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“What about them?”
“I’m going to need you to keep them this weekend.”
There was a long pause, and then she asked, “Why?”
“Just got a lot going on, and it would help me out if you kept them.”
“You always have a lot going on. What’s different about this weekend?”
“I don’t press you when you ask me to keep them.”
“I’m not a member of Fury,” she bit back. “Now what’s going on?”
We were together long enough for her to know that I couldn’t discuss club business with her, so she shouldn’t have been surprised when I said, “You know I can’t get into it.”
“Are you okay?” Concern riddled her voice as she said, “Are you safe? Are the kids safe?”
“Everything’s fine, Ava,” I lied. “There’s no reason for you to get all tangled up about this.”
“You’re lying.”
I closed my eyes and let out a breath. Ava knew me too well, and she wasn’t afraid to call me on it. She also knew I didn’t ask her to take extra time with the kids unless it was absolutely necessary. “It’s nothing we can’t handle.”
She was silent for a moment, then asked, “But you’re okay?”
“Yeah. I’m good.”
“Okay. I’m gonna need you to stay that way.”
“I’ll do my best,” I scoffed. “I’ll come get the kids as soon as things settle down.”
“Ravage?”
“Yeah?”
“Be careful.”
“Always.”
I ended the call and shoved my phone back in my pocket. I hated putting off the kids. When I wasn’t with them, I felt like I was losing time I’d never get back, and I wouldn’t. They were growing up so damn fast, and on a good day, I was struggling to keep up. But like it or not, it was safer for them to be with Ava until we knew exactly what we were dealing with.
I went out to the main deck and found Lucky and Coop standing beside one of the bikes that had just been brought in. I recognized it right away. It was hard not to. The damn thing was bright orange with navy flames rolling down the side, and it had been in the shop at least six times over the past year. I walked over to them and asked, “What does he want now?”
“New pipes,” Lucky answered, sounding pissed.
“Again?”
“Yes, sir.” Lucky shook his head. “Apparently, these aren’t loud enough.”
Lucky looked at Coop and laughed as he said, “That’s what you get for letting Knox pick the parts.”
“I didn’t let him do shit,” Coop grumbled. “Asshole talked him into these fucking things before I even had a say.”
And just like that, my shoulders loosened for the first time in days. I bit back my smile as I told him, “Surprised he didn’t want a new gas tank, too.”
“Oh, I’m sure it’s coming.” Coop rolled his eyes. “This guy has a big fucking ego and money to burn.”
“He does, and he might as well burn it with us.”
