Viper put his hands on his hips, his stance becoming aggressive. “Don’t blame me if you pussies can’t control your women. They aren’t coming to the party.”
Train’s shoulders fell. He would have to wait until Shade was in a better mood to ask him for his advice on how to turn Sex Piston around. He knew she was the reason Killyama still refused to come over. When he went to the Destructors’, she could maintain the image that what was going on between them was a casual hook up. If they went to The Last Riders and saw they were a couple, then maybe Sex Piston and her bitches would thaw out and get off Killyama’s case.
“It doesn’t matter to me, Viper.” Rider placed the smaller boxes to fit between the larger ones. “But seems to me that, if Sex Piston came, she would bring Stud, and Stud could keep the bitches in control. Everyone would get what they want. If Train and Killyama get serious, and we all know that he wants to, then we’re not only making Train suffer, but the other men, too. You can’t tell me that having Shade snapping heads off is for fun. And Knox has practically ticketed the whole town for jaywalking. He even gave Willa a ticket the other day.”
Cash and Razer looked away from Viper’s hard stare.
“Go ahead and invite them. But I won’t be there, and if Lucky doesn’t agree to be in there, it’s a no go.”
“Thanks, brother!” Train held out his hand to Viper.
Viper shook his head, not accepting his hand. “That’s not all. If there are any damages, it’s coming out of your pocket.”
“They’ll behave,” Train promised. “I’ll talk to Stud, and Cade will come with Fat Louise. The only two I have to worry about is Crazy Bitch and T.A., and with a clubhouse of men to keep them occupied, they won’t want to leave.” Train tried to be upbeat to ease Viper’s fears.
“That’s what I’m worried about.” Viper frowned, but he did finally take his hand. “So, did you come up with this bright idea yourself?” He glanced accusingly at Razer and Cash.
“It was Rider’s idea.” Train believed giving credit where it was due. Besides, he could always blame Rider if his plan went haywire.
“I better go get the other cart.” Rider hightailed it into the factory.
“You took advice from Rider?” Razer straightened a stack of boxes to make room for the ones Rider would bring out. “If he gave you the idea, he must have an ulterior motive. Rider doesn’t do anything unless it benefits himself.”
Train didn’t mention the promise he had made to Rider. It didn’t matter, anyway. It was only conditional on Killyama’s agreement, and there was no way Killyama would let Rider watch. If Train was honest with himself, he wasn’t sure he wanted Rider to. He was beginning to understand why the married men didn’t share their women.
“Be careful, brother. Rider has a way of stealing the women’s heart. He’s their favorite. Hell, he eats at Lucky’s house more than he does here, and even Rachel will fry extra fish for him when he goes to her house. If I hadn’t made a play for Beth first, Rider would have been the one married with two kids.”
Train laughed, seeing Razer had Shade bring out the other cart. “Now you’re exaggerating. Beth was too scared to give any of us a second glance.”
“Go ahead and laugh. When Killyama is cooking breakfast for him, I’ll remind you I told you so.”
“The day she makes breakfast for Rider, we’re going to need more than a factory full of supplies to survive, because that means the world has come to an end. She doesn’t even make me a coffee of cup when I stay the night.”
“You’re not cute. Rider acts cute. It gets past their guard,” Cash gave as his own warning.
“Watch it, Shade. That box is heavy,” Viper snapped out, going to help him when Shade made to lift the heavy box himself. “Rider hasn’t gotten past Winter’s guard,” he grunted out.
Train eyed the man who was walking toward Viper’s house. “Is that Rider going to your house now?”
Viper turned to see Winter opening the door and letting Rider inside. He made a production of looking at his wristwatch.
“Shade, you take over. I’m going to see if Aisha is awake from her nap.”
The men watched as Viper strode toward his house.
“Ten to one, Winter’s fixing him lunch.”
Razer’s comment had Train worried, but he was positive Killyama wouldn’t be taken in by Rider. The men were only trying to rile him up, like they used to do to Lucky before he married Willa.
“What in the fuck are you all jabbering about?” Shade snarled.
Train decided to put Shade out of his bad mood by telling him the plan that Rider had suggested, finishing by telling him the men were giving him a hard time about Rider. “… So Razer and Cash say Rider is the women’s favorite. Who do you think is?”
Shade stared at him as if he was a card short in a full deck. “Me.”