Page 14 of Steel Trap
Rogue gave his hair a tug. “Quiet, brat.” He softened his words with a kiss.
“If I mightcontinue?” Hatchet rolled his eyes. “Rogue, Crow and Teddy will be with me. Adrian will be in uniform in his cruiser, parked nearby.”
“I’ll let the locals know there’s something going down and to stay away from the area,” Adrian said. “It shouldn’t be a problem—they’re stretched thin enough in that area and I have a few favors I can call in.”
Teddy gave Adrian’s thigh a squeeze. “Keep the uniformon for later, lover. Action makes me horny.”
“Everything makes you horny,” Adrian replied, his tone wry.
“Adrian’s role is to ensure Smith’s body is recovered safely after I shoot him.” Hatchet plowed on, ignoring the byplay between Teddy and Adrian. “Then bring him back here. Even if he protests, Adrian. Use your cuffs if you need to. I want his ass safe.”
“Got it.” Adrian shoved Teddy’s handaway from where Teddy was moving it toward his groin.
“That leaves Teddy, Crow and Rogue to back me up at the meet with Camacho. Between us, we need to convince him that The Wyverns want a stake in their distribution, direct from the factory.” He paused. “After that we split up. I go to the factory, everyone else hangs back then they take an alternate route. They’ll create enough of an incidentto get everyone out of the arts venue. I’ll deal with the factory workers.”
“Orlando and I have tickets for tonight’s event. I bought them online and we can pick them up on the door. We can make sure everyone gets out,” Shelton said.
“No!” Rogue and Crow shouted in chorus.
“You two are staying here.” Rogue turned Orlando around to face him. “No arguments.”
“What he said.” Crow scowled. “Haveyou been plotting?”
Shelton batted his lashes. “Maybe. A little. But you need us. We won’t be in any danger—the whole idea is to get people away from the action, isn’t it? We won’t stick out in an arty crowd. We can blend in.”
“He does have a point,” Hatchet conceded.
“You have to let us help,” Orlando begged, peppering Rogue’s face with kisses. “We’ll get into more trouble if you leave ushere alone.”
“You’re not going to let this go, are you?” Rogue and Crow exchanged glances. Crow gave a slight nod. “Fine.” Rogue didn’t sound happy. “You can ride in with Bull and Artie. They’ll drop you off somewhere safe.”
“Thank you, Sir.” Orlando snuggled against Rogue’s chest.
Shelton gave Crow an anxious glance. “I was going to tell you, I just never got the chance.”
“That’s okay. Whenthis is done, you and I will spend some time discussing full disclosure. I have a few ways to focus your attention. Youwillbe careful tonight, Shelton. The first sign of trouble and you run, understand?”
Shelton nodded. The movement made his glasses slip down his nose so Crow gave them a gentle push back up. Shelton got all doe-eyed behind his lenses.
Hatchet shook his head. “When you’re alldone with the lust vibes, perhaps we could get on?” He got no response but assumed that he had at least a part of The Wyverns’ collective attention. “When the factory goes up, we get clear as quickly as possible. Bull and Artie, go together. Shelton and Orlando, head back with Crow and Rogue. I’ll bring up the rear. No waiting for each other—agreed?”
“Agreed.” Rogue spoke and the others addednods and grunts of approval.
“Then let’s do this.” Hatchet waited until everyone but Rogue had dispersed. He sat next to him on the couch.
“Something on your mind, Hatch?”
“How did you guess?” Hatchet put his elbows on his knees then rested his head in his hands.
“Smith?”
“I don’t like how risky his part in this is.”
“You’re a good shot.”
“It’s not that I’m worried about. What if someoneelse gets a shot in and it isn’t aimed at his vest?”
“That’s a risk he seems to be prepared to take. We’ll look out for him best we can, you know that.”
