Page 28 of Angel

“Slow and steady wins the race,” Steel cautioned. “Let’s see how they react to having no money. I’m sure their business partners won’t be too happy with them when they learn they lost their money too.” Steel turned to Bulldog. “Still no sign of Scar?”

Bulldog shook his head. “Seems to have vanished again. I don’t think he’s in town.”

“Told you we should have put a tracker on him,” Keys muttered under his breath.

Bulldog glared at Keys. “He’s a free man. He can go where he wants. He’s not at our beck and call.”

Steel put a hand out to stop the escalation. “Why don’t you think he’s in town anymore? He came when he heard about Jasmine and the dogfighting ring.”

Bulldog’s eyes glanced down the table towards Angel before he turned back to Steel. “Because he didn’t come running last night. If he knew about Angel and Bree being targeted, he’d already be here. He’d blame himself for not seeing it coming and not being there to protect them.” Bulldog cleared his throat before adding, “And the Pythons would already be dead.”

“Keep looking for him,” Steel encouraged. “Scar might seem invincible but he’s still human. He can die just like the rest of us. I don’t like him being out in the open, alone.”

A knock on the large double doors drew everyone’s attention. Mitch, Steel’s former CO and the oldest prospect the club had ever recruited, stuck his head into the room. “You have a visitor,” he told Steel.

Steel scowled at him. “I’m in a meeting. Whoever it is can wait.”

Mitch, who didn’t back down from anyone, shook his head. “You’re going to want to see this.”

Angel watched as the two of them stared at each other for a long silent minute. Then Steel nodded. He stood up. Lucky and Bulldog followed him from the room.

Everyone sat still and quiet for a second before Pumpkin pointed a thumb over his shoulder at the double doors. “Anyone else interested in eavesdropping?”

It was a mass exodus from the room. The remaining members all tried to exit at once so they could get the best view. There was a small landing at the top of the stairs before the conference room they called Church. They were certainly not being stealthy or quiet as they pushed and elbowed their way onto the landing.

Bulldog glared at them over his shoulder but otherwise ignored them. Standing before Steel, Lucky, and Bulldog was a woman in all black. Her long dirty blonde hair was pulled back into a braid. She carried a full visor motorcycle helmet under her right arm. In front of her was a man on his knees with his hands bound.

She took notice of her audience and also ignored them. With a booted foot, she kicked the bound man forward. Unbalanced, he fell to his elbows before Steel’s feet. “A present for you, darlin’,” she said loudly. She had a southern accent, one that would have fit in better at tea parties and social gatherings than leather and a motorcycle. “Scar sends his love.”

CHAPTER 5

“You’re the woman from Johnstown,” Steel accused. “The one who saved Jasmine and Sophia’s lives.”

She smiled and held out her hand to him like she didn’t have a bound captive at her feet. “Ivy Benson.”

As Steel took the offered hand, Angel leaned over to whisper in Cage’s ear, “I like her.”

Cage snorted. “Of course, you would. It’s like looking in a mirror for you.”

Angel rolled her eyes.

“Where’s Scar?” Bulldog demanded. “I haven’t seen him in over a week.”

“Busy,” Ivy said shortly. “There are still some people on our hit list and one recently came up for air. Scar went after him.”

Bulldog looked like he wanted to ask more, but Steel put a hand on his chest to stop him. “Why are you here, Ivy? Who’s this?”

“Scar didn’t say,” she said with a wink. Angel had to fight back a laugh. Of course, Scar didn’t say. The man didn’t talk. “He sent me here to help you.”

“Why?” Steel demanded. “We don’t need additional help.” Steel indicated towards the top of the stairs without looking at them. “As you can see, I have plenty of nosy help. So why would Scar send you here?”

The playfulness left her face as Ivy said darkly, “That’s my business.”

“Not if you plan on staying in my town,” Steel argued.

Ivy rolled her eyes. “Fine. I’m going after the Pythons and Scar thought we should work together.”

“Meaning we’re your backup, not the other way around.”

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