“They’ll leave if they see anyone other than her. Not even Marshall can go in.”
“Secretive as fuck.”
“They have to be,” Handlebar’s expression hardens. It’s not aimed at me.
“Enough for now. We’ll talk later.”
He looks like he is about to argue but thinks better of it. Holding that over him is not my style. I may be the Prez but I treat people fairly, unlessthey cross me. Until Handlebar fully explains this shit, I’m keeping my thoughts to myself.
We get everything back where it is supposed to be and haul out. The driver is antsy to get to the meeting point. He doesn’t want to be late for the actual shipment handover. Talon lifts his chin in question but I tell him we’ll talk later and get back on my bike.
Handlebar returns to the back in his position. I get the impression he won’t be talking to Marshall or his sister again.
It continues to bother me that I have a begrudging respect for Handlebar. Ever since he told me about this organization, the Veil Line, and he was a part of it, I can’t help but see that even though I don’t know him well, this fits him.
He comes across as a protector. Hell, if anyone could be good for Cassie it would be him. I find myself wondering what has happened between them as we continue the ride. Have they flirted around one another? Maybe he’s felt her up. Fucked her…
Shit that shouldn’t piss me off the way it does. It’s because of the situation that unfolded today, it has to be. I’m not mad at the thought of him being inside her. Not one fucking bit.
We get to the meeting point and I’m surprised no one is here. Marshall and his sister slip out of the van and without looking at anyone, they leave. The town is only a short walk away.
The driver stays back and when cars pull up, he goes over to meet with the man who gets out. We all watch one another warily but stay back as the exchange is made, the stranger gets in the van as his other men inspect it, watching us as they do.
For our part, we hang back but everyone is on guard. As tense as it is, the buy goes off without a hitch. The men drive away in the van, and our original driver takes their car and leaves us standing alone in the clearing.
“Okay,” I turn to face everyone once I’m sure we’re alone. “The Ohio chapter is expecting us. Head over, have some fun, we’re staying one night so don’t do anything fucking stupid. I want to be back in Stroudsburg by tomorrow afternoon.”
On that directive everyone gets on their bikes. I turn to Handlebar.
“You, wait.”
He nods, no argument. Talon watches us and as the others ride into formation, they pause as he comes over. We take a few steps away from Handlebar. He gets the idea and walks further away.
“What the fuck is going on?” Talon asks.
He’s angry that he is out of the loop and I get it but right now, I have to deal with Handlebar. Talon deserves at least some kind of explanation.
I fill him in on who the woman was and his face changes, his eyes darting to Handlebar and back.
“This was his play?” he asks.
“No, I don’t think so. But I’m going to get answers. Take the men to the clubhouse, keep them occupied within reason.”
Talon smirks. No one can control bikers. If it keeps them off my back right now, then I’m all for it.
“Watch out for Hozier. I didn’t like the way he handled the situation down there.”
“Meaning what?”
“He spooked, I’m pretty sure he was on the verge of shooting someone.”
“Fuck,” he stares at the floor a second.
Then nods and heads back to the others. That is a whole other problem to worry about another time. Talon can handle it for now. He dips his chin then heads over to his bike.
Everyone defers to him and as VP he takes my place at the head of the formation and pulls out.
It takes a while for the noise and dust to die down. I don’t want to hang around here, not in the place where the meeting went down. Handlebar is standing away from me, watching the direction that Marshall took his sister.
