“Heard that before,” Tati murmured, and Clio nodded. Thalia glanced down at her hand, and I saw a finger missing. I wondered what the story was there. Naturally, I’d overheard rumours and chatter at the bar but often paid little attention because it was just that: rumours and gossip. But two Rage women had told me their hair-raising tales, and I hoped to God that Dakota and I had a smooth ride of things.
“Shut up!” Dakota sniped and pointed at Tati.
“Don’t you point your finger at me, Pyro, unless you want it bit off,” Tati replied, and Pyro lowered it.
“Tati’s liable to bite,” Pyro whispered in my ear. All this fun was well and good, but it didn’t escape the fact they’d arranged a meeting with Lio.
“Chance, I don’t want to meet the cops. They think I’m lying,” I restated my case, and Chance shook his head.
“Not Lio. Lio believes you and knows the officer who investigated and said he’s a lazy assed cop. Lio plans to inspect everything again, and his partner, Phil Gold, is with him on this.”
“And what if they find nothing and assume I’m making it up?”
“Then Hellfire will investigate the motherfucker and end it. And you’ll be safe no matter what,” Dakota replied. Chance nodded firmly.
“Honey, this ain’t Hellfire’s first rodeo with a woman deep in shit. Clio, Thalia, and Chey all found their brands of trouble, so you aren’t different. Hellfire will solve this, and then you can carry on with life,” Chance said gently. His gaze flicked between Dakota and me before contentment settled in Chance’s eyes. “Am thinking you’ll be here a lot.”
“Yeah.” Dakota smirked, his arm banding me around the waist. Clio and Thalia grinned happily.
“When’s Chey back?” Clio asked Celt as she spun on him.
“Another hour. Kye said Chey was screwing because the psychotherapist had changed her routine. But her legs are gaining strength. Chey hopes to walk on stage on her own accord in a few months.” Everyone nodded at Celt, but I had no idea what they were talking about. Having been out of the thick of things for six months, I’d not paid attention to gossip.
“Chey?” I whispered to Dakota.
“Celt’s woman is Cheyenne from The Wild Wind. You know the band?” My mouth dropped open, and I stared at Celt, who gazed back, grinning.
“No way!” I exclaimed, and Celt rolled his eyes.
“Don’t go all fan girl on me, Bunny. Get enough of that bullshit from the asshole gawkers who stand and stare at me on the forecourt. Chey’s normal and hates being treated like a star, especially now she’s in the wheelchair.” Celt grunted and shot me a warning glance.
“Wheelchair?” I wracked my brains.
“Chey was injured in a bomb blast. She was paralysed, but recently feeling has returned to her legs,” Dakota explained. Finally, a memory jogged loose.
“Oh, I think I remember reading about that. Sorry I was busy at the time running for my life.”
“Don’t worry about it. Chey just hates negative attention or pity. Don’t aim sympathy at my girl; Chey will probably take you down and hang you out to dry,” Celt warned, but the pride and love in his eyes shone.
“Anyone else famous I need to know about?” I quipped, and Dakota smirked.
“Well, you’re aware of Phoe, and Clio’s sister Polly is an Olympian,” Dakota added, and I rolled my eyes.
“Stop changing subjects. Bunny, you’re meeting Lio,” Chance interrupted firmly as he tried to take Louisa Mae back from Fanatic. Louisa Mae clung to her uncle, who laughed at Chance’s pissed off stare.
“That’s my baby!” Chance growled as Louisa Mae snuggled into Fanatic’s throat.
“Yeah, and Louisa Mae loves her Uncle Micah. Fuck off, Prez, I got her,” Fanatic retorted, and Chance glowered. I hid a smile because Chance clearly loved Fanatic by how he regarded him, and Chance obviously treasured his precious daughter.
“Clio!” Chance whined, and Clio waved an airy hand.
“Don’t look at me. I warned all of you about ruining Louisa Mae, but none of ya listened. Now Louisa Mae is spoiled silly and knows how to play one off against the other. It’s about time Rooster brings his kids around. Because with Thalia pregnant and myself… oh yes, the stud muffin struck again… those boys are more than welcome,” Clio said, firmly sitting on a stool.
“Yeah, it’s unnecessary to keep the boys away from Hellfire now. So we’ll be telling Rooster to regularly bring them to the clubhouse as the kiddie population is about to explode. Big Al and I have applied for the adoption process and have been accepted. We’re attempting to adopt those three kiddies whose mother abused them so badly,” Tati said, and a stunned silence rose. The others looked between Tati and Chance, unsure who to congratulate first.
“The ones whose mother killed the eldest?” Clio asked, and Tati nodded into the silence.
“Well, say something,” Clio demanded, and a loud babble broke out. Congratulations were offered, and Chance was heard bellowing at Wraith to fetch a hog and keg. I wondered what that meant when Dakota separated me from the pack.