing my eyes, I tilt my face toward the sun. I want the world to be quiet like it was for a long time in McMurdo Valley. Xenia would be safe. I’d be able to focus on her. My biggest problem would be figuring out how to live full time inside a house.
