He says nothing, as his muscles twitch involuntarily. Before I can stop myself, I’m standing mere inches from him, reaching out I slowly trace the details of the design. I start at the white of the eagle’s head, and delicately outline the bird. As I reach his talon, Tripp stiffens underneath me. He grabs my hand holding it to his heart, the very place the heart of the tattoo lands. He drops his head, our faces cheek to cheek. His hair has fallen down off his shoulder, tickling my face as his breathing sends chills down my spine.

“My name is Talon Ward Crews. Talon is for an eagle’s talon as its tool and its weapon. Ward, meaning guard and protector. The eagle guards and protects my heart.” He whispers to me.

Her hand drops at my words. I don’t know why she would want the same tattoo as me. I know she’s never seen my ink. Backing away, I put my shirt back on. Doll remains silent. Not knowing what to say, I take her by the hand and lead her up the stairs. It’s been a long ride and a lot of new information thrown at her. She heads to the bathroom to shower and change.

The upstairs apartment is more like a loft. One open room with a kitchenette, a platform bed against one wall, in the open space is a couch, loveseat, and a small ass television. Since Jared only stays here when the hours are too long at the shop, he doesn’t need much. He has a house not far from here for him and his daughter. Jared and I go way back; I know we’re safe to rest here.

Doll emerges. Her hair is damp from the shower. She’s in an old rock concert t-shirt that is so faded you can’t tell the band’s name anymore, and some short ass shorts. My cock springs to life as she’s watching me. The silent standoff between us is charged with desire.

Rex and Sass come in breaking the moment. Sass heads to shower as Rex grabs a beer from the refrigerator. My phones rings, looking at the caller ID, I nod to Rex. It’s a silent communication that this is a private call, I’m stepping out. Answering as I make my way out of the loft and down the stairs, I’m filled with a surge of adrenaline. It’s Roundman, he wouldn’t call if it wasn’t important.

Before I can say hello, he’s already talking. “Tripp, head to St. Louis. I’ll text you an address, then destroy your phone. Amy Mitchell, Delatorre’s bitch, has very little family left. In fact, the only ones we can find are her cousins Ray and Zack Mitchell. They live in South County, St Louis. They’re somehow tied to Doll, but I don’t know the connection yet. No action needed, look around see what you can put together.”

“Got it.”

“Stay one or two nights only in St. Louis, find out if they have families or are in another MC. Whoever the fuck they are, I need to know how they know my daughter.”