“War,” Guard calls.Immediately, War takes a step back and off to the side, where Guard is waiting for him.
“Problem, Officer?”Hawk asks, raising his brows.
Instead of responding, the cop gets back into the patrol car, and they take off down the road.Hawk gets off his bike and comes to me.“You did good, Tessa.Eyes peeled at all times.We’ve got your back.Motown needs to be told about this.I didn’t take the time to contact him because we wanted to get here as soon as possible, but you’ve got to call him.”
“The last time, he was so angry, I thought he was going to hunt Bronson down and kill him,” I tell him.“I don’t want him to get in trouble.”
“He needs to know, and it’ll be better if it comes from you.Demon is with him.He’ll make sure Motown doesn’t do anything stupid,” Hawk says.
“Okay,” I agree, nodding, and then I go back inside to grab my phone from my purse.
Hawk stays close to Guard and War near the front of the store.Guard scans the street, as if he’s waiting for someone.
The phone only rings once before Motown answers.“Everything all right, babe?”
“I’m good.I’m fine.But…” I glance at Hawk, who gives me an encouraging nod, before continuing.“It’s nothing, really.”
“Tess, if it’s nothing, then spit it out.”
“There was a police car outside again.Um, well, War took care of it.It kind of freaked me out.Not the part about War handling it.”I feel I need to clarify because War is standing right here, and I want him to know I appreciate him taking control of the problem.“They weren’t the same cops, and bright spot, no packages were delivered.Really, everything’s fine, and you don’t have to get upset, but Hawk thought this couldn’t wait and that you should know.I was going to tell you later tonight, though.”
I can hear a heavy breath being expelled.“Baby, I’m not upset, I’m fucking pissed.Bronson’s using intimidation tactics to get to you.I’m sure War had it under control.That man is a beast, and he’s smarter than most people give him credit for because of the way he looks.I don’t like that you were frightened, though, not even for a minute.The guys are installing security cameras and alarms as a precaution.That’ll give you more peace of mind,” Motown says.
“What good is it if the police are part of the problem?”
“First, not all of them are on Bronson’s payroll.Secondly, the alarm is connected to the compound security system,” Motown informs me, then says in a soft voice, “We’ve got you covered, beautiful.”
“I believe you, honey.”That’s when I notice several other bikers invading my shop.“I should let you go.I have a biker invasion happening here.”I giggle.
“Good to hear you laugh, babe,” he replies before saying goodbye.
It’s near the end of the day before the new system is installed.I now have cameras in the back room, above the cash register, and at the front entrance of the shop.They have all the doors and windows wired.Through it all, customers came in and out to shop.I finished my baskets and ended up with several more orders because everyone who dropped by loved the idea of specialty baskets as gifts.Despite the crappy start to the day, it’s been very productive.
When we lock up, War and Risk go over the keypad to set the alarm.
“You need to pick a four-digit code,” Risk says.
“How about my birthday?One, one, zero, seven.”
“As in November seventh?”Risk says, raising his brows.
“Not a good idea?”
“Tessa, that’s today,” Risk answers.
Holy heavens!I forgot my own birthday!
“I’ve been so distracted with everything, I completely forgot.”I laugh.“I better have the phone ready for Mom and Dad’s call, and then I have to drop by the house.They always send me something.Usually flowers.”I check my phone to make sure I haven’t missed a call from them.
“We’ll take you to your place, and we’ll wait around for a while,” Risk says as he opens the car door for me.I look around for War and see he’s on the phone again.
“For a man of few words, he sure spends an awful lot of time on the phone,” I say.Risk laughs so loudly that War turns to see what’s happening.I give him a little wave and get in the car.
When we reach the house, War insists on going in first to check it out.It’s a quiet neighborhood for the most part.I see that my neighbor Helen, from across the street, is out for a walk with her puppy.Nash isn’t a puppy anymore, and he isn’t little either.He’s a German shepherd, and he’s gorgeous.His fur shines, and Helen loves him to pieces.Nash is protective of his owner, but once he gets to know you, he’s very friendly.
Helen stops in front of my home.“Haven’t seen you for a few days.How’re you doing?”she asks.
“Busy at the shop mostly,” I reply.“This is Risk.He’s a good friend of mine.”
