“Same here.” Violet rubbed her arms as though she were freezing. “Just thinking about them making a surprise appearance gives me the creeps.”
“You have training and a boatload of knives.” Iona smiled. “Use them. In fact, use your skills so well that these Neanderthal men don’t have a clue what hit them.”
The women exchanged grins.
In a way, Elias felt sorry for any biker who took on a member of Artemis. The ladies would mop the floor with them. He smiled. And then Echo would take over.
Rayne stared at Elias. “What are you smiling about?”
“Thinking that if a biker tries something with any of you, you’ll mop the floor with them.”
She looked pleased at that. “I think that’s the nicest compliment you’ve ever given us. Thank you, Elias.”
He inclined his head.
Grant rubbed his hands together. “Now for the really important question. Do we have any food? If so, when do we eat?”
As the operatives laughed, Elias wrapped his arm around Iona and drew her against his side. “Did you see a grocery store near here?”
“Are you kidding? I saw nothing around here. We’ll have to go shopping and add that to the bill for the feds.”
“I saw a grocery store in Red Rock.” Rayne walked to the refrigerator and tugged the door open.
Zip.
Figured. These bikers wouldn’t go out of their way for their guests. Elias shook his head. Definitely his father’s influence. He supposed Dutch wanted to set up his own little fiefdom like Elias’ father.
“We need to make a trip to the grocery store.” Iona turned to Seth. “How do we want to handle this? Do all of us go or two couples?”
“Two couples. I don’t want to leave the cabin unoccupied, and I don’t trust our hosts as far as I can throw them.”
“Agreed. Elias and I will go. Rayne, you and Grant come with us. Make a list of what we’ll need for four days.”
“Optimistic, aren’t you?”
“Oh, yeah. That’s me. Optimistic Iona.”
The rest of Artemis burst into laughter.
“Sorry, Iona.” Violet’s eyes twinkled. “I must have misunderstood you.”
She sent the medic a mock scowl. “I believe I heard you volunteer to run extra miles tomorrow morning.”
Noah covered his wife’s mouth with his palm. “You didn’t hear that because I have plans for her that don’t include pounding out extra miles.”
Teagan plugged her ears with her fingers. “TMI. Man, Noah. Give the rest of us a break, will you?”
More laughter was broken up by a knock on the door.
When Seth started for the door, Elias stopped him. “Not your job.” He glanced at Andre. “You go. You’re the Sergeant-at-Arms.”
“Nice.” Andre walked to the door and opened it to see Tall One. He invited the man inside the cabin.
Tall One went to Seth. “Prez is inviting your members to dinner at the clubhouse tonight.”
“Tell Dutch that we’d be honored to eat with him and his Old Lady.”
A nod. “See you at six o’clock sharp. Dutch don’t like it if we’re late.”
