He waited until he got outside to check the name. Caroline Henley. Not wasting any time, he dialed her number.
“Hello?”
“Caroline?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“My name is Vincent Ramos. I believe you helped my girlfriend out the other night.”
“Oh my God. The pretty little thing at Lincoln’s?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve been thinking about her all week. Did she get some help?”
“She has me,” Vincent said. “Are you available to meet me for a cup of coffee somewhere?”
“You’re not a cop?”
“No, farthest thing from it. Why do you ask?” Women didn’t usually worry about police.
“Let’s just say I don’t trust ’em.”
“I understand completely,” Vincent assured her.
“My afternoon is open. Do you know where Sarah’s Café is?”
“I can be there in fifteen minutes.”
“Okay. I’m wearing a black sweater and jeans.”
“I’ll find you.” Vincent hung up, pleased with his progress.
Chapter 31
The pungent aroma of curry hit Vincent’s nose the minute he entered the clubhouse. Tina and a couple of the old ladies were working away in the kitchen, the two dining room tables set for dinner, several Brothers already seated.
“What’s going on in here?” Vincent asked J.T.
“Indian lamb curry and spiced rice, compliments of your girlfriend.” J.T. grabbed a piece of flatbread off a plate and shoved it in his mouth.
“Raised in a goddamned barn?” Vincent asked, dropping his saddlebags on the nearest chair. Then he headed to the kitchen, where he found Tina bent over in front of the oven. She was wearing a pink apron over her ass-hugging spandex pants. “No one should look that hot while they slave away in the kitchen.”
She whirled around, an oven mitt on her left hand, a joker’s smile on her face. “Where have you been, Mr. Ramos? I was worried about you.”
“Me?” He leaned against the counter. “So what’s all this? Thought you didn’t cook.”
“Well…” She batted her eyelashes, which made his dick jump to life. “If I’m in the mood.”
“Oh yeah?” He pounced, pulling her in for a hug. “Are you in the mood for this?” He gyrated his hips.
“Get a room,” Suzanne, the president’s old lady, chuckled. “When you’re done molesting Tina, Arni wants to see you.”
Vincent rolled his eyes. “That lamb smells great.” He kissed Tina’s cheek. “Be back soon.”
He walked to Arni’s office at the back of the clubhouse and knocked on the door.
“Come in.”
Vincent stepped inside. “Wanted to see me?”
“Take a load off.” Arni pointed to the leather loveseat nearby. “Chez Castile called me today.”
Vincent had already explained everything to the other officers. Arni approved of his action plan and understood why J.T. had to take a life to protect the charter. “Should I be worried?”
“Paranoid, Brother?”
“Not at all.” Vincent cracked his knuckles, then folded his hands behind his head. “Did what I had to do while you were gone. And if I faced the same scenario again, I’d do it all over again. No question about it.”
“Good.” Arni studied his face for a second. “You demonstrated sound leadership. Saline is a welcome addition to the old ladies. She’s a hard worker and respects the club. As for Dog Tag, that little shit hasn’t even looked at another woman since I’ve been home. Whatever counsel you gave him, I can’t thank you enough for straightening his ass out. I started to worry. John doesn’t like him very much. Something we’ll have to work on in the future.”
“Give it time.”
“As for Chez, he respects you. The Man-o-Wars have requested a formal sit-down. After the incident, Crash lost his patch. He’s prospecting with Death Wish now.”
Vincent remembered that club from a rally a couple of years ago. Some assholes from a frat house decided to start a new club, more like a riding club masquerading as 1%ers. “How low can you go?”
“Keep your eyes open. Castile thinks he holds a grudge against you and Dog Tag.”
“I will. Joining us for dinner?” Vincent stood.
“Hold on.” Arni signaled for him to sit down again. “Business isn’t concluded yet.”
“There’s more?”
“I’d say so. She’s cooking supper for the boys right now.”
Vincent knew he’d eventually have to explain Tina’s continued presence. “I love her.”