Page 68 of The Heart We Guard
“You’ll tell me where you’re going?”
She shakes her head. “I won’t need to. You’ll have the tracker. But I’m sure, as a usual part of our day, we’ll talk about what we’re up to. You tell me and I’ll tell you.”
“You’re negotiating a quid pro quo.”
She shrugs. “Only seems fair.”
“Why do I feel like you’re winning more of these volleys than I intended?”
“Because I am. Because you’re being overbearing and it’s causing friction. Stop, and we’ll be happy.”
“If I stop, I’ll probably have a fucking heart attack worrying for your safety.”
My phone rings, distracting me momentarily, and when I look down, I find it’s Grudge. “This conversation isn’t over,” I say before I answer it.
“I’m sure it’s not,” she says, though she’s smiling. “But I’ll give you some privacy and go pack my toiletries.”
I wait until I hear the bathroom door click before I answer the phone.
“Grudge,” I say quietly, my hand covering the mouthpiece. “Thanks for getting back to me.”
“Sure thing, Prez. What’s up?”
“Any chance some brothers are in or around Denver right now?”
“Sent Jackal and Shade to Broomfield to meet a courier who’s gonna take some supplies south for us, why?”
Suppliesis code for weed. “I need you to detour them to the airport. I’ll send a map link. Now. I got possible trouble at the hotel I’m at. Five Midtown Rebels lurking around my bike.”
Grudge laughs. “That’s easy pickings for you.”
“Yeah. If I were on my own, I’d take my chances. But I’m bringing someone back with me who I think they’re looking for.”
“Probably easier for you to give ‘em a shout. Jackal answers while he’s riding.”
“Will do. Are you in the clubhouse?” I ask.
“Will be in about ten minutes. Why?”
I glance over to the door. “Can you get some of the club girls and prospects to split and clean up my house and my room at theclub? I asked Karlie to tackle my room, but fuck knows if she did. I want both spotless in, like, an hour.”
One of the Rebels has gotten off his own bike and is walking around mine. They can’t know it’smybike, but it’s clear it belongs to an Outlaw. The paint job, handcrafted by Catfish, reflects me and the club.
The guy kicks the tires, and if I didn’t have Greer with me, that alone would be enough to make me kill the fucker.
“I’ll see who I can find, but no promises. I’ll go let them in with the spare key you gave me. You want to tell me what’s going on?”
“I’ll fill you in when I get back. Just make sure it’s pristine, like you’d be comfortable if your mom had to sleep in it.”
Grudge chuckles. “You setting up a love den or something, Prez?”
“Nah. Nothing like that. Just someone needs a place.” I downplay it because I haven’t decided how I’m going to explain it to the brotherhood.
“On it, boss.”
The phone rings off. “Are we all set?” Greer asks.
“Not yet. I just have another call to make, and I don’t want to worry you. Come here.”
