Page 70 of Best Laid Plans

“Much better,” he murmurs to her.

“Well, alrighty then. As you were, gentlemen.”

“You know it’s rude to read when you’re in a group of people?” Toot huffs, but his eyes sparkle with mischief.

“It’s rude to eat garlic for lunch and not brush your teeth when in civilized company. And yet here we are. Does anyone have a Tic Tac for Toot? It’s hard to read when my eyes won’t stop watering.”

“You’re mean.”

She sticks her tongue out at him.

“Children,” Havoc groans. “I swear some days I feel more like I’m president of a daycare instead of an MC.”

“I hear that.” Blade lifts his bottle. Havoc clinks his against it.

When a cell phone rings, everyone rummages to see whose it is. Delphi calls out, “It’s mine.” She frowns at the screen, her eyes drifting to Kruger’s. Sensing the change in mood, everyone goes quiet. “It’s Greer,” Delphi tells him.

Lil stirs. She looks up at me before turning to see what’s happening.

“Answer it,” Kruger tells her gently.

“What’s going on?” Lil asks me quietly.

“I have no idea.”

“Hey, Greer, is everything okay?”

Kruger signals for her to put the call on speakerphone.

“Hey, Delphi. I’m sorry to call out of the blue like this, but I find myself in a bit of an odd situation. Is there any chance I can talk to you and Kruger about something?”

“Um, sure. You want us to meet you at the diner tomorrow for lunch or something?”

“Actually, I’m just pulling up to the gates now.”

“You’re here at the clubhouse?”

“Yes,” she says softly.

“Greer, are you okay?” Delphi asks, picking up something in her tone that I missed. Both Mack and Toot straighten up fast, a serious expression on each of their faces.

“I will be. It’s just been a long day.”

“Okay, do you want to just come up to the⁠—”

“No. No, thank you. I’d rather you both came down, if that’s okay.”

Instantly, suspicions invade, but Havoc nods, indicating for her to agree.

“Alright, we’ll be there in a few minutes.”

“Actually, if Lil is there, do you think it would be possible for her to come down too? I know it’s an unusual request, but I have something for her.”

I shake my head adamantly. This has to be a setup. But Havoc nods to Delphi, who looks torn. In the end, she swallows and agrees. “I’ll find her, and we’ll be right down.”

“Thanks, Delphi.” Greer’s relief is palpable before she disconnects.

“This is a setup.”