Page 27 of Archer (Dirty Misfits MC 3)
Brooks yelled over everyone’s head. “I want an update once you’re out of that office!”
Cole held a thumbs up, but never took his eyes off Chops. And it was then that Chops dropped the bomb on us.
“We need to figure out something else to do to take on the Black Flags. To rival them somehow. They can’t get a hold on Santa Cruz, otherwise they push us out.”
I looked around at all the guys and saw how confused they were. And I got it. I understood. For someone attempting to backstab us, that was the last thing we expected him to say.
“Fine,” Tanner said as he cleared his throat, “we’ll come up with something once you sleep this alcohol off.”
Brooks nodded. “Can’t make group decisions while under the influence. It’s our second group rule.”
Chops stumbled into a chair. “Well, it’s a bullshit rule.”
Porter picked up a blanket and tossed it onto his lap. “Sleep, Chops. You need it.”
We all stood around as Chops hunkered down onto the couch, and after we were sure he was asleep, we all stepped outside. We made our way toward our bikes that had congregated at the far end of the parking lot. And when we knew we were out of earshot of that asshole, I scoffed.
“Can you fucking believe him?” I asked.
Brooks shook his head. “We need a plan, and fast. Something tells me he’s already latched onto the fact that we know.”
I pointed at him. “I’m in agreement. Something about this entire thing is off.”
Finn chuckled. “I could’ve sworn there for a second he almost looked scared.”
I blinked. “Wait, you saw that, too?”
He nodded. “When he walked up to me, something kind of washed over his face. It was weird, man. Never seen it before in my life.”
Porter looked at me. “You saw it, too?”
I nodded. “Damn right, I did.”
Tanner raked his hand through his hair. “Something’s happened, and I’m just grateful I’m not the only person thinking it.”
Cole shook his head. “Trust me, you aren’t.”
Brooks looked at me. “Is Josie ready for this?”
My eyes met his. “Yes, she is.”
Porter sighed. “You still worried about her going in there alone?”
I nodded. “Always. But she’s adamant on doing this, and I think that she can pull this off. If we keep serious tabs on her, that is.”
Tanner raised his hand. “Finn and I can watch over her. Maybe interchange ourselves or some shit and be clients in the club or something.”
Relief flooded my veins. “They might recognize you in there, but if we put you in good-enough disguises—”
Cole chuckled. “Already a step ahead of you. Tanner, how do you feel about being the geeky kid again?”
Tanner grinned. “I’ve been trying to find a reason to bust out the thick-framed glasses again.”
Brooks smiled. “I still can’t recognize you with those crazy fucking things on. You still got those tie-dyed frames?”
Tanner barked with laughter. “Maybe I’ll wear those with a camp t-shirt or some shit. Act like some bobble-headed counselor that’s ‘exploring the world.’”
I covered my mouth. “That’s hysterical. We need to do that just, like, regularly. When we’re not trying to save the asses of the people in this town.”
Cole cleared his throat and nodded. “But yeah. We’ll get some nice disguises together so they fly under the radar. That way, they can keep tabs on Josie from the inside. That sound good enough?”
I nodded. “It’s as good as it’s going to get, so let’s get this shit rolling.”
And as we continued to hash out plans with Chops snoring on the couch inside, I knew one thing was for certain.
If anyone put an unwanted hand on Josie, I’d make sure they paid for it.
With their life.
Twelve
Josie
After a week of preparation and tripe-checking to make sure we had the ?re-Grand Opening” of the club correct, it was time for me to get ready. Giving my body a week to rest and relax had done me a lot of good, and I wasn’t in nearly the kind of pain I imagined I would have been. I felt more stable on my feet and more confident in the way I carried myself. And my bruises had faded to a point where my regular makeup sufficed in terms of covering shit up.
I still didn’t like the fact that I had been bumped to a second-tier dancer, though.
Nevertheless, Cole was fantastic at disguises. I wasn’t sure how a fucking military medic also knew how to do costume makeup, but the strawberry blonde wig I donned sat on my head like a stroke of perfection. After a few makeup tips from both him and the internet, I was able to contour my face to look completely different than usual. And after popping in some dark hazel-colored contacts, I almost didn’t recognize myself.
“Holy shit,” Archer said as he walked into the bathroom.
Cole held out his arms as I turned around. “So, what do you think?”
