Page 12 of Torrent’s Treasure

“You know, biker weddings are different. Everyone will be in jeans, but how about I get some flowers? You and I could make a bouquet for Cecilia and a smaller one for you,” Sally suggested.

Cecilia appreciated her input because she’d been stumped how to answer.

“Okay, can I have more fruit?” Calliope asked.

“Sure, let’s go get it,” Sally smiled, leading Calliope out of the room.

Dragon and Maverick joined them at the table. “You did well, darlin’,” Dragon praised.

“I almost had a tear slide down my cheek because it was so sweet of Torrent to do all that,” Maverick teased, grinning at Torrent.

“Thank you, I want her to feel comfortable here and not worry,” Cecilia replied softly.

Dragon nodded. “I agree. Torrent has some things that need to be done before the wedding. You have the run of the clubhouse, but you and Calliope need to stay inside for now to be safe,” he said, standing and motioning to the guys to come along.

Cecilia breathed deep, trying to calm her nerves, and plastered a smile on her face when Calliope and Sally returned with snacks. They were safe. The club was going to protect them, and she was marrying the sexy, grumpy man. She took the questions regarding what he’d expect after they were married and tucked them into that little box in her brain to deal with later. She had to get through the wedding first.

Chapter Six

Torrent followed Maverick and Dragon through the doors to the crematorium where they were meeting Ashe, their club’s cleaner. He ensured that when they disposed of bodies, whether for themselves or for others, nothing could be traced back to the club.

For the funeral home, Ashe was their crematory technician. Because Sally, who was the mortician, had an agreement with cities in the surrounding counties, their crematory ran daily. The daily schedule allowed them to slip in any additional cremations needed without arousing suspicion. The surrounding counties were willing to work with Sally even though she was a Grave Prowlers Ol’ Lady because she offered them the cheapest rate in four counties. She could do that because the not-so-legal cremations were what supported the mortuary.

Once they’d filed into the room, Dragon cocked his eyebrow, and at Ashe’s nod that he’d swept the room for listening devices, Dragon spoke.

“This will take care of his body, but how are we going to handle the Chief and the car?”

“Crushing it would be best and sending the cube somewhere far away,” Maverick suggested.

“Who do we know that has a salvage yard?” Dragon asked.

Ashe nodded at the body and, at Dragon’s nod, slid it into the crematory. Torrent stared at the body sliding in. This wasn’t enough for what he’d done to Cecilia and how scared he must have made Calliope. He deserved to be dumped somewhere and let the animals chew and gnaw on him, but it wouldn’t be as safe for the club.

“I might know a couple. I’ll reach out and let you know. The Chief isn’t going to just stop looking for his brother. We can come up with the best story, and even if he believes it, he won’t stop looking. He’s been able to stay in his position because he has so much dirt on so many people. Since he planned on selling that little girl, who only deserves stuffed animals and ice cream, I vote for in the crematory while he’s still alive,” Ashe offered, his voice turning ice-cold.

Dragon’s gaze darkened. “He’s going to be a problem, but two law enforcement officers going missing in a short amount of time is going to point the finger at us.”

Torrent agreed and was thinking through some options. He had nothing he wanted to share yet, but he had a couple possibilities.

“If you’ve got this, I need to discuss something with Sally. I’ll see you all at the wedding, and let’s figure out how to protect everyone,” Dragon said, heading up the stairs.

Torrent said his goodbyes and headed out to his bike.

“Hey, where are you going?” Maverick asked.

“Running an errand,” Torrent said.

“Okay, I’ll come with,” Maverick replied.

Torrent nodded. Having a couple more saddlebags to stuff items into wouldn’t be a bad thing. He started his motor and pulled out. Maverick followed. Torrent went to the store where he’d bought the butterfly yesterday.

Maverick followed him in. Torrent went to the stuffed animal area, looking through the ones available and picking three out. He headed to the book area. He’d overheard Calliope asking Cecilia if they could get her two new books that had come out. He’d made note of the names so he could get them for her. She deserved something special for what she’d been through. He picked up a couple new ones from the authors he followed. He’d started reading more in prison. Now, he enjoyed reading right before bed. He wondered if Cecilia enjoyed reading and, if so, what she read. He texted Cecilia and asked her. He was pleasantly surprised when she replied because the two authors he’d picked up for himself, she enjoyed too. She also named a romance author. He found that one, then headed to the blanket area.

By the time he’d finished in that area, he’d had to send Maverick to the front for a shopping cart and had called a Prospect to meet them outside. He’d found a comforter set for the bedroom that he thought Calliope might like, with a matching lamp and rug. He decided Cecilia and Calliope needed robes and slippers to relax in. Once he started, he kept throwing in something else because he wanted his suite to feel like home for them.

He and Maverick finished up by adding things from the food section of the store. He bought more premade cookie dough since Calliope had liked it, along with other kid food he hoped she would enjoy. He bought some chocolate and other things he thought Cecilia might appreciate.

Once he checked out, the Prospect loaded it into his vehicle, and Torrent headed to the next store. Maverick grinned when Torrent pulled into the parking space, knocking the kickstand out and shutting off his motor.