"Well, Dylan, are we going to play cat and mouse, or are you going to tell me why you're here right away?" Brad Lipski asked bluntly as they stepped outside.
The biker didn't answer. He looked toward the sun, squinting. He stretched lazily.
"I've always liked your directness," he said, walking toward the side wall. "And I've always wondered where you got it from."
"Genetics," Brad followed him. "And upbringing. Did you get the job from Anders?"
"I neither confirm nor deny," Dylan replied. "Damn, it's really good to see you, man, but too bad it's under these circumstances. You know, enemies have to be chosen wisely."
"As if I had a choice in the matter."
"Yeah," Dylan nodded. Everyone around here knew the story between the Lipskis and the Anders. "Look, Kurt's stubborn. He won't back down if he's taken the job. Plus, he really likes Steve. So I'm giving you one friendly warning—pack up your nieces and get out of town."
Brad immediately tensed. His brows furrowed.
"My nieces…" he growled.
Dylan raised his hands in a defensive gesture.
"I'm just the messenger," he explained. Then his hands dropped, and his voice darkened. "For now. That's why, Brad, you need to leave town."
Brad leaned back against the diner wall. He wanted a cigarette, but he didn't have any on him. Damn it.
Now, he too looked toward the sun. It was shining brightly, despite the fall. But it wasn't as high as it used to be in the summer. The days were getting shorter, and the nights longer.
"What happened to us, Dylan? To the brave, independent road warriors? Why does some jerk with a pile of money get to decide our fate?"
"Exactly because he's a jerk with a pile of money. But there's a way I can help you."
Brad glanced at Dylan. He had to adjust his eyes from staring at the sun to clearly see his face.
"I can't join you guys."
"Why not? It wouldn't be so bad. Besides, you'd quickly get promoted to lieutenant, and my people wouldn't have any issues with you. Even Kurt wouldn't say a word. He always liked you more than Steve, so everything would be fine. No point in being loyal to old promises…"
Brad shook his head. Damn it, if it were about old promises, he'd break them immediately if it meant protecting his nieces.
"That wouldn't solve anything," he explained. "And it might even make it worse. Anders would have something on me for the cops, social services, and the courts. He'd take the girls away."
"You… you really care about them?"
The question was sincere, and it didn't quite fit with the tough-guy biker image. But when family was involved, even the toughest guy on a Harley could soften. After all, they were just human—parents, siblings, sometimes even kids of their own.
"More than my own life," he admitted, immediately regretting his moment of weakness. "Damn it, I shouldn't have said that."
But Dylan shook his head.
"We won't hurt them. We've got our own honor. We won't hurt Aunt Sally either. But this place…"
Brad felt a curse building up on his lips.
"Even you guys wouldn't go that low."
"Money's powerful, Brad."
Damn it! How did it come to this?
"I'll quit my job," he decided.
"It's too late. Anyone who helps you has to be punished."
Brad muttered a curse under his breath.
"There's gotta be something that will stop you."
"The old ways."
"Old…" Brad was taken aback, unable to finish his sentence.
The old ways were two things. He had no idea who or when they'd been implemented, or where the ideas had come from. Dylan moved closer. He was so close that Brad could feel the warmth radiating off his skin and the dampness of his breath when he spoke in a low voice:
"I'd personally be happy to be your Guardian."
Brad's body reacted. He shivered with want.
It had been so long since he'd been with anyone, and Dylan—well, Dylan was attractive and a damn good lover. They'd always had fun together when they met secretly, away from their gangs, sneaking in those little moments of pleasure. So the proposal wouldn't be that bad, except for the sudden protest in his heart. Brad's mind flashed to the slim, young figure of the blonde…
Hey, he thought, it's just an arrangement. Just some fun with a guy who makes you feel good. Don't drag Doc into this—you don't stand a chance with him anyway. You're not gonna play seduction with some straight guy when you've already got enough problems of your own.
Shit!
Fortunately, he had the perfect excuse.
"You're tempting, seriously, but I can't do that for the same reason I can't join you guys. I can't get involved with you in any way."
"Well, then there's only one thing left."
"Yeah."
"Shame…"
Brad thought the exact same thing. For a moment. Then he heard a car approaching and saw Stacy and Colin Stone getting out. Without thinking, he stepped away from Dylan.
"Six PM today," he said.
"Six PM today," Dylan agreed reluctantly, stepping back.
Now that things between them were settled, he had nothing more to do here.