Brick nods once. Shadow’s grin is all teeth.
“Tracker,” I continue, “I want eyes on Harris’ people. Who’s comin’ into town, who’s leavin’, who’s meeting who. No hero shit. Just info. See if you can find out why he’s so interested in The Canteen.”
Tracker nods.
“Titan,” I say, “you take two prospects and make a presence around Alder. Not threatening. Just… seen. Folks need to remember the Riders are still here.”
Titan’s grin is slow. “I can do seen.”
I assign the rest of the tasks and finish up with the bit I’ve been putting off. “Edge, you’re with me.”
Edge’s eyebrows rise slightly. “For what?”
I swallow the urge to say her name like it’s a confession. “Leah.”
Edge studies me a beat longer, then nods. “Alright.”
After everyone files out, I sit there a second longer, listening to the clubhouse outside our meeting room. Loud music thumping somewhere down the hall, someone laughing, a bike revving in the lot, the steady heartbeat of the place.
Edge lurks in the doorway.
“You okay?” he asks, his voice neutral.
“Sure,” I say. “Just peachy.”
Edge’s mouth twitches. “Didn’t think so.”
I stare at my hands on the table. Big hands. Scarred knuckles. Hands that had held Leah like she was something precious and not just something to take.
“I didn’t handle things the best I could,” I admit. “She agreed to help us, but when I told her we couldn’t be seen together she verbally tore my balls off and stuffed them down my fucking throat.”
Edge snorts. “It wasn’t smart.”
“I know. But it’s the truth. If she spies for us, then we need our story straight. Harris is smart. You don’t get to his position without being able to read people and use it to your advantage.”
“So why’re you beatin’ yourself up?”
Because she’d looked at me like she’d expected better. Because I’d wanted to be better for her. Because a few days without her had felt like withdrawal. Because I’d only had her once and already my body didn’t feel like mine when I thought of her. Pick any, or all of the above…
“I don’t want to ruin her.”
Edge’s eyes sharpen. “You already got your hands on her. That ship sailed long ago.”
I flinch at the truth.
“She’s sweet,” I say, my voice rough. “Too sweet for MC life.”
Edge’s gaze softens, just a fraction. “Sweet don’t mean weak. Look at your daughter. Pity the man who ever tries to make her his queen.”
“No,” I agree. “It means… tempting.”
Edge gives a low laugh. “You’re fuckin’ gone.”
I shoot him a look.
He holds up a hand. “Not judging. Just stating fact. But if you’re gonna use her for intel, you better make damn sure you’re not just using her.”
My throat works. “I’m not.”
