“Rae doesn’t want his other children to be hurt because of Timothy’s past.”

Train shook his head in disgust. “That’s why he didn’t want her to go into the military. He was afraid she would run into her brother and sister.”

“Yes.” Peyton paused, then told Train, “If Rae took the key, she had a good reason. I don’t know what it was, but if she knew it would cost her you, she would never have done it unless it was important. I’m not saying she isn’t sneaky—the Lord knows that’s why I gave her that silly nickname. What I am saying is that the woman on that sculpture wouldn’t want you hurt.”

“I agree. That’s the one thing I do know now, thanks to you. I can wait until she’s ready to tell me.” He gave her a small smile in gratitude. “Can I give you a ride back to your trailer?”

Peyton shook her head. “No. I think I’m going to work for a while. I’m used to walking back and forth between the two.”

“If you’re sure.” He looked around the place before saying, “You should get some security. No one is close—”

“Jonas did. I turned the alarm off when we came in.”

“You put a lot of trust in a man you’re just getting to know.”

“Not really.” She shrugged. “Killyama would have never introduced you to me if she didn’t trust you. My daughter is a good judge of character. Much better than her mother.”

“I think you did just fine. You raised a woman you can be proud off. A woman I hope to marry.”

“Good luck with that.” She smiled warmly.

Train started laughing. “I’m going to need a lot of luck. Fortunately, luck is on my side.”

33

The grim-faced men entered the vacant building one at a time. It had been vacant for years before T.A.’s new boyfriend rented it for her. She had told him that she wanted it for her bookkeeping business. The numbnut must have taken too many tackles to have believed that story, but it had worked.

“Tracker is here. We’re ready,” Jonas told Killyama. “Hammer will finish loading up the equipment after you make the call.”

“I will. I want to talk to you first.” Killyama’s hands had been clenched so tightly she had left marks on her palms. She had been standing apart from the men as they checked their guns. “We’re wasting time, I know. I just … I need you to promise me something first. When we get there, I know one of you will want to be with me. Not tonight. Tonight, Train comes first.”

“No way in hell! I’m sticking with you,” Jonas argued heatedly as Hammer came over.

“I’m going to do what needs to be done, and then get the hell out of there. We’ve planned this for two weeks now. I know what I’m supposed to do. If Train gets hurt, though … If I know you both are with him, I know he’ll come out alive.”

Hammer’s jaw clenched. “In and out, just like we planned.”

“Yes.” Killyama gave one curt nod. “Jonas?”

He nodded reluctantly. “Fine,” he growled. “But I’m checking your equipment myself.”

“Good.” She briefly squeezed their arms before she took the cell phone from Hammer. “Let’s get this show on the road.”

“You want to play a game of pool?” Rider asked Train as he passed through the club room after dinner.

“No thanks. I’m just going to go to my room and watch the news.” Train started to pass Rider, but then felt one of the women jump on his back.

“That’s all you ever do anymore. Come on; stay down here for a while.” A pair of breasts rubbed against his back. “I want to play spin the bottle. Moon and Crash said they’ll play.”

“You don’t need me, Stori. Some other time.” Like when Killyama is here, Train thought to himself.

He was helping Stori off his back when he felt his cell phone vibrating. Looking down, he felt the sting of disappointment that it wasn’t Killyama. Every day of the last two weeks he had hoped she would call to return the numerous messages he had left her.

“Hey, Stud, what’s up?”

“What are you doing tonight?”

“Nothing. Why?”

“I just finished your bike. I wanted to see if you wanted to take it out and break it in.” Stud’s enthusiastic voice sounded like he expected Train to be just as excited.

“I’ll come pick it up tomorrow. It’s been a long day.” The enjoyment of looking forward to the bike was gone.

“Come on; give a brother a break. I’ve been cooped up with four kids, and a wife who is mad at me because I forgot to start dinner. I rode it to the clubhouse. The brothers are sick with envy.”

“Is Killyama going to be there?” Train asked. The tracker he had placed on her phone showed she was home.

“No. I think she’s at home tonight.”

“All right. Give me thirty minutes.” Maybe he could use his new bike as an excuse for stopping by her apartment to show it to her, something to break the ice. He had already promised himself another week of waiting, then he had planned to take matters into his own hands.

“Ask Shade if he wants to come with you. He’s been wanting me to make one for him, too. I’ve already sketched it out for him.”

“If you rode my new bike to the Destructors’ clubhouse, how are you going to get home?”

“I keep a spare bike behind the club. Don’t forget your trailer, or you could let Shade ride bitch,” Stud joked.

“I’m not even going to tell him you said that. The brother has no sense of humor. Give me an extra five to hook up the trailer, and we’ll be on our way.”

Train disconnected Stud’s call then dialed Shade’s number. He went to the hall closet, pulling out his jacket as members began moving the furniture so they could play their game.

“Stud just called,” he said when Shade answered. “My bike is ready for pick up. He wants us to come over to Jamestown to break it in. You in?”

“No, I’m giving John his bath.”

“That’s fine. I’ll tell Stud. He said he has the sketch of the bike you decided to buy—”

“Wait.” Train could hear Shade turning off the water. “Stud said I wanted to buy one of his bikes?”

“Yes. Did he get it wrong?”

“No. It’s just been a while since I asked him. When are you leaving?”

“I’m getting ready to hook the trailer up now. Five minutes give you enough time?”

“Give me ten. I need to get John dried off and dressed for bed.”

“Sounds good.” Train hung up, seeing that Moon had spun the bottle and it had landed on Sasha.

“You sure you don’t want to play?” Sasha had already lost her top and bra. “Moon dared me to give him a blowjob.”

“How’s that a dare?”

“He dared me to do it hanging off the bar.”

Moon was already helping her onto the bar.

Shaking his head at their antics, he told them, “I’ll see you guys later. I’m going to ride my new bike.”