“Damn, this is nice,” Spyder said from the passenger seat.
“It is. All the girls have a nice spread, but this is my favorite.”
The circular driveway curved around in front of a courtyard where Poppy stood waiting for them alongside her mate, Daniel. Poppy’s smile was so much like Rory’s, as were most of her other features. With the exception of Ryker and Kyllian taking after Sutton, the rest of the siblings took after their mother with their blonde hair and striking blue eyes.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d swear that was Rory.” Spyder stared out the windshield at Poppy.
“If they all didn’t have different haircuts, you’d probably get really confused. All six twins are the spitting image of our mom. There are subtle differences you’ll see when they’re all together. The genes are strong, but at least their kids managed to get some of their dads’ genes, so you won’t have twenty clones you’re calling the wrong name.”
“Thank Zeus for that.”
Poppy was there with open arms as soon as Hay exited the SUV. “Oh, I’ve missed you,” she breathed against his ear. He could hear the smile in her voice, and his heart warmed. Growing up with four older brothers had been great, but Hayden couldn’t say he would have minded having his sisters around. The six of them were strong, independent females, the same as Rory, but they were softer and tended to dote on Hayden since he was the baby. He had nieces and nephews older than him. Even some of the grandkids were his age, so he truly felt like the baby of the family. He didn’t hate it most of the time.
“Poppy, Daniel, this is Jude Sterling. Spyder, my oldest sister, Poppy and her mate, Daniel.” Poppy released Hayden and shook hands with Spyder who had already greeted Daniel.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Poppy, and please forgive me if I stare. You look so much like Rory, but I should know that since I’ve already met Holly.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment. Now, come on in. I figured the two of you would be hungry, so I have a late snack prepared.”
“Snack, my ass.” Daniel pretended to cough into his hand, but his words were clear. Poppy backhanded his chest, but she was grinning.
After dropping their bags into the rooms they’d be sleeping in, Hayden and Spyder wound their way through the long hallways to the open dining room. All the girls learned their cooking skills from their mom, so by late snack, Poppy meant a big spread of cold fried chicken, shredded smoked pork, and all the side dishes one would imagine being served with both.
Spyder groaned when he saw all the food. “This looks amazing. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I have tea, sodas, and beer in the fridge.”
“Tea,” Hayden and Spyder said in unison. They both loved the sugary drink, and unless they made it at home or had it at Rory’s, they didn’t find it up north.
When they were settled around the table with plates overloaded with food, Poppy talked while the two of them ate. She filled Hayden in on all the latest gossip, which Hayden knew most of since Rory tended to share. Spyder asked questions when appropriate, seeming eager to learn more about the Lazlo clan he had yet to meet. Daniel was quiet for the most part, sitting next to his mate with his arm around her shoulder, his fingers brushing her skin. The two of them had been mates for over sixty years, and they were still as in love as they were in the beginning. Hayden wanted that. Wanted to gush over his own kids and grandkids.
When their bellies were full, Poppy told them to go relax with Daniel while she cleaned up the leftovers. As with all the girls, they knew about the mercenary business, but none of them were interested in the details. Daniel, who had served in the military with Sutton and was one of his best friends, was eager to hear more. Being Gryphons and never aging past their forties, the two males had both opted out at the same time before their higher ups got suspicious. Daniel, like Sutton, was over one hundred, but he had known Poppy was the one for him from early on. The male had been honorable and kept to himself, never even looking at another female until Poppy was old enough to date. Hayden couldn’t imagine what that would be like. Didn’t want to think about it. He prayed when he found his mate, she would be of legal age and ready for a relationship.
“Tell me about this job,” Daniel urged when the three males sat in the living room. Hayden loved the wide-open space in the middle of their home. Whereas the kitchen was where everyone usually gathered at his parents’ home, here at his sister’s place, the well-used living area had two large sofas facing each other with several oversized chairs between. There was no coffee table. Instead, smaller end tables were nestled between all the seats.
Hayden and Spyder took one of the sofas, and Daniel sat across from them. The male had been in law enforcement for several years after retiring from the military, but when he found out about the Lazlos’ mercenary business, he left the police force and opened a private investigation business so there wouldn’t be a conflict of interest. He’d seen too many evil men and women slip through the judicial cracks over the years, and he appreciated the work the Lazlo family did. Daniel was a Hound of Zeus in the Gryphon sense, but he wasn’t part of the MC. Still, he helped any way he could.
Daniel was aware of the drug lord, but he hadn’t heard the man was moving into the human trafficking arena. Having several grandchildren the same ages of those who were being taken lit a fire inside the male, and he offered his services to Hayden and Spyder in whatever capacity they needed him. They spent another hour visiting with Poppy and Daniel before heading upstairs to get some sleep.
Chapter Four
Hayden
After a big breakfast, Hayden and Spyder left Poppy’s home to meet up with Dominic to deliver the tricked-out Harley. When they pulled into the lot of the Norse Gods MC compound, a large number of bikers were waiting on them. In that moment, Hayden became Havyk, having already adorned his own kutte, showing off the Hounds of Zeus rocker. The Hounds were well-known throughout the country as being one of the largest MCs, and as such, were well-respected. Like the Hounds, the Norse Gods was a club that did good. They were primarily made up of ex-military who wanted to make their little piece of the world a better place and show that not all bikers were gangbangers who passed around women like they were property. It was the main reason Hayden had taken the commission.
Dominic “Iceman” Rodriguez was a tall, imposing Latino. His patch indicated he was the club’s VP. Havyk held out his hand, and Iceman gripped his forearm, pulling Havyk to his chest, and slapped him on the back.
“I have to admit I’m a little nervous.” Iceman ran a hand through his dark hair, staring at the closed trailer. “I know from your reputation the bike’s going to be sick, but…” The male swallowed hard, then shook his head. “Let’s see what you did.” Havyk expected the man to be emotional when he saw the photo of his sister on the tank, but for him to have this reaction before laying eyes on the bike was telling. Dominic Rodriguez was still reeling from losing his sibling.
Spyder opened the doors to the trailer and locked them in place before lowering the ramp. Havyk unhooked the bike and carefully backed it out until it was on solid ground. The other members of the Norse Gods waited while Iceman inspected it, probably giving him time to get his emotions under control. According to Dominic, the club had chipped in to have the motorcycle commissioned for him. The man squatted next to it and reached out his fingers toward the gas tank, but he pulled them back before actually touching it. A sob escaped, and he clamped his hand over his mouth as tears streaked down his ruddy cheeks. Only then did someone else move in, and Havyk glanced at the patch on the man’s kutte. Kodiak was the president of the club, and his name fit the bear of a man who knelt beside his second-in-command.