We finish drying off and head to the bedroom to dress. Sidney borrows one of my t-shirts to sleep in, the fabric hanging loose on her frame but somehow looking sexier than any lingerie. I pull on a pair of boxers just as my phone rings on the nightstand.
King's name flashes on the screen. Of course he'd call now.
"I should get this," I tell Sidney, who nods and slips under the covers.
I answer, moving toward the doorway. "Yeah?"
"Torch," King's voice comes through, all business as usual. "Sorry for the late call."
"It's fine. What's up?"
"Wanted to check in about the Founders Day Festival security. You still good to work it with everything...changing?"
I glance back at Sidney, now checking on Max in his portable crib. "I'm still a member," I say firmly. "I'll find the time. Might need a week to reorganize things, but I'm still the same man. I'll ride for the Savage Riders no matter what."
There's a pause, then King's voice softens slightly. "That's what I wanted to hear, brother. Just be careful. The Eagles might be quiet now, but we both know Vulture's not the type to let things go."
"I'm aware," I say, stepping into the hallway to avoid waking Max. "Having two people to protect will only make me deadlier."
King chuckles, a rare sound from our serious president. "That's what I like to hear." His tone shifts back to business. "Also, we'vegot collections coming up. Few people in town owe us money, and I'm sending all the members out in a couple days."
"Where do you need me?" I ask him.
"You'll be with Steel. Guy on the outskirts of town, James Mercer. Around thirty, gambling problem, borrowed money from us more than once."
I remember the name. "Doesn't he live in his parents' old place with a younger sister?"
"Yeah, twenty-two-year-old sister. Parents died a few years back. Guy's got a few restraining orders for stalking girls around town. Seems dangerous but not violent. Still, watch yourselves."
"We'll get the money," I assure him. "No one gets hurt unless they make it necessary."
"Good. That's all I needed." He pauses, then adds, "Good luck with the new life, Torch. You deserve to be happy."
The sentiment catches me off guard coming from King, who rarely gets personal. "Thanks, brother. Means a lot."
We end the call, and I return to the bedroom. Sidney is already in bed, the covers pulled up to her waist, one hand gently stroking Max's hair as he sleeps.
"Everything okay?" she asks quietly.
I nod, setting my phone down. "Just club business. Collections in a couple days, security planning for a town festival next month."
She hesitates, and I can see her working through what "collections" probably means. "Is it... dangerous?"
I consider lying to reassure her, but we need honesty between us if this is going to work. "Sometimes. But I'm careful, and I don't take unnecessary risks."
"And these 'collections'—they're from people who borrowed money from the club?"
"Yeah." I slide into bed beside her. "Most pay up without issue. Occasionally someone needs...convincing."
"You mean threats? Violence?"
"Only when there's no other choice," I tell her. "And never more than necessary. We're not thugs, Sidney. We provide a service to people who can't get loans elsewhere, and we expect to be paid back."
She's quiet for a moment, processing. "I don't like it," she finally says. "But I understand it's part of who you are, part of the club."
I reach for her hand. "I promise you, I'm careful. Even more so now that I have you and Max to come home to."
She squeezes my hand, then changes the subject. "Speaking of Max, we need to get him a proper bed. And I need to start looking for work."
