Thunder (Hell's Handlers MC #10) - Lilly Atlas Page 0,36

the guys not to worry about him. He was handling that shit fine, but truth be told, he’d had a few fucking nightmares where he was going about his typical day, and one of his brothers exploded right before his eyes.

Fuck, not the time for that shit. “So what do you need from me?” he asked before clearing his throat. Anything to keep from falling down the rabbit hole of bad memories.

“Got word that the CDMC will be celebrating this weekend. Getting rid of the pigs on their backs means time to party.”

“And what? You want eyes on the place?” He’d jump on any chance to be involved in eliminating the CDMC. Maybe then, he’d be able to rid his mind of the gruesome image of Viper’s lifeless body. It had only been through sheer force of will he’d been able to enter the diner at all once the remodel had been complete, and each time he did, he had a moment of panic before stepping inside. Fuck yeah, he’d take on this task.

Screw nodded as he lifted Gumby’s coffee cup to his lips. “Exactly,” he said after taking a sip. “Knew you were quicker than you look.”

With a roll of his eyes, Gumby slid the mug back in front of himself. “You can’t insult the guy if you’re trying to get him to do you a favor. And why the hell do you always decline coffee if you’re just gonna drink mine?”

“Well, I called it a favor, but I was lying. It’s an order,” Screw said, with a smirk for Thunder and a kiss for Gumby’s cheek.

Thunder grunted as he folded his arms across his chest. No surprise there. Screw was about a subtle as a bull.

“And I swipe your coffee because it tastes like you.” He winked at Gumby whose gaze seemed to heat at the words.

“You do like the way I taste, don’t you?” Gumby asked, his voice dropping a few octaves.

“Damn straight. Love the way Jazzy tastes too. Man, she went nuts when—”

Ohh, this is getting good.

Gumby cleared his throat and widened his eyes in Thunder’s direction, which made Screw turn a scowl his way.

“What?” Thunder asked with a shrug. He tried to mash his lips together but couldn’t keep the smirk from creeping across his face. “Don’t pipe down on my account. I’d love to know what you two dirty dogs did to Jazzy last night. Or did you say this morning?”

Screw flipped him off again.

“Oh, come on, man, you used to be so much more fun before you went and put a shackle around each of your legs,” he said around a laugh.

All that did was earn him another middle finger.

“Just tell me if you’re in, fucker.”

“Of course, I’m in. Whatever you need.” He drained his coffee. “All kidding aside. You name it, I’m there. Any time, any place. Especially if it involves those fuckers.”

Screw held out a fist. “Know it, brother. Feels good to call you that.”

“Feels even better to hear it,” Thunder said as he tapped his knuckles to Screw’s then Gumby’s.

“It’s gonna be you and Mav. I’ll have him get with you on the details before Saturday.”

Thunder stood, then tossed a few bills, including a healthy tip, on the table. No criticism to the chef. The food rocked, as usual. He just wasn’t in the mood to eat anymore.

As he walked toward the door, Shell crossed his path, carrying an empty coffee carafe. “Leaving already?” she asked, a wrinkle across her forehead.

“Yeah, got some business to attend to. Hey, you know Mak’s address?”

Shell tilted her head and studied him.

After a good fifteen seconds, he couldn’t ignore the urge to squirm. “What is it, Shell?”

“Why do you want her address?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Nosey ol’ ladies,” he muttered.

Shell shrugged, completely unrepentant. “She’s dealing with a lot, Thunder. Just want to make sure you’re not gonna jerk her around. I don’t know if it’s a good idea for you to head out to her place. It’s…she’s just got a lot on her plate already without having to deal with a womanizing biker on top of it all.”

He ran a hand down his face. “What the fuck, Shell? It’s not like I leave a trail of devastated hearts all across Tennessee. Not looking to make the chick fall in love with me. Just have some shit to talk to her about.” Was that how they all saw him? A womanizing heartbreaker? It was almost laughable, considering he hadn’t fucked a woman he’d pursued in