Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 57726 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 192(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57726 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 192(@300wpm)
“I’ll bring some rolls out to you immediately. It’s a pleasure to have you dine with us.”
He returned with several baskets of rolls as the waitress asked for their drink order. A minute later, Salvador returned to set a cup of pasta fagioli soup in front of Winnie. “Try this for me. I’m perfecting my recipe.”
She dipped the spoon into the beef and vegetable soup and devoured a big bite. Winnie wiggled happily in her chair. “This is amazing. I wouldn’t change it at all.”
“You keep eating. Maybe you’ll have some suggestions when you’re finished,” Salvador instructed. “Scythe, let me know if you need anything else.”
“You’re the best, Salvador. I owe you one.”
The restauranteur nodded solemnly. He understood Scythe didn’t promise anything lightly. A commitment from the Devil Daddies could come in handy.
When Scythe felt a tap on his shoulder, he turned. He met the gaze of an older woman he thought he remembered was an aunt.
“You take good care of Winnie,” she observed.
“Yes.”
“I might decide I like you. I’m Beatrice. Winnie’s mother is—was my sister.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Beatrice. I’m sorry about your sister. I didn’t get to know her, but she produced Winnie. That makes her incredible in my book.”
Winnie paused in eating her soup to nudge him. Scythe dropped a kiss on that naughty shoulder when she straightened. A second poke made him turn back to Beatrice.
“I like you, biker guy. What’s your name?”
“Scythe.”
“Where did that come from?” Beatrice asked.
“Aunt Bea! That’s really none of our business,” Winnie jumped in. Scythe could tell she was concerned what he would say.
“I grew up on a farm. Believe it or not, when it sold, one of the things I saved was an antique scythe my great-grandfather used to cut hay years ago when he started his farm,” Scythe explained.
“I like that. You remember your roots and your family,” Beatrice stated firmly and glared across the table. “Scythe is good people. Be nice.”
Instantly, the tone at the gathering changed. The relatives went from whispering and avoiding eye contact to chattering easily with each other. A cousin asked his opinion about a couple of bikes he was debating about buying. Winnie’s hand wrapped around his thigh and squeezed. He dropped his over hers and returned the gesture. It appeared that whoever Beatrice liked, the family would accept.
Chapter 22
Spotlighted by the security lighting interrupting the midnight murkiness, Scythe scanned those gathered near the back warehouse. They joked and gave each other hell. The Devil Daddies were close. Working, playing, and living together had forged bonds between the bikers. Scythe didn’t know how Lucien had created this group, but he was glad Lucien led the MC.
A hush fell over the crowd when Lucien arrived last. The Devil Daddies clustered around him, eager to find out what tonight’s ride entailed.
“We’re going to intercept a shipment coming in. Our arrival and acquisition will not be expected. Use whatever force required to achieve our objective.”
“Do we need a truck?” Toxin asked.
“No. Our bikes will handle the volume of goods. Make sure you have room in a covered place. We go in cloaked. No visible Devil Daddies’ logos,” Lucien instructed. “You’ll leave in five after you’re prepared and your Road Captain shares the details.”
Immediately, the bikers returned to their motorcycles. They opened their saddlebags and pulled out the inner liners of each storage area. After setting those safely by the warehouse, they shrugged out of their cuts and grabbed the additional armor shields. Hooking this reinforced leather to the back of their cuts, they covered the Devil Daddies’ patches from their shoulders to their waists.
As he shrugged into his refashioned cut, Scythe scanned the group, doing a last-minute check to make sure he had an accurate count on the men joining the ride. He noted each member in his mind. Scythe never left anyone behind.
He sensed a presence behind him and turned to meet Razor’s gaze. “How you can move without making a sound even in biker boots baffles me,” Scythe said, shaking his head.
“I’m part panther,” Razor told him with a straight face.
“Of course you are. I’ll keep you updated,” Scythe promised, knowing the doctor was there to respond in case of an emergency. “You’re sticking around. It may be a while.”
“I’m here. I have a cot in the medical bay.”
“A good reason to put in all those hours of study,” Scythe said with a smile. Sleep was not in his immediate future.
“You could take me with you,” Razor pointed out.
“Lucien says no.”
Razor thrust his hand through his short hair in exasperation. “That man is as stubborn as an ox.”
“That I am,” Lucien said quietly.
Razor gave Scythe a killer glance for not telling him that Lucien had approached before turning to the MC boss. Lucien simply held up his hand to stop Razor’s argument.
“You’re never going. Too valuable,” Lucien stated bluntly. He looked at Scythe. “Your task is important, but be careful. I want to see everyone home safe.”