Dark Guardian (Black Hoods MC #3) - Avelyn Paige Page 0,15

the town with a pretty lady like you.”

“Hey, Aaron.” Aaron and I had met a few years ago when I’d been called to work one of his cases for the Austin PD. He was a new hire at the time, and new to the area. After working together for a few weeks on the case, we’d struck up a rapport with each other.

“This isn’t a social call, is it?” His tone tells me he’s clearly disappointed.

“I wish it was, but I need your help. What do you know about the Black Hoods MC? I’ve got a new case they may be involved with.”

His voice goes cold. “They’re bad news, Gracie. If they’re involved, you’re going to need all the help you can get.”

“That’s precisely why I’m calling you.”

Judge

“That’s great. Thanks, Sharon.” Shoving my phone back into my pocket, I plaster a serious look on my face.

“What did she say?” Twat Knot asks, unable to take the silence any longer.

I sigh, as if I’m about to deliver bad news, but I can’t hold back my own grin. “They accepted the offer. We got ourselves a new garage, boys. I’ll sign later this afternoon and pay the lady.”

Cheers and hoots of excitement fill the meeting room, and though I usually like to keep our church meetings serious and business related, I join in. This garage is exactly what this club needs.

Sure, we have a purpose. We help people in trouble when the police aren’t doing their jobs, but that doesn’t pay the bills. Buying this garage will offer endless possibilities for the members of this club and their families. A new venture to financially support the club, and to add a desperately needed amenity to the neighborhood, as well as a way to help our new members and kids get work experience.

“To new futures!” Karma declares, holding his beer bottle high over the center of the table.

“And more money!” Twat Knot cheers as everyone clinks their bottles together in celebration.

Once everyone has settled, I take my seat at the head of the table, motioning for the others to do the same. “We’ve been so busy taking care of everyone else, it’s high time we take care of ourselves. We’ve worked hard for this, but now that we actually have the place, the hard work is just beginning.”

“Figures,” Twat Knot groans. I nod at Karma, who smirks and swats him across the back of the head.

“Things are about to get a lot busier around here, but the ride is going to be so fucking worth it. Who’s with me?” More cheers echo through the room, and I grin, slamming the gavel down on the table, ending the formality of our meeting. “Another round of beers!” I call out.

Everyone piles out of the room toward where the beer is kept. I’m right behind them, but stop when my phone rings. The name on the screen sets me into an instant panic.

Accepting the call, I press the phone to my ear. “Kevin, is everything okay?”

“No, I don’t think it is,” he whispers.

I close the door to the meeting room, muffling the sound of excited bikers in the other room. “What’s going on, kid?”

He continues to whisper. “There was some chick here today. She tried to tell us she was a friend. She was asking all kinds of questions about who we live with and who you are.”

Fuck.

“Did she give you her name?”

“Grace. That’s all she said. I didn’t tell her anything, I swear. I don’t think she works for the school, though. She looked like a social worker.” He’s seen enough of them to know.

Sighing, I rub my hand down my face. Figures. One good thing happens, only to immediately be followed by something bad. “It’s all good, Kev. I’ll look into it. You and your sister okay, though?”

“Yeah. Nat’s back in class, and I’m headed to mine now.”

“Good,” I mutter, distracted now by thoughts of who this Grace bitch might be and why she’s asking my kids questions at all. “Thanks for telling me, Kev. I’ll deal with it, okay?”

“Yeah, okay. Bye.”

As soon as the call disconnects, I go to the door and call out for Hashtag.

“What’s up?” he asks, slipping into the room and closing the door behind him.

“Someone was sniffing around the kids at school, some bitch named Grace. Didn’t give them any more info, but I got a bad feeling. Kevin said he was pretty sure she was a social worker.”

“What do you need from me?”

Groaning, I lean my ass against