Chapter 27
“Change of plan, Bird,” Rosalee spoke into her cell as she walked from the back of the townhouse and headed for the little corner market where she had left the biker waiting for her. “I know how we can finally get to Hawk.”
Several minutes later, she met up with the scrawny, long legged VP of the Knights. She was quickly losing her patience with the man. There wasn’t much that she liked about him, other than his loyalty to her. Hell, Rosalee was even beginning to tire of fucking the man. Time to get her work here done so she could rid herself of the annoyance. Bird leaned against his bike, his booted feet crossed at the ankle, hands shoved into his jeans’ pockets. He wore a tattered tee under his motorcycle cut, and a pair of oil-stained jeans. The man utterly repulsed her.
He scratched the back of his neck as he looked at her. “So what’s this new plan? Hopefully, better than the last. This fucker just won’t go down.”
“Never thought I’d see the day, but apparently the fool has found himself in love.”
“Hawk? Seriously? That fuck chases everything in a skirt from what I hear. Has quite the reputation.”
“Seems the little brunette, who lives in that townhouse, has caught his attention in a big way.”
“So what’s the plan? Wait until he leaves … follow him—”
“Don’t be an idiot. That’s the plan we’ve been working, dipshit. And he always seems to be one step ahead of us.” A smile rose on her lips. “No, we wait until he leaves and follow the girl. I overheard her say something about going into work. Less chance of one of the Sons seeing us, especially since I heard Hawk say he was calling a church meeting. They’ll all be preoccupied.”
“So what do we do?”
“You are going to get us a van. We can’t just kidnap her on the back of this rat trap you call a motorcycle.”
Birds brow creased. “What’s wrong with my bike?”
“For starters, it looks like it could use a good mechanic.” Rosalee was used to the bikes most of the Sons rode, but then again, they owned a shop so they took pride in their rides. “Get a van, and I’ll call you later, tell you where to meet me. I have a feeling this bitch will be easy pickings. And there is no doubt, that when Hawk finds out we have her, he’ll do anything to protect her … including sacrificing himself.”
“Then what?”
Rosalee narrowed her gaze. “What do you mean? My revenge against Hawk will be complete and Viper will be devastated. Although, I’ll still be far from finished with Viper.”
Bird stood to his full six-foot height. He could certainly use a little meat on his bones. Rosalee shivered in revulsion. It was definitely time to cut this scum loose.
“I was talking about our bargain, witch.”
Rosalee moved so fast, Bird didn’t have time to blink as he flipped over the seat of his bike and landed on the tarmac. “Call me witch again and see what happens, Bird.”
“Fuck!” He rubbed the back of his skull, coming away with a bit of blood on his hand. “You’re a crazy, bitch.”
“Don’t forget that for one minute, Bird.”
“If you’re going to make me your mate, we may need some ground rules. Starting with you flipping out. It ain’t cool.”
Rosalee laughed. What a fool. Thank goodness he didn’t know she didn’t have the ability to turn him. Besides, there was no way she’d saddle herself with this freak.
“Yes, Bird, I’ll keep my word when this is all said and done and you will get to become a vampire, just like me,” she said, sarcasm dripping from her words. “Now get your sorry ass out there and find me a van to stow the little brunette away in. Nondescript, asshole. I don’t need something with loud graphics on the side. Now, I need to get back to the townhouse so I don’t miss Hawk’s lady love leaving for work. I’ll follow her and call you when I know where to have you bring the van.”
Bird brushed the dirt from his ass before stepping over the seat of his bike, then started the engine. “I should have a van within the hour.”
“Good. Then wait for my call. Now get the hell out of here.”
Rosalee turned and ran the short distance back to the house, just in time to see Kaleb exiting the front door as he shoved his arms into his motorcycle cut. Stopping on the cement stoop, he turned, kissed the brunette on the lips, then headed down the stairs toward where he left his new ride. Rosalee smiled at the thought of his old chopper. Rest in peace. Kaleb kicked up the center stand, turned the key and hit the electric start. The bike rumbled to life. He took one last look at the brunette as he snapped on his skull cap, gave her a wink before perching his sunglasses on the bridge of his nose, then headed off down the road.
Rosalee watched as the brunette entered the house and shut the door behind her, the soft click of the lock sliding into place carrying to her ears. She’d wait her out, follow her to work, and hopefully find the perfect opportunity to take the bitch. Kaleb would no doubt come to her rescue … and then he’d finally take his last breath. Good riddance to one of Vlad’s descendants.
* * *
Kaleb glanced out the window of the clubhouse meeting room, waiting for the others to arrive. Cara continued to sit by Tamera’s bedside. Another day and the change should be complete and the woman’s pain finally gone. He couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for the redhead, even if she had caused her own problems by feeding from Grayson. Going through the transformation without a mate by your side, couldn’t be easy. Sure, Cara had been there for her every step of the way, but it simply wasn’t the same. His true sympathy, though, rested with his VP. What a hell of a fix he had gotten himself into. Saddled to a woman Kaleb would bet he barely knew.
When it came to women, and playing the field, Grayson was far more of a womanizer than Kaleb or Kane. He jumped ship quicker than any of the Sons and yet, women never seemed to mind. They flocked to him like seagulls looking for a crumb. Grayson always had an overabundance of willing candidates. Kaleb supposed his laid-back and jaunty outlook had a lot to do with it. When it came to most matters, he conquered them with a smile and not a care in the world. Kaleb knew first hand though, appearances could be deceiving. Grayson might have been built slightly smaller than both he and Kane, but the vampire knew how to throw down and not one of the Sons could keep up with him. He had watched Grayson fell much bigger men. That boy packed one hell of a punch and knew how to fight. Even relished a good brawl.
The door opened and Kane walked through, taking his seat at the table. He might not have voting rights, but he’d always be a respected member. Maybe one day Kaleb would see about reinstating some of his rights. After all, he was a Tepes and, as so, should have his say in all club matters. But Kaleb wasn’t about to give his twin the power to hold a position at the head of table again, not as long as he remained club pres. He supposed his ego had something to do with it, but now that he wielded the gavel, he wasn’t about to hand that back to Kane.
“How’s Tamera doing?”
“She’s a trouper. She’s almost made it through the change and hasn’t hardly bad-mouth Gypsy. How the fuck does that happen? I swear Cara chewed me a new ass through the entire process.” Kane chuckled. “Even if I was the one to save her life.”
“Sounds like her.”
“You know you like her, Hawk. You might as well admit it.”
Kaleb rolled his eyes. “Just keep your woman under control, Viper, and I’ll like her that much better.”
“So what’s on the agenda?” Viper leaned back in his chair and linked his fingers behind his head, his straight, black hair reaching his shoulders.
Though twins, they often times looked nothing alike, at least that was Kaleb’s belief. His hair was nearly as long as Kane’s, but his waves gave it a shorter appearance. He supposed in size and build they were much the same. But facial features? Kane’s cheekbones were sharper, his cheeks more hollow, giving him the more fierce look of the two. Kaleb supposed it had something to do with him being hours younger and Kane making himself protector all these years, even if Kaleb hadn’t asked for it.
“Rosalee, as always, and bringing on new prospects, along with a few other matters.”
Kaleb wasn’t ready to share the information with Kane just yet about Suzi. He’d hear when the rest of the Sons did. He was sure to take shit from his twin as much as he gave over Cara. Kaleb supposed he even deserved it.
“You talk to Red … tell him about the vote?”
Kane nodded. “I did. He’s none too happy about it. Said he had given us forty percent of the cut, and that was more than generous for us to continue our loyalty to his club.”
“Fucker has it backward, Viper, and you know it. He’s to show us his loyalty. He needs to be put in his place.”
“I can’t argue that.” Viper leaned forward again, placing a forearm on the table. “That’s why Cara and I are going to see him following today’s meeting, followed by a trip to the nursing home to visit her grandfather. It will be just a meet and greet between Red and me. I’ll see that he knows his place, but I’ll also keep that line open. I think once this all blows over and we discover who the fuck is helping Rosalee, we need to revisit that vote.”
“I’ll take it into consideration. I’m not saying we can’t still use them as a puppet club. However, they might be more useful to us if we talked about patching them over. That way, loyalty is no longer a question.”
“You might be right.”
Kaleb grinned at his twin. “I’m always right, bro. But for now, let’s keep patching them over between us. First agenda, we need to find your ex bitch and whoever the hell is working with her and cut their fucking heads off.
“I couldn’t agree more,” Anton said as he walked into the room. “Any idea where she’s hiding out yet?”
“No doubt in Lane County, Blondy. She ain’t going far from her prey … me,” Kaleb added.
Shortly thereafter, the rest of the Sons started filing in and taking their seats around the table, talking amongst themselves. Everyone was in attendance except for Grayson. As VP, he was required to attend all meetings. He wasn’t about to let the vampire slide because of the unfortunate turn of events.
“Blondy,” Kaleb got the secretary’s attention. “Where the hell is Gypsy?”
“I’m right here, Hawk,” Grayson said as he walked through the door. “No fucking reason to get all bent out of shape.”
“I wasn’t sure where the hell your head was these days.”
“I moved out, Hawk, that has nothing to do with my loyalty to this club.”
“And your duty to help your mate?”
Grayson flopped into his seat. “I won’t even dignify that with an answer. Now can we get onto business and get the subject off me?”
“You’re an ass, Gypsy,” Anton said.
“Duly noted, Blondy,” Grayson all but growled. “Go ahead and write that in the minutes.”
“I see you two roommates are getting along famously.” Kaleb chuckled. “But yes, we do have business to discuss.”
The room quieted as he stuck the plate with the gavel. “First and foremost, let it be known that Grayson has taken on a mate without club approval as you are all already aware. I put it to a vote that there be no disciplinary action given due to the circumstances. Shall we take it to a vote?”
“Yay,” Joseph, the Sergeant in Arms, replied. “I second the vote.”
Once everyone agreed to allow Grayson’s slight to go without retribution, Kaleb moved on to the second order of business. “Prospects. Do we have any hangarounds worth bringing up?”
“There’s a guy at the Rave who seems pretty cool. Goes by the name of Rocker,” Grigore said. “Not sure of his real name. Got into a heated exchange with an idiot on Disco Biscuits and Rocker was quick to see if I needed him when about four of this jerk’s friends thought to take me down. Short of it, the crew of imbeciles backed down and I thanked Rocker for his interference. We’ve been friendly since.”
“You willing to sponsor him, Wolf?”
He shrugged. “Yeah, I think he could be good for the club. He’s loyal. I’ve seen him in a few other skirmishes. He can hold his own.”
“All those in favor of making Rocker a prospect?” The “yays” traveled the table. “Anyone else?”
“I know a guy named Constantine Dalca, goes by the name Lightning,” Alexander said. “Lives around the corner from me, bought his last bike from the shop. Fucker has no fear.”
“You willing to sponsor him, Xander?”
He nodded.
“Then all those in favor of Lightning becoming a prospect?” Again the approval traveled the table. “Then we have two new prospects. Bring them to the clubhouse for a meet and greet.”
“We any closer to finding that primordial bitch?” Alexander asked. “I’d certainly like to hear she lost her head after trying to divest me of mine.”
“She’s still our top priority, Xander. Trust me, no one wants to catch her more than me,” Kaleb said. “I still want all eyes out there looking for her and the rat that’s helping her. She will eventually slip up, and even Mircea won’t be able to rescue his wicked stepdaughter this time.”
When no more was said than voiced approvals on the matter, Kaleb cleared his throat. “We have one more item to table, then we can call it a meeting.”
Nervous tension twisted his gut, in fear of the vote going against him. He couldn’t think of one reason to be denied, but one negative vote would cost him his lifetime with Suzi. All members had to agree, and once voted upon, it couldn’t be brought back up for revote.
“Everyone here knows Suzi Stevens, probably fed off her, and the fact I made her my personal donor.” Most nodded, though no one commented, so he continued, “I plan to take her off the market for good.”
“Just what the hell do you plan to do with her, Hawk?” Grigore asked. “I doubt she’s done anything worth taking her out. Or did she do something grave like reveal what we were to an outsider?”
“Nothing like that, Wolf.” Kaleb toyed with the gavel, then looked each one in the eye, ending with his twin. Finally, he said, “I plan to take her as my mate.”
One of Kane’s brows rose. “That’s rich … you who gave me so much shit over my mate.”
“This is different, Viper.”
“How so, bro? I loved Cara, and the way I see it, that’s no different.”
“Because I’m doing it by club rules and asking for the vote.”
Kane leaned back. “You know I had no choice. It was that or let her die.”
“So you’re going to hold my prejudice against me in my own desire to take a mate?”
His twin smiled. “Just busting your balls, Hawk. Besides, I don’t get a vote. If I did, it would be in your favor. If you love her, then I’m all for her becoming your mate. I’m sure Cara wouldn’t give any arguments.”
Kaleb ran a hand down his lightly whiskered jaw. “I don’t suppose. Do I get any arguments from the rest of this motley crew?”
Anton was the first to speak up. “Take it to a vote, Hawk. We’ll be happy to take you off the market. With you, Viper and Gypsy—”
“Fuck you, Blondy,” Grayson said. “No one is taking me out of the game. Viper and Hawk may be pussy whipped, but that redhead in there is mate in name only. Not going to argue that point with any of you.”
“So she’s free to take on lovers?” Anton asked.
“No fucking way. She gave up that right when she bit my sorry ass.”
“You’re a hypocrite, Gypsy.”
“What the hell is your interest, Blondy? You wanting to fuck my mate?”
The table moved a half a foot as Anton bounded out of his chair and braced his hands on the surface as he leaned toward Grayson. “I would never touch another’s mate.”
“Then we don’t have a problem.” Grayson stared down the blond vampire.
Kaleb struck the gavel against plate. Anton retook his seat and silence descended about the room. “This isn’t about your problems, boys. Take it up outside. Let’s put this to a vote so that we can get out of here and on with the real issue at hand, the bitch primordial wanting to take my head. All those in favor of Suzi Stevens becoming my mate?”
“Yays” traveled about the room, and to his relief, not a single “nay.” Kaleb should have been scared shitless about taking a mate and ending his days as a single vampire. Instead, he couldn’t wait for Suzi’s shift to end so that he could tell her in person. His smile rose as he struck the gavel against the plate again.
“Then this meeting is adjourned.”
As the vampires filed out of the room, he accepted the well-wishes and congratulations of his fellow MC brothers. Never did he think he’d see the day he’d take on a mate. And damn if he wasn’t happy about it.