“Dan, go get Riley.”
He hopped up and swanned through the door opened by Gunner.He found Riley in the kitchen and took her hand.“It’s time.”
He led Riley into church, fingers twined together, her trailing a half step behind that he suspected was intentional.Dan appreciated the respect for him and the club and gave Riley a squeeze that she returned.When he sat, she didn’t ask for a chair, simply stood next to him, and that was another gesture of deference.
Dan looked up at her to see Riley grinning, staring down at him.She bent, lifted his bandana to expose his lips, and pressed her full ones against him.“How am I doin’ so far?”she whispered.
“Just about perfect,” he whispered back.
“Motherfucking domesticated expression of bliss on your face there, Dan.”
He angled around to glare at Tinder, seated at the head of the table.
“Yes, President,” he agreed with a nod, trying not to grin.Riley’s fingers trailed along the curve of his shoulder and then he was doing his best not to shiver too.Dan reached up and pressed her hand against his skin, holding it in place, hoping she’d understand the unspoken request.
“Okay, motherfuckers, Dan aside, does anyone have anything else to report on the fucking HHMC?”
Riley’s fingers twitched underneath his hand, and he gave her another squeeze.
“Three sightings near the state line, one group of four or five going back and forth.Makes me think they’ve still got a base of operations here in town or at least nearby.”Mad Dawg shook his head.“It’s like they don’t learn.”
“Then it’s our job to keep teaching the same lesson.”Dan spoke strongly.He’d never had a problem talking to the club before, but he found himself wanting to come across clearly.“But we’ve got to have a direction to aim our arrow.Who’s got any intel?”
Tinder leaned back in his chair.“How many do they have left, anyway?We need a firm number, Denver.After we rolled them last year, the count has gotta be less than a dozen.”
“And mark off three from that count, after what happened at Riley’s shop.”Dan looked around.“They got religion and went on a sabbatical.”
“And good riddance,” Mad Dawg said fervently.“But as for their current base, I got nothing.I can run a couple of questions up the flagpole.Since I’ve got more of their old members under my wing, maybe they can shake some info loose.”
Rocker lifted a hand.
“What?”Tinder asked crossly.“Fuckin’ what?”
“What do we know about the traitor who sold info to them before?Last I knew he was in the wind.But now we’re sayin’ we’re seein’ his burner tied in with this hit on Ink & Iron.Which is it?”Rocker put his hand down when he finished speaking, pulling chuckles from some of the men.“What?”Rocker’s voice held the exact same irritated tone as Tinder’s had.“Fuckin’ what?”More chuckles, which was probably Rocker’s intention after bringing up the sorest of topics.
“The betrayer was last seen in southern Florida, and that was confirmed about four months ago.But we’ve kept lines of inquiry open with clubs all up and down the coast.”Denver spoke up for the first time.“He’s the object of significant investigation, my brother.If he moves to where he’s vulnerable, we’ll be the first to know.”
The meeting went on like that for a half hour or more.Long enough Dan’s ass was starting to hurt, and he was proud of Riley that she hadn’t started shifting or fidgeting.That stillness would earn her more respect from all the members.Dan hoped at some point he got to learn all her secrets, because she knew a lot about club life to not be wearing someone’s PO vest.That was a topic for another day.
Finally, he rapped his knuckles on the table.Every face swiveled to look at him, and he waited until he got a nod from Tinder to ask, “What questions do we have for Riley?”
“Good bringing us back on track.For those who don’t yet know, all new club tats will be run through Riley.And if a member isn’t sure if their existing club tattoo meets muster, they need to book time with Riley out at Ink & Iron.Denver’s going to get her a copy of the different approved versions of the club colors, and she’ll have those to refer to when scoping out an old or new tattoo.”Tinder looked up and down the table.No one had a question.“Riley, did those assholes have an appointment the other day?”
Riley’s fingers twitched underneath Dan’s hand, and he gave her a reassuring squeeze.“Direct questions can be answered, Riley.”
She pulled in a slow, even breath.“No, they did not have appointments.Not even a consult.I had a client in the chair when they came in.”
“Had you ever done work on any of their members?”
“Not to my knowledge.Certainly not a club logo or colors.I would have turned that work down, same as I turn down racist graphics.”
“But you’re willing to do our colors?”Rocker leaned closer.“What’s the difference?Why’s that?”
Dan gave her fingers another squeeze when she hesitated.If Tinder didn’t want Rocker’s questions answered, he would have waved off the inquiry already.
“I heard through the grapevine that they were less than aboveboard in their dealings with others in my industry.Lots of flash done for promised cash that never materialized.I’m not going to put myself in the position to be owed money by a club.Or flash for favors, which would end up being worse.”Her lips twitched sideways.“Raggedy Dan here is proof you guys are different.He’s already paid for half his tattoo up front, and we don’t even have an appointment set yet.”She winked at him.“And that was before I blew his mind.”
Every man laughed loud and long, and the tips of Dan’s ears burned.That was only exacerbated by Riley bending over to drop a kiss on the top of his ear.“My new favorite color,” she whispered before standing again.