“We leave first thing in the afternoon, each of us going at different times, starting around two. We can’t be seen together. Transporter or Mechanic will have your assigned vehicle and your partner. I’ll send the assigned schedule of departures. Use the phones Code provides. You know the drill. Keep texting to a minimum. Dump the phones as soon as we’re on the road home and use the second ones until we’re back and only in an emergency.”
They nodded. They knew the drill. They’d run far too many of these operations together.
“Any last-minute questions?”
They all shook their heads.
“Good. The other very important thing we have to discuss this morning, Absinthe, is your lady. Code’s been monitoring Holden and he got word from the Venomous club that Torpedo Ink is harboring Scarlet. Holden is trying to reach out to the Diamondbacks, looking to get them on board,” Czar continued. “He hasn’t managed to make contact yet, but he has money and connection in the MC world. He will soon. How serious are you about this woman?”
“She’s my woman, one hundred percent,” Absinthe said without hesitation. “I’ve only had this last week alone with her, but it’s been good. Great. We’ve spent the time getting to know one another as best we could. I knew this was coming up fast and was lucky it got delayed as long as it did.”
“I suggest we have a wedding between now and tomorrow when we have to leave. The Diamondbacks won’t give up one of our old ladies. Family is family. Code, get the papers done so they can be married today. License, all of it. I presume you’re good with that?” Czar challenged.
Absinthe nodded. “I have no problem. Scarlet might freak, but only because she likes time to process. I’ve already been railroading her fairly fast.”
“She doesn’t have time,” Czar said. “I’ll get Blythe on an afternoon reception. Alena, can you handle a cake and the rest of it?”
“Of course, if we’re not here too long.”
“We’ve only got a couple of things to discuss.” Czar glanced at his watch and then picked up his cell to text Blythe. “We can have the ceremony at the house. It’s beautiful there and private, easily protected. Lana, can you help Scarlet with finding a dress?”
“I’ll try. It isn’t like there’s much here, Czar, in the way of wedding attire, but I’m sure all the women will help me. Blythe probably has the best connections. She knows the Drakes and they know everyone. Inez Nelson knows everyone as well. I’ll start reaching out as soon as the meeting’s over.”
Absinthe glanced at Transporter and Mechanic, a small half grin on his face. He could well imagine Scarlet’s face when he told her they were getting married in a matter of hours, that they’d have one night together and then he’d be leaving her with the other team to protect her, men and women she barely knew, while he went somewhere doing things he couldn’t tell her. That was all going to go over really well with a woman like Scarlet.
“We can pull some really great gifts together for her,” Ice said. “Women like to have gifts on their wedding day, right, Alena?”
Alena glared at him. “That depends. What are you up to?”
Ice winked at her. “We’re all just wanting to help Absinthe out with his lady and their wedding. You just make the cake. We’ll see to the gifts.”
Alena and Lana looked at each other and groaned, shaking their heads.
Czar tapped the table, getting everyone’s attention. “I’ve got one more item for today that’s very important. I’m proposing bringing in a new member. Rurik Volkov is a member of Torpedo Ink already. He belongs to the Trinity chapter, but he doesn’t really fit in with them. He’s had a difficult time there and the president has reached out to me and feels that he would do better here with us, and I agree with him. I’ve discussed this with a few of you already.”
“Why wouldn’t he fit with them?” Lana asked curiously. “Don’t they know him?”
Czar shook his head. “Rurik is not a man easily known to very many people. He’s much like Reaper or Savage. I think he makes the others uncomfortable.”
Alena made a rude noise under her breath, drawing a sharp glance from Czar, but she kept her head down and didn’t say anything.
“Gavriil, you went to school with him. What do you know about him?” Transporter asked.