“Do we know people who can do that?” he asked.
“I’m sure Big Daddy could hook me up, but I know Aislynn knows a guy in Virginia, who’s ex-top-tier Army Intelligence. She told me he got recruited by the Feds when he was a hacker for the Speed Demons. Now he works at Quantico, but he’s also part of their Virginia chapter. He’s with Dagger Stone’s daughter, who just happens to be a close friend of Ash’s. Apparently, Colt’s the best, and he’s got access to government databases.”
“Jesus,” Bullseye exclaimed quietly. “Your girlisconnected. I’m startin’ to see why you’re so set on her.”
“I’m prez now. Can’t think with my dick, and I certainly can’t be led by it. Need a woman who’ll keep her shit together, and yeah, it doesn’t hurt that she knows people.”
He shook his head, grinning ruefully. “And who said romance was dead?”
I shot him a grin. “Romance ain’t really my thing.”
Bullseye deadpanned. “No shit, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t give you a tiny nugget of wisdom. From what you’ve said, thisgirl’s smart, and I’m assumin’ she’s beautiful if she’s caught your eye?”
I jerked a nod. “Aislynn’s gorgeous, and yeah, she’s also smart as hell.”
“Does she do cute shit?”
My lips twitched. “All the time.”
Bullseyes nodded thoughtfully. “I’m assumin’ she’s got some sass if she’s held your attention?”
I shrugged. “Enough to pose a challenge, but not enough to piss me off.”
“She’s good enough to be around your boys, so I’m assumin’ she’s a good girl, decent background?”
“Yeah,” I confirmed. “Good Catholic Irish family. Strong morals.”
His face split into a grin. “Then I’m sorry to say, my friend, you’re fucked.”
My head reared back slightly. “Huh?”
He sat forward in his chair, elbows to knees, and looked me dead in the eye. “Girls like that aren’t easily forgotten, Pagan. They work their way in, find a sweet spot under your skin, and make themselves mighty comfortable there. One minute you’ll be in control, the next minute, she’ll say somethin’ cute, laugh, or give you some sass, and suddenly, you’re a goner.” He let out a quiet snort. “You won’t even see it comin’.”
I had a lot of respect for Bullseye. He was a decent prez and a mentor of sorts, which was why I sat back and shut my mouth. If I carried on arguing, it would just seem like I was being over-defensive.
No point in that.
Opinions were just like assholes; everybody had one. I liked that Bullseye didn’t blow smoke up my backside like everybody else did. He was looking out for me, and although it irritatedme to all fuck, it also made me more determined to prove my brother wrong.
He must have sensed I was done talking about it because he asked, “How was the run? No trouble?”
I inclined my head. “Had a smooth ride. The truck met us in Colorado with the hardware, and we drove straight down the I-25. Did your boys check everythin’ was there? I wouldn’t put it past Huntley to try his luck. He’s a rat bastard if I ever saw one.”
“All present and correct,” he confirmed, his eyes narrowing slightly. “If you can’t trust your business partner, why you workin’ with him?”
I grimaced slightly. “Don’t have much choice right now. He’s the town sheriff, so it’s easier to grease his palm and have him turn the other cheek than the alternative. Eventually, he’ll try to fuck me over, and things will turn ugly, but while he’s scratchin’ my back, I’ll keep scratchin’ his, at least until I have to stab him in it. I’ve already had trouble with his pissant, deputy son, and his fuckwit ass-kissing flunkies. Things went sideways while I established some boundaries at one of our club parties a few weeks ago, but we’re back on track now, albeit tentatively. We’re a new chapter, still findin’ our feet and establishin’ our business interests. I don’t need any more complications, at least not until we’re more settled in the area.”
“Just remember what I’ve always told you, Pagan. You need to be able to trust your inner circle. We’ve got enough shit to deal with without havin’ to play cat and mouse with the people around us.”
“He’s not my inner circle,” I corrected gently. “He’s a means to an end.”
“Good.” Bullseye shot me a grin and gestured toward the bar. “Your boys have just headed off with a stripper each, and a couple of the other girls are throwin’ you some looks. You gonna indulge?”
I twisted my head to see a couple of the girls shooting the shit with the brothers at the bar, while throwing me seductive glances.
“Kinda over it,” I muttered. “Had easy all my life. It’s no fun anymore.”
“I feel ya, brother. Wanna come back to the clubhouse, open a bottle of Macallan, and put the world to rights?”
