Page 36 of Cutter

“They’re the ones to fear. The Chaos, not so much,” Cutter agreed.

“With one exception. And forgive me for not mentioning it sooner, but with this party thing and Yoanni, I forgot,” Barron said. “Nails and his minions should concern you.”

Cutter had a crawly sensation in the pit of his stomach. “What about Nails?”

“Wherever you go and whatever you do, keep looking over your shoulder. He’s sending his buddies to tail you.”

“Son of a bitch. I knew it,” Cutter muttered under his breath.

“Today’s strategy was smart, and you should stay with it,” Blade added. “Keep your truck parked in the clubhouse. Ride around during the day on your bike. Let them see you going about your business as usual. On nights when you want to visit Emily, come here exchange your bike for the truck and go out the side road, through the mobile home community.”

Cutter nodded. “Shit. I’d forgotten about the community’s side exit.”

“Yeah, it was a good deal we struck with the residents.” Blade smiled. “We offered protection for access. Works better for us than for them. But who cares?”

“How did you swing it?” Barron asked. “That was before I came up from the Keys.”

“It started with Cel. Her mom lives in the mobile home community,” Blade explained. “Cel and her girlfriend Hadley, who’s now living in Orlando, used to cut through the bushes to visit her. Sometime after Cutter was released, I got together with the association president to discuss ourmutual interests. One thing led to another. We offered our protection, assured them the Spawn were going legit, and they gave us access to Main Street.”

Barron nodded. “Cool.”

Blade turned his attention to Cutter. “I’ll give you a ride home. I know you’re weird about not sleeping in your own bed.”

He smiled at Blade. “Thanks, man.”

The offer made perfect sense. Cutter had driven the truck from his home to Emily’s apartment and to the clubhouse. In order for the ruse to work, Cutter had to go home to get his bike while leaving the truck in the clubhouse. If Cutter already had a tail, the guy would lose him at the clubhouse and go nuts trying to figure out where he’d gone. Had he spent the night at the clubhouse or what?

From this point forward, Blade’s suggestion was the perfect solution. Cutter would exchange wheels at the clubhouse and go visit Emily, bypassing Nails and friends’ surveillance, as no one, outside the present Devils’ Spawn members, knew about the side exit through the mobile home community. Horse and Dash had quit the MC before the arrangement between Blade and the association’s president was finalized.

“I’m ready whenever you are.” Cutter held up his forefinger.

Rolling his shoulders and clasping the back of his neck, Blade stood. “I’m getting old, man. I’ve got aches and pains everywhere.”

“Old? What the hell are you talking about? You’re what, thirty-one? Hardly old,” Cutter argued. “It’s stress and running around after a four, almost five-year-old. Once you get the club squared away, you’ll relax.”

“You ain’t kidding. Baby Jerrod is running Cel and me ragged. Most nights, we collapse into bed so tired, we barely have enough energy to hold each other before passing out.”

Blade picked up the remote and turned the TV volume back on for Barron. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

“Good night.” Cutter waved at Barron.

“Hey! Don’t forget to ask Emily about?—”

“I got it,” Cutter interrupted Barron. “I’ll ask her tonight. And don’t worry. Yoanni will understand.”

Cutter walked to the porch after Blade. His friend was leaning on the banister, looking at a dark starless sky.

“I didn’t want to discuss this in front of Barron,” Blade said. “How did it go with Emily? I know you like her a lot. I have a feeling she’s a Little. Am I right?”

He stood next to Blade. “You’re almost right. She’s a Middle.”

“Interesting. Middles are more mature and independent than Littles. You’ll be dealing with a Tween or a teenager. And teens can be a handful. Are you prepared for that?”

“Oh, man.” Cutter dropped his elbows on the banister. “I’ve already had a taste. Emily’s a Middle and a detective to boot.”

“I heard what you said inside. She’s resisting your orders. But she can’t expose herself the way she did. That was a close call with Nails. Does she understand the danger?”

“Sort of,” Cutter scoffed. “The first time we talked at the station, I was so surprised at seeing her again that I missed a big clue. Emily mentioned she has enemies who resent her promotion to detective. That’s why she’s keeping the investigation undercover. I didn’t take the comment seriously. Bad move on my part. Internal competition in her departmentis a real thing. She’s a new detective and a woman. The senior detectives dismiss her abilities. Emily has to prove to both her captain and the senior detectives that she can hold her own. Do you see where this is going?” Cutter glanced at Blade. His friend nodded.

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