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PROLOGUE

“W here’s Shadowridge?”

Steele turned around. A large biker stood on the other side of the pumps with his hands on his hips. He’d seen the custom cycle power into the gas station as he removed the cap from his tank at one of the numerous pumps. He continued to add fuel to his bike.

“Other side of the state.”

“I’ve never seen that cut before. The Devil Daddies are the kings of this area,” the stranger informed him with a scowl. “Passing through?”

Steele tamped down the voice in the back of his head that whispered a warning. “I’m here for a few months. My old lady is replacing the bank president while the regular one is on maternity leave.”

“Got any more members with you?”

“No. I’m not claiming territory. Just protecting my own while I’m in town,” Steele assured him.

“You should pay a visit to our president. He appreciates outsiders registering their presence.”

“Understood. Where would I find him?” Steele asked, cloaking his automatic displeasure at the barely concealed demand. He kept his tone even to avoid aggravating the situation. This could go south quickly.

“Inferno. The large bar on the south side of town.”

“I’ll be there this afternoon,” Steele stated.

“Ask for Lucien.”

Steele nodded and turned back to top off his tank. The man moved away after a brief pause, but Steele sensed he was still under scrutiny. MC etiquette was a tricky thing. He’d pay the bar a visit when Ivy was safely inside the bank and after he shared his whereabouts with Kade and Storm, his MC’s Enforcer and Vice President. They’d know what to do if he walked into trouble.

When his tank was topped off, Steele headed for a park he had passed on the way and pulled into a parking lot. He chose to back into a space with a good view of the road. Steele wanted to check if anyone would follow him before returning to the apartment they’d rented for a short term. Lounging back on his seat as if he didn’t have a care in the world, he grabbed his phone and made a call.

“Hey, it’s Steele. Let me talk to Kade.” The MC’s Enforcer would be the first person he contacted.

“Steele. Tired of that Podunk town and ready to come home?” Kade joked as he got on the line.

“Not quite yet. Ivy’s enjoying the new challenge but missing her friends.”

“Those Little girls love to get together.”

Steele couldn’t help overhearing the loud whisper in the background.

“Ask him if we can phone Ivy tonight, Daddy!”

Steele had no trouble recognizing Remi’s voice.

Kade shared, “They wanted to call her last night, but I was concerned about interfering with Ivy’s bedtime. I figured she was coming home exhausted after working in the new branch.”

“I put her to bed at seven, and she didn’t protest.”

“That’s telling,” Kade pointed out.

“Exactly. She slept well and was energized to go. How about if we call at six this evening? Think the others would be up for it?” Steele asked, anticipating that the Littles would jump on that suggestion.

“Let me tell Remi. She’ll spread the word.” Kade relayed the message to his Little. “Ivy will phone today at six.”

“Yessss!”

Steele could only imagine how fast Remi got on her phone to text the news. “Hey, I need to let you know I ran into a member of a local club here in town. Can you get me any information on the Devil Daddies? I’m visiting their headquarters in a bar named Inferno this afternoon.”

“Are you expecting trouble? Want to delay a couple of hours? I can be there in six,” Kade asked. His voice instantly hardened.

“I’m under scrutiny. Three bikes have cruised past while we’ve been talking. I’m either on their normal path or they’re keeping me in view. It’s better I go in alone. If I show up with my Enforcer, they might not be too receptive.”

“Call me by four to tell me how it went,” Kade demanded.

“Make it by five. That’s when I’ll need to pick up Ivy,” Steele suggested to give himself some wiggle room. Kade would act immediately to organize an official response if he suspected something had happened to the Shadowridge Guardians’ MC President.

“Got it. Be alert. Send an SOS if you need it.”

* * *

Steele occupied himself in town for the rest of the morning. He had lunch out and ran some errands. He wouldn’t lead the members of the Devil Daddies MC back to their apartment until he was sure Ivy would be safe. At two o’clock, he headed for Inferno.

It was definitely distinctive. A rough-hewn exterior gave the bar a weathered look. Red neon flames decorated the name along with the logo that Steele had noted on the cuts of the men who’d kept him in their sights. As he approached the immense building, Steele could see several equally large warehouses ranging behind the bar. The MC didn’t operate a repair or customizing shop. Why would they need large warehouses? What were they storing? Or moving?

When he pulled into the parking lot, the crowd was already rocking. An array of bikes was backed into spaces across the front curb. Steele bypassed those to leave his bike in a less desirable space on the side. No need to ruffle feathers before he even got inside Inferno.

“Nice bike,” the powerful man stationed at the door said as a greeting. He didn’t stand but stayed seated on his stool. “Shadowridge Guardians.”

“Yes. I’m looking for Lucien.” Steele didn’t introduce himself to the MC member. He needed to talk to the President first.

“He’s behind the bar.”

“Thanks.” Steele headed inside, scanning the room to absorb the vibe. It was larger than the Hangout. He suspected it drew more of a rough crowd than the array of everyone from college-age kids to sixtysomethings who filled his hometown spot. He liked the atmosphere of Inferno. He could see what drew people here. The owner had his finger on the pulse of his clientele.

He checked out the two guys behind the bar and took his best guess. Steele headed for the heavily tattooed biker with the sides of his skull shaved and sat down on the stool in front of him. “Lucien?”

“Yeah. Who’s asking?” The man’s piercing green eyes didn’t seem to miss much.

“I’m Steele. I ran into one of your club members at the gas station today,” Steele said, keeping his tone even. There was something about this guy that screamed danger. He needed to navigate the conversation with care.

“You’re on my turf,” Lucien said bluntly.

“My apologies. I didn’t know this town had an established club. My old lady is here to work at a bank for a few weeks. I always travel with her.”

“The Shadowridge Guardians, right?” Lucien asked.

Steele nodded. “I’m the President.” It was best he got that out of the way early in their conversation.

“Yeah. You guys have a bike shop.”

“I’m a welder. I specialize in custom jobs. There are a lot of great bikes out front.” Steele kept his eyes on Lucien. He couldn’t pick up any vibes to judge how this was going.

“Is your club coming to town?” Lucien asked.

“There are no plans for that at the present.” Steele left that open. The club would be there in a flash if something happened to him.

“I understand. Keep your nose out of our business and don’t try to stay permanently,” Lucien warned.

“What is your business?” Steele looked pointedly at Lucien. He wasn’t going to pussyfoot around.

Lucien laughed.

Steele understood the message. A giggle caught his attention. Automatically glancing toward the sound, he spotted a woman dressed in holey jeans with a pink ruffled top on the other side of the bar. Her hair was in two braids with pink ribbons.

The other man behind the bar moved to stand next to Lucien, blocking his view. That confirmed for Steele that Devil Daddies wasn’t just a name. He didn’t address the man who’d joined them but directly met Lucien’s gaze.

“The Shadowridge Guardians protect those with tender hearts and feelings. They’re off-limits.”

Lucien studied him for a long moment before reaching across the bar to offer his hand. “I’ll hold you to that.”

“Likewise,” Steele declared before shaking the man’s hand. While this was promising, he would remain on guard while they were in town.

His business done, Steele stood. Feeling the prickle of at least a dozen eyes on his back, Steele walked confidently to the front door. The guard at the entrance had disappeared. They wouldn’t touch him now.

He reached his bike and sent Kade a message:

We have some Little things in common with the Devil Daddies. There will be no problems here.

The response came instantly, confirming for Steele that Kade had prepared to ride if he’d sent a different message.

Got it. Devil Daddies. Don’t start wearing horns.

Not going to happen. I’ll stick with my Guardian wings.

Steele fired up his bike and drove from the parking lot. He’d accomplished his mission. His Little girl would be safe here in town.