Present day…
Trinity’s trying hard to make me lose it tonight. I grip the bottle of Jack in my hand so fucking tight, I won’t be surprised when it shatters all over me.
Fucking Teller and Murphy. I want to smash the bottle over both their fucking heads. My brothers.
Fuck.
A voice in my head reminds me it’s not their fault, because I never opened my fucking mouth.
More Jack should drown out that voice.
I shouldn’t be letting a bitch get between me and my brothers. The fact that she is and has been for years pisses me off even more.
Cookie struts over to me and straddles my lap. “You look tense, Wrath baby. Can I help?”
Throwing another glare at Trinity, who is oblivious to anything other than grinding her ass into Teller’s dick while Murphy gropes her tits, I nod at Cookie. They’re dancing in the middle of the room with a bunch of people. But they might as well be fucking. I’m sure in another twenty minutes, they will be.
Again.
“Yeah, hon.” I push her off my lap onto the floor and free my half-hard cock. Not the first time I’ll get a blowjob on this couch in front of everyone. Hell, I’m not even the first person tonight to get sucked off out in the open.
Cookie’s rubbing up and down my shaft with enthusiasm, but it’s not doing much for me. Watching Teller suck on Trinity’s shoulder while her arms are looped around his neck is pissing me off way too much. I close my eyes.
Honey eyes peeking up at me.
Fuck, I’m hard as steel now. Eight fucking miserable years later, and that memory still works every time. I snag a condom out of my left back pocket and hand it to Cookie. The fake-chemical scent of cherries reaches my nose as she rolls it down with her mouth. Christ, the tricks this bitch can do with that mouth of hers.
Sweet motherfuck.
Cookie takes me right to the back of her throat and stays for a second before bobbing up and down. Why Rock gave this bitch up, I have no fucking idea.
Opening my eyes is a mistake. Trinity stares at me with wide-eyed pain all over her angel face. I stare back and cock my head in a way I want her to read as: You’re kidding, right? Teller and Murphy still have their hands and mouths all over her, and she’s, what? Hurt I’m getting some head?
Fuck that.
And fuck her too. I flip her off, and she finally takes her wounded kitten face elsewhere.
Twisting my hand in Cookie’s hair, I push and pull her up and down my cock. She goes soft and lets me just fuck her face until I come. She looks up at me, and I smile.
“Thanks, darlin’. You’re right. I do feel better now.” Lie. If anything, I feel worse, but that’s not Cookie’s fault. I give her a quick peck on the cheek, and she beams.
She cleans me up and goes away.
Perfect.
Scanning the room, I don’t see the threesome.
Oh, there they are, heading upstairs.
Fuck-fuck-fucking bullshit!
The front door opens, pulling my attention away from the nightmare headed upstairs. Rock, dragging in the bitch he’s been hard up for at least two goddamn years. She’s skinnier than I remember. Still has a nice rack, though. Must be drunk off her ass because she’s swaying and kind of dazed as she looks around the room.
She smiles when Rock leans down and whispers in her ear. I guess she’s pretty. Still don’t see what all the fuss is about. Why we had to risk a war with the Vipers over her. Why my best friend is so fucking obsessed with her.
Rock sees me and nods over the crowd. He looks like he just won the motherfucking lottery.
Whatthefuckever.
It’s good to see him happy. Maybe once he fucks her out of his system, he can get back to nailing club ass and tappin’ strippers like a boss.
He pulls her over to my little pity corner, and she’s so out of it, I doubt she even notices me.
“Everything good?” he asks, taking stock of my miserable, drunken condition.
“Same old shit.” I point my bottle at Hope. “She okay?”
He hugs her tight to his side. “Yeah, had a little too much to drink out with her friends.”
She finally shakes her hair out of her face and looks at me with bleary eyes. Suddenly, her lips turn up in a big, dopey smile. “I remember you. You were there the day Rock tried to ruin my life,” she blurts out, then falls into uncontrollable giggles.
My eyebrows shoot up at that, but I manage to contain my laughter.
Nice work, prez. All righty then. Good luck with that.
After we talk a few more seconds, he leads her upstairs. I’d like to go upstairs too. My head’s pounding and I’d like to go to fucking bed. But I know the three of them are up there, and if I run into them or so much as hear them, I might murder all three. And that would be bad.
Why does prez let her get away with shit? She wants to be a whore, she should have to fuck in her own damn room. Downstairs. Away from me.
To my knowledge, she’s never let any of the brothers in her room.
Whipping out my cell phone, I send the guy who schedules my underground fights a text. Get me something soon.
After what seems like forever, I get a response. Thursday. Address TBA.
Sweet, I’ll unleash some of this rage in a nice and nasty underground fight. Hopefully, I can hang on until then.
It’s hard to think with Murphy pressed against my back and Teller in front of me, nipping at my neck. We stumble into one of the free rooms—neutral ground—and Teller goes straight for my shirt, whipping it over my head and palming my breasts. Murphy slides his hands down the front of my pants, cupping my mound while he grinds his cock against my ass.
I can’t get Wrath’s furious face out of my head.
Fucking mad at me, when he had Cookie bobbing up and down on his dick in front of everyone.
Jerk.
My pants get kicked to the side after Murphy works them down my legs. After I get Teller out of his clothes, I fall back against him. He wraps his arms around me, sliding his hands into my panties to tease my clit. My hips jerk against him, so he retreats. Murphy kisses me, tangling his fingers in my hair while I work his clothes off. My eyes flicker open. We left the door open. Not the first time.
Murphy works my panties off. I should be embarrassed about how turned on I am, but they love it, so I’m not. He presses in, moving those fingers slowly over my sensitized flesh.
At my back, Teller steps away. The rough and familiar drag of the nightstand drawer opening excites me even more. He tosses some condoms on the bed and stretches out over the comforter, watching Murphy work me over. Murphy has me pinned tight to him but angles our bodies so Teller can see exactly what his friend’s doing to me.
“Fuck.”
“Yeah.” His husky voice vibrates against my jaw, sending heat through me. He grins while pressing kisses over my face and down my neck.
Teller reaches out his hands to me, pulling me on top of him. With one hand behind my head, he pulls me to him for a kiss. A deep, hard, demanding kiss. His other arm bands around me, pinning me tight to him. I’m hyperaware of his cock nestled against me.
“Stop teasing me, Trinity.” He groans with a smile.
Taking my hands, he pushes me up and helps me sink all the way down his shaft.
“Fuuuck, that’s good, girl.”
Ever patient, Murphy waits, fisting his cock as he watches us. This might be easier on my knees with one behind and one in front, but they know I don’t do that. Over the years, they’ve never complained or made me feel bad about it.
Releasing one of Teller’s hands, I pull Murphy to me and eagerly lick the head of his cock. I circle him with my tongue, suck, and pull him in my mouth. Teller’s hands cup my hips as he starts rocking me up and down. Eventually, we find the right rhythm.
Briefly, my eyes flutter open, and I notice a woman standing just outside the doorway, watching us. That’s nothing new. Rock tugs her away, yells at us and slams the door shut.
I wake a few hours later, cuddled in Teller’s arms. He’s sound asleep. Murphy’s long gone. He never stays. I’m an expert at extracting myself from Teller’s embrace by now. Wrath’s the only man I’ve ever happily slept beside for an entire night. I tug on my clothes and press a quick kiss to Teller’s cheek. Closing the door quietly behind me, a low voice breaks the silence.
“Have fun?”
Fuck.
I turn and find a furious-faced Wrath leaning against the wall opposite the room I just left and want to die. With arms crossed over his chest and anger pinching his face, he looks tired. I want to reach out and touch him, or offer anything besides this angry glaring thing we’re doing.
The soft moment sours, and I square my shoulders. “Yes. Did you?”
His jaw clenches and he shakes his head. “No. Not at all.” He pushes off the wall and storms down the hall, slamming his door shut without another word.
Whatever. I’m not going to cry. He can’t make me cry anymore.
He had his chance. Why does he keep punishing me?
When I get downstairs, I tiptoe over a few sleeping bodies and make my way to my room. Locking the door behind me, I grab a quick shower and then crawl into my own bed.
Alone.
As usual, my eyes pop open much earlier than I’d like. Knowing I’ll never get back to sleep, I dress quickly. The dining room’s empty, but any minute one or two of the guys will be in there. I should at least get coffee started.
Teller’s in the dining room first. He pulls me into his lap and gives me a quick kiss on the cheek. “Where’d you disappear to?”
I ruffle his hair with my fingers. “My room.”
“Hmmm.”
“What do you want for breakfast?”
“Would you be mad if I said you?”
I laugh his words off and kiss his cheek. “Tell me or it’s eggs and bacon for you.”
He sighs and gives me a gentle shove off his lap. “That’s fine.”
Hoot, one of the prospects, is already in the kitchen, gathering supplies for me. He has the griddle going and plates lined up.
“Thanks, kid.”
He grunts at me. I don’t think he likes being called kid. Whoops.
I hear more people out in the dining room and stick my head out to see Bricks. He’s almost never up here, so I wave to him. He waves back and sits with Teller. Ducking back into the kitchen, I grab two mugs and the now-full coffee pot and head out.
And stop dead in my tracks.
Wrath’s sitting next to Teller.
Squaring my shoulders, I’m determined not to let him intimidate me. I set a mug in front of Bricks and Teller and pour their coffee.
I can feel Wrath’s eyes drilling holes in me, but I don’t turn to him until I’m finished.
“Do you want coffee? Breakfast?”
For a second, he looks like he’s going to say something nasty, but he just nods. I set the coffee on the table, run to get a couple more mugs, and return.
“Breakfast should be done in a few minutes.”
I’m hoping some of the other girls wake up soon so they can take over kitchen duty. As much as I’d like to knock Cookie out after last night, she’s usually a big help in the mornings. I need to get the hell out of here for a few merciful hours.
Stash calls Hoot downstairs to help him with something, so I get stuck bringing out the tray of food for everyone. I concentrate really hard on not dropping everything all over the place. There’s a reason I used to tend bar and not waitress. I see Rock and toss him one of my standard silly greetings and set down everyone’s plates.
My breath catches and my cheeks sizzle with heat when I notice the woman sitting next to him. The same woman who stopped to watch us last night. You’ve got to be kidding. Of course she’s with prez. The tray rattles and almost falls out of my hands. What a horrible first impression.
Wrath chooses that moment to embarrass me by pulling me into his lap. I introduce myself to Hope. She doesn’t seem to remember me, but I’m still freaked-out-mortified. I shouldn’t care. Nothing she saw was outside the realm of normal around here. But she’s new, and I get the feeling by her squeaky-clean demeanor, she’s not familiar with MCs at all. She offers to come help me, which really sets my nerves jittering. No way is the president’s girlfriend setting foot in the kitchen. She’s nice and asks for something simple. Either she doesn’t remember last night or she’s too classy to mention it. Both suit me fine.
Just before I open the kitchen door, Wrath’s big voice reaches me. "You know how she got the name Trinity, right? All three holes—"
"Wrath! The fuck?" Rock snaps.
The slight good mood I’d worked myself into is ruined after hearing that from Wrath. Dickhead.
I’m sure he didn’t think I’d overhear it, and somehow that makes it even worse.
The last person I want to see this morning is of course in the dining room. Teller. My fists itch to knock him the fuck out. At least Bricks is here as a buffer so I don’t kill the little fuck.
Make that the second-to-last person I want to see.
Trinity flutters out of the kitchen with coffee and a smile for everyone. Glad she’s looking so chipper and satisfied this morning.
Even more fantastic, Rock’s girl is still here. She’s sober this morning and looks freshly fucked, only adding to my bad mood. Prez fawns all over her so much we all have to pick our jaws up off the table.
I’m barely paying attention to what’s being said. Hope’s fucking clueless and annoying. Touching Bricks like that with her man sitting right there. The fuck?
Trinity steers clear of me when she returns and sets a giant box of cereal and a gallon of milk on the table. It strikes me funny since Rock’s bitch is so fuckin’ skinny she probably couldn’t eat that much in a month.
"Jesus Christ, Trin, how much ya think she’s gonna eat?" Because I’m so fucked up, my lame attempt at a joke just sounds mean. Rock eyes me like he’s deciding which boot he wants to shove up my ass.
“It’s fine. Thank you, Trinity. I’m starving,” she says with a friendly smile, ignoring the rest of us.
I have to give Hope credit. She’s a classy girl and not the stuck-up bitch I expected her to be.
Ain’t I one big fucking contradiction? Here I am giving Trinity a hard time, yet I’m happy Rock’s girl is so nice to her.
Anticipating Trinity’s next visit to our table divides my attention. Hope’s still yapping to Bricks. He wants to hire her to handle his ex-wife’s latest family court drama. Don’t see why not.
“It’s safe now. Vipers are in the fucking gr—” I start to tell her.
Rock’s fist slams into the table, rattling everything on the surface and startling Hope. “Are you fucking high?”
Whoa. I assumed he’d explained some of this shit to her by now. Guess not. I’m just jamming my feet in my mouth all over this morning.
And I know just who to blame for that.
Trinity.
She’s got me so fucking messed up after last night and then running into her earlier.
When Hope runs upstairs, I think it’s the perfect time to get out of here before I say something else I shouldn’t.
“Stop right there, asshole,” Rock growls at me.
Asshole, yup. That’s me this morning.
“What the ever-loving fuck is wrong with you?” Rock asks.
“Prez, I thought she knew at least a little bit.” Even to my own ears, I sound like a whiny cunt.
He continues his rant. “Well, she doesn’t. All this shit is new to her, and if it’s all right with you, I’d like to break her in slowly, got it?”
I smirk because he’s going to have his work cut out for him breaking his little Cinderella into MC life. She’s clueless as fuck. But I keep my opinion to myself because I’m not in the mood to take a punch to the throat right now.
“Yeah, sure,” I answer.
“And treat Trinity with some respect, would ya?”
My chest tightens at that. I’ve been a real asshole this morning. The fact that Rock even has to say that to me outlines how awful I’ve acted.
Next to me, Teller snorts with laughter.
Rock pins him with a hard stare. Good, at least the pressure is finally off me. “What’s so funny?”
“Everyone’s had a piece of Trinny,” Teller says.
What. A. Dick.
Considering he and Murphy just worked her over less than eight hours ago, that’s a pretty dickish thing to say. It surprises me coming from Teller. He’s not usually such an asshat.
Rock’s not amused. As much as the motherfucker gets around—or got around—you’ll never hear him talk shit about a chick he’s nailed. “So fucking what? She tossed your homely ass a pity fuck. Be grateful, not a dick about it.” He all but snarls at Teller.
Teller snaps his yap shut. That’s the way shit works ‘round here.
“Rock’s right. She’s a nice girl, and she does a lot for the club,” Bricks adds.
Oh, shut the fuck up. “Ass-kisser,” I grumble.
Rock’s clearly done with us and stressed from having Hope out of his sight for five fucking seconds. He gives us all a behave-or-I’ll-kill-you stare and takes off.
I’m out next, except I’m not sure where to go. I don’t want to run into Rock and Hope in the common room, and I don’t want to run into Trinity in the kitchen. But I can’t stay here either. I’m a goddamned trapped animal.
Trinity, ironically enough, makes the decision for me as she slowly approaches our table. “You guys need anything?”
Teller flicks his gaze up and smiles. “Just you, babe.”
Fucking asshole.
To my utter shock and delight, she shuts him down, moving away to sit next to Bricks.
“Haven’t seen you in forever. How’s Winter?”
Bricks is one of those faithful types. Won’t lay a finger on Trinity. I still need to get away from all of them.
Sparky’s in the living room, having a shit fit because Rock hasn’t been downstairs to discuss tonight’s drop yet.
“Brother, we’ve got hours. Chill the fuck out.”
Sparky huffs and flails his way to the basement door.
Rock has been gone a while now. I take a look around outside. His bike’s still here. Hope’s keys are in my pocket and her car is parked on the side of the building. They’ve got to be here somewhere.
The sound of crunching leaves alerts me that someone’s coming in from the woods. Rock strolling back with his girl. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what they were up to out in the woods. Her hair’s wild and pine needles are sprinkled all over her sweatshirt. I smother a laugh. Surprised the poor bitch can even walk. Prez has a year’s worth of fucking to take out on her ass.
Because I’ve been properly scolded by my president for my shitty behavior this morning, I’m determined not to make any smart remarks that make Hope uncomfortable.
Yeah, we’ll see how that goes. There’s a first time for everything.
“Hey, guys.”
Hope’s reddened lips curve into a smile. She really is a nice woman. It’s hard not to smile back. I hand her the keys to her car, and Rock glares at me. Goddamn, can’t do a fuckin’ thing right today.
Careful not to reveal more than I’m supposed to, I remind him, “Prez, we got that thing this afternoon.” I catch his warning look and keep my yap shut.
He turns Hope away and they murmur to each other. I kick a few stray pebbles while I wait. Glancing up, I catch the lick of pink flaming across her cheeks.
She finally leaves, and I can tell Rock’s pissed about it.
"Tell me again why I put up with these Green Street dickwads?" he asks.
Yeah, maybe a walk down bad memory lane is what my brother needs to get his head in the right space for tonight. “Because they buy everything we grow.”
He grunts at me.
"And when we stopped moving stuff for the Mexicans and growing our own shit, they stuck with us." I remind him.
He nods and finally glances at me, a wry smile twisting his mouth up. "Still doesn’t explain why that mouthy little punk insists I be there for every damn drop."
"I think he’s got a crush on you, prez."
He doesn’t seem to find that as amusing as I do.
"So what’s the story with the uptight lawyer chick? How was she?" Nope, by the look on his face, he’s not in a joking mood. If I had to guess—he’s considering dismembering me and scattering my body parts around the club’s property.
"Do you have some sort of death wish you need to discuss with me?" Yup. My brother’s got murder on his mind.
Where exactly does he see things going with this chick? "She your ol’ lady now?"
He’s quick to answer. "Yeah, she’s gonna be."
I swallow down the first thing I want to say, which is—Are you fucking serious? "Wow, that’s big, prez. We don’t got any ol’ ladies right now. So that’s huge," I say instead.
“I’m sure Trinity wouldn’t mind you making her an ol’ lady,” he says, just to be a dick.
What can I say? We fucked up good there. She’s never going to forgive me, and I can’t forgive her. “That’s never going to happen, prez.”
“Why? She’s a good girl. She’s gorgeous. Knows when to keep her mouth shut. Knows her way around the club.”
He just had to say that, didn’t he? I know he didn’t mean it the way I took it, but it still stings, especially after last night. “That’s the problem. She knows her way around the club a little too well.”
“Oh please, you’ve fucked every skank within a hundred-mile radius, so what’s the difference?” He’s right. But none of those skanks were her sisters. Well, I guess the other club girls are… sorta.
Whatever. This isn’t the first time Rock’s expressed his strong opinion on this subject. He’s very much a What’s good for the goose type of fellow. But since he apparently plans to make a total outsider his ol’ lady, I’m of the mindset he should take his self-righteous attitude and shove it up his ass. I’m about to say so, when Trinity’s voice comes out of nowhere.
“The difference is, I wouldn’t be his old lady if he got down on both knees and begged in front of the entire club.” The hurt in her voice shames the shit out of me.
“Fuck, Trinny. I should make you wear a damn bell around your neck,” Rock teases.
She walks around the corner with a pained smile. Won’t even look at me. I grind my teeth so hard my jaw aches.
“Thanks for sticking up for me, Rock,” she says softly, still not glancing my way.
Rock holds out his arms to her, and she hurries over, throwing a nasty glare my way. He gives her a hug and tries to make her feel better. “You’re a big help to the club, Trinny, and we all appreciate what you do.”
“I know that’s not true. But I know you appreciate it and that’s all that matters.”
Rock pats her hip, and white, ragey spots spar with my eyes. I don’t know why. I hate how tight the two of them are. Always have. They share secrets the rest of us know nothing about, and it drives me nuts. She was mine first. It should have been me she confided in.
“You headed out, babe?” Rock asks as they both continue to ignore me.
“Kitchen’s all cleaned up for now. There’s still some girls inside, so if it gets messed up again, they’ll take care of it.”
“Good deal. You coming back later?”
Finally, she looks at me, and I prepare to apologize for my shitty comments.
“No. I’ve got a date tonight,” she announces.
Fuck this shit.
I don’t actually have a date. But pissing Wrath off feels pretty fucking good after the bullshit he’s been tossing at me all morning. After the crack about my name in front of Rock’s girl, I gave serious consideration to returning from the kitchen with a knife to slit his throat.
And Teller. Well, at least I know what he really thinks of me. I hope he had fun last night because that’s the last time I’m crawling into bed with him for a long fucking time.
As usual, Rock stands up for me. And not just because he doesn’t want them saying that shit in front of his woman. Because he doesn’t tolerate any disrespect toward me or any of the girls. He knows full well what goes on in his clubhouse, but he’s never once made me feel like shit about it.
Nor has he ever made a move on me.
In eight years, he hasn’t once treated me as anything other than a friend under his protection.
In return, there’s nothing I won’t do for him.
Not since my father was alive have I trusted a man the way I trust Rock.
For a brief time, I thought I could trust Wrath that way. Look where that got me.
The door slams shut after Wrath stomps off like a pissed-off toddler, and I can’t help laughing.
“That was fun.”
Rock smirks at me. "Thanks, babe. He’s had it coming all morning."
Yup. Definitely caught that vibe. "I like Hope. Will we be seeing more of her around here?"
Rock seems pleased. "That’s the plan."
"Good. It’s about time you find the right woman. You do so much for everyone. You deserve to be happy too." He seems embarrassed by my words, but I mean every one of them. I’ve seen Rock with an endless parade of dancers and club girls. I’ve never seen him with a civilian woman. I’ve never seen him this at ease and happy either. That woman better be prepared, because Rock’s not letting her go anytime soon.
"Think you can show her the ropes? Ease her in slow?" he asks.
I’m going to have my work cut out for me on that front. "Of course. You know I’ll do anything for you, prez." My first priority’s gonna be keeping her away from Wrath. I know him well enough to know he’s not going to tolerate an outsider real well. Especially one so tight with his president.
I keep that to myself, though. That falls under the category of club business, which is not my business.
Speaking of business people shouldn’t meddle in. "Don’t worry about Wrath and me. It’s never going to happen. I’m over it," I say, just in case Rock gets the urge to play matchmaker again.
He sighs and rakes his fingers through his hair. "Trinity—"
Nope. Not happening. I can’t tolerate pity from him. "Seriously, Rock. I’m fine."
The only thing on my mind on the long drive to our drop-off with the Green Street Crew is Rock’s unease before we left the clubhouse.
Motherfucker has one hell of an intuition. There was a brief time when he held my position in the club. His instincts have saved our lives more than once over the years.
So if Rock’s uneasy, I’m anxious and alert for trouble. Even more than I usually am.
Riverwalk Park is deserted. My gaze sweeps the shadows as we roll in. No hidden cars tucked in any corners, nothing. The park is serene and empty.
While Rock makes small talk with GSC’s shotcaller, Gunner, I continue inspecting the area. Any couples looking for a quiet place to park and fuck tonight will be redirected elsewhere.
Thumping bass music from an incoming SUV gets me trigger twitchy, and I keep my hand on my piece while I walk over to Rock.
It’s just the other two dipshits from Gunner’s crew. Bunch of useless fucking twats, every one of them. Well, the nice, fat duffel bag of cash is useful and the only reason we’re here.
After we do our exchange—weed for cash—Gunner and Rock step aside to talk. This annoys the fuck out of me. These drops should be quick. Get in. Get out. The longer we stand around scratching our asses, the more risks we take.
My point’s proven about two seconds later when the distinct sound of Harleys roars into the park.
“Wrap it up,” Rock shouts, and that’s my cue to get on my hog and lead us the fuck out.
But I don’t even get to start her up.
The bikes come into view, two punks who have no clue how to control the machines they’re riding or the guns they’re shooting.
One of them aims at Gunner. I couldn’t give two fucks about the punk, but my president’s standing right next to him.
I launch myself at the kid with the gun, punching him clean off the bike.
Somewhere, there’s a god who favors angry biker thugs, because this is exactly what I need tonight.
The thrill of adrenaline rushes through me. I love to fight, but while I get my kicks by sparring with my brothers from time to time and the occasional underground fight, I always hold back so I don’t kill someone.
I don’t have to hold back this time.
Fuck yes.
Blood pounds through me as I land one blow to the fucker’s face. I drill a second jab into his gut.
The punk doesn’t do much in the way of fighting back. Kinda takes all the fun out of it for me. I still punch him a few more times. For fuck’s sake, he shot at us. He’s earned every hit.
Barely out of breath, I stand but keep my foot on the kid’s chest so I can keep an eye on Rock. He’s no slouch in the fighting department. Trained him myself. He’s a big fucker—not as big as me, but then not many men are. One deadly motherfucker too, but he has an incredible amount of self-control, something I’ve always lacked.
I laugh as the kid lands a few hits, doubting Rock even noticed. When the punk’s down, Rock hauls him up. I remove my foot and pick up my prize too.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Rock shouts at the kid who reanimates enough to mouth off and spit at Rock.
Aw, buddy, big mistake.
Rock plants his fist in the kid’s gut hard enough to make him puke.
Gunner—not sure what he was doing the whole time we were taking care of this mess for him—puts his gun to the kid on the ground and starts questioning him. Kid’s in no condition to answer.
Mine is, and I give him a shake to get him talking.
“You punks lift these from someone?” Rock asks, gesturing at the downed Harleys.
"Yes! We picked them up outside the Green Room."
Holy fuck, that’s Viper territory. What the fuck did we step in tonight?
"Are you two suicidal or plain stupid?" Rock asks. Damn good question.
Gunner moves like he’s going to shoot them.
Rock halts him with a hand on his arm, lowering the weapon. "Not so fast."
"Grab some zip ties and a Sharpie," he tells Bricks.
Personally, I prefer to shoot them and dump them in the Hudson River. It’s only an additional ten feet from the spot we drag them to.
We tie them to a tree and leave a message for the Vipers when they find them.
Whatever. “Should do,” I say.
After Rock finishes with Gunner, he sends our crew on their way. One look at him and I see he’s still lit up from the fight.
“Where you going, prez?” Our usual routine after something like this used to be hittin’ up Crystal Ball, finding a couple dancers, and fucking the living daylights out of them.
Rock scowls at me. He doesn’t even have to answer. I know exactly where he’s going. “Hope’s,” he answers.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
"Tell her I said hi."
He flips me off.
Together we leave the park. At the exit, he stops close enough to tap his knuckles against mine. “Shiny side up, brother. You did fuckin’ great tonight,” he shouts over the combined rumble of our engines. Then he’s gone.
I take the long way back to the clubhouse so I can replay everything that happened and see where I fucked up. What a bizarre night. Fuckin’ 18th Street Boyz. Worthless punks. The club’s been through so much bad shit together that the idea of being taken out by some young thug flashing around a gun he doesn’t know how to use seems almost fitting.
Trinity’s Jeep clears the gate ahead of me. Back from her date early I guess.
I hang back and ride up the driveway slow.
Suddenly, the events of the day sink into me, and I’m just bone-weary tired. Got no fight left in me. I back my bike into its spot and wait for Trinity to go inside first. She hasn’t opened her car door yet. Maybe she’s trying to wait me out? Tired of fucking around, I get off my bike and head inside. Behind me, the soft crunch of her smaller feet hurrying over the gravel makes me pause and hold the door open for her.
“Thanks,” she says in a breathless rush.
Once we’re both inside, I stop and give her a once-over. She’s dressed in jeans and a plain T-shirt and carrying a backpack. Not sure what the fuck kind of date she’s been on.
“Date over early?” I ask with a sneer.
Her startled, wide-eyed expression makes me feel like shit. “What?”
“You said you had a date tonight.” I jerk my chin at her backpack. “Were you planning to spend the night?”
Her eyes gloss over with tears. Holy fuck. Why can’t I learn to keep my mouth shut? “Shit, Trinity. I’m just messing with you,” I say, reaching out to give her an awkward hug.
“I didn’t have a date,” she mutters.
Thank fuck.
This particular Saturday night, the clubhouse is quiet. Usually is nights we have a drop-off. Never know what’ll go down, and brothers need to be alert and available—not drunk and elbow deep in pussy—in case shit goes bad. Sparky’s waiting in the living room, and I flash him a thumbs-up sign. He grins and heads back downstairs.
“Where’s everyone else?” Trinity asks.
“Rock took off for Hope’s place.”
Trinity smiles at that. “She’s nice. I’m happy for prez.”
I grunt because I’m not so sure about that chick and how good she’s going to be for the club.
“Rest of the guys had the van, so I’m assuming they stopped to get dinner or something.”
“You hungry?” she asks.
After the shitty way I acted this morning, I’m shocked she’s even speaking to me, so I don’t answer right away. I mean, she feeds me breakfast and stuff all the time. But she never offers. I show up in the dining room with everyone else, and she throws whatever she’s made at me. Just as she does for all the guys.
“Sure.”
I follow her down the hallway. “I gotta drop this in my room.” I follow her to her door, but she only opens it only wide enough to set her bag inside.
“Anyone ever been in there besides you?” I tease.
“You know the answer to that.”
Yes, I do. When we first moved out here, Rock made it abundantly clear none of us were ever to enter her room unless expressly invited by her.
Yes, that’s exactly the way he put it.
Chuckling, I follow her to the dining room. It’s late, so I’m not expecting her to cook for me or anything. Which is good, because she only sets out cereal and milk.
“Thanks, babe.”
We eat in silence, but it’s nice being together without all the extra hostility. Suddenly, I’m feeling anxious. When the guys return, all of this niceness between us will disappear. And I really don’t want it to. I like being alone with her. This house is always full of people; it’s easy for us to avoid each other. I can’t ask her up to my room without her getting the wrong idea. She’ll never invite me into her room. The war room has a couch and TV set up. Maybe I can talk her into watching a movie with me.
Excited about this plan, I clean up after us and hustle her out of the kitchen. “Wanna watch a movie?”
She gives me the strangest look. “Okay.”
When she heads into the main room, I pull out my keys and open up the war room.
“I thought—”
“You’re with me. It’s fine.”
Her eyes dart around the room, taking in the table where we hold church every week and anytime something urgent comes up that requires a vote.
“Which one is yours?” she asks.
I point it out. The chair at the right hand of the president’s throne.
“Yeah.” She nods absently.
Not sure why she’s so solemn all of a sudden, I nudge her to the couch. She tosses me a curious look, like maybe I brought her in here for another reason.
“What are you in the mood for?” I ask with a nod at the television.
Her eyes flick to the screen as I flip it on and key into the on-demand screen.
“Something scary,” she answers.
I’m definitely on board with that. From memory, I know she jumps at every little thing.
Maybe she’ll jump right into my lap if I’m lucky.