Page 56 of Flame's Fight

“Let’s go to Tanya’s and finish getting her moved into my place.” I suggest. “It will be nice to get settled.”

Flame gets on his phone to ask Cole and Simon to meet us at Tanya’s apartment. When we arrive, Ashlyn and I go with Tanya to her room to help her pack, leaving the guys to finish packing up the rest of the apartment. We’ll take the food and alcohol to my apartment.

“Thank you for the help.” Tanya says as we finish packing up her room.

“Do you want to bring your bed?” I ask her. “I have one in the guest room, but it’s a little smaller than this one.”

“It will be easier to just put in storage for now.” Tanya says. “If you don’t mind my using yours.”

“Of course not.” I tell her. “I put new sheets on it last night. Tony didn’t enter that room, so everything should be ready for you. Unless we end up staying longer at the clubhouse. Do you know when they’re releasing Deion?”

“No. That’s a good question. Let me call Athena and see what she knows. I still don’t know why they arrested him and his men.”

Tanya pulls out her phone as we walk back into the living room.

“Athena, hi, it’s me, Tanya.” Tanya says. The guys move to stand around her and I see the concern on Ghost’s face.

“Really? That’s interesting. I didn’t know they were doing anything like that. Ok. When are they releasing him?” Tanya asks. She frowns at the response. “That soon? Ok. Thanks, Athena.”

Tanya hangs up and looks at Ghost. “The cops arrested Deion for extortion and burglary. Seems like he and his guys were running some kind of scam where they rob several stores in the area and then extort money out of others to protect them from the same fate. They found dozens of cameras that they placed in various stores, claiming they were using them for security. They found cameras in places where there should not be any cameras. Including dressing rooms and bathrooms.” She shakes her head. “I guess they tried to destroy the video evidence, but the cops found enough to arrest them on invasion of privacy. It’s a mess.”

I glance at Flame and feel ill. If the cops have the video of me shoplifting, what will they do with it?

“What did she say about their releasing Deion?” Ghost asks her.

“They’re posting his bail sometime today. So it’s a good thing I’m getting out of here.” Tanya says, glancing around the apartment. “I think that’s it.”

“I’ll drive the SUV with Tanya’s stuff over to my apartment.” I offer. “If Cole and Simon want to take the rest to the storage unit?”

Flame pouts. I know he’d rather I ride on the back of his bike, but I want to get this done as soon as possible.

“That way we can get back to the clubhouse faster.” I say to Flame, who grins at me.

“Fine. But soon we’re going for a long ride on my bike.” He threatens me with narrowed eyes.

I giggle. “Such a threat.”

At my place, it only takes a few minutes to unload the few boxes she has. I give her a quick tour of the place, showing her the balcony that makes a useful hiding place. By the time we finish, we’re coming up on dinner time.

“Should we go back to the clubhouse and see what Tamara and Jenna have made, or should we go out to eat?” Reaper asks.

“We could order in.” I suggest. “There’s a pizza place nearby that delivers, and the pizza is great.”

When everyone agrees to order in, Flame orders the pizza after calling Simon and Cole to join us. Soon all eight of us are sitting around my place, munching on pizza.

“Reaper mentioned that you’re thinking of building a dojo.” Ashlyn says to Ghost. “I think that’s a great idea. Are you offering self-defense courses?”

Ghost nods. “That’s the plan. I’ll offer other programs, but self-defense is the primary focus. I’m hoping to entice the women from Crossroads to take lessons.”

“I’ll take them.” I say. “After what happened with Tony, I want to know how to defend myself.”

“Sign me up, too.” Ashlyn says, toasting him with a slice of pizza. “I’d like to learn how to train others as well.”

Flame looks at Reaper who chuckles.

“What?” Ashlyn asks.

“Ghost mentioned wanting a female instructor, and we thought of Izzy. But I said you would be interested.” Flame tells her.

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