A pounding on his door had Dex cursing under his breath. He grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his waist. Who the fuck was bothering him this early?

They still had an hour before the run started.

Normally, he wouldn’t get up this early. On Sunday runs, he’d roll out of bed, pull on the cleanest jeans and shirt he could find, grab a quick cup of coffee downstairs, hop on his bike and head out with his brothers.

This morning was different. He’d woken up at some goddamn fucked-up hour and couldn’t get what happened in the back of that BMW out of his head. At least yesterday, he had to get up and work at the pawn shop, so that had been somewhat of a distraction. But this morning, he knew he had time and his brain was spinning with what Brooke had done to him on the backseat of that car.

That gave him the most painful morning wood. Which he happened to relieve twice, shooting cum all over his gut and chest. Because of that, he had to get up and shower.

He lifted his fingers to his lip, which was still fucked up, as someone pounded on the door again. Fuck. “Yeah?”

Crow’s voice came through the door. “Get downstairs.”

“Why? We havin’ a meetin’ or somethin’?”

“No. Somethin’s down there that belongs to you.”

What the fuck? He didn’t order anything. “I’ll be down.”

“Soon.”

“Get coffee started.”

He heard an answering grunt, then Crow’s heavy booted feet heading down the hallway.

He yanked open his top dresser drawer and pulled out his favorite Harley long-sleeved tee. He searched the floor for jeans until he spotted a pair that didn’t look that dirty. After a quick sniff, he yanked them on. He slipped his cut over his shoulders, grabbed his boots that had a pair of socks peeking out of them, and headed downstairs.

As soon as he could see the bar he almost stumbled down the rest of the steps. He put out his free hand to catch himself on the wall, trying not to drop his boots in the process.

His gaze landed on something that shouldn’t be.

Or more like, someone.

Brooke sat on a stool, facing the steps, leaning back on her elbows which were planted on the bar. From what he could see, she had jeans, once again, covering her long legs that fit her like they were painted on and a tight cotton shirt that not only hugged her tits but clearly showed everyone in the room how hard her nipples were.

Fuck me.

Crow was on the other side of the bar, a coffee mug lifted halfway to his lips, a shit-eating grin on his face as he watched Dex carefully descend the rest of the stairs.

Linc sat at the other end of the bar in Grizz’s normal spot, nursing coffee as well.

Crash came through the double doors from the kitchen with a plate of what looked like scrambled eggs piled high. He stopped short when he noticed Brooke, then hurried to take a seat next to her, giving her a great big smile.

“Hey,” Crash greeted her.

“Hey yourself,” Brooke answered, turning her attention to him. She held out her hand to him. “Brooke.”

Crash stared at it, wiped his hand on his jeans, then took it, shaking it firmly. “Crash. Were you invited on the run?”

“Yes,” Brooke answered, ignoring Dex’s glare.

“No,” Dex yelled across the room as he made his way around the empty pool tables to the bar.

When he reached them, Brooke reached out and ran a thumb over his swollen bottom lip while she smiled. “Yes, I’m coming on the run.”

Dex pulled his head back. “Said I’d help you, not that you can ride on the back of my sled today.”

Crash swallowed a mouthful of eggs, wiped his hand over his lips, then said, “She can ride on mine.”

Brooke shot him a smile. “Thanks. I appreciate that.”

“You don’t even know ‘er,” Dex hissed, dropping his boots by the empty stool next to Brooke.

“That could change real quick,” Crash said with a smile and a wink at Brooke.

Crow leaned his ass against the back counter and chuckled.

Dex shot him a scowl and then faced Brooke. “Who let you in?”

“The door was unlocked.”

“An’ you just walked in?”

“Yes.”

He shook his head, huffed out a breath, then headed toward the commercial-sized coffeemaker in the corner. He snagged a mug and filled it, inhaling the scent of fresh-brewed coffee. Crow made it perfectly almost every morning.

Thank fuck.

The day Crow moved out and got his own place was going to be a sad day for the brothers who relied on their caffeine fix in the morning. Especially after a heavy night of partying.

Crow was suddenly next to him, his voice low but amused. “Was gonna ask if you hit that yet, but it looks like she hit you instead, brother. Bet she’s a handful.”

Dex gave him an “mmm,” ignoring Crow’s chuckle, and headed back to where Crash flirted shamelessly with Brooke.

As soon as Dex was in reach, she grabbed his mug and took a careful sip of the hot coffee. “Thanks.”

His eyes widened. Crash’s mouth dropped open. And Crow just about fell to the ground in laughter. He might have even heard a snort from Linc at the other end of the bar.

The back door to church was yanked open and Hawk walked in with a hand to Kiki’s back. Dex noticed the club’s lawyer was now wearing baggier tops to cover her slightly-rounded belly.

Crow came around the bar and pulled Kiki away from Hawk, placing a large hand on her stomach and an arm around her waist. “Goin’ on the ride today, momma?”

Kiki smiled up at him. “Yes, I’m dying to go. I need to destress.”

“Why? What’s goin’ on?” Crow asked her.

“Emma’s former in-laws are fighting for visitation with Lily.”

“Shit.”

“Shit is right. Dawg and Em don’t trust them and I can’t blame them one bit.”

Crow nodded. “Not when their piece of shit son stole her girl an’ they helped finance it. But shouldn’t be stressin’ out the baby.”

Kiki placed her hand over Crow’s along her stomach. “It’s Hawk’s kid. Tough as nails. He’ll be fine.”

“He?” Crash asked. “You know already?”

Hawk moved over to the coffeemaker and filled two mugs, bringing one over to hand it to Kiki. “Yeah. We wanted to know,” the club VP answered.

“Diesel doesn’t,” Crash said.

“No,” Kiki agreed, “but he’ll find out soon.”

“Yeah, think Jewelee’s about to pop,” Hawk agreed.

“If D could, I think he’d put a cork in it. I don’t think he’s ready,” Kiki said. “Unlike my ol’ man who’s eager to meet his son.”

Jewelee happened to walk into church at that moment, her stomach leading the way. “Where’s your ol’ man?” Hawk shouted.

“On his sled. I had to take my Jeep since there’s not enough room on his bike for him, me and,” she laid a hand on her huge belly, “this kid.”

“Why you here so early if you ain’t goin’ on the ride?” Crow asked, heading over to Jewelee and putting his hand on her stomach like he did Kiki’s.

Jewel reached up and cupped his cheek. “Because I said I’d watch Baby Z so Sophie could go along. Oh, and Lily, too. She can help me keep Zeke entertained while we wait.”

D barreled through the back door, saw Crow touching Jewel and frowned. “Brother,” he warned.

Crow raised his palms up in surrender. “Can’t help it. The ability to grow life amazes the shit outta me.”

“Well, there’s gonna be more,” Jag announced loudly, coming in next.

All attention turned to him and Ivy. “Yeah?” Hawk asked.

“Fuck yeah,” Jag answered with a big smile. “Finally.”

Kiki and Jewel hugged Ivy as the men clasped hands and bumped shoulders with Jag.

“’Bout time you get it in the right hole,” Hawk said, pounding Jag on the back.

Dex hugged his sister. “Couldn’t tell me before everyone else?”

“It wasn’t supposed to be announced like that,” she told him. Her gaze slid to Brooke, who still sat at the bar by herself, sipping coffee and watching everything unfold. “Wasn’t she in the shop the other day?”

“Yeah.”

“What’s she doing here?” Her green eyes narrowed when she noticed his mouth. “What happened to you? Her?”

“Yeah.”

She snorted, then beelined over to Brooke. Dex followed since he had no idea what was about to happen.

Ivy stopped in front of Brooke, waving a hand toward Dex. “You do that to my brother?”

Brooke’s gaze slid to Dex then back to the redhead standing in front of her. “Dex is your brother?”

“Sure is. You pop him in the mouth?”

“No.”

“Oh, I was going to buy you a drink if you did. He deserves it sometimes.”

“I wouldn’t doubt it,” Brooke said. She put her hand out. “I’m Brooke.”

Ivy grasped her hand and gave it a shake. “Ivy.”

Brooke gave her smile. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks. Long time coming.”

Brooke tilted her head. “The fun is in the practice, right?”

Ivy blinked. “Yeah.” Then she looked at Dex’s mouth again, more carefully this time. “That’s a bite, isn’t it?”

“Don’t answer that,” Dex said to Brooke.

Brooke shot him a grin, then answered Ivy. “Yes, it is.”

Dex threw his hands up and, shaking his head, walked back to where the men were gathered watching Ivy and Brooke.

“You’re so fucked, nipple boy,” Hawk laughed.

Jag looked at Dex. “What does that mean?”

“Nothin’,” Dex answered quickly, hoping Hawk would take the hint.

Of course, Hawk had to announce loudly, “Dexter’s got these gold rings in his tits.”

“Jesus,” Dex muttered.

“How do you know?” Diesel asked his brother.

“Saw ‘em. Those two were goin’ at it in the back of her Beemer in the lot Friday night.”

“Explains the lip,” Jag said.

“Doesn’t explain why she’s here this mornin’,” D grumbled as he eyeballed Brooke across the room.

“She’s comin’ on the run,” Crow told them.

“Damn, Dex,” Hawk said. “Got your balls in a vise already. Musta been some good shit the other night.”

Ace and Janice walked in next, followed by Dawg and Emma. Emma’s daughter, Lily, ran past all of them to go to Jewel, who was now standing at the bar talking with Brooke.

Fuck. He wondered what the women were yapping about. He shuddered at the thought.

Janice and Emma slowly followed Lily.

Ace came to a screeching halt next to Dex. “What’s she doin’ here?”

“Know ‘er?” D asked his father, one eyebrow cocked.

“Was in the shop Friday mornin’ givin’ this one a hard-on that wouldn’t quit.”

“Jesus,” Dex muttered again. Maybe he should just go back up to his room and back to sleep. This day was heading into the shitter already.

“Musta come in to buy somethin’ an’ got Dex’s dick instead.” Hawk said.

Ace frowned. “She did?”

“Yeah, boned her in the back of ‘er Beemer,” Hawk confirmed.

Fucking Christ, he was never going to hear the end of that.

“What the fuck, boy? Told you we don’t need trouble hangin’ ‘round our neck.”

“What trouble?” Diesel asked, pulling himself up to his full height.

Ace glanced in the direction of Brooke, then back at his son. “She’s lookin’ for her father.”

“So?” D grunted.

“Thinks he’s an Angel.” When everyone got silent and stared at Ace, he held up his hands. “Ain’t mine. Ask Janice. She’s the one who scheduled my neuterin’ after D was born.”

“Fuck,” D muttered, then added, “On both accounts.” He glanced up to where the women stood talking. “Who does she think he is? An’ why does she care now?”

“Don’t got shit. Not even a name. Coulda been anyone. ‘Cept me,” Ace added quickly.

“Grizz,” Jag said.

“Nope,” Ace answered.

“Rocky?” Hawk asked.

“She’s thirty,” Dex said.

“Well, that rules out Rocky an’ Doc. Thank fuck,” Jag said. “Nobody left old enough to be her pop. At least that’s still breathin’.”

“Right,” Dex said.

Unfortunately, there was one person. Someone no one had mentioned. Only because he’d been making himself scarce for a while now and was flying low under the radar.

“One brother’s old enough an’ still breathin’,” Dawg said. “Gotta work with that fucker every goddamn day.” He glanced quickly to make sure Lily wasn’t within earshot since Emma rode him about his cursing around their daughters.

All eyes turned to Brooke.

“Couldn’t be. She’s way too fuckin’ hot to be Pierce’s daughter,” Jag said.

“Probably looks like her mama,” Ace said.

“Which would make sense why Pierce would hit that,” Dawg said.

“If Pierce shows up today he’ll probably try to nail her, too, not knowin’ she’s blood,” Crow said.

Dex sighed. “We don’t know that she is.”

“Don’t know that she’s not, either,” Crow answered.

“He’s old enough,” Ace said, nodding.

“An’ careless enough to have kids he don’t know about,” Diesel grumbled.

“Back in the day...” Ace’s words drifted off. He shook his head. “Pierce was a busy boy.”

Dawg grunted and scrubbed a hand down his beard. “Still harassin’ women whenever they come into the gun shop. If he slowed down at all, I’d be surprised. Gotta smooth over ruffled feathers constantly. Even lost some sales due to him bein’ too fuckin’ handsy. Sometimes it takes everythin’ I got not to punch ‘im in the damn throat.”

“Language,” Emma hissed as she sidled up to her husband.

“Right, baby girl. Sorry.” Dawg brushed her blonde hair off her forehead and pressed a kiss to it. “Lily good stayin’ behind?”

“Yes, she loves Jewel.”

“She ain’t the only one,” Crow said and whacked Diesel on the back.

D grunted. “We’ll talk about this shit later. Get Z to schedule a meetin’ tomorrow. No more talk right now. Too many ears ‘round. Got me?”

A few “got yous” rose up. Then they went their separate ways to get ready for the run.

Dex could hardly unlock his jaw after gritting his teeth during the whole three hour long run. And it wasn’t due to the cold weather. It was because he spent three fucking hours watching Brooke ride on the back of Crash’s sled.

Yeah. Crash. Fucker.

Dex had told Brooke, “No,” that she couldn’t go along with him. Teach her a lesson that just riding his dick and yanking on his nipple rings did not guarantee her a spot on the back of his sled.

Fuck no, it didn’t.

But she’d stood checking all the brothers out in the lot, her eyes searching for someone who may be her father, as everyone got into formation and mounted their sleds. And, fuck him, at the last minute, she hopped on Crash’s sled.

Just like that.

When she wrapped her arms around Crash’s waist, Dex just about leapt off his sled to rip her off him. But he didn’t.

He was determined to act like he didn’t give a shit. Even though everyone knew he did. So instead of letting everyone eyeball him and his miserable mood, he decided to ride last in the pack. Bring up the rear.

Problem was, he had to watch Brooke’s long strawberry blonde hair flying free behind Crash as she plastered herself to his back, probably trying to stay warm.

In one of the parks where they pulled off for a break, Dex had approached her and informed her that she needed to get on his sled instead.

She disagreed. Very strongly, in fact.

And since all eyes were on them, he walked away, ignoring his brothers’ smirks.

So now, after they returned to church, he sat on his sled, watching her dismount from the back of Crash’s Harley with a huge smile on her face.

Fuck.

If she was trying to get him pissed off, it worked.

He didn’t blame Crash. The woman was hot and the man knew Dex had no claim.

None at all.

His gaze ran over her from top to toe. Windblown hair, flushed cheeks, and a sparkle in her eye, all from the ride, as she stood talking to Crash by his sled.

A muscle ticked in his jaw as she leaned over, put a hand on Crash’s shoulder and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

Then she headed in Dex’s direction, opposite from where everyone else was headed, which was into church to get ready for the pig roast and to warm up.

Dex watched her hips rock-n-roll in her snug jeans as she strode toward him, her tits bouncing under her jacket with each determined step.

Her smile was long gone by the time she reached him.

When she did, she planted her hands on her hips and tilted her head slightly as she stared at him. “I thought you wanted a repeat of Friday night.”

“Do you?”

“I did. But only if you took me along on your run.”

He snorted. “Was on the fuckin’ run.”

“Right. Against your wishes.”

He lifted a shoulder and let it drop heavily. “Got what you wanted.”

“Not really.”

Dex had a feeling those two words held a lot more meaning than what was on the surface.

“Are there going to be more people showing up for the pig roast?” she asked.

“Yeah. Hang-arounds. Prospects.”

“Any other patched members?”

Dex shrugged again. “Don’t know. Guess you’re gonna stick around to find out.”

“Is that going to bother you?”

Was it? And would it matter to her if it did? He doubted it. She was going to do whatever the fuck she wanted. “Gonna fuck Crash?”

Her lips twitched. “I wasn’t planning on it.”

“Sure?”

“Though he’s a funny guy—and cute, too—he’s not my thing.”

He wasn’t her thing. Right.

“Especially,” she lifted her hand and waved it over her head, “with the man-bun thingy going on.” She wrinkled her nose. She reached out and slipped her hand into his cut to tweak his nipple ring through the flannel shirt he had donned before getting on his sled earlier. The blood rushed through him and landed right in his dick. “He also doesn’t have what you have.”

“How do you know?”

“I asked him.”

She did what?

Brooke gave him a big smile, her eyes crinkling at the corner. “I’m messing with you.”

He released a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. “Right,” he muttered.

“Are you getting off?”

His eyebrows shot up his forehead.

Her lips twitched some more as she jerked her chin toward his sled. “Your bike,” she added.

He snorted again and finally dismounted. As soon as he did, she stepped closer to grab his dick through his jeans. “You said you have a room upstairs?”

“Yeah,” he breathed as her fingers gripped his hard-on through the denim.

“The ride got me wet,” she whispered close to his ear.

He fought the shudder that wanted to run through him. “The ride or Crash?”

“The vibration of the bike. The memory of Friday night,” she murmured.

“Just gonna use me?”

Brooke pulled back and smiled. “Yep.”

Dex gave her a sharp nod and grabbed her hand. “Life’s a bitch. Let’s go.” And with that, he tugged her into church and up to his room, ignoring all the eyeballs that tracked their path.