T-Bone’s bald head turn red as a tomato, then purple while I fucking throttled him—
You will not reap.
My head snapped down and to the side, where Hades sat calmly next to my leg. His head tilted up, dark gaze meeting mine as his nose brushed the side of my hip.
“Well, aren’t you full of useful advice,” I glowered at him.
Their lives are not yours to take. You will not reap the Sons of Odin.
“We’ll see about that, dog.” I stepped off of the porch and headed into the street to meet the Sons at the edge of town.
Jandro quickly caught up to me. “What did Hades say?”
“I’m not allowed to kill T-Bone and Dyno,” I grumbled. “So let’s just hope that means Mari and the guys are okay. ‘Cause if they’re fuckin’ not, I don’t give two shits about defying an ancient god.”
My eyes slid down to Hades trotting calmly at my side, seeing if he’d have any more commentary. But except for the soft panting from his mouth, he kept silent.
The Sons were just cresting the hill when we made it to the base. Dyno veered off toward the governor’s house, the young blond woman clinging tightly to his back. T-Bone continued down the gentle slope to the bottom where we waited.
“Where are they?” I demanded before he even came to a complete stop on his bike.
“Safe and unharmed.” He tried to sound reassuring as he cut his engine.
“That’s not what I fucking asked.”
“Reap.” Jandro went to touch my shoulder, but I shook him off.
“Don’t fucking touch me. I’m not gonna repeat myself, T-Bone.”
“They’re in Toquerville. A neutral town about five hours from here.”
“Why?”
“Shadow took a bad hit and fell off his bike. Mari’s fine, but Shadow can’t ride and she won’t leave his side. Grudge and Larkan are watching over them.”
“Wait, what?” Jandro spoke up. “You’re saying Shadow took a hit? Our Shadow?”
T-Bone nodded. “Arrows with ropes attached. He got hit in the back.”
“Jesus,” Gunner blanched. “They fucking harpooned the guy.”
“Mari said something about an infection. She needs stuff from her medical kit and gave me a list.” T-Bone looked at each of us. “And she needs someone to bring it back to her. Said it was urgent.”
“I’ll go,” the three of us said in unison, like a bunch of stooges.
“It should be me,” Jandro said. “Reap, the club needs their president. Gun, we need you and Horus to keep eyes out. I’ll bring her stuff to her.”
“Probably for the best, as much I want to go,” Gunner said. “You know Shadow the best, anyway. If he’s that sick, he’ll probably feel better with you around.”
“Reap?”
“Yeah, fine. You go,” I muttered. “T-Bone, sorry for almost biting your head off.”
“It’s nothing, Pres. I completely understand.”
“No, I wasn’t finished.” I stepped closer to him, getting into his personal space. “If you come back a second time without my people, I won’t give you such a warm welcome.”
“Understood, president.” He didn’t swallow or shrink back, which I had to give him credit for. He knew his place with me, but wasn’t a pussy.
“You got that list?” Jandro broke in.
T-Bone fished a folded piece of paper from his cut pocket and handed it over.
“Chill out for an hour or so while I put this together.” Jandro smirked at him. “Hope your cajones can handle another long ride in the saddle today.”
“Nothing to worry about, VP,” T-Bone chuckled, caressing a hand over his bike seat. “My baby knows exactly how to handle my goods.”
“All right, then. I’ll see you in a bit.”
“What does she need?” The question came from Gunner, but we both looked over Jandro’s shoulders as he unfolded the list.
“IV bags, sterile tubing, tape, needles,” Jandro muttered, going down the list as we walked back toward the B&B. His head lifted as he refolded the paper and shoved it in his pocket. “While I got you guys, I should mention something about Shadow.”
“Isn’t there always something with him?” Gunner chuckled.
“I’m pretty sure he has a thing for Mari. And I think it’s reciprocated.”
“Wait, what?” Gunner grabbed his shoulder. “You serious?”
“Inside.” I jerked my chin toward the B&B’s front door just up ahead. “Let’s talk in private while you get Mari’s stuff together.”
Hades led us up the front porch, earning head scratches from Mrs. Potts, the B&B’s owner who was sweeping across the patio.
“Such a sweet dog you have,” she beamed at me.
“Thank you, ma’am,” I muttered as we made our way inside.
Our room had been tidied and cleaned. Thankfully, my cigarettes