“With this crew, who doesn’t?” Seth said.
They should have followed standard MC behavior. That they didn’t bothered Elias. “We should go, Seth. To show up late for an appointment or meeting with Dutch is the ultimate insult.”
“Copy that.” He glanced at the rest of the group. “Let’s move.”
Elias and Iona climbed into the truck while the rest of the operatives mounted their motorcycles. The group rode away from the cabin and retraced their route to the clubhouse. Fiveminutes later, Iona parked the truck directly under a security light a short distance from the motorcycles.
“Be sure to lock up.” Elias reached for the door handle. “Someone will probably search the truck anyway, but I don’t want to give him an open invitation. I want him to work for it.”
“Does anything in here identify the vehicle as belonging to Fortress?”
“I don’t think so, but I’ll check to be sure.” Elias unlatched the glove compartment and sifted through the contents. When he finished, he sat back. “We’re clear.”
“One less thing to worry about.” Iona opened the door and slid to the ground. She met Elias at the hood of the truck where their teammates gathered.
Seth looked at him. “Who goes in first?” he asked softly.
“You first, followed by Noah, then Grant and Andre. I’ll come in last after the women have entered the building.”
“Is this a sexist organization?” Teagan hissed.
“Nope. However, it is an old-fashioned organization. The men going first is to protect their Old Ladies and girlfriends.”
Seth bent and brushed his mouth over Teagan’s. “Watch everything you say. We’re on display.” He straightened, glanced at Noah, and inclined his head toward the door.
With a slight smile on his face, Noah opened the door for Seth, then followed him through the door into the clubhouse.
Grant gave them a few seconds and walked inside, followed quickly by Andre.
“Your turn, ladies.” Elias held the door for them, then escorted Iona inside the clubhouse.
Lights burned in every room, and Blackthorn members lined the path to the dining room where Elias and Iona could see their teammates mingling with a few members of the MC. He rested his hand against Iona’s lower back and nudged her toward the others. Elias paused in the entryway to the dining room.
A second later, a Blackthorn Rider greeted them by name and introduced himself. “I’m Digger. Come with me.”
Iona’s eyebrows rose as she glanced at Elias.
He shook his head slightly. Although she wanted to ask about the significance of Digger’s name, this wasn’t the time or place. They could discuss the names later when they didn’t have ears listening to every word spoken.
Digger led them to Dutch. “Prez, this is Elias and his Old Lady, Iona.”
Elias shook Dutch’s offered hand briefly. “Iron Wolves Enforcer. Road name is Ghost. City of Origin is Hartman.”
Dutch gave a curt nod, then shifted his gaze to Iona. “Welcome, my dear. This is my Old Lady, Trish.”
Trish stared at Iona with no acknowledgment of her presence.
Wow. The ultimate insult. Elias inclined his head toward Dutch’s lady. “We’re glad to meet you, Trish.” Total lie. He’d rather have Iona all to himself without having to worry about MC politics.
Still nothing.
Dutch offered them a frosty smile. “You must excuse my lady. She is unwell tonight.”
From what Elias could see, Trish was just crabby. “I understand, sir.”
“Good, good.” He turned toward Seth, who had watched the encounter from close by and motioned toward the table. “Seth, join us at the table with your group.”
As Elias had coached his teammates, they allowed Seth and Teagan to approach the table with Noah and Violet a step behind. The others soon joined them.
