“I’ll shop in case and we can play it by ear.”
“Sounds good,” I said, leaning over to kiss him.
“Say hi to Ellie.”
I chuckled. “I will.”
I climbed out of the car and headed through the employee entrance, waving before I closed myself into the zoo.
* * *
Aero
After dropping Violetat work, I headed to the store and shopped for pretty much everything we’d need for the week, then made my way to the condo. I probably should have waited until Letti was done because I failed to remember she’d brought four bags with her. What the fuck she needed four bags for only one week was beyond me. Truth be told, I planned to keep her naked pretty much the entire time, so she really only needed a change of panties.
I took the groceries up first, grateful there was an elevator, then took another two trips to get all the bags. I wasn’t due at Monumental High North for another two hours, so I put the groceries away and made coffee, then powered up my laptop and went through email.
Sundance had given me some specific instructions on what information he wanted from the shop, and I wasn’t particularly looking forward to the task. Someone was skimming. Not a lot. But not a little either.
This was a test. And it was one I meant to pass, so I needed to keep my wits about me and figure it out quick so we could deal with the thief. The second I got the information, I was to report to the prez and he would decide what to do. I almost felt bad for whoever it was because they were gonna be in a world of hurt once the club got done with them.
I managed to get two cups of coffee down my gullet before I had to head out, and I wished I had my bike, considering it was another sunny day in Colorado and a perfect day to ride. But I was confined to a cage for the week, so I resigned myself to that fact.
Luckily, Violet’s car was cool as fuck. Her dad took care of her in that regard so it was both safe and fast. Pulling up to the shop, I climbed out and noticed one of the oldest employees sitting on the back steps, smoking.
“Hey, Ken,” I said.
“Yo, Aero.” He stomped out his cigarette and rose to his feet with a smile. “Didn’t know you were comin’ today.”
“Yeah, it was last minute,” I said. “Need to check inventory. Heard you were low on Razzle Dazzle.”
Razzle Dazzle was the strain that Raquel and Orion had come up with to help adults with challenges ranging from ADHD to autism. It had helped Wyatt’s brother, Teddy, immensely.
“Fuck, yeah, that shit goes fast,” Ken said.
I nodded. “Right. Let’s go look at what we’re dealin’ with.”
* * *
By the time Violettexted to let me know she’d be ready by five, I had an inventory list a mile long, but was no closer to discovering who the skimmer was. I’d hoped to figure it out today, but whoever was stealing was pretty good at it.
I left the shop at four-thirty and headed to the zoo, waiting for Letti in the employee lot. I leaned up against the bumper, unable to stand being cooped up, and called Sundance.
“You find him?”
“No,” I said. “I sent you the inventory list, though. I’ll be able to watch a little closer tomorrow.”
Sundance sighed. “Okay, brother. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
“Sounds good.”
I hung up and checked the time. I was still a little early, but I seriously needed to get my arms around my woman. I missed her when I didn’t see her, and we were now having to make up for some lost time.
She didn’t keep me waiting, walking out at five-ten and making a run for the car. I grinned, catching her in a hug as she looped her arms around my neck and kissed me. “Hi.”
“Hey, baby.”
“How’s Ellie?”
