Not even the kidding of his MC brothers could ruin this amazing mood. Vex grinned and grabbed a pallet mover to unload the truck that had arrived during lunch. His stomach growled loudly from hunger at the thought of his sandwich still sitting in the breakroom fridge. He’d survive until time to check out and head home.
“Vex. Eat this. We can’t have you fainting from hunger,” Razor said, tossing him a protein bar as the MC’s doctor walked through the warehouse.
“Thanks, Razor.” Smiling, he tore open the wrapper and ate on his way to pull everything out of the truck.
Thankfully, time flew by with no complications. When he had time to check the clock next, the end of his shift was minutes away. Vex spotted Razor walking toward his medical office. Setting an intercepting path, Vex headed to ask a question.
“Hey, Razor?”
“You don’t need stitches again, do you?” Razor’s keen gaze raked over him, checking for an injury.
“No, I’ve got a good reason to take it easy on myself. I hoped I could set up an appointment with you for Angel.”
“Is she having any problems? Bad dreams?” Razor asked.
“Sometimes, but they aren’t horrendous. She’s a survivor,” Vex said proudly.
“She’s strong, but she lived through a traumatic event. There’s nothing wrong with getting mental help if she’s struggling.”
Vex nodded. “Sorry, I answered that poorly. I’m ready to support her with whatever she needs. I meant Angel is thriving with me. She’s not a slacker though. I know being at home is going to weigh on her in the near future. She’s used to working. Before she dives into anything, I need to make sure she’s healthy.”
“I agree. When would you like to bring her in?”
“Next week?”
“You’re off on Wednesday, right?” Razor asked.
“Yes.”
“Ten o’clock. I’ll make a space for here. Any birth control she used before has probably lapsed. Are you protecting her?” Razor pinned Vex with a laser-sharp look.
“Yes, Razor. She’s tied my heart into a knot. I’ll always take care of her.”
Razor whacked him on the back. “Welcome to the club. That’s exactly how a Daddy is supposed to feel. Let me know if something urgent pops up before her appointment.”
Vex smiled as Razor strolled away. This was one club he never wanted to leave.
“Vex! Meeting in Lucien’s office in ten minutes,” Wraith yelled as he walked through the warehouse.
Wondering if he could skip the gathering and no one would notice, Vex noted Wraith’s progression through the warehouse. Fuck! Wraith wasn’t telling everyone. The MC’s enforcer was on a mission. Vex’s phone buzzed, underlining that thought. He pulled his device out to check and spotted a message from Lucien.
Your Little girl is with Caroline. They’re having a tea party and gossiping about you. She’ll be fine.
Vex raised his hand to flash his middle finger at the cameras. Of course, Lucien was monitoring both the warehouse and the compound. Shaking his head, Vex headed for Inferno. Something was up. He’d have to go. With a selected crew notified, the Ravagers had to be involved.
Walking into Inferno, Vex studied the crowd. Wraith had set up a bouncer at the door for the entire span of Inferno’s operating hours and closed down access for deliveries without supervision. No one knew where the Ravagers would retaliate for burning down their compound. Every member of the Devil Daddies MC anticipated they’d make a big play at revenge.
The increased security hadn’t decreased the business. If anything, more people filled the interior spaces of Inferno than Vex would have expected. The early evening dinner crowd chattered with happiness.
Nodding at Toxin, who guarded the stairs to Lucien’s elevated office and observation spot, Vex climbed the stairs. He could see figures moving inside the partially shaded windows that overlooked the floor. Lucien could track everything in Devil Daddies MC territory, except for the interior of each member’s cabin.
As he entered, Dead Eye, Street, Wraith, Razor, and Scythe turned to acknowledge him with an upward nod. The group had clustered around Lucien’s massive desk, studying something on the top. Vex approached the group and stared at the roughly drawn map.
“What’s this?”
“The Ravagers have abandoned their previous clubhouse and are dividing into three separate areas,” Dead Eye said. “I’ve been keeping track of the members as they relocated.”
Vex stared at the paper in front of him. The Ravagers’ new settlements surrounded Inferno, the warehouse, and the Devil Daddies Compound. “Somehow, I don’t believe that’s random,” Vex said.
