Page 27 of Static

I frowned and shook my head in confusion.

"You seriously think they don't have someone checking in on him? Making sure that Butcher is behaving? And Cypher?" Lockout's chuckle was dark. "He has a club full of Butchers."

The three of us looked at each other before focusing on Lock again. "What does that mean?" Idaho asked.

"You ever wonder why Cypher only sends Cynic and Torque when he can?"

I shook my head. But now I was wondering.

"They're the only two who… Let's just say they get along with others." Lock shoved out of his chair. He gave me a piercing look. "All this bullshit kicks off in a few days. You should get any loose ends wrapped up before then. That way there's no confusion about whether a certain lady and her kids should listen to you when you give them an order for their own safety."

I scowled at him, but nodded. Raising my finger, I pointed it at Idaho as Lock left the room. "Not a fucking word. I've had enough of you today."

Idaho laughed and pasted an innocent look on his face. "And here I thought it would take longer for you to get sick of me being around again."

He and Rip both got up, leaving me to sit there and stew in my own irritation. Lock was right. I needed to make sure Gwen understood where we were with one another. And soon.

CHAPTER 11

Static

Stretching, I walked down the stairs the next morning. It was late morning and there were quite a few brothers and families milling around. Lock had spoken to the women last night and asked them to take a few days off work, if possible. That would give us time to take care of the shit we needed to and come up with a schedule that allowed us to have someone escort them where they needed to go.

Thankfully, Gwen already took time off since the kids still weren't feeling well. I'd checked in on them earlier. Gwen looked exhausted from nursing the children all night, but Jordan and Sloane were already there and were taking over for the next few hours, so Gwen could sleep. They didn't need my help, so I left them all alone.

I was nearest the door when a knock sounded. Frowning, I went and opened it and looked down. "Hello."

"Hello, Sir." There was a little girl standing there, her dark hair in two braids, with jeans and a t-shirt on. Her face and hands were already grubby even though it was only about ten in the morning.

"Can I help you?" I asked, eyebrow arching when she lifted her hand. I took the photo from it. Now both eyebrows were up.

"Do you know Boone Sutton?"

"Uh...Toxic?" I called out, still staring down at the photo of Toxic. He looked quite a bit younger, but it was clearly him.

"What?"

"I think he's my daddy."

I looked over at the man who'd just walked up. The shock on his face was complete and all-encompassing.

"My mommy told me my daddy's name was Boone Sutton and that he lived here." The little girl blinked up at us with innocent eyes.

A thump made me glance over, then down again. Toxic was sitting on his ass on the floor. I wasn't sure if he was still drunk from the night before, or if the news had literally knocked him off his feet. "Who's your mother?" he asked, his face ghost white.

Jecht walked over and licked the back of his neck, making Toxic shudder in response and shove the dog's nose away.

Giggles broke through the silence of the clubhouse and I glanced over my shoulder. Taylor and Gabby were trying to stifle their laughter, and Priest was shaking his head, his arms crossed over his chest. Everyone else was watching this shit show play out.

"Quit trying to give him a heart attack, girls. Judy, if you want to stay and play with my girls, get in here. Is your mom still out there?" Priest asked.

"No," Judy said, slipping past us and giving Toxic a million-dollar smile. "She already went home. She said to say thanks for letting me stay the night, though."

Gabby and Taylor had come out of hiding and I watched in amusement as Butcher slipped Gabby some money.

"Told you it would work," Butcher said.

Toxic was staring at them in shock. "Wait. So she's-"