“Pop, you don’t get it. I’m not interested in Rhi. Yes, she’s pretty. Yes, she has stars in her eyes when she looks at me, but that’s because I rescued her. If it had been you who pulled her from the dumpster, she’d be looking at you the same way. I’ll introduce her to Kyllian.” Zeus, why did that thought make him want to throw up? Kyllian was the gentlest out of all his brothers, even though he had a penchant for getting Maveryck in trouble.
“Okay, Son. I’ll not bring it up again. Ride safe, and I’ll see you at your house.”
Ryker strolled out of the hotel. He checked his surroundings before straddling his bike. If Rhi was correct, James was still in the area. Then again, knowing what he did about the Ministry, Ryker didn’t doubt James had returned to the compound and told Josiah about Rhiannon running. They moved a whole compound so they wouldn’t be found. Now, they had someone who could possibly give the authorities information on the new location. He pulled out his phone and called Lucy.
“Morning, Uncle. What can I do for you?”
“Good morning, Little Dove. Can your favorite uncle not call just to say hello?”
Lucy laughed. “You could, but it’s not your MO.”
“True, and for that, I’m sorry. I’ll try to do better in the future.” Zeus, Ryker really was a bastard. “I have information that should help you find Josiah’s compound.” Ryker looked around, making sure there was no one in listening distance, then explained about Rhiannon.
“I’m on it. Hopefully by the time you all return, I’ll have the location pinned down.”
“Thank you. Also, if you would, check for any CCTV footage in the area and see if you can get video of Rhi and James. I’d like a photo of the man to circulate between the Hounds. If Rhiannon’s right, they’ll come back looking for her, if they haven’t already. If we can catch them here in town, we’ll be able to capture some of their men and question them about their operation.”
“Will do. I’ll talk to you soon.”
Ryker thanked Lucy before hanging up. He hated everything his niece went through, but he was glad she was part of their family again. Glad she had a Gargoyle as honorable as Tamian St. Claire as a mate. His little Lucy, a queen. No, she wasn’t his daughter, but he was the one who looked out for her while Warryck was off living his life away from the family. Now, both War and Lucy were back where they belonged. Thinking of daughters, Ryker sent a quick text to Kyllian telling him to bring Mac home before it got too late and why. Ryker wanted Mac to be there when Rhiannon arrived.
Ryker felt lighter than he had in months. The ordeal with Cassandra and Nexus had thrown him into a tailspin, but now the Hounds would be working with Shepherd and Quinn. He was confident the father-and-daughter team would be a good fit with the work the Hounds did. Ryker couldn’t wait to tell Mac the good news about Elijah. The boy was alive if Rhi was telling the truth, and she didn’t have a reason to lie about the young man. They were one step closer to finding Josiah and shutting down that branch of the cult.
Ryker arrived at the clubhouse pleased to see many of the Hounds already there. Calling church was usually only done when they had something of utmost importance to discuss. This was more of an impromptu gathering to let them know about his meeting with the Shepherds. This affected them all, and Ryker wanted to assure them they wouldn’t encounter the same shitstorm that was brought upon them while working with Nexus.
Sultan, his Sargent-at-Arms, got everyone’s attention and sent them into the conference room. The Hounds gathered around the oak table with Mayhem sitting to his right and Sultan to his left. The only ones missing were Kyllian, who was still out with Mac, and Tank. Martina was ready to give birth, and family came first. No, that wasn’t how most MCs worked, but the Hounds weren’t like other clubs. In that moment, Ryker became Ryot, president of the Hounds.
“This won’t take long. There are two things I wanted to share with you. First, I met with Trenton Shepherd and his daughter, Quinn. Shepherd is an old friend of Sutton’s, and he and his daughter have been running an organization similar to Nexus for over twenty years. Going forward, we will be taking contracts from them instead of Nexus. They are not a large organization with various unnamed handlers. Quinn is the only one who’ll be contacting me when they have jobs for us. Sutton trusts Shepherd, and I do as well. You’ve all had a short reprieve from our merc work, and now that I’ve agreed to partner with them, we’ll be getting back into it immediately. Any questions?”
“Is Quinn hot?” Havyk asked. The other Hounds chuckled, and Judge slapped Hayden on the shoulder.
Ryot grinned at his youngest brother. “She’s not bad, but she’s older than you and way too serious.”
Hayden crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m not opposed to older.”
Ryker shook his head, ignoring his brother. “Does anyone have a serious question?” Ryker waited, and every Hound remained silent. They trusted him to make the best decisions for the club. “Moving on to the next reason I called you in. On my way back from meeting with Shepherd, I stopped to get gas, and a female was running away from a man.” Ryker recounted the story of Rhi hiding out in the dumpster and him getting her a hotel. “The female, Rhiannon, was running from Josiah Talbert’s compound. Sutton and Rory are with Rhi now, and they’re bringing her to my house. Rhi is close to Mac’s age, and I’m hoping they will be able to help one another. In speaking with Rhi, she confirmed Elijah is alive and at that location. She was able to give us an estimate of how long it took to get from the compound to town, so Lucy is already searching for both the compound as well as any men in the area looking for Rhi. I’m meeting Sutton and Rory back at my house, and once Rhiannon is settled, I’m going to ask her more about the layout of the area as well as the men who act as guards. As soon as Lucy gets a location, I’ll send two of you in to recon the area. Any questions?”
Hayden smirked, and Ryker pointed a finger at him, effectively shutting him up. The other Hounds laughed heartily, but Ryker didn’t want his brother asking about Rhi. And wasn’t that a punch to the balls? Ryker wouldn’t claim the young woman, but he didn’t want anyone else to either. “If nothing further…” Ryot banged the gavel announcing the end of the meeting. Most of the Hounds had families to get home to, but those who didn’t hung around, chatting, drinking, and shooting pool.
Ryker left them to it as he strode out the door. Hayden was right behind him. “Wait up.” Where Kyllian was the quietest and most reserved of all the brothers, Hayden was the goofball, but at the moment, he toed at a rock when Ryker gave him his attention. “I’d like the first job you get from Shepherd.”
That surprised Ryker. Hayden was still learning about being a mercenary. He didn’t hesitate to take jobs, but he never asked for one either, preferring to spend his time building bikes or working on his art. Something about his younger brother was off. “You okay?”
Hayden wouldn’t meet Ryker’s eyes. “Fine. Just ready to get back out there.”
“You know you can talk to me, don’t you?” Ryker often felt like the odd male out when it came to his family. Sutton had Rory. Mav and War had their twin bond, and now they had their mates. Kyllian and Hayden were close because they were the youngest. Ryker had their love, but being the asshole he was, most of his family didn’t seek him out unless it had to do with MC business.