Chapter Three
Kayos
“And then I’llassess the situation.Call in reinforcements if required.If these bikers are from your old pack, it doesn’t mean they aren’t armed just because they’re wolves.I might be a Gryphon, but I’m not impervious to a bullet.”Kyllian stood, grabbing his empty plate and bottle.His Gryphon insisted he take his sweet time in dealing with the threat, even though Quinn’s demeanor was not welcoming.Ever since she came back inside, she had been stiff and not exactly friendly.He had no doubt her Wolf felt threatened with a bigger baddie in the house.
“Leave those,” Trenton said.
Kyllian ignored him and tossed the bottle in the recycling bin before putting his plate in the dishwasher.He turned to his hosts.“No time like the present.Where did you see these bikers, and how many are there?”Kyllian asked Trenton.
“I’ve seen ten at the same time, but there could be more.I noticed them several places.Mamo’s Diner during lunch Monday.Camino Mexican restaurant for lunch on Wednesday, and Hank’s Tavern last Tuesday and Thursday evenings.”
“Did they notice you?”
“Not that I know of.I was in my car each time I saw them.I drove around every day after that, but I couldn’t find where they were staying.”
“Did you check the local campground?”Kyllian knew there was one nearby because he had stayed there several times with Hayden.
Trenton shook his head.“No.I didn’t want to risk it.Even if they aren’t pack, I would still be outnumbered if they stopped me.I’m not as young as I used to be.”There was defeat in Trenton’s voice.His Gryphon picked up something else.Trenton’s hands were shaking.The male sitting at the table wasn’t well.Kyllian wondered if Sutton was aware his friend was sick.He walked over to Trenton and gripped his shoulder, squeezing once before letting go.
“That was smart.I’m going to grab my kutte and go see the Sons.Let them know I’m in the area.While I’m gone, I’ll scope out the campground from the air.Trenton, I need your phone number in case I run into trouble and want to let you know I’m not returning straight away.”They exchanged numbers, and Kyllian pocketed his phone.“If nothing goes awry, I will see you both in a couple hours.”
Kyllian went upstairs and changed into a long-sleeved Henley before putting his vest on.His hosts were still in the kitchen when he came back downstairs, but Kyllian didn’t feel the need to say goodbye.He let himself out the front door and got on his bike.When he reached the end of the driveway, the large gate opened automatically.Backtracking the way he’d come, Kyllian rode toward town.The Savage Sons’ compound was located on the west side of the city, but Kyllian didn’t head directly there.Instead, he passed by all the establishments where Trenton had noticed the bikers.Not catching sight of them, he ventured on.
The Sons’ compound was as different from the Hounds’ as it could be.It sat off the road behind a tall chain-link fence.At the entrance, two of their members guarded the gate.Kyllian pulled to a stop, turned his bike off, and removed his helmet.
“Kayos?That you?”
Kyllian placed his helmet on the handlebar after climbing off his bike.Smiling, he held out his hand.“Yeah, it’s me.How you doing, Viper?”Kyllian might not agree with the illegal things the MC did, but they were honorable for the most part.They didn’t involve kids or women in their dealings.
“Can’t complain.”Viper was a grizzled older man.His long, gray hair had yellowed with age, and his stomach stuck out from under his kutte.The Vice President patch was new.He gripped Kyllian’s outstretched hand with a toothy grin.When he released the shake, Viper pointed a thumb at the other male.“This here’s our newest prospect, Demon.”Demon gave Kyllian a chin lift but remained where he was seated.Viper tossed the cigarette he’d been smoking to the ground and stomped it out with his worn black boot.“What brings you our way?”
Kyllian didn’t know Demon, nor did he trust the man.When Viper caught Kyllian’s gaze aimed at the prospect, Viper told the kid to scram.Only when he was out of earshot did Kyllian speak.“Two things.First, I wanted to let you know I’ll be in the area for probably a couple weeks.And second, I was wondering if you’ve seen any rogue bikers hanging around.”
Viper crossed his arms over his ample belly.“Thanks for the check-in.As for these bikers, yeah, we’ve seen ‘em.They did a check-in when they first rolled into town.Said they’re looking for someone.Said the man they’re looking for stole something from them.When Judas asked what the man stole, they said it was one of their old ladies.Kidnapped her out from under their noses.”
Kyllian kept his face blank.While they had spoken the truth, it wasn’t the whole truth.“How did Judas respond?”
“Told ‘em if they didn’t find the woman soon, they needed to move on.”
If Trenton was right, the wolves had been there at least a week.If he could keep Quinn safe for another seven days, they should be golden.
“You know anything about this woman?”Viper asked.
It wouldn’t do to lie to the Sons, so Kyllian nodded.“Yeah, I do.And these bikers didn’t tell the truth about the situation.She isn’t someone’s old lady, and she wasn’t kidnapped recently.She wasn’t kidnapped at all.”He couldn’t admit to Quinn being shifter, so he hedged his own truth.“Her grandfather was president of their MC back when she was born.Her mother met and fell in love with someone outside the club, and the two of them left town.The grandfather hunted them down, had the mother killed when they found her by herself.The woman and her dad have been hiding out ever since.”
“Damn, Kayos.I know there’s some crazy fuckers out there, but killing your own kid?If this woman was a baby when all this shit went down, why the hell are they still after her?You sure her parents didn’t take something else that didn’t belong to ‘em?”
“Pretty damn sure.You know how some people hang onto grudges when they feel slighted.I guess the grandfather just can’t let it go.”But that did bring up a good question.Why were they still after Quinn all these years later?He had a feeling there was more to the story than she’d told Kyllian.
“I take it she’s under your protection?”Viper asked.
“She is.”Kyllian slid into his Gryphon voice.“I’d appreciate it if the Sons didn’t help these rogues in any way.”
Viper thumped his chest with a fist.“You have my word.I’ll talk to Judas and relay this information.”
“Much appreciated.”Kyllian turned to head back to his bike, but Viper stopped him.
“Kayos?It might not mean anything, but there was a woman riding with them.On the outside, she was a real looker.But the vibe I got from her didn’t sit well.Her eyes were dark, and I don’t mean brown.They were ominous, like she could peer into your soul.”