Entering the doors to church, I notice everyone is already seated and waiting on me. Quill cocks an eyebrow when he sees me. “Busy were we?”
“Somethin’ like that,” I respond, smirking.
Taking a seat in my chair, I turn to face Prez, whose eyes are still on me. He slams the gavel down and announces, “Sorry it’s late boys, but Trigger just got in and needs our help. His little sis and friend are in some trouble, but I’ll let him fill you all in on the details.”
“Wait, hold up,” Gunner says, catching my attention, a surprised look on his face. “That hot piece of ass was your sister?”
What the fuck!
I grind my teeth together and lean over the table, hands flat on its surface. “Don’t you ever fucking call my sister a hot piece of ass, you motherfucker. Keep your fuckin’ eyes off her and her friend. You don’t, then you and I are gonna have words.”
Gunner smirks, and I clench my fists tightly so I don’t reach over and wipe it off his face. “Yeah, brother, I heard ya. Just makin’ an observation, that’s all.”
“Yeah, well don’t,” I snarl then drop back into my seat.
A loud bang comes from the head of the table, which grabs our attention. Prez holds the gavel in his hand, looking from me to Gunner. “Boys, reel it in. Gunner, watch your mouth, and Trigger, you bring women in here, beautiful women,” he adds, “then you gotta be able to put up with comments like what Gunner’s sayin’.
“Sorry, man. I didn’t mean no disrespect,” Gunner mumbles, sitting forward in his chair, hands linked on the table in front of him. He has his usual collection of black rubber bracelets on his wrists, and a fresh tattoo he had done by Tess on the inside of his arm catches my attention. It’s an image of a Reaper, who has a woman with her back pressed to his front. One hand holds his scythe against the naked woman’s throat, with the other hand squeezing one of her breasts. That’s some sick shit right there. Gunner’s head, which is usually shaved all over, is starting to grow out on top, but the sides are still bare, his Blood Brothers tattoos on both sides visible.
I nod at him, accepting his apology, and sigh.
“Trigger, tell the men why you brought your sister and friend here,” Prez commands, setting the gavel back down on the table now that order has been restored.
I look around the room at each man. “I was on my way out, when my sister called in a panic, telling me she and her friend Charity needed my help. Seems Charity’s man has been layin’ his hands on her, after he knocked her up and then tried to force her to get an abortion.” I stop for a moment, ensuring I have everyone’s attention. “Now, usually I wouldn’t involve myself in other people’s problems, but this is my sister’s best friend, and no woman deserves to be hit, in my books.”
“Damn straight,” Gunner growls, and all the other men seated around the table make sounds in agreement.
“So, you bring her here for protection?” Rhyder asks from my right. Rhyder’s young, just turned twenty-five, but has a good head on his shoulders. He and Torch came to us last year, proved themselves as prospects, and are now permanent members. Rhyder’s tall with dark hair and dark eyes, and he works out most days so he’s pretty buff, and always has scruff on his face. Torch is blond with blue eyes, also buff, and like Hawke, has that man-bun thing going on. I don’t get it, but chicks seem to dig it.
“Yeah, man. But they’re not stayin’ at the club. Prez has offered his home to them… but in the meantime, we have bigger problems.”
“What’s that?” Blaze asks from across the table.
I clear my throat. “Charity’s man is Blake Reynolds.”
“Wait, not the fighter, Blake Reynolds?”
I look at Blaze, stalling for a moment. “Same one,” I finally admit. Whistles and shouts echo around the room, and questions are getting thrown at me from every direction as it sinks in who I’m talking about.
Prez slams the gavel down, gaining everyone’s attention once again. “Quiet the fuck down. I know everyone has questions, but Trigger can’t answer them if you’re all yelling out like fuckin’ animals.”
“You want us to take on Blake Reynolds and his boys?”
I turn to Rhyder again. “Look, I wouldn’t ask for this if it wasn’t for my sister. Charity lives with Hazel in her dorm at college, so Blake knows where Hazel lives. He also knows Hazel well, and if anyone was gonna help Charity, he knows it would be her. Last I heard, Charity ran away after he raped her, and went straight to my sister for help. My sister called me, and that’s about it.”
“Fuck, your sister’s got involved with the wrong people,” Blaze says, eyebrows drawn together tight. “I’ve heard Blake has a temper on him. Didn’t he hit one of the refs in his last fight?”
“Yeah,” Bear answers for me, a big smile on his face. I narrow my eyes at him. “Sorry, man, he’s just a great fighter, that’s all.”
“Yeah, a fighter who likes to hit on an innocent woman.”
“Sorry, brother. Didn’t mean that.”
“Listen up, everyone!” Prez yells. “We are going to help Trigger with this.” Quill turns and looks right into my eyes. “He’s our brother—he’s family—and his family is ours. We will protect them and do what we need to. Now, I’ve offered for his sister and friend to stay at my place till we sort out what we’re going to do. Blake is looking for Charity, has threatened that he’s gonna kill her, so we need to have twenty-four-hour protection on her. We’re dealing with a champion fighter who has connections in the big world, so for those who don’t agree with us helpin’ her out, say so now.”
I swallow hard, scared as hell that my brothers won’t have my back. I hesitantly raise my eyes up to them; they’re all silent.
“You claimin’ her, brother?” Gunner asks, raising an eyebrow at me. My stomach dips at the mention of claiming her. It’s too soon for anything like that.
“No, man, not claimin’ her. She’s been through enough, last thing she needs is another man right now. Nah,” I say again, shaking my head. “Not claimin’ her.”
Gunner keeps his eyes on me when he says, “I’m in. I’ll help.”
One by one the rest agree, and I sigh in relief. “Thanks, boys.”
“We need to come up with a plan, boys,” Prez says, looking around the table. “I know it’s late, and Trigger wants to get the girls to my house, so let’s get them settled there. Tracker’s out meeting with The Sinners to get us some ammo, just in case we need it.”
“But wasn’t Tate here tonight?” I ask.
“Yeah, I called him for a meeting, told him we need some new guns. He said he’s got connections. Now that we’re out of the business, Tate came to mind. He’s hooked us up.”
I nod at Quill. “Thanks, man. Thanks all of you for having my back,” I say, meaning every single word.
The boys smile and nod, and Bear slaps my shoulder. “Always, brother.”
Quill slams the gavel down. “Church is out. Let’s go, Jasmine’s expecting them. We’ve made up the spare rooms and she’s already texted me a million times asking when we’re comin’. Hawke, help the ladies with their bags, and Trigger, you ride with Hazel. I’d offer to take Charity, but I don’t want my ol’ lady cutting my balls off for having another woman on my bike. I’m assuming the same goes with you, Hawke?”
“Damn straight, brother. I like my balls exactly where they are, man.”
Quill nods, and I say, “Bear will take Hazel, and I’ll take Charity, Prez.”
He tilts his head to the side, lost in a thought, then says, “Right, let’s do this, then.”
We leave church one by one and I make my way to my room. When I open the door, I find Hazel sitting on my bed on her phone, with Charity nowhere in sight.
“Where the fuck is she?” I growl, slamming the door behind me.
Hazel peeps over her phone at me. “Relax, brother, she’s just taking a shower. Geez.”
I inhale deeply, my heart beating rapidly in my chest, and look over at the closed bathroom door.
“Pack your shit, we gotta leave in five. You’re going to my president’s house, and you and Charity are staying with his wife and kids.”
“President?” Hazel asks, jumping off the bed and walking toward me. “But why can’t we just stay with you, Kane. I’d feel safer with you.”
I grasp her shoulders in my hands. “Hazel, I’ve already told you, I don’t want you two stayin’ here. It’s no place for ladies. Besides, you’ll feel more comfortable staying at Quill’s house with his wife and kids. Jasmine is a good woman.”
“Okay, I get it,” she concedes. “Will you be staying with us? I’d feel better if you were.”
“Can’t, babe. Got shit to do here.”
She sighs and leans in, hugging me. “Just be careful, Kane. You’re the only family I have.”
I lift her face up by her chin. “You don’t have to worry about me. I’m always careful. Now pack your things so we can leave.”
“Where are we going?” Charity asks as she exits the bathroom, dressed in tight black jeans that are ripped at her knees. She has on a tight-fitting sleeveless white top, and her hair is down and still wet from her shower. I take her in for a minute; she’s breathtaking. Just as I’m about to explain what the plan is, there’s a knock on the door. “That should be Hawke coming to get your bags.” I turn to open the door, and when I do, I’m surprised because it’s not Hawke—it’s Honey. Fuck me.
She squeals and jumps on me, wrapping her legs around my waist as she kisses me. “Baby, you came back. Fuck, I’ve missed you!” She continues to kiss me, then her lips move to my cheek then to my neck, where she bites and sucks at the skin there. I don’t respond to her kisses, I don’t even touch her. All I can think is Charity’s in the room, and she’s gonna think I’ve lied to her all this time.
Honey pulls back when she finally notices my lack of response. “Baby, what’s wrong?”
Someone clears their throat behind me, and when Honey looks over my shoulder, her face straightens and she slides down my body, stepping behind me. “And who are you?” she asks in an accusing tone.
Hazel stares Honey up and down then gives her the sweetest smile. Only I know that smile isn’t sincere. “I’m his sister, Hazel. And who are you?”
I want to look over at Charity but I’m too scared to see what her reaction is to what just went down.
“I’m his woman—Honey—that’s who,” Honey says, hands on her hips.
“His woman? Kane never mentioned you…,” Hazel responds, sarcasm dripping from her voice like… honey. “Actually, Kane told me that he doesn’t have a woman, and if he did, I doubt it would be someone like you….”
Honey takes a couple of steps toward Hazel and yells, “You fucking bitch!”
I lift Honey up by her waist, pulling her back from my sister. “I think it’s time you leave, Honey,” I say while I push her up against the wall, trying to contain her. Her body slumps and then she cups my face in her hands, moving in for another kiss. I pull back to look her in the eyes. “Not happening, babe. Now, you need to leave,” I repeat, and move back, placing my hand on the handle of the open door, gesturing for her to get out.
“But, baby, I’ve missed you,” she says in her sweet, sugary voice, pouting at me and fluttering her eyes while I still have her pressed up against the wall.
I sigh then look down at her. “Honey,” I growl, irritated as fuck that she’s still here. I’m tired, I’m hungry, and my hard-on has barely settled since I was between Charity’s thighs. I’m gonna need a cold-as-fuck shower. “You and I both know that you’re just an easy fuck. You’re not my woman, never claimed you are. I need to get laid, and when I do you’re there, and that pretty much sums up our relationship.”
“You fucking asshole!” she yells at me, angry tears streaming down her face.
She pushes herself off the wall and lifts her arm up to slap me, but I grab her wrist in my hand, holding her back. “If you don’t leave right now, I’ll pick you up and throw you out. Now get the fuck out.” I hear a low laugh coming from Hazel then, and I glare at her, giving her a warning to shut the fuck up.
“Oh, I get it,” Honey says, looking over at Charity this time. “She’s your whore, and you don’t need me anymore. Do you Trigger?”
I pull on her hand and shove her out the door. “I warned you, Honey, now leave.”
“Fine,” she states, rubbing the wrist I’d just had in my hand. “I’m going. But don’t come running to me when your whore can’t fulfil your needs. I know how to please you. Don’t I, baby?”
For fuck’s sake, she’s one stupid bitch.
I look her up and down, for the first time noticing her fake boobs, equally fake tan, overdone make-up, and the short tacky sequined dress clinging to her body. I wonder what the fuck I ever saw in her.
“Fuck off, Honey,” I say, not willing to waste any more words or time on her.
With that said, I slam the door in her face, preparing myself for an ass-whooping from my sister.