Page 12 of The Devil's Ice

“OK,” Wolf said. “I hear you, and if I’m bein’ open with you, man, I’m worried about that myself.”

“You are?”

“Sure.” Wolf shrugged. “I have my doubts about Viper’s motivations for gettin’ me on his turf.”

“You don’t think he’s interested in taking all the Blood Crew work?”

“Honestly? I ain’t convinced that’sallhe wants.”

“So…” Ice was thunderstruck, then wondered why the hell it hadn’t occurred to him that he and Wolf were probably on the same page. They so often were, when Ice thought about it. “So… you think it’s a trap?”

“I don’t know. I think it’s a good fuckin’ possibility.”

“But you’re going anyway.” It wasn’t a question.

“I am, for all the reasons that I already mentioned. I figure if I’m there, I can at least keep an eye on Viper, even if I’m bein’ watched just as closely.” Wolf gave him a small grin. “But me and Scars, King and Denton have some extra security in place. Another police officer got involved too.”

Ice looked up sharply. “Who’s that?”

“A buddy of Denton’s from the gang unit – turns out, his specialty is MC’s in Utah, so he knows ahellof a lot more about Viper thanwedo. He shared some inside information about The Hellions’ financial situation and it ain’t good.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean that Crusher ran that club into the ground financially, left Viper with a fuckin’ mess. I think that he’s pretty damn desperate to bring in some cash fast… and I can help him do that. No sense killin’ me when I can fatten up the coffers, huh? I suspect he’ll hurt me as soon as he’s able, but that won’t be for a good while. We got some time, man.”

Ice could fuckingkickhimself for acting like a petulant teenager, when he should have been working with Salt Lake City police officer Travis Denton and his friend, Matt ‘King’ Kingston, and his Prez and Veep to shore up Wolf’s safety.

“But youdothink that Viper might want to hurt you,” Ice said flatly. “Likehurtyou.”

“He might.” Wolf broke eye contact now, looked up at the mountains. “This still might partly be about The Road Devils coverin’ up Jo’s husband’s murder – the asshole was on the Highway Hellions’ payroll, after all – and bein’ mixed-up with Briley, and then involved in Crusher’s death. Crusher hated us for leavin’ the MC criminal world, too, remember, so I’d bet that Viper feels the same way. This might be personal for him, alongside a money-makin’ windfall.”

“I guess so. Yeah.” Ice stared at the ground, trying to determine if he felt better or worse after talking to Wolf; he decided that on the whole, he felt way worse. He felt like he was throwing Wolf to the wolves, and nothing about that was going to sit right with him, no matter how many police officers were involved. “So what have you guys put in place with King and Denton and his friend?”

“It’s too much to get into now, and I want to have a dance with the bride before she and her husband head off to the cabin for their honeymoon,” Wolf said crisply. “Scars will fill the boys in on Monday, since it involves all of you.Youespecially, Ice, so you need to get your head out of your ass and step up. Nothin’ works without your skills, as I’m sure I don’t need to tell you.”

“Got it,” Ice said, chastised and chastened. “But you feel like it’s all enough? Like – enough to keep you safe?”

“I sure as hell hope so,” Wolf said, turning back to Open Skies, clearly indicating that this conversation was over for him. “I’ve got zero interest in lettin’ Viper Grant get the best of me.”

“Wolf?”

Something in Ice’s voice stopped Wolf in his tracks, and he turned back. “Yeah?”

“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. I’ll step up now, I swear it to you. I – I’ve really not been at my best the past couple of weeks. Probably longer, to be fair, but I really dropped the ball two weeks ago, and I just haven’t pulled my shit together.”

Wolf studied Ice’s face, saw the dark shadows under his troubled eyes, then he smiled. It was one of those smiles that Wolf rarely gave anyone besides Zoe and Keira, and as always, Ice was surprised at how it made ten years drop off his President’s face.

“Yeah, well.” Wolf clapped Ice on his muscled shoulder. “You can deal withthaton Monday too, huh?”

“‘That’?” Ice asked, bewildered. “Whatthat?”

“Not ‘what’,” Wolf said. “‘Who’.”

“Who?” Ice echoed, totally lost. “Whowho?”

“Jesus, are you turning into a goddamn owl, Johansson?” Wolf shook his head in mock exasperation. “Vixen, that’s who.”

“I – I don’t –” Ice stammered, feeling once again that he was letting down the Arctic calm of his name. “I’m not – she isn’t –”

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