Page 13 of Steel Trap
“If you text Orlando to tell him about me and Smith, I willpay Crow to lock you in a chastity cage for the next month. Understand?”
Shelton gulped. He gave Crow a pleading look.
“Oh, no. Not gonna work. You and Orlando are trouble, and besides, I like the idea of putting that pretty dick of yours somewhere safe. Just think how hard you’ll come when I finally set you free.” Crow was straight faced, but there was a twinkle in his eyes.
“And on that note,”Hatchet said, “I’m gonna crash.” Neither Crow nor Shelton was taking the slightest bit of notice of him as he left. He guessed Shelton was going to be in for an interesting night.
Hatchet jacked off in the shower imagining Smith head down and bare ass up. His hand wasn’t as satisfying as the real thing, but it would have to do. He had every intention of getting Smith into his bed again as soonas possible. As it was, when he slipped between the sheets he fancied he could still detect Smith’s scent. All he had to do was ensure Smith didn’t get dead in the next twenty-four hours. He laughed. Actually, Smith did have to get dead. It was Hatchet’s job to make sure the condition didn’t become permanent.
* * * *
To Hatchet’s surprise, he slept well, his dreams colored by a seriesof kink-filled tableaux involving him, Smith and a collection of sex toys Rogue would have been proud of. He dealt with a few bodily necessities then pulled on underwear and an old pair of jeans. Bare-chested and scratching his belly, he ambled toward the kitchen and the siren call of bacon. He pushed through the swing door to find Teddy, Adrian and Rogue had already beaten him to the table. Orlando,barefoot and wearing the tiniest pair of shorts Hatch had ever seen, was juggling a spatula and several pans as he cooked. He was singing a song Hatchet couldn’t identify and wiggling his ass in time to the beat. Hatchet sent Rogue a questioning glance. He’d expected Orlando to be a sulking ball of fury, not a bouncing bundle of happiness.
Rogue slipped off his Aviators, revealing the dark shadowsbeneath his light blue eyes. “Teddy filled me in. You did the right thing getting us back here. What the fuck does Smith think he’s up to?”
“Dunno.” Hatchet took a seat. He poured himself a mug of coffee from the pot on the table then added two heaped spoons of sugar. “I think he’s trying to prove a point to someone—that he’s not just a behind-the-scenes guy.”
“Didn’t he already do that in Mexico?”
“Who the fuck knows what makes that man’s brain tick? What counts is that I convinced him not to be a jackass.”
“So, I hear. Finally got in Smith’s pants, huh?”
Teddy and Adrian clinked their mugs together amid snorts of laughter. Hatchet groaned. “Shelton has a big mouth. Where is he?”
“He and Crow ate earlier then disappeared. Crow was muttering something about padlocks.” Rogue grabbed theback of Orlando’s shorts and tugged him backward. “How’s the food coming, sweetheart? My stomach thinks my throat’s been cut.”
“Nearly done. Oh, hey, Hatchet. Did you miss me?” Orlando smiled sweetly.
Hatchet checked around him for booby traps.
“What do you think of my tan? We found this great place where we could sunbathe nude.”
Hatchet avoided making eye contact with Rogue.
“ThoughI did get sand in some very awkward cracks, if you know what I mean?”
Hatchet was still waiting for the bomb to drop but Orlando just went back to cooking. When Hatchet got his plate of food there was no sign of foreign objects and it smelled normal. He just caught a glimpse of Orlando’s wicked grin and sighed. Orlando was biding his time, plotting his revenge. Hatchet would have to be on alertfor days waiting for whatever Orlando’s devious brain was concocting.
“Well, I’m glad you’re back.” Hatchet crunched on some bacon.
“This is still your show, Hatch.” Rogue massaged his neck until Orlando stepped in to take over. “You’re the lead on this one.”
“I’ll take care of my end of things. I’ll still need you in charge of everything else because I won’t be able to communicate once I havean in with the drug runners.” Hatch didn’t mind being in charge, but Rogue was their natural leader and Hatchet was happy to stand at his shoulder.
“Whatever you need. Once we’ve eaten, we’ll get everyone together and go over the plan. Then we rest up. It’s going to be a long night.”
* * * *
A couple of hours later, The Wyverns convened in the communal lounge. Orlando sat on Rogue’s lapwhile the others arrayed themselves on various couches and chairs. Shelton had his ever-present laptop balanced on his knees.
“Here’s the order of play,” Hatchet announced. “Bull and Artie leave first. They have the most experience with explosives so they get to wire the fuel dump. Shelton will disable the security remotely.”
“Got it,” Bull said, rubbing his hands together. “Then we take uppositions on nearby rooftops to provide covering fire if needed. We wait for your signal before setting off the fireworks.”
“Yep. Keep your fingers away from the detonators until everyone’s clear of the building or we’ll all be crispier than Orlando’s bacon.”
“I do make good bacon,” Orlando contributed.
