Page 37 of Property of Riptide
“Enough, children,” I scold. “I’m beginning to sympathize with Riptide.”
“I’m wounded for life,” Indiana scoffs. “Why is everyone ganging up on me?”
“Because you make it easy,” I remark. Before anyone gets a chance to rebut, Riptide comes back in and leans down to kiss me. His eyes tell me everything I need to know, the man hasn’t been found and it has him on edge. “We’re hosting a slumber party tonight. You up for that?” When his shoulders deflate, I know that the decision we made while he was on the phone making calls was the right one.
“Yeah, that’s doable,” he says, leaning over and placing his forehead on mine. “From here on out, we need to stick together. You aren’t going to be alone, ever.”
“That’s not a problem,” I promise him. “We won’t be in town much longer anyway.”
“You’re going to get mad when I say what needs to be said,” he tells me.
“What’s that?” I inquire.
“I called your landlord and terminated your lease. It’s not safe for you to be on your own and vulnerable, Van. I’ll move into the clubhouse full-time and you can take my house until you’re ready for us to live together.”
I should be angry that he took my liberty away from me, and in a way I am, but I’m also relieved because after today, I’m scared to be alone. “Is that the only way, Riptide?”
“I don’t see any other way to keep y’all protected, Van. I need y’all behind our gates.”
“Alrighty then. If I’m being honest here, that eases my mind,” I say, reaching up and winding my arms around his neck. “I was starting to not look forward to having my own place.”
“I’ll take care of you and little man… always.”
“Always,” I parrot, lifting up on my toes so I can reach him and plant a kiss on his lips. When I pull back, I say, “I’m counting on it.”
CHAPTER
NINETEEN
Riptide
The remainder of the night, I wore my poker face. I laughed when appropriate, played with the kids, but inside, I was seething. We dropped the women and kids off with Issy before heading to the clubhouse. There’s more I need to discuss today with Rio than the possible club expansion. The Onyx Dragons need to be taken down and buried six feet under—I won’t be happy until they’re nothing more than ash beneath my boots. Canton needs to be cleansed from the ground up or I’m never going to stop looking behind my back to make sure someone’s not waiting for a chance to present itself and them stab me in it.
The guys are hot on my trail as I march my way to Rio’s office. When I make it there, his door is standing wide open and he sends Indiana and Icer into church. “I know the initial plan was that the four of us would meet behind closed doors and discuss things, but some pieces have fallen together and I need all of us in on this. It’s gotta be unanimous, Rip.”
“Whereas I can appreciate that, Rio, I’m not gonna stand here and lie to you. Bringing my men in on something I don’t have any ideas about, doesn’t sit right with me. You should’ve brought me up to speed before now.”
“Like I said, that was the plan, Rip. Swear to fuck, I wouldn’t blindside you like this unless it was necessary. Your guys back home are already assembled and waiting for us to call them in. I’ll owe you one if you help me out and not give me a hard time about this,” Rio vows.
“I’m gonna be calling you in on that sooner rather than later, Rio.”
“And I’ll be there when you do,” he assures.
“Lead the way, brother,” I say, stretching out my arms.
He smirks at me but walks through the doorway and shuts the door behind us, locking it. I roll my eyes at his back and quickly follow. Am I disappointed that I’m heading behind those closed doors blind, absolutely. But I know my cousin better than most, and he wouldn’t pull the wool over my eyes unless he was getting pressure from somewhere higher in the ranks to give an answer. With half of my men being here already, and the other half being teleconferenced in, he can hit two bricks with one stone.
While Rio runs church differently than I do, one thing remains the same—everyone puts their phone and weapon or weapons in a box outside the doors. I know it’s likely that Pokey will get Slayer in the meeting via a computer link or some shit. I don’t claim to understand what anyone who handles computers does. Since we’re both presidents, I’m not surprised when Abyss moves a chair next to Rio for me to sit in, while Icer and Indiana stand against the walls.
Once the door is shut, Rio bangs his gavel and I smirk, noticing he’s using the bronze hoof from a bull, just like Paps used to us. “What?” Rio snarls. “If it ain’t broke, why fix it?” I just shrug, my mind spinning in ninety different directions. “You got Rip’s men online, Pokey?” Rio asks as a screen lowers on the wall and I see my VP’s face emerge, along with the rest of my brothers who didn’t make the trip.
“Yeah, pres,” Pokey says. “Slayer, can you hear us okay?”
“Absolutely. Now, what’s going on that has me up at the ass crack of dawn?” he questions.
“Fucker, it’s a little after ten in the morning, for fuck’s sake!” I retort, smirking because there’s one thing I can say about my VP, he’s not a morning person. He’s a bit of a jackass until after the clock strikes noon.
“And?” he sneers. “We found a few moreratsand were playing whack-a-mole with them last night. Don’t worry, no one wasinjuredduring our play time.”
