Ramsey Security (Ramsey Security #1-3)(154)

“I want to know more about Frankie one day,” I say when I notice again how Dino flinches whenever he says his brother’s name. “Until then, thank you for telling me why you quit.”

“You feel better?”

Staring up at him, I know I’m completely screwed. I love this guy, and I’m not letting go. His story calms my panic, leaving me resigned to my fate. I love Dino, and he better as hell really love me.





21


Dino

Bikers Butting Heads

Minka remains in a weird mood as we sit again in the SUV and wait for Johansson’s men. I don’t push her because I’m feeling off too. Talking about my dad always makes me tense. He was a good man, and his death taught me ugly lessons about myself. I might be my father’s son, but I don’t have his good heart.

Three arriving Harleys belong to Johansson’s guys. I’m not in the mood to see them or play nice with the other biker *s. I want to sulk or get Minka naked under the sheets.

“Let me do the talking,” Minka says.

“Because I’m an ape?”

“Because you’re distracting when you start the dick measuring contests. I don’t care how big their dicks are and neither should you. We’re here to convince these *s to stay out of Common Bend, not that you’ll kill them for looking at my tits.”

“They’re great tits, though.”

“Yeah, they are,” she says, giving me a wink. “Now, let my bitchiness run the show inside, okay?”

“No skin off my ass either way. I only took this job to hang out with you.”

Minka gives me a look that makes my poor overused dick twitch.

“Behave yourself,” I warn while opening my door.

After checking our weapons, Minka and I join the Reapers at the front door. They frown at us.

“I thought we were meeting before coming here.”

“We changed our minds,” Minka says. “Save your pouting for those wives back in Ellsberg.”

Vaughn grunts. “You just better not let yourselves get dazzled by the pretty twins.”

Minka gives the bikers the once-over and shakes her head. “I like my men a bit more cleaned up.”

“They’re pouting,” I say, smiling at Minka, who checks her gun just for show.

“Whatever I say inside is between Rafael and me,” she tells the bikers. “If you have issues with my bullshit, take it up with your boss after we finish here.”

Judd and Vaughn share a look. I think maybe they get how Minka will likely bluff. Tucker not only doesn’t get it, but he doesn’t get how he’s supposed to get anything. He’s large and intimidating, and I’m sure he’ll come in handy as a human shield.

Judd opens the bar’s front door, and Minka hurries inside before him. The dark-haired biker gives me a look.

“Save the death stares for the other bikers,” I say, walking inside.

Salt Peanuts is oppressively hot and crowded. Country music plays so loudly I doubt anyone can hear themselves think, let alone keep up a conversation. Despite the bar’s flaws, the location makes sense. The Serrated Brotherhood was smart to organize a meeting with two paid killers and three club enforcers at a public place.

In a back booth, we meet Viking twins Dayton and Camden Rutgers. They shoo away their female companions before putting on big smiles for us.

“Tuck the Fuck,” one of them says, shaking Tucker’s hand.

“Dayton,” Tucker says and then shakes the other twin’s hand. “Camden.”

The lumberjack-looking men are identical except for one has his blond hair pulled back into a ponytail while the other has his hair loose. They both look smelly and crappy in bed. I feel like sharing these facts with Minka.

She shows no reaction to either man. Of course, she showed no reaction to me either when we first met, and I had that chick hooked day one.

Vaughn gestures at us. “This is Jane and Anthony.”

“Who do you work for again?” Camden asks.

“Our boss is connected to Memphis,” Minka says, picking her words carefully.

Dayton and Camden share a look. I catch Judd and Vaughn doing the same. Rather than two warring sides, Minka has created a third. I’m wondering if we’ll both fit behind Tucker when the bullets start flying.

“You helped Ruby,” Dayton says like it’s a question.

Minka gives a slight nod. I only stare at the men, waiting for a sign of trouble.

“She’s a family friend, so I guess that means we owe you.”

Ruby’s unwillingness to ask for help from these family friends makes me wonder what bullshit they’re pulling. Minka is thinking the same thing. I know that because I know her. Expression-wise, she’s unreadable.

“We don’t want anything from you.”

Dayton scratches his blond beard. “I thought you were here to tell us that Common Bend still belongs to the Reapers even though they haven’t controlled it in months.”

“We came here to tell you that Common Bend’s current leadership will be removed in seventy-two hours.”

“Why seventy-two?” Camden pushes. “We could do it now.”

“Yes, you could. The person coming to remove the new leadership of Common Bend will remove whoever is in charge when he arrives. Either way, he won’t be here for seventy-two hours. Until then, we’re supposed to sit tight and play nice.”