“What’s that?”
“I didn’t see a receptionist at Human Canvas. Do you think Art and Karma need any help?”
I blew out a relieved breath. “I’ll ask him tonight.” Working at one of the club’s businesses was ideal for my peace of mind. Damn straight, Art would give her a job. I’d even pay her salary myself to make my girl happy.
“Really? It doesn’t have to be full time. I just want to get out a little more, earn a little money.”
“I’m proud of you.” I lifted my beer. “Art and Karma would be lucky to have you.”
She wiggled with excitement beside me. “The tattoo parlor isn’t so far from the gym. Maybe we could meet for lunch.”
“Absolutely.”
“Maybe have a quickie somewhere on your hog.”
I raised my brows. “I like the sound of that. Are you ready to finally straddle the seat and hold onto my waist?”
She touched the wrapping on her arm. “I’m a biker’s old lady. I should ride bitch.”
I tossed back my head, laughing. “Ava, you’re incredible.” I slung my arm over her shoulders and snuggled her close. “Whenever you’re ready, I’ll take you out on my Harley.”
“And take me somewhere we can be alone.”
“Whatever you want, baby.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Storm looked none too pleased too.
“I know this isn’t your problem, but it’s my sister.” Ciro was on speaker, asking if the club could help find Rosa. Every council member stared at Storm’s cell phone, where Ciro’s voice came from.
The club wasn’t a search-and-rescue team. The only people we looked for were our own. I wasn’t surprised Storm hadn’t jumped at the chance, but I had a feeling he was considering it.
“My father is going out of his mind. You know we’ll pay you well if you find her.”
Storm’s gaze rounded the table. Most of us had blank expressions. I sure as hell didn’t know what to say about Ciro’s request. If it were Ava missing, I’d ask everyone and anyone to help find her.
“What’s the connection between Stephen and Jordy?” Storm’s question had a bunch of us raising our eyebrows. “You didn’t go to that meeting because Jordy had requested it. What aren’t you telling us?”
Ciro sighed. “Don’t know. Will you help me?”
“No.” Storm tapped his fingers on his whiskey glass. “What’s the connection, Ciro?”
“Not everything has an angle.” Ciro paused for a second. “But you’re right.”
“I like hearing I’m right.” Storm took a drink.
“Last fall, I’d overheard Stephen on the phone. I didn’t catch the name of the other person, but they were discussing the gun business.” Ciro cleared his throat. “Usually, I don’t care about Stephen’s business, but he’d asked how much for the girl.”
“How much he’d get for the girl? The girl meaning your sister?” Storm asked.
“I didn’t know who he was talking about at the time. It never occurred to me he meant Rosa. I figured he was shopping around for a hooker. He and my sister didn’t have an active sex life.”
Storm screwed up his face. “How do you know that?”
“Rosa told me. The details don’t matter. After that call, I put a man on Stephen to watch him. Nothing stood out as unusual until I heard him a second time on the phone a week before you called me.”
“A week? That was right before the Vipers shot up our gym.” Storm shot his gaze at Boxer, then at me.
“Yes. Whoever Stephen was talking to, he’d told them to make a clear statement so there’d be retaliation.”