Page 152 of Reaper and Ruin

He kept his voice low. “Last time I saw Lynx, he said I owed him. I’m pretty sure this—him turning up here unannounced—is him claiming that debt.”

Nerves flittered around my belly, but if that was true, how bad could it be? Lynx would have to have a death wish to walk inthe Slayers’ gates and start something with a member. The entire club was here, rubbernecking while they got ready to barbecue.

We fell silent as he drew closer, and eventually Lynx stopped in front of us.

He shook Levi’s hand and then turned to me. “Hey, Violet.”

I offered him a smile, trying to break the tension, while also trying to subtly remind him that Levi had people here. “You picked a good night for a visit. We’re having a full club barbecue. All the members and their families are here.”

I could feel the gazes of Whip and X from across the yard. Fang and War and Hawk all hovered around, keeping an eye on the newcomer since he was an unknown in their territory.

Lynx nodded. “I can see that.” He glanced at Levi. “Hope I’m not in the way.”

Levi’s fingers strangled the neck of his beer bottle. “You aren’t. But if we’re being honest, I am wondering what you’re doing here.”

Pink tinged Lynx’s cheeks, and he shoved his hands deep in the pockets of his jeans. “Yeah, I get that.” He squinted at Levi, the blush deepening. “You know that favor you owe me?”

My stomach sank. Even though nothing about Lynx’s posture screamed a warning, him bringing up the debt that Levi owed him made me feel sick.

Clearly, it had a similar effect on Levi. He picked his words carefully. “I haven’t forgotten.”

“Was hoping I could call it in,” Lynx said.

Levi just waited.

I wanted to vomit, but I couldn’t tell if it was the anticipation or a sudden bout of morning sickness.

Lynx glanced around the yard full of bikers and their families and then back at Levi. “I was hoping for an introduction. Or maybe even a good word with your prez?”

Levi blinked. “Sorry, what?”

The pink in Lynx’s cheeks deepened. “I know I’d have to start at the bottom. I don’t expect no special treatment…” He ran his hand through his hair. “It’s just fucking shit out there, man. I’m couch surfing. Job prospects are bleak. You know how it is, right? I just thought maybe the club…” He shook his head. “Sorry. This is fucking embarrassing. I shouldn’t have come and interrupted your dinner.” He took a step backward.

Levi’s fast-spreading grin stopped him. “Hold up. You want to join the Slayers?”

Lynx shrugged. “Thought I’d start with an introduction first, but I mean, yeah? Or, I don’t know, maybe? If I’m stepping all over your territory—”

Levi slung his arm around Lynx’s shoulder, and Lynx barely missed the beer that sloshed over the lip of the bottle.

“Is that seriously all you want? An introduction and a good word put in for you?”

Lynx nodded. “I ain’t got nowhere else to go, honestly.”

Levi’s relief was palpable. He laughed; the sound filled with relief. “War! Come over here for a second, would you?”

War walked over, carrying his baby son in his arms.

I smiled as Levi introduced his old cellmate to his president. The two men shook hands, and Lynx gave baby Ridge a tiny fist bump, even though the little boy was really too young to understand what was going on.

All three men talked for a minute, Levi explaining that Lynx was interested in joining the club. War seemed open to potentially taking on a new prospect, and they set up a time for further discussions when War wasn’t needed for family duties as he was tonight.

Levi couldn’t stop smiling. To the point that both Lynx and War noticed.

War frowned at him. “Any reason you’re all Cheshire cat right now? You that excited by the idea of a new prospect to boss around?”

Levi snorted on a laugh. “No. It’s just…” He shook his head then said to Lynx, “I thought you mass murdered a bunch of innocent women. And that when you said I owed you, you were going to…” He shrugged. “You know.”

Lynx’s eyes got big. “Going to what? Ask you to kill a few more with me just for shits and giggles?”