Page 35 of Gator

He stepped out of the cell, clapping the officer on the back in what I could only describe as an overly familiar way, and turned to me with that mischievous glint in his eyes. “You know, I was actually startin’ to miss you while I was in here.”

“Flattery won’t save you this time,” I said sharply, crossing my arms. “You owe me a meal. And not just any meal—one that doesn’t involve me having to bail you out first.”

“Deal,” he said with a wink, throwing an arm around my shoulders as we made our way out of the station. “But next time, bring the oatmeal with you. I heard it’s life changing.”

“Hey, boss!” Donut shouted from another cell. “What about us?”

Turning, I stared at the rest of the Bourbon Kings and sneered at the man next to me. “I don’t have that kind of bail money, Wade.”

Wade looked at the officer and smiled. “What do you say, Beau? For old time’s sake?”

The officer groaned and unlocked the cell, letting Donut, Juju, Worm, Braveheart and Thore out. “Next time, Gator, tell your woman to bring more cash.”

“Next time, I’m calling mymôman. She answers her phone,” Gator shouted as we stepped out into the sunlight, his arm still slung lazily around my shoulders. “So, you gonna lecture me all the way to the bar, or do I get to enjoy a little peace before the sermon starts?”

I shrugged off his arm, shaking my head. “Oh, don’t worry, Wade. You’ll get your sermon. Right after you figure out how to keep your little entourage out of jail for more than twenty-four hours.”

Donut jogged up to us, rubbing his wrists where the handcuffs had been. “Hey, Dev, I didn’t mean to cause no trouble last night. I swear it was Braveheart’s idea to—”

“Don’t even start,” I interrupted, holding up my hand. “I don’t want to hear whatever excuse you’ve cooked up. Just get in the car. I’m tired, hungry and in desperate need of a nap.”

Braveheart, with his perpetually sheepish grin, raised a hand defensively. “In Donut’s defense, it was Worm’s lighter.”

Wade chuckled, slapping Braveheart on the back as if this were all part of some grand, amusing adventure. “Relax, boys. We’re all out now, and that’s what matters. Let’s get back to The Bourbon Bar and figure out how to stay outta Beau’s hair for at least a week.”

I shot him a skeptical look. “A week? That’s optimistic.”

He winked, his grin never faltering. “Gotta aim high,Chèr. Now, why don’t you drive? I’ll navigate.”

“Navigate?” I snorted. “You couldn’t navigate your way out of a paper bag.”

Donut, Juju, and the rest of the crew piled into the black hearse amid a chorus of groans and laughter. As I slid into thedriver’s seat and started the engine, Wade leaned back, propping his boots on the dashboard like he owned the vehicle.

“Alright, gang,” he said, his voice carrying that familiar tone of mischief. “First stop, the bar. Second stop, wherever the night takes us.”

I sighed, glancing at him. “You do realize it’s barely noon, right?”

He shrugged. “No better time to get started. Besides, you’re the one who said I owe you a meal. I intend to deliver.”

Chapter Sixteen

“Boss, this isn’t going to work,” Worm spoke up as I reclined in my worn La-Z-Boy with my feet up on the table. “You can’t keep this shit from her. She will find out eventually and when she does, she’s gonna skin your ass alive. Your woman doesn’t strike me as a gal who enjoys being kept in the dark.”

“Worm is right, boss,” Thore added. “Your woman is smart. Got that you are trying to build somethin’ here, but hiding the truth of what we do ain’t the way to go.”

“Devlyn’s got enough on her plate cookin’ my babes,” I stated.

“And she’s gonna cook ye balls if she learns what really happened last night,” Braveheart advised sharply.

“The boys are right, Gator.” Juju sighed, trying the pragmatic approach. “Devlyn’s been around the club life before. She knows the drill. I say we bring her in and brace for impact.”

I knew they were right. My woman grew up in Rosewood, Virginia. Been around the Sons of Hell her whole life. Hell, her sister was married to a brother in the club. She knew what MCs were capable of, and that most didn’t exactly walk the straight and narrow.

Hell, I didn’t even straddle the line.

I was firmly on the other side.

You know, the opposite side to the Po-Po.

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