Page 141 of Their Property
I nodded, trying to observe her as shrewdly as she was doing to me. “Word travels fast, I guess.”
“Gerard has told me a lot about you, Miss Vance. And my boyfriends' club is familiar with the Sons.”
Grudge signed a question and I relayed it to Evalyn. “He's asking for the name of your boyfriends' club.”
“Chasing Death MC.”
“Huh!” Grudge let out an exclamation of surprise and signed quickly.“From back east? They're a sister club from way back in the day. Last time we rode with them was before the Collapse.”
I relayed all of this to Evalyn, who smiled in return. “The very same. Russ is here with me, if you'd like to see him.”
Grudge enthusiastically said yes, and the three of us started walking together. “Congratulations on your nomination to lieutenant governor, Miss Vance,” Evalyn said politely. “I take it you wanted to look at some law references while you're here?”
“I would, thank you. I'm most interested in United States laws from before the Collapse.”
Evalyn regarded me with a gentle smile. “That would be pretty much everything in the collection.”
“Oh, right.”
“It's a fair question, actually. Record-keeping has been spotty since the country's fall. Now that there's so much division, it really depends on where you go and who you ask.” She gestured toward a desk piled high with binders and folders crammed full of notes, all surrounding a small black screen in front of a keyboard. “I do my best to maintain accurate records, but I'm still only one librarian. I imagine this period in time will be full of blank spots when future generations look back on us.”
“How can I help?” The question popped out of my mouth automatically.
Evalyn smiled at me even brighter. “Gerard was right. You are a go-getter. Well, bringing more qualified researchers and archivists to the area would certainly help.”
“Do you have colleagues in those fields who would be willing to relocate here? I understand you're from the eastern side of the continent?”
Evalyn's smile wobbled. “You're correct, and I do. And they could be convinced to move here...if the territory was stable and they were able to travel safely.” She slid a gaze in Grudge's direction. “Not everyone is lucky enough to be the property of an MC.”
“A sentence I never thought I'd believe,” I said just as Grudge stood a little taller, draping a possessive arm over my shoulders. I cast him a smile before looking back at Evalyn. “I'll do what I can. Maybe the MCs can help facilitate safe travel for your colleagues.”
She nodded at that. “I’m sure we can work something out.”
We reached the far wall of the building’s wing where a man in a black leather vest sat at another computer where commands of white text flashed across the dark screen. The back of the man’s cut had a skeleton riding a motorcycle, the words Chasing Death MC above and below the design.
“Babe.” Evalyn approached him, sliding an arm across his upper back. He startled at the touch, like he was so absorbed in his work that he never heard us coming this way.
“Hi, hon.” His arms started to go around her waist before she stopped him with an amused smile.
“We have visitors.”
The man turned in his seat. He was cute with brown hair and a clean-shaven face. He looked a few years younger than my guys, and boyish excitement filled his features as he noisily stood from his chair. “Holy shit! Grudge, is that you?”
The man at my side chuckled heartily and held his arms open.
Evalyn’s boyfriend threw himself at him, making Grudge stumble as the two men slapped each other’s backs affectionately.
“What the fuck, man? How long has it been— ten, twelve years? Where’s the rest of the Sons of fuckin’ Odin, huh?” His voice echoed up to the tall, slanted ceilings, but Evalyn didn’t chastise him for being loud in the library.
Grudge signed an answer, which I relayed to the other man. “He says it’s a long story. There’s a lot to catch up on.”
“No doubt, same here.” He looked at me with a smile that would have made me blush if I wasn’t already smitten with my three and extended his hand. “Hi, I’m Russ.”
“Kyrie.” I returned his smile and handshake. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Russ is a tech wizard.” Evalyn gave him a starry-eyed look as he draped his arm over her shoulders, mirroring her gaze.
“Ah, I’m just a nerd in a cut.” He dropped a kiss on her forehead.
