“She wears a dress and heels on her once-a-week excursion outside of the house, but I don’t see her in them. Right now, I only see her nude, and I like the dynamic, but you’re right — it’s time I bought her some clothes and got her used to them.”
“Please tell me you aren’t going to be antagonistic with Danny.”
“I’m going to need him to sign a nondisclosure agreement. He does that, we’ll be fine.”
“He isn’t going to do that, Daddy.”
“Then we’ll have a problem.”
“I believe the purpose is to put you at a stalemate with the club, so you won’t go after them.”
Her father adjusted his lapel, and her stomach did a somersault. “Tell me you haven’t already done something.”
“No, but I don’t like having my options taken away.”
She couldn’t help her grin. Danny kept telling her he was no longer the kid without resources he’d been before.
“Do you think it’s possible you’ll be able to see him as someone on your side, and not as an opponent? He loves me. You love me. Isn’t a stalemate a good thing?”
“He’s a criminal, Iris.”
“Whose fault is that? You got him kicked out of school. You made him lose his scholarship. This is the life he found without a formal education. He’s a freaking genius, Daddy, and yeah, he’s a biker, but I’ve seen his mind in action.”
“I invited him into my home. What more do you want me to do?”
“Don’t blackmail him. Don’t work to set things up so you can blackmail him if he ticks you off. You have to admit, he held his own at the gala, like a seasoned pro. He isn’t the country bumpkin you want him to be, anymore.”
“And if he or his club leaks information about Reyna?”
“Don’t give them a reason to.”
Time to tell him where they were going. “I asked you to wear chinos and a casual shirt because we’re going to a party at the clubhouse. There will be kids and police and possibly the county sheriff. It’s just a big family-and-friends cookout, but it’ll give you a chance to meet everyone in a relaxed setting.”
“I’m not going to a biker’s clubhouse.”
He said the last two words as if they tasted bad, but Iris tried not to show her irritation. “We’ve been invited. We’re going. You said you wanted to meet my new friends. Do you trust me, Daddy? Would I take you somewhere dangerous or lowlife?”
He shook his head. “I trust you, but this is too much, Princess.”
“It isn’t. I promise you. Aaron Drake will be there with his wife and kids. It’s a family event, not what you’re probably thinking when you hear biker party. Two of my security detail will be allowed to come inside because the MC trusts them. Danny’s worked it out with Aaron so Kenny and Ranger will be on us. Your detail will need to watch the gates.”
“Ranger isn’t part of your regular detail.”
“No, but he’s in a long-term relationship with Gen’s best friend, so he’s family. Plus, he’s one of the best people at Drake. Also, I like him. He’s a nice guy.”
Her father shook his head again. “I’m not happy about this, but I’ll go. I will speak with your Mr. Franklin about the nondisclosure agreement, though.”
McGyver breathed in relief when Iris texted him they were on the way from the airport. She hadn’t been sure her father would agree to come, but this seemed the easiest way to deal with him.
Iris’s father had paid off a local detective to come after them. Another detective — one the club owned — realized something was up with his colleague who seemed to have a bug up his ass about the MC, and had let Duke know he needed to check into it. Abbott had been paid to see what was up, and he’d suggested the detective should offer to return Mr. Wendel’s money, since he couldn’t find anything on them.
And the detective would be doing it today, in a conference room, in front of the MC, which would put Iris’s dad on the spot, but Brock Wendel needed to understand it wasn’t a good idea to come after them.
Iris’s car pulled into the driveway, flanked by a Drake vehicle with Ranger driving, and one of the black BMWs from the Wendel fleet. McGyver moved the pylon from the space he’d reserved for her, and helped her out of the car when her door swung up and open.
“I’ve missed you, Blueberry.”
She was in his arms before the words were out of his mouth, but he gave her a relatively chaste kiss. No need in pissing her father off before they’d even started. Today’s goal was to put him in his place while remaining friendly. McGyver didn’t want a war with his future father-in-law. He’d step up and fight if he had to, but he was hoping to keep from tearing Iris apart with their fighting.
He moved her to his right side and kept his arm around her, and met her father’s gaze. “Mr. Wendel. I’m so glad you came. I’d like to introduce you to a few of the brothers before Iris introduces you to the women.”
“Mr. Franklin. It was nice of you to extend an invitation. I understand you don’t allow many people past the gates of your compound.”
“Parties are a little different, but you’re correct.” He nodded to Ranger, who nodded back. He didn’t need to be here in his official capacity, but it’d helped smooth the way, and he appreciated Ranger volunteering.
Iris went to the women, and McGyver walked with her father to the grill.
“This is Brock Wendel. Iris’s father. Sir, this is Duke, our President, and Brain, our Vice President.”
He introduced the eight people present in sets of two, allowing for handshakes and greetings before moving to the next. It was important he met the people with titles — Duke, Brain, Bash, Gonzo, Dozer, Bubbles, Razor, and Horse.
Slick wasn’t there because Manager of the Workin’ Girls wasn’t a title they needed to share with this man.
Brock Wendel was a tall, thin man who obviously worked out and stayed fit, but he looked like a shrimp standing with the men gathered around the grill.
McGyver hoped he felt like one, too.
Iris’s father accepted a craft beer when offered, but merely sipped it. He held his own with small talk, and didn’t look relieved when Iris came to retrieve him, but his scent told everyone just how relieved he was to get away from the group of large bikers.
McGyver walked with them to the ol’ladies, who insisted they get plates of food, and then tried to ply Iris and her dad with mixed drinks. Iris accepted a Long Island Tea, but her father continued to nurse his beer. When McGyver left them, they were talking about how Wendel had a castle turret built just so his daughter could be his princess in the tower.
The billionaire didn’t share what he’d done with the matching turret, though.
The chief of police arrived with three of his detectives, and McGyver saw Wendel’s face when he recognized the one he’d paid off.
Before he could make an excuse to leave, McGyver stepped to the ol’lady section and stood behind Harmony, who was seated across from Wendel.
“Sir, I believe you and I have some business to discuss. There’s a conference room inside where we’ll have some privacy.”
The man had a great poker face, but he didn’t know to cover his scent, and he was clearly off balance and out of his element.
He took a few seconds to answer — likely grasping for a reason to put it off — but finally stood. “Of course.”
When Iris stood as well, her father told her to stay with her friends, but she shook her head. “Oh no. You’ve taught me to mediate, and I intend to put those lessons to use if the two of you are too hard-headed to figure this out without help.”
Brain would wait and bring the others in once McGyver had cleared the door with his two charges — everyone around the grill from earlier, plus the detective Wendel had tried to buy.
Which meant the threesome had just taken their seats — Iris at the head of the table as mediator, and McGyver across the table from Brock Wendel — when Brain walked in with the detective, motioned for him to take another seat across
from Wendel, and said, “I believe our fine detective here has something to tell you.”
The other bikers streamed in behind them, closed the door, and stood with their backs to the wall and arms crossed. McGyver could see them reflected in the glass of a picture on the wall, and he was reminded that his brothers had no trouble looking threatening when it suited them.
The detective put a large envelope in the center of the table. “I’m sorry, Mr. Wendel. I need to return this. Since I couldn’t find anything you could use against the club, I don’t feel right keeping it.”
Iris turned to her father, her brows raised and her blue eyes practically sparking with anger. “You lied to me! You told me you hadn’t…” She turned back to McGyver. “I’m so sorry! I had no idea. He told me he hadn’t done anything.”
“Not your fault, Blueberry.”
Without missing a beat, without showing any embarrassment or discomfiture, Wendel slid the envelope closer and a little to his side — accepting it without picking it up. “Well then, it seems everything’s worked out.” He met Duke’s gaze. “I have no beef with the RTMC.”
“And yet you came after us as a group.” Duke shrugged. “Doesn’t matter if you come after one of us or all of us. We take care of family, and Iris is family. You can be, if you choose to be, though after this little stunt, it’ll take time to build trust.”
“And if my company publicly underwrites your biggest charity event of the year? Will that help?”
“No.” Everyone looked to Razor, and he explained. “You aren’t going to buy our trust. That isn’t how it works. If you want to be part of the day, and one of many sponsors, we’ll gladly have you on board, but not as the main sponsor. We have relationships with other companies, and those relationships mean something.”
“You’re manager over two divisions, yes? Do you speak for the club?”
“He’s right,” said Brain. “We’d love to have you — not just your assistants, but you — on board, but as one of many sponsors. The MC underwrites our own events.”
Wendel pulled a pen and a small notepad from his chino pants, wrote something, folded the paper up, tore it from the pad, and scooted it across the table to McGyver. He opened it and read, I need to have only the people in the room who know my secret. Everyone else should leave.
McGyver considered the request and nodded. “I need everyone to leave except Duke, Brain and Bash, please.”
“Sir,” Razor told Wendel, “I truly hope you feel welcome, despite this little stumbling block. Iris is family and we don’t want her to feel torn. You intended harm, but none was done, so I’m willing to overlook it this once.”
Razor left before the man had a chance to respond.
Bubbles gave Wendel a nod, but his eyes clearly said he wasn’t overlooking anything. McGyver didn’t think Razor was either, but he understood the diplomacy they needed. It was a good mix, with some willing to give him a chance and others clearly unhappy.
Duke closed the door behind them and remained standing. He crossed his arms and planted his feet. “No one’s signing a nondisclosure agreement. Trust goes both ways, and you’ve given us zero reason to trust you.”
“The threatening body language isn’t helpful.”
Duke’s smile was almost feral. “Seems to be working well enough. You tried to hurt the MC, and we’re letting it slide only because we caught it before harm was done, and because of your relationship with Iris.”
“Or what, you’d beat me up?” Wendel leaned back in his chair as if completely at ease. His scent told them he was uncomfortable, but McGyver didn’t smell the terror usually present in these situations.
“No. You and the officer would both be up on charges of bribery, and we’d make sure it hit the media in a way that would require you to respond.”
Ahhh. There was the scent of fear. Wendel hadn’t really thought they’d beat him up, but now he was realizing there were other ways the bikers could hurt him.
Bash and Brain took a seat on either side of McGyver, but Duke remained standing in front of the door with his arms crossed. No one would leave until he said so.
“Iris warned me your group isn’t what one expects when one thinks of bikers. I’ve no doubt you frequently solve problems with your fists, but it appears you’ve learned other ways of resolving issues.”
Ways the billionaire obviously hadn’t anticipated. McGyver tried not to smirk.
“We don’t want this to be first point to us, with you looking for a way to even the score,” Brain told him. “We don’t want a battle. If you give us one, we’ll win, but Iris will be the biggest loser if we go at each other.”
“We’re all familiar with what a TPE relationship entails,” Bash told him. “A close friend of the club has this kind of relationship. It’s a foursome, with two Tops, a submissive, and a slave. We consider all four to be family, and none of us have ever felt it necessary to rescue the submissive or the slave. They’re both happy and secure in their respective positions. If we ever meet Reyna, we’ll feel the same, assuming she’s happy and secure in her consensual slavery to you — and since Iris feels she is, I’m sure that’s the case.”
“It was obvious Matty and Razor are in a power exchange relationship,” Wendel said. “I find it interesting you used a foursome not part of the MC, instead of a couple Topped by a patched member.”
“You don’t want to fuck with Matty in any way, shape, or form,” Brain said. “Razor will take action without waiting for a vote. This would not go well for you.”
Wendel looked to Duke. “It would seem declaring a truce with the club will be meaningless if I don’t also declare a truce with Mr. Franklin.”
“You’re a smart man.” Duke was still standing, and still looked intimidating. He answered with zero emotion — deadpan voice and facial expression.
“I’ve dug into your past and your present,” McGyver told Wendel. “Reyna’s just the tip of the iceberg as far as what I know. If the IRS comes after me, they’re gonna come after you and your company. If the FBI comes after me, USCIS and ICE will come after Reyna, armed with a copy of her slavery contract.” He waited a few beats for that to sink in. “And I can’t imagine what the press would do with that contract, as well as the one you signed with Iris’s mother. Both of them have your signature. I also find the differences in the two to be… enlightening. Social media will have a field day with them.”
“How…” Wendel cut himself off and regained control, though his scent was furious. This man had an iron will. “You’re a hacker. I had my firewalls reinforced once I was aware of you, but it obviously wasn’t enough, or perhaps you came in before I knew to hire better people.”
“Unless you give me a reason to, I don’t intend to use anything I found, and I can assure you I’ll take better care of your information than you did. However, if you come after us, I’ll do whatever’s necessary to defend myself and my club.” Iris was pissed, but silent, and he turned to her. “I have other options available — ones that don’t involve Reyna or your mother, and I’ll use those chess pieces first, but your father needs to know exactly how much we know, and that we’ll use whatever means we find necessary to protect ourselves.”
“I don’t want to know any of those details.” She looked to her father. “Mom was happy with you, I think. I know she was frustrated at times, but I’m sure that’s the case in all marriages. Reyna seems happy, too. I don’t want or need to know more details,” she repeated, as if she was afraid someone would give them to her anyway. “I love you, Daddy. I love Danny, too, and the MC has made me feel like family. Please don’t do anything to mess that up.”
Wendel looked at McGyver, clearly contemplating his options. “Iris warned me you’re no longer the child without resources you were at seventeen, and you’ve proven that to be the case. I find myself to be both angry and reassured — angry because you’ve clearly invaded my privacy, and yet reassured, because it’s possible she’s found someone worthy of her, despite initial
appearances.”
He stood and offered his hand. “Truce, Mr. Franklin.”
McGyver stood and reached across the table to shake it. “Truce. Please call me McGyver.”
“And you should call me Brock.” He looked around the table. “As should the rest of you. If I’m to consider you extended family, I suppose we should be on a first name basis.”
Iris stood, took three fast steps, and threw her arms around her father. “Thank you, Daddy. I was so worried.”
“One more thing I feel obligated to bring up,” Bash said. “I know a little about southern girls who call their father Daddy, and who’ve been taught to stand up for themselves by their father. Sir, you should consider that Iris knows your secret, and you may need to have a sit-down with your daughter about her trust fund.”
“No!” Iris said. “I would never…” She shook her head. “Daddy, you do whatever you feel you must. I hope you decide I’m adult enough to manage it without sinking into a depraved lifestyle of drugs and sex again, but if you don’t feel I should have it, I’ll manage. I’m an adult. I’ll figure it out. I’m not going to hold anything I’ve learned over your head to force the issue.”
Brock’s poker face went away and everyone saw and smelled his surprise. “You’ve told them about…”
“No secrets, Daddy. The club is anti-drugs, and I’ve had to promise to never have them around Danny.”
“Not that you’ll never have them, just that you won’t around him?”
“I don’t know what I’ll do when I’m in New York, or Paris, or especially Amsterdam with friends for a shopping spree or a wild weekend, so I haven’t made any promises. Danny isn’t happy about it, but he appreciates that I’ve told him the truth. I’ve promised no sex with anyone but him, but I may indulge in a quick high.”
Wendel turned to Danny. “If she only uses sporadically, she seems to be able to stop with no difficulties. However, if she uses for an extended period, the only way to break the cycle is rehab. I appreciate that you’ve at least been able to extract a promise that tells me she won’t have an opportunity to use for a prolonged time.”
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