Lucky Ride (Men of Valor MC)

“Once I get everything situated, I’ll send you ladies there.” She gets my drift. I have to dispose of Carl and his fuckhead buddy. Soon. Very soon. “I want you to finish your food and relax for the rest of the day. I’m sorry that we’re busy. Next year, I’ll make sure we have extra staff on your birthday.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“But I do. My woman doesn’t need to be exhausting herself, running around back and forth on her special day.”

We come out half an hour later, taking our dishes to the kitchen before checking on the next batch of beef. “We’re good. We should have enough to make it through the night and some for the rest of the week for sandwiches.”

“Great. I’m taking Clover home to celebrate the rest of her birthday. Do you all have it?”

“We’re good in the kitchen. Holly just arrived to close.”

“Great.” I nod to my kitchen crew and then turn back to Clover. “Let me check on the staff and then we can leave, baby.”

“Sounds good to me.” When I step out, the ladies are congregating by the counter, one each working on a task while making small talk. “Hey, we’re getting out of here. I’ll be back to check on the place tonight.”

We don’t even get to my truck when I spot that asshole Carl from his patrol car. I turn to Clover and whisper, “Let’s go back inside, sweetheart.”

I shoot a text to my guys, and Rough responds quickly. This is his favorite area of expertise—getting rid of sick fucking rapists. He may not have raped my woman, but that sure as fuck was his intent. Now he’s stalking us. He’s a fucking fool. I step outside as Rough and Gage pull up with a couple of prospects. We know damn well that Carl’s not that stupid, but we don’t know how crazy he is.

“Look out,” Gage hisses out, mouth closed. I nod, watching Carl make his way toward us.

“Why are all of you congregating outside the restaurant?”

“That’s none of your business, douchebag,” I inform him. “This is my diner, and these are my friends. Why are you stalking my diner?”

“You better watch your mouth, or I’ll have you arrested.”

“For what? And by the way—what took you out of town? Could it be looking for Clover?”

“She stole my money. Probably on drugs like her cousin who disappeared.”

“You’re a fucking liar. She ran out with nothing but her pajamas and her purse. If I didn’t find her, she would have frozen to death. You put your hands on my woman, Carl, you sick fucking bastard.”

“You are falling for used-up pussy. You are weak. She was high on blow and didn’t want to get arrested, so she ran when I came to bust her.”

“Another fucking lie. Do yourself a favor and run. It’s the only chance you’re going to get.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“We’ll see.” We stare at him, watching and waiting to see if he backs down first. It takes a minute, but he finally steps back. We’re not afraid of him and his buddy who lurks at the side of the building.

“Have a good day, Officer,” Gage says with a smirk, giving him a short wave.

“Take your friend with you.”

“Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Carl!” I turn and see Clover standing there with her own smirk. I slide my hand around her waist and pull her close to me. Carl glares at her, letting me know all I need. He wants her dead, and this isn’t over. It will be very soon.

“Come on, love.”

“We can’t take your truck. I saw the cameras. That friend of his was messing with it. That’s what I came out to tell you.”

“Our men are on it.”

“I’ll drop you off while the guys do a scan.”

“Thanks.” I pull her close to me and kiss her temple. “Let’s go, baby.” We climb into Gage’s ride and pull away from the diner. I know we’re being watched by his goon, but we won’t be for long. Gage and Rough weren’t the only ones to show up to the diner.

We’re nearly to the house when I get a text. A car bomb was under my truck. Carl’s about to die painfully. I grab onto Clover a little tighter, hating how close he came to us.

Our house had been guarded by our dogs, home security, and several prospects taking turns, so he knew not to go there. He knew I’d want less attention around the diner because it would be bad for business.

The dogs happily greet us at the door. After a little playing with the two, I take her hand and lead her to the bedroom.

“We have a few hours before I have to go back to the diner to close up.”

“I can come with you.”

“No. It’s not safe. You’ll be safe here.”