Page 74 of It's Going to Be a Chrome Christmas
“Haven’t decided yet if I need it.” At least that was the truth. ‘Boost’s armor’ had been the local slang for Cayden’s makeup, hair dye, clothing, and earrings. None of which he’d worn since his release.
Not to mention his absent cut.
“Buck said you were playin’ it straight. What’re you doin’ here with a Spyder?”
“That’s between me and Carver. Clubhouse still over on Birdview?”
Tex sucked on his toothpick for a moment. Cayden waited without breaking eye contact. He knew Tex was testing him. Tex didn’t care whether or not Cayden was trustworthy or if he was still loyal to the MC. Tex had no preference, because he still got the Spyder. Club business was club business. What Tex cared about was whether or not Cayden had led anyone else to his shop.
“Who’s your friend?” he finally asked.
“He’s one of Massey’s,” Cayden answered without looking over his shoulder at Lee. He figured, if Lee could keep a straight face as he told his sister he was an undercover cop who was taking down the man who had murdered their brother, the man could keep a straight face while being interrogated by a chop shop owner who fancied himself a cowboy.
One of Tex’s eyebrows disappeared under his Stetson. He knew Massey’s name as well as anyone who lived a life of crime. He was also smart enough not to question Lee’s presence further and risk Massey’s wrath.
“Carver moved the clubhouse over to the eastside last year. Said he liked the view better.”
Cayden nodded. He knew exactly where Tex meant when he said Carver had moved to the eastside. Carver had many safe houses throughout the city. Cayden stood up off the Spyder and tossed Tex the keys. “Thanks. Make sure I get my cut.”
Tex was a little slow catching the keys. It wasn’t often the vehicles he had dropped off to him had keys accompanying them. “Usual accounts?”
Cayden nodded. He hadn’t touched anything since he’d been out, so they were still safe to be used. He was risking his life for Lee’s case. He might as well make sure Trixie and Gran were set for life if something were to happen to him. He’d just have to make sure Gran understood to split the money with Trixie now. Everything had happened so fast that he hadn’t had a chance to talk to Gran before leaving with Lee. He would need to write her a letter through her pastor, as phone calls, text messages, and emails were too easily tracked.
One of the boys leaned in through the passenger side window and pulled out a detached steering wheel. “Um…?”
Tex gave Cayden an equally confused look.
He just shrugged. “Gift from the cops.”
Tex burst out laughing. “Oh, Boost, how I’ve missed your flair!” Cayden did a mocking bow before nodding to Lee to follow him. Tex called after them. “Need a ride?”
Cayden snorted. “I never do.”
Tex’s laugh echoed down the alleyway after them. “There’s that Boost dazzle we all know and love! Good to see you, man!”
Cayden couldn’t say the same, so he kept his mouth shut.
Jeff found her sitting in the center of her private collection room. Trixie couldn’t remember the last time Jeff had come into this room. He had access but that was more for emergencies than an open invitation. She’d always found solace in this room. Why now did her babies seem to be staring back at her in aggravation?
Of course, that was her imagination. Cars didn’t stare.
Trixie’s arms were resting on her bent knees, her head laying on her arms. Cayden’s coin necklace was in her right hand.
The old man groaned as his knees cracked as he sat on the floor in front of her. His coveralls were open around his waist like hers. When Jeff sat in front of her, she turned her head away from him, unable to meet her mentor’s eyes. It didn’t matter that he was her employee now. His opinion and praise still mattered too much to her to risk seeing his disappointment after the debacle of the stolen Spyder.
How could Cayden do this to her? How could he rob her shop? Breaking his parole publicly at her place of business was one thing but stealing from her was another. They had not agreed to that.Shehad never agreed to that. Did he have any idea what taking that car did to her? Did to her reputation and business?
“Are you ready to tell me what’s going on?”
She flinched. For a childless man, he certainly had a way of sounding like he was supporting and scolding her at the same time.
Rather than answer his question, though, Trixie narrowed her gaze as she turned towards him. “Are you ready to tell me how you’ve known Lee’s been a cop all these years while the rest of us knew nothing about his whereabouts or what he’s been up to?”
Jeff’s face paled, confirming her suspicions. “How do you know about that?”
Trixie snorted. “He told me when he showed up shot on my patio Saturday night.”
“Shot?”
