Page 52 of Rogue's Path

“You’re probably right. How is everything going with the arrangements for the funeral?”

“I’ve notified all the other clubs and made arrangements for the escort before and after. You know, when it’s a kid, people show up.”

He nods. “The old ladies are already ordering food. You want to stock our bar.”

“I already sent Firefly and Cyclops with two trucks.” With all the clubs coming… “I’ll send them again.”

“Good idea. We’ve got room inside for each club prez and V.P. to stay, and some will stay at the hotel and motel in town, but most will camp on the grounds.”

Havoc must be seriously worried. All of this is standard. “We’ll have the grounds mowed and the outdoor bathrooms cleaned.” We built them several years ago for club events. “Everything will be fine.”

“That could have been Creed. If something had happened, if his mother had stayed just a few more years, it could have been Creed that we’d be burying on Saturday.” Havoc leans back against his chair. He’s probably imagining Creed in the casket Berzerker’s old lady picked out.

“But it’s not him. Creed is alive and safe. We’re going to stop these guys permanently before they can hurt anyone else.”

Havoc nods. “I hope you’re right. I hope you’re right.”

I am. I’ve got to be.

“What about that woman of yours? Did you invite her?”

Invite her? “No. I haven’t even seen her since it happened. And this wouldn’t exactly be the way I’d want to introduce her to the club.”

“I get that. But the times we look the weakest are when we’re the strongest.”

Again?

Dylan

“Are you really going for coffee when you have a cup in your hand right now?” Cordelia spins the mini cake around, and suddenly, a flower forms on the top. Her technique appears flawless.

Oh, a bakery murder…that sounds like a cozy mystery.

“I can always drink another cup.”

“You mean you can go see if Rogue is around to kiss.”

“That’s not all we do—I mean, that’s not all I do at the cafe.”

She laughs. “Isn’t it, though? What are you doing with this guy? He’s FINE. I don’t blame you at all for kissing him. But is that all it is, a little game, then you’re going to walk away when you leave town?”

A game? I’ve called it that before in my head. “How can it be anything else? He’s a biker.” There’s no way I’m going to put on leather and take up the lifestyle.

Cordelia sets the icing bag down. “He’s a man first and foremost.”

I get that. His kisses reinforce that every time I see him. “That doesn’t make him not part of a biker gang.”

“They’re a motorcycle club. It’s not like they’re an outlaw club. From what I’ve heard around town, Children of Chaos is made up of law-abiding, upstanding members of the community.”

Really? Never have I heard of a club that’s completely law-abiding.

“Is it the cut on his back or the man you’re afraid of?”

Both. “He doesn’t seem all that interested in me. What if this is all he wants? A few clandestine kisses and to go on his merry way.”

“Clandestine kisses.” She giggles. “Are you sure you don’t write romance? Maybe a romantic thriller or two?”

“There has never been a romance plotline in any of my books.”