Page 4 of Steel Trap
Chapter Two
Hatchet enjoyed the next two days because nothing happened. There were no explosions. Gunfights and gang warfare appeared to be taking a vacation. He knew it wasn’t going to last but the peace made a welcome change.Don’t say anything out loud, you’ll jinx it.He kept his mellow thoughts to himself.
“Smith has requested a meet,” Shelton said, making air quotes as he saidthe wordrequested. He was sitting on the couch in the communal area, laptop balanced on his knees. There was a bit more color in his cheeks. Rest and Crow’s undivided attention were doing him good.
Hatchet groaned inside. “Two more days and Rogue would be back. Fuck. Thought I’d gotten away with it,” he said. “I should have known it was too good to be true.”
“’fraid so,” Shelton said. He soundedsympathetic.
“When and where?” It was best not to argue. When Smith called, The Wyverns came running, albeit with a series of colorful curses on their lips. Hatchet didn’t object to seeing Smith again but he’d rather it was on his terms.
“Tonight. Midnight. He’s given a map reference, so give me a second to look it up.” Shelton’s fingers flew over the keys.
“Midnight. How fucking dramatic.Doesn’t that man realize I need my beauty sleep?”
Shelton’s hysterical laughter brought Crow and Teddy in from the kitchen.
“What’s going on?” Crow asked. He sat next to Shelton, so close their thighs pressed together.
Teddy shoved the remains of a chocolate chip cookie into his mouth, raising his eyebrows in inquiry.
“Hatch made a joke,” Shelton spluttered.
“Hey, I was being serious, brat.Are you in competition with Orlando for the most obnoxious sub prize or something?”
Shelton dissolved into giggles.
“Shelton,” Crow’s stern tone silenced Shelton as effectively as any gag. “I hope you weren’t being disrespectful.”
“No, Sir. Well, yes, Sir…but it was funny. Hatch really doesn’t need beauty sleep.”
“Nope. Perfect as I am,” Hatchet said, grinning.
Teddy snorted with laughter.
“I think a punishment may be in order,” Crow growled.
Shelton shifted his computer over his groin. Hatchet knew exactly what he was hiding.
“If we could get back on track here? Smith wants a meet and Shelton’s about to tell me where.”
“The coordinates are at The Scourge,” Shelton said. “Not the kind of place I’d have thought Smith would choose.”
The Scourge was a BDSM club in Phoenix wheremost of The Wyverns were members, though only Crow and Rogue were confirmed Doms. It was where Rogue had first met Orlando, an event Hatchet remembered well. The Wyverns had caused some mayhem that night—he wasn’t sure how welcome they’d be.
“Does Smith say I need to go alone?” Hatchet asked.
“No. Message just says be there by midnight. He’ll find you.”
“Fancy a night out, Crow?” Hatchet grinned.“Maybe you can combine it with Shelton’s punishment.”
Shelton’s eyes widened. “Sir, you wouldn’t!”
“Could be fun,” Crow said. “If we haven’t been banned, that is.”
“You, me, Teddy and Shelton then,” Hatchet said. “Artie and Bull can stay here. They can take turns on watch. Adrian will have to sit this one out, Teddy.”
“That’s cool,” Teddy said. “He needs some recovery time, anyway. We spenthis two days’ leave getting some vigorous exercise.”
