Rattler goes to open his mouth, probably to ask some inane question, as he hadn’t been there today and hadn’t seen what we saw. Saint slaps a hand over his lips before I can do so.
I drop my head into my hands. Then, ignoring Bronwyn can hear every word, I make my case to the VP. “Can’t leave Bron there, and if she leaves, sounds like the kid is at risk. If we didn’t know about him, maybe no one does. He could already be off the radar.” Which means Doc can go as far as he wants with no one any the wiser.
Saint’s set jaw suggests he, too, has done the math. His eyes look to the ceiling, then back down at the phone. “Bring the kid as well,” he finally says harshly.
Bronwyn takes a moment to respond, then she says softly, “He doesn’t take to change well.”
“He’ll take even less to having the shit beat out of him,” I growl. “Just get both your asses here, Bron. We’ll have time to work out the logistics.”
“Okay,” she replies. “I’ll get some things together, then leave.”
“The prospect is heading your way now,” Saint tells her, and it’s then that I notice Knight has already disappeared. Presumably, having already received his instructions.
“I’ll see you soon,” I tell her, then shut the phone down.
“Where the fuck are we putting a girl and a kid?” Rattler may be an asshole, but sometimes he can ask pertinent questions.
“The only room we have empty is in the bunkhouse, where Griz, may the Devil spit on his soul,” Tempest breaks off to make the appropriate motion to accompany his words, “stayed. Maybe the girl could be persuaded to bunk in among the brothers, butwith a kid? Can’t see how that would work. They’d have to share a bathroom, and when that was cleaned last, I don’t know.”
All eyes come to me, and I know the reason. While not an officer, I managed to wrangle one of the few rooms in the clubhouse for myself. I don’t much relish having to go to the barn, and those reserved for the prospects have only the basic necessities, and no en-suite bath to myself. But it doesn’t take a moment to come to my decision. “Okay,” I growl. “Bron and the kid can take my room. I’ll go bed down in the traitor’s old room.”
“What about your house?” Spinning around, I lock eyes with Winchester as he gives me an option I hadn’t considered.
It’s not club business, but the property I recently purchased is something most of them know about. Saint cocks a brow.
Lifting my hand to scratch an itch on my nose, I think aloud. “It’s only a two-bed, and I bought it to flip it. It needs work and is unfurnished at the moment.”
Saint shrugs. “So, we go to Goodwill and get the place kitted out.” He holds up his hand to preempt any objections. “Obviously, it’s too late to do anything tonight. But if Bron and her brother can’t go home, then that’s an option that keeps them away from the club and provides cover for our involvement in their disappearance. And,” he adds with a smirk. “Doc won’t know where they are. If he comes to the compound looking, we can give him the tour, and he’ll come up with nothing.”
I can see the sense in the suggestion, but also the drawbacks. They’ll be there without the club’s protection for one, and for another, Bronwyn has her studies and work. And when she’s not there, the kid obviously can’t be left to his own devices. But I stay quiet about the downside for now. At least the club is with me and wants to get Doc’s offspring away from him.
“Hey, if Bronwyn’s going to be staying at the club tonight, does that make her free game?”
I launch at Rattler so fast that it sends a burst of pain through my head, and I have to catch my breath from the heaving in my lungs.
Luckily, Saint gets in before me. “Nothing’s changed. She’s still off-limits to everyone.” Am I imagining the pointed look he gives me? “All of you be on your best fuckin’ behaviour while she and the kid are around. She’s an innocent girl, probably never been fucked before, so she won’t be able to handle any advances or want to see anyone’s dick hanging out.”
“She’s a nurse.” Rattler shrugs. “Bet she’s seen numerous cocks before.”
“Diseased and near dropping off,” Tempest drawls. “Which yours will be, Rat, if you go near her.” As if anyone else needs the message, he continues, “And that applies to every one of you assholes.” Like the VP, he seems to be staring straight at me.
