Page 8 of The Devil's Reward
“Up to you. I can handle it, but if you want to meet him and make sure he’ll fit in, you’re welcome to stay.”
“I’ll meet him, and if everything looks good, I’ll leave him to you. You’re good at sussing out the weird ones anyway.” He grins at me. “That’s what we let you think, at least.”
I give him a bland look. “Says the man who runs straight for crazy women,” I retort. “Or have you forgotten your chase of a certain crazy piercer?”
Viper laughs. “Damn, Raven is fun. I’d give that pretty boy of hers a run for his money if I didn’t know he is damn crazy about her, and he is good enough for her.”
“Your luck, when you find a woman, you’re going to end up with someone crazier than all the girls put together.”
He shrugs. “My ex is like that now, but she’s the bad crazy, not the fun crazy like our girls.”
“Wait, there are different kinds of crazy?”
He laughs. “You’re out of touch, brother. Trust me, there’s a big difference. Hope when you find a woman, you don’t find out. Though that would be funny as shit.”
I wave that away. “I’ll worry about finding a woman after our mole is gone. Now, get out of my office so I can get some work done before this guy gets here. Keep an ear out, though, would you?”
“What’s his name?”
“Mack Owens. The name sounds familiar to me, but I can’t place him. Hopefully, either Cryos gets back to me before he gets here, or I recognize him.”
Viper nods and heads out, leaving me to the loads of paperwork that have been piling up on my desk. Yep, definitely need a receptionist. Paperwork is not my thing.
Soon enough, I’m entrenched in dealing with it all so much that I miss Viper letting me know our interview is here. I don’t clue in to anyone being there until the door opens again. Lifting my head, I’m instantly thrown back in time to when my team and I were working a mission with another Forces team in the Amazon, extracting some diplomats that were kidnapped and being held hostage at some hidden mansion deep in the jungle.
Memories bombard me, and from the look on his face, he recognizes me as well. Slowly, I stand and hold out my hand to a man I thought I wouldn’t see again. “Crypt,” I say calmly.
“Ghost,” Crypt returns, taking my hand and giving it a firm shake. I can see Viper watching us curiously out of the corner of my eye. “Long time. Sorry about your team.”
I give a curt nod. “Thanks. I didn’t recognize your name when the social worker sent your resume over,” I tell him, changing the subject and gesturing for him to take a seat across from me. Viper moves into the room to stand slightly behind me, though I note Crypt tracks his movement without so much as turning his head.
I already know I’m going to hire him. Not just because of his skills, but because he’s one of the few members of his team that I liked. He was no nonsense, did what needed to be done with little talking or complaining, and he was a damn genius with tracking and navigating. Everything blended together in the jungle, and there was nothing like a mission where we had to spend weeks together, no privacy or peace the entire time. His team hadn’t jived as well as ours, and I had inquired about our team acquiring him when we got back. They shot me down, but I have to figure that was for the best. Our next mission was our last, and one more death on my conscience might be one too many.
“Not like we all go by our names when we’re working,” Crypt rumbles out with a slight shrug. “Though I notice you don’t go by Ghost anymore,” he adds, nodding towards my cut.
I shake my head. “I’m Shadow now. Suits me better.” I give him a humorless smile, and he nods in acknowledgement. I glance back at Viper and explain, “Crypt and I knew each other in the Forces. He was on another team, but we did a mission together. Crypt, this is my club brother and business partner, Viper.”
Crypt tips his head in acknowledgement, then turns his gaze back to mine. I see Viper’s lips quirk in the corner of my eye. “You joined the MC when you got out?” Crypt asks me.
I shake my head. “I wandered around, and then Bullet, our President, offered me the chance to Prospect. Figured I had nothing to lose, so that’s what I did.” I cock my head at him thoughtfully, a plan already forming in my head, and then glance at Viper. Knowing where my mind is heading, he gives me a subtle nod. “You got a place yet?” I ask Crypt curiously.
He shakes his head. “Still close to base. Got another week to find a spot. Most places I’ve found only rent to families, or want proof of a job. The social worker said she might have a line on a place, though.”
I lean forward. “Ever think of joining an MC?” I ask him.
He doesn’t look all that surprised at my question. “You trying to recruit more men? Or is this a charity offer?”
Blunt, and that holds true to the man I remember when we worked together. “Nah, no charity here. You already have a job here if you want it, and since I know what it’s like getting out of the Forces with no plan, this might be an option for you. We need some fresh blood, and we need competent Prospects.” Viper snorts, making Crypt glance at him. “We have kids now, about five of them. Two of them have patch potential, the other three are lazy as fuck.
“It won’t be easy, but it comes with a job, a place to stay, and the chance for you to decide what you want to do with the rest of your life. Our club is made up of a lot of former servicemen, and they’ve all been where you are now. You’re going to have to prove yourself, do the grunt work, but if you want a brotherhood like you had before, only a hell of a lot better, then I’m willing to sponsor you.”
“Just like that?” He rightfully sounds suspicious.
I shrug. “You might decide it’s not for you, and that’s fine. You’ll still have a job. One isn’t contingent on the other, but it will let you get on your feet without having to worry about the little shit.”
“We’ll put you through your paces if you stick around,” Viper warns. “That’ll include scrubbing the damn toilets if we decide, or running out to get beer at three in the morning if we’re partying, but you’re going to have a family at your back no matter what.”
Crypt eyes him, and then looks at me, gaze steady. I can’t read his thoughts, but if he accepts, I already have a plan in mind for him. If our mole somehow sneaks past us, Crypt would be an ace up our sleeves. He’ll be unknown, and our mole will only see him as a new obstacle, but if we can use Crypt to track him down, we’ll be that much closer. A win-win, and we could end up with another brother.
