Page 1 of Steel Trap
Chapter One
“We need a new fucking couch,” Hatchet grumbled. “My spine is turning into a pretzel.” He threw off the thin blanket covering him then swung his legs around so he could sit up. The scent of fresh coffee tickled his nostrils.
“So sleep in a bed like the rest of us,” Orlando said, far too bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for first thing in the morning. He stood next to the couchwafting a mug back and forth. His lime green top hurt Hatchet’s eyes.
“Gimme that coffee, brat.” Hatchet made a swipe for the mug but Orlando stepped away out of reach.
“Nope. This is for Smith. He deserves it more than you do.”
“He’s the reason I need a chiropractor on call.” Hatchet rubbed the sleep from his eyes. “Fuck, I need a shower.” He’d slept in an old T-shirt and sweats.
Orlando’sdelicate button nose wrinkled. “I could hose you down outside if you like?”
Hatchet levered himself erect. At his full height, he towered over Orlando. “The only scenario I’d enjoy involving you, me and a hose would have the nozzle invading a certain part of your anatomy.”
Orlando’s eyes widened. His lower lip quivered. He thrust the mug of coffee in Hatchet’s direction.
“You think I’m fallingfor that hurt puppy routine?” Hatchet grabbed the mug before Orlando could change his mind. He took a long swallow. “This was for me all along, wasn’t it?”
Orlando grinned. “I gave Smith his ages ago. You were still snoring. Like a water buffalo.” He scampered toward the kitchen before Hatchet could react. He’d need at least one more mug before he felt up to chasing after Rogue’s obnoxious sub.The coffee was good though.
“The brat giving you trouble?” Rogue, leader of The Wyverns motorcycle club, strolled over.
“Always.” Hatchet raised his mug in a mock-toast. “Makes good coffee, though, so providing you keep warming his ass on a regular basis, I can handle him.”
Rogue ran a hand through his dirty blond hair. “Well, you could be in for a few rough days. I’m thinking about headingout to California. A road trip, then a few days on the beach. I want to see if I can still stand on a surfboard without wiping out.”
Hatchet’s eyes narrowed. “Wait. You’re leaving him here?”
Rogue shrugged. “I told him we were both going, but he said he had to stay here and take care of Smith since you were doing… What were his words? Oh, yeah. A piss poor job of it.”
“He said what?”Roguehad better find himself a new plaything.By the time Hatchet finished burying the brat, they’d never find hide nor hair.
“I’m kidding. Yeah, we’re leaving later today. You okay to handle things here while I’m gone?”
“You know it. As long as you’re taking the brat with you. And, yeah, I almost had a heart attack when you suggested you weren’t.”
Rogue chuckled. “I’m going to let him know now.Smith’s leaving today, right?”
“So he says.” Hatchet shrugged. “Shelton thinks he should rest up a few more days but that man is stubborn as a mule.”
“At least you get your bed back.”
“There is that.” Hatchet stretched, easing the kinks from his muscles. He’d rather Smith remained in his bed, preferably naked, possibly tied down, but he wasn’t going to admit that to Rogue. From his grin, Rogueknew what he was thinking, anyway.
“I’ll have my cell. Call me if the world explodes.” Rogue carried on to the kitchen. A few seconds later, there was an excited scream, then Orlando passed Hatchet at a run, heading for the bedroom wing. Hatchet shook his head. He ambled through to the kitchen in search of food. Crow was dishing up bacon from a sizzling pan.
“Hey, Hatch, you wanna eat?” Crowgestured at him with a spatula.
“Sure do. How come you’re cooking?”
“Thanks to Rogue, Orlando had a packing emergency. He abandoned breakfast. Shelton’s still in bed. He had a late night.”
Hatchet could guess why. Crow couldn’t keep his hands off his young lover. “I’ll take some eggs if you haven’t charcoaled them too badly.” He joined Rogue at the table. “You want anything specific done inthe next few days?”
“Nah.” Rogue shook his head. “There’s been no news about new jobs from Trap, though that might change when Smith gets back to work. Keep Bull and Artie on watch duties—they’ve had the most rest recently. Teddy’s in town with the Sheriff, but he’s available if you need him.”
“Shelton’s still more tired than he’s saying after his unscheduled trip to Mexico,” Crow said. “We’llbe hanging around here. I’ll service the dirt bikes and get some other general maintenance done while he rests up.”
