We needed the extra manpower to broaden the area we could watch, and the Lonestar Riders were going to be a huge help. Six had put together a schedule for the next two weeks, and I went over it, so they’d know where we needed them.
“So, how have you been healing up?” Bison asked when conversation turned more casual.
I took a sip of coffee and shot him a grin. He was referring to the trip to Sturgis where I’d taken one for the team. The president of one of the clubs we’d asked for help had promised they’d show up if I got a compromising tattoo at the base of my cock. “No healing required.”
“Hell, I like to think I’ve got a pretty high tolerance for pain, but that’s a pretty sensitive area you had inked, man.” Kane shook his head.
“Not if the ink came from a Sharpie.” I lifted my mug. “To the inventor of the fine-tip permanent black marker.”
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” Bison’s eyes narrowed.
I shrugged. “Turns out you can buy off a tattoo artist pretty easily. I offered the guy a couple hundred bucks to ink me in marker instead of with his gun. He outlined the design with no ink in the cartridge so it would look nice and fresh, but it’s all good now.”
“You sonofabitch.” Kane reached across the table and bumped my fist.
“And Pappy doesn’t know?” Bison asked.
“I guess one look at my junk right after it happened was enough.” Not that I would have willingly given him another peek. Taking one for the team in Sturgis had been bad enough, though I was willing if that’s what it took to get support in our effort to eliminate the Savage Bones.
I’d do anything to keep Poppy safe and put an end to those motherfuckers. That was the only way I’d ever be able to cut ties with the club and make her mine.
I showed the Lonestar Riders where they could bunk down for the night, then headed to my room upstairs to crash for a bit. Poppy would be leaving early to turnover one of the rental cabins in the morning, and I planned on being at her place long before she did.
Right before I closed my eyes, my phone pinged. Atlas again.
Atlas: Thanks for stepping in tonight. I need you to stick around in the AM and get the Texas crew set.
My gut clenched. That would mean I couldn’t keep an eye on Poppy. I didn’t want to let Atlas down, and as one of the few Riders employed by the club, it was literally my job to do what the fuck he told me.
Me: I have a commitment. Can someone else fill in?
Atlas: You can check on your girl once the guys are set.
Fuck. Even Atlas knew what I’d been up to. Juice had probably filled him in.
Me: Got it.
I’d work fast in the morning. I didn’t have any other choice.
CHAPTER 5
POPPY
It was stilldark outside when my alarm went off. The group that had been renting the cabin I needed to turn over had an early flight, so I wanted to get my work done as soon as possible and hopefully join the group hike I’d found. With my time in Mustang Mountain running out, I wanted to take advantage of spending as much of it outdoors as I could. I pushed the covers back and went through my morning routine.
Hades greeted me when I stepped out onto the porch. I almost spilled my tumbler of coffee as he stood and stretched. Even though I knew he was gentle and had come across him multiple times since I’d been living in Mustang Mountain, he was so darn big.
“Good morning.” I locked the door, then reached into my bag. Rumor had it Hades was particularly fond of peanut butter, and I happened to have a peanut butter and jelly protein bar I’d planned to eat on the way to the cabin.
He came closer, his nose twitching and his tail wagging.
“I’ll share with you if you want.” I peeled back the wrapper and broke off a chunk of the bar. “Here you go.”
The wolf took it from me slowly and gently. He looked so cute nibbling on the treat.
“You might as well have the whole thing.” I held out the rest, and he swallowed it down whole.
My hand shook as I reached out to run it over his fur. I’d seen others pet him, but I’d never been brave enough to try. He must have sensed my fear because he sat down and looked up at me with a deep trust in his eyes.
