Page 10 of Twist’s Raven (31 Days of Trick or Treat: Biker & Mobster #6)
“We coined one growing up. Cheerful Mom, Cheerful Calm. As long as we kept my mom and my aunt, who is Justice and Tack’s mom, happy, things were a lot smoother. And I am not ashamed to admit that I may wreak havoc on those who hurt my family, I still adore my fierce mom,” he said.
His VP laughed while looking at his mom.
“Appreciate that. Now, Twist. We know he has a YouTube channel as a storm chaser. I’m just going to put it out there. He interfered in a sticky situation we’d planned. Is there any way that he could be working with human trafficking?” Mace asked.
The Saint’s Outlaws were quite vocal about disagreeing with Mace’s question.
“No. I trust Twist. He’s a nomad for Bluff Creek Brotherhood MC. They’re one of our ally clubs, and my wife grew up in that club. There’s no way Twist would actively fight against it,” Pit said.
Raven watched Mace’s face for indications of what he would do. His facial muscles had relaxed at the group’s loud support of Twist’s intentions. Mace tapped his index finger, which meant he wasn’t quite convinced.
“Why should I trust you? Somehow Twist found Raven when he shouldn’t have been able to place her with the Honey Creek Badgers MC,” Mace said.
Ariel smiled, shaking her head. “He called my sister and brother-in-law, who run the tech for Bluff Creek. If you don’t want your members tied back to the club when you’re running an op, then you should make sure the tag on the vehicle doesn’t tie back to a club business,” Ariel said .
Raven could feel Mace’s glare from across the room. “Listen, I planned for all contingencies except a knight on a steel steed. The tow truck was not on the list of approved vehicles. When the plan changed, someone here decided to send the tow truck for me.”
Raven wasn’t taking the blame for this, but it was good to know that it was a simple thing that had caught them and that it wasn’t her fault.
“I sent the tow truck and didn’t think about the tags. Sorry, Mace. I scrambled when the issue wasn’t on Raven’s list of contingencies,” Axel said.
“We’ll know better next time. I’d like to discuss some more things with Pit and his MC. Britt, you can let Twist out. Tell him what you’d like. I’ll be sharing with Pit. Buzzard and Snipe, accompany her,” Mace said .
“I’m happy to share what and how we do things, but I’m not the one who basically grabbed him, trussed him up, and threw him in Time Out. Don’t you think you owe him an apology?” Raven said.
Mace shook his head no, folding his arms across his chest. He even made sitting at a table look imposing. “I don’t owe him anything. I was protecting our club. Got a problem with it? Then you apologize but I won’t be. If he’s the type of man I’m assuming he is, then he won’t expect one either.”
“Did anyone ever tell you how infuriating you are?” Britt asked.
Mace chuckled. “My wife, every day. Now, we done?”
Raven knew she’d pushed her friend and her President enough. She nodded. Snipe and Buzzard chuckled. “Hey, thanks for sending us. I wouldn’t miss her explaining to him what we do for anything.”
Britt fumed but left the room. Snipe and Buzzard trailing behind her had her back up. Sometimes it was like having a family that didn’t know when to shut up.
Raven opened the door and walked in. One of the guys had removed Twist’s hood. He was calmly staring at them. She wondered what he’d been thinking. She would have been looking at the room to see what could be used as a weapon, but they’d already done that, so he didn’t have any options.
“You checked out, and I’ve been given authorization to explain what goes on here. You’re also welcome to stay.”
Twist looked around the room. “I’ll take the explanation, but if the stay involves your Time Out room, I’ll pass. ”
Raven grinned. It was good to know Twist could still joke about being held captive. Maybe this would be easier than she thought.
“No Time Out. You’re free to go. I’d love to treat you to lunch after you find out what we do here,” Raven said.
“Do you think you could untie me for the explanation?” Twist asked.
Snipe and Buzzard immediately cut the ties, but Snipe placed his hand on Twist’s shoulder, holding him down while he whispered something. Twist nodded, and Snipe removed his hand from Twist’s shoulder. Twist stretched his arms and shoulders, then cocked his eyebrow. When she nodded, he stood up.
“Let’s say I work for a group that solves sticky problems. And hypothetically, I might have been going to let those men take me, and then I might be going to help them learn to be better people,” Raven said in a cheery voice.
“Make them be better people in your Time Out room?” Twist asked.
Raven nodded.
“I’m going to need a little more than that,” Twist said.
“Well, that sucks. He was completely calm. I’m a little disappointed. On that note, we’ll leave you in Raven’s capable hands,” Buzzard said, sticking his hand out to Twist.
Twist nodded, shook his hand, and accepted his phone and watch from Snipe. Raven couldn’t believe Twist didn’t seem to be mad, but she was thankful.