Shane rolled to a stop in front of the clubhouse, and parked his bike next to Rowdy’s before shutting off the engine. He was mildly surprised to see Rowdy had arrived first. Normally Shane would’ve had to call him a few times, gotten him out of whatever bed he’d fallen into last night, and made sure he made this meeting. It was just possible that Rowdy was growing up.
Not fucking likely, he snorted.
The bar was silent and empty at this hour, and Shane made his way upstairs. Coke greeted him at the top of the stairs, and Shane couldn’t help notice that the huge man had one hand inside his jacket. No doubt he was gripping one of the 45’s he kept concealed in shoulder holsters. Shane nodded his approval, and clapped Coke on the shoulder.
“Any trouble?” he asked mildly.
Coke nodded. “Yeah. A little, and we’re hearing rumblings, so we’re being extra careful.”
Shane simply nodded, and knocked lightly on the door.
“Get in here!” the club president’s voice shouted through the door.
Shane stepped inside, and locked the door behind him. There were only three other people in the room. Lobo was sitting at the table along with the vice president, and Rowdy rounded out the group. Rowdy looked serious, for once, and Shane wondered if there was more to the rumblings Coke had mentioned than he’d realized. He nodded at everyone, and took a seat.
“Okay, we’re all here, so let’s get started,” Lobo grumbled, and looked over at Shane. “Where are we?”
“Up and running, boss,” the biker said simply. “We’ve finished several batches already, and we’re holding them in various places. It’s a good idea to have some excess stock on hand, just in case. All of our customers have agreed to continue paying for their shipments first, as long as we deliver within three days.”
“Are we able to deliver in three days?” Lobo demanded.
“Yes,” Shane replied. “We will deliver all orders on time.”
“Mules working out, then?”
“Pretty much, boss,” Shane nodded. “I’d like to have a few more, but at this point we have enough to make any deliveries.”
Lobo looked confused. “More mules?”
“It’s a good problem to have,” he explained. “Our product is popular, and we already have a high demand. I can make more product, but we’re limited on our deliveries right now.”
When the club president nodded, he continued, “It’s not a concern, though, because Rowdy and I are already working on it, and hopefully within three to six months we’ll have more capacity to deliver.”
“Great job, Shane,” Lobo complimented him, then looked over at Rowdy. “You, too, numb-nuts.”
Rowdy smirked, and saluted his boss. “Gee, thanks, chief.”
Lobo shook his head, and looked at each of them in turn. “I’ve got a meeting set up with the Mexicans to discuss our operation. Needless to say, they’re not real happy about the present situation.”
“Everything okay, boss?”
“Yeah, for now,” he replied. “A few of our guys got roughed up the other night, and Rowdy decided to give some payback on his own.” Lobo wasn’t happy, and the look he shot Rowdy could have soured milk. “Fuckin’ dumbass!”
Rowdy didn’t appear concerned; he just shrugged, and downed a shot of whiskey. Then he looked over the group, raised his hands, and replied, “Listen, guys, no fucking apology is coming. I’m not going to let the Mexicans fuck with our club. No fucking way. We can’t afford to let that shit slide, and I’m not going to apologize for sending a message that desperately needed to be sent.”
“Nobody is asking you to apologize, you hot-headed fucktard,” the vice president snapped. “But you put yourself at risk, with no backup, just to send a message. A message, by the way, that Lobo was going to send at today’s meeting.” He stabbed at Rowdy with one finger. “In case you forgot, you only send the messages you’re told to send. You don’t get to make shit up as you go along. You may have also screwed our negotiations with the Mexicans, and put the entire club at risk.”
Lobo nodded his agreement. “That shit stops now, Rowdy. I agree with your point, but you don’t go out on your own like that again…ever.”
“Sure thing, boss,” Rowdy replied, and fell silent.
Shane shot Rowdy a confused glance before turning to the vice president for further explanation. He wasn’t surprised that Rowdy had done something by himself, but normally he told Shane about it first.
“You heard that a few of our guys got roughed up, right?” Lobo asked Shane.
He nodded.
“Well, it wasn’t serious. A few bruises and black eyes, but it was the Mexicans sending us a message.”
“We expected that, right?”
“Yes, that’s why it was only a few Prospects who got caught out in the open,” Lobo confirmed, then motioned at Rowdy. “When your buddy over there found out about it, he decided to hit back. All by himself. The dumb fucker knew the guys who jumped our Prospects, and he found them at a bar later that night.” Despite his righteous anger, he couldn’t help laughing at the younger man’s audacity. “Rowdy grabs two Louisville sluggers, heads inside, and proceeds to send a message of his own.”
“Anyone hurt?” Shane asked worriedly. A few bruises, black eyes, or even broken bones could be overlooked…but serious injuries or death could really complicate things.
“Two in the hospital, none in the morgue,” Lobo said quietly. “One of them is in serious condition. It could be permanent.”
“Shit!” Shane glared at his friend. “Rowdy, you’ve got to be fucking kidding me. This is fucking serious, man! The Mexicans hold a grudge, dude, and they’re going to take this personally.”
Finally the younger biker spread both hands wide. “I’m sorry, okay? I fucked up.”
Shane cast one last furious glance in his direction, then pointedly ignored him. “What do you think, chief? Do we delay the meet?”
Lobo shook his head. “No,” he sighed. “It’s still on, but I’m sure Rowdy’s stunt is going to come up. We’re going to roll fully-backed, in case they want to escalate things.”
“Fuck me,” Shane snarled. “This doesn’t just affect us, boss. If they escalate things, it could hit our customers, too.”
“I know.” Lobo sounded grim.
Silence reigned for a moment, then Shane ventured, “What about the percentage? Thinking of raising it?”
“We may have to do that eventually,” Lobo conceded. “It’s not my first choice, but it’s definitely on the table. We’ll up it if we have to, and make the deal. But you be real careful over the next few months, Shane,” he warned. “You’re the point person on our new operation. If you disappear, we’re fucked.”
He knew exactly what that meant, and squarely met Lobo’s stare. “I get it, boss.”
“Just in case,” the club president continued, reaching over and squeezing his shoulder, “is there anyone you want us to watch out for?”
Several long moments passed as Shane considered his earnest question. Finally he nodded. “Yeah. Raven.”
“Fine.” Lobo and his vice president both nodded.
Whatever happened to him, Shane thought with some relief, Raven would be protected. He wasn’t sure where they were headed, but he owed it to her soon-to-be-ex-husband to look after her.
When he noticed Rowdy flashing him a curious smile, he sternly shook his head, and returned his attention to the meeting.
A different guard had replaced Coke at the door by the time they finished, and Shane nodded at him as he headed down to the main bar area. Rowdy kept close on his heels, and laid a hand on his shoulder. “Let’s get a drink,” he smiled.
“It’s not even noon yet, you fuckin’ drunk,” Shane said mildly.
Rowdy just laughed. “C’mon, let’s shoot the shit.”
They picked a spot away from the other members who shot them good-natured insults about Rowdy’s harebrained stunt. He shot back some of his own, then ignored them and settled into the furthest chair to relax. The club was a close brotherhood…but just like brothers everywhere, they argued constantly among themselves, and fights were common.
Both men loved being part of the gang…it was their life, their family. Their world revolved around it. Unfortunately their new operation kept them somewhat isolated from the other members, and Shane knew that was causing some tension.
“Raven?” Rowdy asked, with another curious grin on his face.
Their drinks arrived. He downed a shot, and chased it with a beer. Shane sipped a soda, and considered his friend. Then he replied, “Yes, Raven.”
“Not Crystal.”
“No.”
Shane clearly didn’t want to continue the conversation, but Rowdy didn’t hesitate to push. “Why? Isn’t Crystal more important to us right now?”
Shane hesitated for a long moment. “Yes,” he finally admitted. “She is…but not that important, especially on a long-term basis. We can find other mules. Hell, we already have a few more potential candidates right now. It wouldn’t be that hard to move them along faster.
“Raven is the wife of a patched club member. She’s also helping us with deliveries, helping with Crystal…and she’ll be important down the road. Simply put, she matters. Crystal doesn’t.”
“And that’s all?” Rowdy teased. “Just the wife of a patched member?”
“Don’t push it, Rowdy.”
“Okay, cool.” Raven was perfect for Shane, he thought…and hoped his friend would finally start a serious relationship with her. He’d always been private, but prison had made him almost reclusive. Rowdy was the only person he trusted, even within the club; that was one reason Rowdy had never hit on the brunette stripper. He’d also made sure none of the other members made long-term plans that involved her.
“Raven know about Crystal?”
“Yep. She also knows it’s over now.”
That made Rowdy snort. “Women.”
Shane couldn’t have agreed more. “Yeah. Listen, she called me earlier. Crystal had her first taste of our product last night.”
Rowdy downed another shot. “Dude, we’re in the clubhouse. Just call it Meth.”
“All right. Anyway, Raven’s going to get her more, and I’m going to ask her to start making deliveries.”
“Ask her?” Rowdy queried with a raised eyebrow.
A rare wide grin curved Shane’s lips. “Well, I’ll phrase it as a question, but I don’t think she’ll say no.” Then he shrugged. “Besides, since I’ll be throwing her $500 per delivery, she’ll have no reason to decline.”
“It’s about fucking time!” Rowdy exclaimed. “Dude, we should have moved faster with her.” He caught Sarah’s eye and motioned for another beer, then met Shane’s steady gaze again. “Sounds like we’re all set.”
Shane nodded. “Any problems with the trucks, supplies, or cooking?”
“None,” Rowdy smiled. “The Prospects are all trained on how to get the supplies, and where to drive the trucks. I’ve been supervising the cooking process for the past few days, and the product is perfect. The Prospects don’t know anything else about the operation, and they’re perfectly happy with being ignorant…”
Shane finished for him, “They just want to earn their patch.”
“Exactly. None of them like this assignment,” he agreed, “but they know how important it is to the club.”
“Still think it’s a good idea to use the Prospects?”
“Hell, yes,” Rowdy said emphatically. “First, I know all of them well. They don’t get to work on our operation until they’ve been a Prospect for at least six months. Second, they don’t know shit about the other club activities…so even if the police do arrest one, it’s not a threat to the whole club.”
“Just you and me,” Shane concluded grimly.
“It’s a risk either way,” Rowdy conceded. “If we used already-patched members, and they got arrested, they’d be a threat to the whole club. Prospects are our best option. It’d be even more risky if we used civilians, and you know Lobo wouldn’t go for that anyway.”
He didn’t like using Prospects, but Rowdy had a good point: they knew the least about club operations. They just drove the trucks, cooked the product, and called Rowdy when they finished a batch. If one of them was arrested, the club remained pretty well insulated. The most the police would get was a used food truck, some Meth, and a Prospect who only had a phone number and a strong desire to keep on living.
None of them wore their club colors around the trucks, and they weren’t allowed to use their personal cell phones while cooking the product. Rowdy and Shane insisted on using disposable pay-as-you-go phones, and they got new ones every thirty days, so they weren’t leaving much of an electronic trail. Rural areas, back country roads, and truck stops were where the product was usually cooked. The trucks moved around constantly, so they were never in one location long enough to arouse suspicion. And they dumped their trash in shopping mall, grocery store, and restaurant trash bins, because an accumulation of trash was one of the key ways to spot a Meth house.
The finished product was stockpiled in air-conditioned storage lockers that Shane and Rowdy rented under assumed names. They were able to keep excess supplies and the finished product in multiple locations, so there was less risk to their supply chain.
Their operation was as secure as they could make it.
“So we ready, or what?” Rowdy demanded. He’d been sipping his beer and watching Shane thinking for several minutes, and patience had never been one of his strengths.
Shane finished his soda, and motioned for Sarah to bring him a beer. Then he smiled. “We’re ready. I’ll talk with Crystal and Raven. Playtime is over…we’re taking it to the next level.”
Rowdy had been about to take another deep swallow, but now he set his beer down again and leaned closer. “Will Raven continue making deliveries?”
“Hell, no,” Shane retorted. “Who do you think will be keeping an eye on Crystal? I want her in a position to let us know if anything goes wrong with the first few deliveries.”
The younger biker eyed him curiously. “What could go wrong?”
What couldn’t?
“A shitload, buddy,” Shane grumbled. “The police could get wind of our operation. Jingles could get frisky with Crystal…or worse, the Mexicans could decide not to honor their agreement. She could get scared…or hell, she could just get into a traffic accident. We’re making good progress, but this could all go to shit if we don’t keep a close eye on our shipments.”
That made a lot of sense, and Rowdy slowly nodded. “And you want Raven to follow her the first few times.”
“Absolutely.” He smiled up at Sarah when she set down his beer, took a deep gulp, then smacked his lips with pleasure. “‘Gee, officer,’” he smirked, mimicking Crystal’s lyrical voice. “‘I didn’t see that big truck pulling into traffic, and by golly, I just hit him. Drugs? Why, I don’t know why there’s a huge bag of chemically pure Crystal Meth in my back seat! How did that get there?’”
Rowdy erupted with laughter, and several people glanced curiously in their direction. He shot them a stiff middle-finger salute just to indicate that they were fine. Then he smirked at his partner again. “You’re hilarious!”
“Yeah, well, I’d rather hear that news from Raven,” Shane muttered sourly. “If we hear it on the six o’clock news, then the police probably already have our names, our addresses, and they’re looking for our trucks. Raven can give us that advance warning, at least at first. Once we can trust Crystal more, and there are no issues with our customers, she can make the deliveries without an escort.”
“Still worried about Jingles?”
Shane hesitated, then slowly shook his head. “Not really. I don’t think he’d hurt her, or do anything to fuck up the business. He’ll keep his end of the bargain, trust me.”
“So what’s the problem?”
“The problem,” Shane admitted, lowering his voice, “is Crystal. Jingles can smell weakness a mile away, and she’s a party girl.”
“That’s for sure,” Rowdy snorted.
“Yeah…and Jingles knows how to throw a party. Plus he owns a couple of clubs. I’m worried he’ll try and get her to switch sides,” he said softly. “It wouldn’t even be that hard. He can supply her with Meth, so she wouldn’t have to go without her party favors, and he can be extremely persuasive.” He stared into his beer for a few moments, then took another drink. “That’s one of the reasons I’ve had Raven become her BFF. I want her tied to us with more than just drugs, because there’s not much we can do if she changes teams. Jingles would protect her. He’d have to, or risk losing credibility within his own organization. And the Blades aren’t going to fight over a drug mule, so she could easily switch sides.”
“What happens if she gets arrested?”
He didn’t like to consider that possibility. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it…but that’s just one more reason she needs to be using regularly. Her reliability as a witness takes a huge hit if she’s a regular Meth user.
“We can also use Tim as an incentive to keep her mouth shut.” He looked coolly at Rowdy. “Worst case, she becomes the unfortunate victim of a drug overdose, or she has an accident in prison while awaiting trial.”
Rowdy considered that for a moment, then fervently exclaimed, “Dude, we gotta get more mules!”
“You got it, buddy,” Shane grimly agreed. “We can’t risk the organization over one person, and right now, that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
He laughed. “Bitches, man. We need more bitches.”
“Well, you’re the expert on bitches,” Shane mocked. “How are we coming on the other potential mules?”
“I’ve got three lined up, and they’re all strippers at other clubs in San Antonio and Austin. I’ve been spreading some money around, building goodwill with them, and feeling them out.”
“Literally?” Shane smirked.
“Hell, yes!” Rowdy grinned. “They’re all strippers, no steady boyfriends or kids, and they’re all more than willing to party with some bikers. Two of them are already smoking weed, and the other one asked me for some coke. Moving them onto Meth should be really easy.”
“Good. No, excellent,” Shane corrected himself. “I want you to focus on them, be generous with the cash, and start passing out the Meth. We’ll invite them to a club party, and maybe move them over to Joe’s club. I’m not sure about that last part yet. No matter what, though, I want at least two of them moving product within thirty days.”
“It would help if you could work your magic, too,” Rowdy said wryly. “Chicks like me, but they fucking love you, although I can’t see why. It must be your brooding pissed-off personality.”
Shane wasn’t amused. “Fuck you.”
“Thanks for making my point.”
“Fine. Okay, whatever.” Shane scowled at him. “I’ll make time this week to help you.”
“You’re all right, Shane,” Rowdy grinned.
“Fuck me,” he muttered sourly. “I’ve got Raven begging me to stop by and see her. I’ve got to keep Crystal happy. Now I’ve got to work on three new chicks. I wish I’d had this many women in prison!”
“Lots of bitches in prison, but no women, huh?” Rowdy joked.
A haunted mask dropped over Shane’s expressive face. “You have no idea.”
Crystal stirred in bed, and sleepily lifted her head. Her cell phone was buzzing on the night stand, and it wouldn’t stop. Blearily she fumbled for it, and finally managed to bring it to her ear.
“What?” she mumbled grumpily.
Laughter rang through the small speaker, and the voice on the other end responded, “Wake up, bitch.”
“What the fuck do you want?” Crystal’s reply was laced with sleepy humor.
Raven answered in a low, sultry voice, “I want some company. What do you think?”
“Now?” She was finally awake enough to sit up in bed. Tim had left for work a few hours ago, so she was alone in the trailer. She ran a hand through her hair, pushing it out of her face, and took a deep breath.
It had been a week since she’d quit her job at the restaurant, so she was able to sleep in each day, and she loved it. She’d increased her nights at the club, and she’d been earning even more money, too, so things were good. Tim was even happy…well, not exactly happy…but as happy as he’d ever get while she was still stripping.
“Yes, now. I’m horny.”
“Ugh. You bitch. We’re working tonight, and if I don’t get some sleep, I’m going to be fucking dead tonight at the club. Joe’s just going to love me.”
“Don’t worry,” Raven reassured her. “I’m getting a visitor today, and we’ll be able to get some more pick-me-ups for tonight.”
“Finally! Okay. Give me an hour or so to get ready, and I’ll be over,” Crystal relented with a smile.
“No. Come as you are. I like the way you look when you wake up.”
Crystal sighed. “Okay, you asked for it. I’ll be over in about 20 minutes.”
“Hurry,” Raven urged, and hung up.
Crystal set the phone down, and smiled to herself. Raven had opened up a new part of her personality in the last week, and she was loving bi-sexuality. The brunette dancer was a demanding and satisfying lover, and she’d spent two nights with her this week. She wanted to see if her relationship with Raven was a passing phase or not before she discussed it with Tim again.
Pick-me-ups, yay!
If Raven was getting a visitor today, it must be Shane. She’d confided that he supplied her with drugs occasionally. Crystal had been shocked…in all the time she’d known him, he’d never given her the slightest indication that he was involved with drugs.
Once she’d gotten over her surprise, she asked if Shane would sell her drugs, too. Raven had smiled, and admitted that was why she’d told her.
God, I miss him. He’s so gorgeous.
She smiled wistfully as she climbed out of bed and headed for the bathroom. She especially missed the explosive sex they’d shared. But there was something else she missed, and the thought excited her even as fear rippled down her spine.
My new favorite drug! God, I can do anything on Meth!
Raven had let her try smoking Crystal Meth a few days ago, and it had been an amazing experience. She hadn’t joined in, because she said it made her hallucinate, but Crystal had tried it…and loved it. The Meth pill had been nice, but smoking it had made her high for nearly ten hours. She’d never experienced anything like it before.
Life was sharper and clearer when she was on Meth, and even routine activities became interesting and fun. It also made her extremely horny, and she’d attacked Raven at least three times.
Grinning, she changed into a short skirt, then decided not to wear panties. She tugged on a sexy tube top that barely covered her breasts, and added a touch of makeup. Her favorite sandals felt comfortable on her feet. Finally she drew on the long jacket Tim had gotten her when she’d started dancing at the club. At the last moment, she threw some regular street clothes and toiletries into her duffle, and carried it out to the car.
A few minutes later, she was on her way to Raven’s, happily singing along with the radio.
Life is good.
When Raven ended the call with Crystal, she dialed Shane, even though it was early. Unlike most bikers, he didn’t party too hard, and he was a morning person, so she knew he’d answer the phone.
Unless he’s in bed with someone else, she thought darkly.
Quickly she shook her head, and reminded herself that he was a biker. She could hardly expect him to be monogamous, even if he did accept her as his old lady. Fucking around was part of the biker lifestyle, and she accepted that.
As long as he always comes home to me.
His deep “Hello?” interrupted her thoughts.
“Hey, sexy!” She lowered her voice to a seductive murmur. “How are you this morning?”
He chuckled. “I’m fine, Raven. What’s up?”
“Oh, nothing. Listen, Crystal’s on her way over, and we’re going to get naked. Want to join us?”
He was silent for so long that she thought she’d upset him. Then he sighed. “No, I can’t. I have some club business, and it can’t wait.”
The genuine regret in his voice mollified her. “That’s okay, honey,” she smiled. “Another time. Are you still stopping by this afternoon?”
“Definitely. That’s why I can’t come over this morning. So whatever you guys do this morning, just make sure she’s there this afternoon, okay?”
A wicked grin flitted across Raven’s lips. “I can keep Crystal occupied until you get here,” she said confidently.
“Thanks, Raven.” Shane hesitated, trying to decide how to continue. Finally he blurted, “Listen, I’ve been doing some thinking, and I want…well…” He stammered a moment and gripped the phone, then finished, “I want us to be together. If you’re still interested.”
Her delighted laugh made him sigh with relief. “Of course I’m still interested,” she exclaimed. “I want to be with you, too.”
“Whew!” He deliberately exaggerated the single word.
“I know we’re both busy today,” she continued, “but why don’t I take a night off, and we can spend some time together.”
“That sounds good,” he nodded. “I’ll see you later today.”
Yes!
Rowdy arrived at the storage locker nearly an hour late, and cheerfully flipped Shane off as he parked his Harley and jumped off.
Shane impatiently tapped his watch. “It’s about fucking time.”
“Sorry,” Rowdy yawned, then flashed him another quick grin. “Believe me, if you’d seen the sexy bitch I was with, you’d be late, too!”
He should have known. “One of the new mules?”
“Yeah. Her name’s Maria, I think. She sure can fuck!”
“That’s nice to know,” Shane said flatly. “Is she ready to start making deliveries?”
He nodded. “Definitely. She needs the extra money, and she loved the Meth I gave her. Honestly, I don’t think we need it, but it’ll give us more leverage over her down the road.”
Shane’s dark eyes narrowed. “Why does she need the money? We don’t need any fucking family problems.”
Rowdy dismissed that with a casual gesture. “Nothing like that. Rent, car payment, shopping. Major party girl shit.”
“Cool.” His tensed nerves relaxed. “We can deal with party girls.”
“Yeah. She’s all set, and the other two are nearly there, too. They just need to spend more quality time with Rowdy,” the younger biker quipped.
That made Shane chuckle. “Yeah, yeah. Okay, let’s get started.”
Rowdy opened the storage locker while Shane retrieved some stuff from his Camaro. After he’d carefully closed the door behind him, Rowdy tossed him a questioning glance. “Three packages?”
Shane nodded. “Yes, just three for this week. It’s Crystal’s maiden voyage, so we’re starting small. It’ll grow quickly, though, so we’ll need the other mules ready.”
“Awesome. They will be,” Rowdy assured him.
“We’re off to a good start. All of Raven’s deliveries really paid off, and our customers are almost begging for more. Just work your magic, and get those other women up and running,” he said seriously.
Rowdy threw him a mock-serious salute. Exasperated, Shane shook his head, and got to work.
“There it is,” Rowdy said quietly when the first box opened.
“Yes. Okay, here’s how we’re packing it up.” Shane motioned to the three small coolers sitting on the ground. “We’re going to put the bags of Meth on the bottom of each cooler, cover them with bags of crushed ice, and put some sandwiches and sodas on top. “Hopefully, even if the car is searched, the cops won’t notice the difference between the bags of crushed ice and the Meth.”
“That’s thin, buddy,” Rowdy frowned.
“Yeah, I know. But it’s all I could think of to camouflage the Meth. Besides, the coolers are perfect for dropping off the Meth and collecting the money, too. One comes out, the other goes in.”
“Makes sense.”
Shane nestled several bags in the bottom of each cooler, then Rowdy covered them with similar sized bags of ice. Sandwiches, sodas, and bags of chocolate candy filled the top section. Finally they stood back and considered their handiwork. “So if you’re a cop, and looking at these coolers,” Shane concluded, “you’d take the food and stuff off the top, then reach into the cooler to search below the ice.”
“And find nothing,” Rowdy agreed. “Unless they take out each bag and compare them, they aren’t likely to notice a difference between the ice and the Meth.”
“Precisely. That’s why I insist on chemically pure Meth. It looks almost like crushed ice…and unless someone is looking for the difference, I don’t think they’ll catch on.”
“So when Crystal delivers it, it’ll look like she’s taking someone their lunch. A construction site, company function, etc.”
“And it’ll look the same way when Jingles and our other customers drop off the money,” Shane finished. “So we’re not giving law enforcement any obvious probable cause.”
“Dogs?”
“Yeah, that’s a weak point,” he admitted. “I rubbed the inside of each cooler with vinegar and ammonia, and I also dipped the bags of Meth in vinegar. I’m hoping it will hide any scents from the dogs.”
“Good idea,” Rowdy exclaimed.
“Trick I learned in prison,” Shane said darkly. “I just hope it works.”
“Relax,” Rowdy advised, and clapped his shoulder. “It will. We’re going to make a shitload of money, and the club’s going to get stronger. All good things.”
“Yeah, let’s hope so,” Shane murmured soberly.
He deliberately ignored his partner’s pessimistic comment. “Okay, we ready?” he demanded, then pulled a radio from his pocket and powered it on. “Big Fish to Minnows.”
“Minnows here.”
“Any fishermen out there?”
“None. We’ve been swimming in circles for a while, and there’s no sign of fishermen.”
“Excellent. Keep circling, and drop us a line if you see any.”
Briskly he slid an earbud into his ear, and pocketed the radio. “We’re all set.”
Shane grinned. “Big fish? Minnows?”
Rowdy laughed. “It’s funny, right?”
Chuckling, Shane shook his head, then opened the door and carried one of the coolers to the waiting truck. Rowdy followed him with the other two. “Follow me to Raven’s,” he instructed, and swung up into the driver’s seat.
“Sure thing, boss.”
Rowdy spoke into the radio again, then kicked his Harley into gear and followed the truck out of the self-storage parking lot. They drove carefully and stayed below the speed limit…no point in taking any chances. Eventually, Shane thought as he watched Rowdy in his rear-view mirror, he’d be able to pass this job off to a Prospect or a newly-patched member, and back away from the actual operations. But until he was sure it was running smoothly, he’d have to be involved.
The drive to Raven’s was uneventful. This one time, they’d use her house as a staging point for deliveries. It was unavoidable today, but in the future he’d make sure she was kept away from the drugs, even for personal use. Her only connection would be keeping an eye on Crystal.
The two strippers stepped outside when he pulled up, and parked the truck. They both hugged him, but Raven lightly kissed him, too. Rowdy hung back as Raven hooked her arm in Shane’s, and drew him inside. “I’ve missed you,” she smiled up at him.
Crystal went ahead to open the door, then teasingly squeezed Shane’s ass when Raven and he walked by.
“So what have you two kids been up to today?” he grinned, settling down on the couch. Raven sat next to him, and laid her head on his chest. Crystal headed into the kitchen for sodas…she knew him well enough to remember that he didn’t drink this early in the day.
“We spent the day shopping.”
Raven’s little white lie made her smile. Cheerfully she offered Shane his drink, then sat down on his other side. “Shopping and waiting for a gorgeous biker to stop by and grace us with his presence,” she elaborated. “So…did the gorgeous biker bring us anything?”
“Yes, he did,” he agreed, and pulled a brown paper bag from his pocket. Raven sat up again as he set it on the table. “Here you go.”
Crystal’s eyes gleamed with excitement, and she slid her arms around his shoulders. “How much do I owe you? Or will you take another kind of payment?”
He chuckled and sipped his soda, then rose and moved restlessly across the room. When he stopped and leaned against the easy chair, Raven understood why he’d eased away from Crystal: She didn’t like seeing the blonde that close to him, and he needed to look her in the eye.
“Crystal, I need your help with something,” Shane murmured, and flashed her a gentle smile. “I need someone I can trust.”
“Anything, Shane!” she exclaimed without hesitation. She wasn’t in love with him, but that didn’t stop her from willingly falling under his spell. Tim was her husband and her future, but Shane was that guilty pleasure she couldn’t resist…a powerful, exciting indulgence. She’d do nearly anything to see him smile.
“That’s free,” he said slowly, gesturing at the bag. “I’ll make sure you get anything you want or need in the future. Just come directly to me, okay?”
“Sure,” she agreed, confused. “But what do you need from me?”
“I have some friends who also need it. I need you to deliver it to them.”
“Just deliver it?” Excitement coursed through her. “That’s all?”
“Yes,” he smiled. “It’ll be easy. When I need you to make a delivery, I’ll text you an address where you can pick it up. Then I’ll text you another address where you can make the delivery. Follow me so far?” When she smiled and nodded, he continued, “The deliveries will always be around San Antonio, so you can do it before you go to work.”
Curiously she picked up the bag and peeked inside, then grinned. “Wow! There are five little bags of Meth in here, and you even added some pipes! You’re so awesome, Shane! Thank you!”
She looked like a little girl on Christmas morning, and he couldn’t help smiling again. “You’re welcome. Now you’re clear on what I need?”
Eagerly she nodded. “So whenever you text me an address, I’ll stop by there on the way to work, and pick up whatever you need me to deliver. Then you’ll text me the delivery address, right?”
“That’s it exactly. Now keep in mind,” he cautioned, “you’ll need to deliver it before you go to work, so you’ll need to give yourself extra time.”
“Okay. Who should I give it to?”
“Good question,” he said approvingly. “Whenever you make the delivery, just tell whoever’s there that it’s a delivery for Jingles.”
That made her laugh. “Jingles, as in Jingle Bells?”
“That’s right. You don’t have to wait or stay there…just tell them it’s for Jingles and leave again.”
“That sounds easy,” she decided. “So what am I delivering?”
“A small cooler,” he replied. “By the way, I’ll pay you $500 for each delivery…and right now I need you to make three. I realize it’s short notice,” he added when she blinked at him in surprise, “but I really need your help.”
“Oh, it’s okay,” she assured him after glancing swiftly at her watch. “I don’t mind.”
“Thank you,” he said sincerely. “This means a lot to me, and to the club.” He reached into his jacket, and withdrew a thick envelope. “Here’s $1,500 for your first three deliveries.”
She stared at it for a moment, then took it from him. “Are you making deliveries, too?” she asked Raven.
“No,” he interjected before the sultry brunette could reply. “I have Raven doing something else for the club. That’s why I need you.”
“It’s for the club president,” Raven lied, and winked at her, “so I can’t tell you what it is. I’m sorry.”
“That’s okay,” Crystal smiled. “I understand.”
“There’s just one other thing,” he added seriously. “When you’re making deliveries, you can’t be on anything…not even Red Bull. Okay? And obviously you don’t want to get pulled over, either, so stay below the speed limit.”
“I get it,” she laughed. “I only take something when I need a boost of energy.”
“Cool. Now if you do get pulled over, or if someone asks, just tell them you’re dropping off the coolers for a barbeque, a party, or even just a construction job site. And if you need to take something after you make the delivery, that’s fine. I just can’t have you on anything beforehand. My friends might get angry.”
“Don’t get pulled over, don’t take anything until afterwards,” she repeated obediently. “I understand.” Then she smiled at both of them. “Wow, this is exciting!”
“I can’t thank you enough, Crystal,” Shane said earnestly.
Raven added her own thanks with a kiss, then slid her hands over the younger girl’s body and hugged her tightly. “This means a lot to me, too,” she murmured.
“You’re welcome,” Crystal smiled, and returned her kiss. “I can’t resist either of you.”
Shane watched them together, and wished he could have stopped by that morning. They were both stunning, and barely took their eyes off each other. It’s too bad I can’t fuck Crystal anymore, but Raven would cut my nuts off. She absolutely hates Crystal! Oh well, Rowdy can take over with her now.
When Raven glanced up and met his steady gaze, the message passed between them, and she smiled. Yes, she was his priority now. It would be easier for everyone if he eased Crystal in Rowdy’s direction. She still had a future. Crystal’s had just faded another notch.
“I have the coolers with me now…can I put them in your trunk?” he continued smoothly.
“Sure!” she agreed, and fished the keys out of her purse. “Here you go.”
After he’d walked out the front door, Raven smiled at her. “Thank you for helping Shane,” she repeated.
“I don’t mind,” Crystal admitted. “The extra money will be nice, and I never see police on my way to San Antonio. Tim bought me a little GPS thing, and it’s really easy to use. Besides, I meant it when I said I can’t refuse either of you.”
“Hmmm. Yeah, you are a little submissive, aren’t you?” Raven teased her.
“Ugh, yes,” Crystal whispered, then shivered when Raven ran her fingers through her hair.
The older dancer softly laughed, then suddenly gripped her hair and yanked her head back. Crystal’s eyes widened as Raven rose onto her knees and stared down at her. “Just remember, bitch…no drugs until after you make the deliveries.”
Crystal managed a quick, frightened nod.
Raven considered her for a long moment, then nodded and released her. Smiling, she leaned down and passionately kissed her. “Good girl,” she whispered. “Do this for Shane, and I promise I’ll take care of you. The club will, too.”
Breathlessly Crystal nodded again. “I will, Raven.” Then she softly added, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
She didn’t understand why she loved it when Raven took control, but the submissive need to be directed, controlled, and used was intoxicating. It felt almost as good as Meth.
God, she is so sexy, she thought, leaning against Raven. So freakin’ amazing!
When Shane returned, they made small talk for a bit. Then he announced that he needed to handle some club business. Raven hugged him, and kissed him goodbye. Crystal hugged him just before he left the trailer.
Once outside, he made eye contact with Rowdy, and gave him a quick nod. Rowdy grinned, and spoke into the radio. The Prospects would keep an eye on Crystal and the drugs until they’d been safely delivered. Raven would follow her, too. He felt better knowing extra eyes would be watching the first few times she made a delivery.
He needed the deliveries to go flawlessly. It was important to him, important to the club, and important to his customers.