Page 93 of Toxic

“No. Some businessman with cartel connections,” Lock said with a shake of his head. “They’re asking us to come up and provide security for her and her family while they take this fucker out.”

“When?” Hush asked.

“Couple days.”

“Fuck yeah,” Smoke said, looking around.

“They’ve helped us with the same,” Static added. “No reason not to return the favor.”

“I already told him as much,” Lock said with a nod. “Figured you’d all agree.”

“We do,” Ricochet said. “No one touches our families.”

And that was what they were becoming, our brothers. Didn’t matter that they were in a different MC. We were friends. Family. And that was what we did for each other.

“How many are going?” Priest asked, getting down to the logistics of it.

“As many as we can spare,” Lock said. His gaze met mine. “You have enough going on, you should probably stay here.”

“Everything’s been quiet,” I pointed out. “We could go take care of the Saint’s Outlaw’s problem, then come back and handle this. Assuming nothing’s changed?” I asked, looking at Riptide for confirmation.

He shook his head. “This fucker’s a slippery piece of shit. Every time I get close he darts away again.”

“Which means he knows we’re onto him,” Idaho said.

“I hate the assholes who won’t hold still and take what they deserve,” Butcher muttered, cracking his knuckles.

Hellfire chuckled. “That’s because he knows you two crazy bastards will kill him.”

“Pops and Warrant are still here,” I said. “I can have them watch over Billie and the ranch.” They were out at the ranch right now, watching over it.

“We’re going to be splitting up our manpower pretty heavily,” Lock told me, leaning back in his chair. “We could use your help, but I don’t want to put your old lady in danger either.”

That was the last thing I wanted. Glancing over at Rip, I asked, “Where was the last place you tracked Brently?”

“Florida.”

Lock was tapping his finger on the table. “You don’t know where he is now?”

“Not yet,” Rip answered. “I’ll let you know as soon as I do.”

“I’ll rearrange my trip,” Priest offered. “It’ll give you more manpower and Toxic can stay here.”

“Not happening,” Lock replied, glaring at him. “Your wife deserves this trip. Besides, that’s four less people we need to watch over here. Bear, Mel, Dash, Static, and Idaho will stay here to watch over the clubhouse. Ricochet, Warrant, and Daryl will be out at Cholla Summit, and everyone else will head up to Phoenix.”

Lock turned his focus back on me as everyone began nodding. “I’ll talk to Cypher about keeping Warrant for a while.”

“Warrant said shit’s been quiet and boring,” I told him with a shrug. “Cypher will probably be glad to be rid of him. Hell, he might try to toss a few more of his guys our way just so he doesn’t have to deal with them.”

Everyone laughed at that. Lock nodded. “Cypher’s got enough keeping him busy, he doesn’t need all his officers and members spread thin, too.”

“Everythin’ alright?” Hush asked.

“Yeah, just busy on the business side of shit, I guess. Running a security firm like he does is bound to keep him jumping.” Lock sighed and raked a hand back and forth through his hair. “Rip, keep as close an eye on Brently as you can over the next few days. As soon as we get the call from Ruck, we’ll decide if it’s too risky to have Toxic head over to Phoenix with us. He and Butcher can stay back if Brently’s anywhere near Arizona.”

“That leaves you short-handed when potentially dealing with some cartel fuckers,” I pointed out with a growl. “There would only be four of you.”

“Hell counts as three,” Smoke countered.

---