Page 58 of Dancin' with Demons

“Kitty is the other one. Young girl that came up to Renegade the first night we came home?” Catacomb crosses his arms over his chest.

“Yeah, her. And the one brother, I don’t remember his name at the moment, but I don’t really go near him. Gives me the creeps, to be honest.”

“Hammer?” Reaper says, his voice even, and I know he’s tryin’ not to let Raylynn realize there’s somethin’ more in that.

She nods. “He came out and stood by the back of the building, smoking. I noticed when he came out but by the time we went in, he wasn’t there, so I don’t know how long he stayed. Why are you askin’ about club members?”

Her eyes dart between us and as she opens her mouth again, my office door comes burstin’ open, every eye and head spinnin’ in that direction.

“UNCLE PHOENIX!”

A flash of teal topped with a tuft of red damn near blurs into the room at top speed, beelinin’ toward my president. Pushin’ off the desk and bendin’, he barely moves fast enough before Savior launches herself at him. I don’t fail to notice the smile he’s tryin’ to keep off his face as he stand straight with the little girl in his arms.

“Aren’t you supposed to be in bed, princess?” Catacomb says with a chuckle as he stands and readjusts his arms a little to hold her better.

“I heard Aunt Sandra,” Savior says as she uses one hand to shove her hair out of her face. “She said you were here and I made you this,” she holds up a piece of paper, “and wanted to give it to you.”

“Savior,” Raylynn says in a stern tone, “next time, you stay in bed. The picture could’ve waited.”

“Nah,” Catacomb says, his smile widenin’ as he takes the paper from Savior. “Thank you, princess. I’ll put this on my wall at the clubhouse.”

I think we’re all a little surprised when Savior kisses Catacomb’s cheek before practically wigglin’ out of his arms. As soon as her feet hit the ground, she’s off back out the door like a fuckin’ roadrunner on crack.

“Listen,” Raylynn says takin’ a deep breath, “I know that club business isn’t my business, I get it.” Her eyes move from me to Catacomb, then to Reaper and the others. “And I appreciate everything you all have done for us.”

“You’re family, Ray,” Catacomb says in a controlled tone.

She pins him with what I can only describe as a death glare. “I get that. And I think you’re family, too, but this family doesn’t trump my daughter. So, whatever you’re hiding from me, you all better hope nothing’ happens to her because if it does, I won’t ever forgive you, and that might just be enough to turn me into the murderer instead of you.”

Without another word, she leaves and the tightness in my chest is painful to the point it’s hard to draw a breath. The last thing I want is for anythin’ to happen to either of my girls, and I sure as hell don’t want to push Raylynn away.

“Reaper, get Joshua,” Catacomb says before pinchin’ the bridge of his nose. “Take a breath, Renegade. She’s worried. We all are. But she’ll be fine. We ain’t gonna let nothin’ happen to her or Savior.”

“Yeah,” I huff, walkin’ around to sit behind my desk, “doesn’t mean I won’t lose ‘em by the time this is over anyway.”

The office door opens again, Reaper steppin’ in with Joshua behind him.”

“Prospect,” Catacomb motions for him to join us, “you’re gonna stay here and help protect Savior and Raylynn. No one comes in this house without Renegade’s approval outside of the Geek Squad, Reaper, Trickster and the officers. The only women allowed here are Miss Irene, Sandra, Lacey, Pint, and Rainie. You got me?”

Joshua doesn’t look away from our prez. “Sir, does this have anythin’ to do with Hammer?”

Every fuckin’ head snaps up and eyes the prospect standin’ just on the other side of the chairs.

“Whatever you know, kid, you better spill it before I get punch happy,” I growl.

Joshua doesn’t even flinch. “The other day at the clubhouse, I overheard him talkin’ to Snackcake in the hallway. He ain’t see me, and I didn’t linger long. But he said somethin’ to her about Panda and Hard-On wantin’ the kid to draw out the bitch.” He turns his eyes on me. “His words, not mine. But we ain’t got no other kids around except Savior.”

“He say anythin’ else?” Catacomb raps his knuckles on my desk, and I know he tellin’ me to chill.

“Somethin’ about needin’ it handled before Halloween,” Joshua says, “but I dipped after that when a few of clubwhores came down the hall. Sorry I don’t have more, Prez.”

Catacomb walks over and claps the prospect on the shoulder. “It’s all good, Joshua. Next time, though, come to me as soon as you hear anythin’ like that, okay? Especially if you think, for any reason, someone under our protection is in danger. I’d rather you open your mouth and be wrong.”

“Yes, sir,” he says with a nod. “Renegade, whatever I can do to help, just tell me.”

“For now, you’re gonna take the guest room next to Reaper’s,” I say, standin’ from my chair and comin’ around to join the rest of my brothers, “I don’t want Savior out of sight until we have this handled. If they want her as bait, they’re gonna have to expose ‘emselves to get her, and if they do, I’m snappin’ fuckin’ necks.”

As we head out of my office, there’s laughter comin’ from the kitchen. Reaper pushes through the rest of us and whistles to get the ladies’ attention, and immediately, Savior runs over to him.

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