Devon

I was awakened by the sound of a giant bang, and jumped out of bed, grabbing my gun and readying for a fight.

“Oh, good, you’re awake,” Poppy said.

I rubbed the sleep from my eyes as my brain tried to process if I was still asleep or dreaming.

“Put the gun away, Devon,” she said with a sigh.

I set the gun on the nightstand and flicked on the light. I wasn’t dreaming. Poppy was, in fact, standing in my room at the compound and she looked pissed.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“That’s the first thing you say to me?” She dropped a duffel bag on the floor and crossed her arms.

“Baby.” I scrubbed my hands down my face. I’d had less than two hours sleep, and as gorgeous as Poppy looked, I had a million questions, the first of which was what the fuck she was doing here... the second being, did she fuckin’ drive all night alone in order to get here?

I chose to keep those questions in my head for the moment.

“Nope,” she snapped.

I flopped back on the pillows and threw the comforter back. “Get in.”

“I didn’t drive all this way for you to fuck me,” she countered.

Well, that answered the second question.

“At the risk of pissing you off further, I’m wiped, Poppy, so climb in so I can hold you, because I have to be back at it in two hours, and I’ve fuckin’ missed my woman.”

She huffed, but kicked off her shoes, did the voodoo bra through the T-shirt arm thing, and pushed off her jeans, before stomping (no shit, she stomped her way) to the bed.

“This does not get you off the hook,” she growled, stretching out beside me.

Fuck. She was in my arms and she smelled amazing. I didn’t care that she was still pissed at me. My soul was settled the second I touched her. I slid my face into her neck and pulled her close. “God damn, baby, I missed you.”

Her arms wrapped around me and squeezed me tight. “That also does not get you off the hook.”

I grinned.

“But I missed you too,” she whispered, weaving her hands in my hair.

“I seriously wanna fuck you right now, but I really do need to sleep.”

“I get it,” she whispered. “You sleep, and we’ll fight and fuck when you’re rested.”

“I can’t wait, baby.” I kissed her. “Grace okay alone?”

“Lemon’s staying with her and they’re taking care of Sparky.”

I yawned. “Good.”

I kissed her one more time, and once she curled herself into me, I slipped back into oblivion.

* * *

Poppy

I was awakened in the midst of the most intense orgasm I’d had... well, possibly ever. I was on my side, Devon was spooning me, and his thumb was inside of me while his fingers worked my clit. He’d pushed my panties to my knees in order get access and I was amazed he did it without waking me.

“Mornin’,” he whispered as a climax washed over me.

I hummed, licking my lips as I tried to wake up despite my orgasm-induced haze. As I became a little more aware of my present state of being, I sighed. “That does not get you off the hook, Devon Wallace. Nice try, but no.”

He kissed my shoulder. “That was just for you, baby. No strings attached.”

“What time is it?”

“Seven.”

“Why are you waking me so early?” I complained as I rolled to face him.

“All-hands meeting at eight.”

I sighed again my irritation flooding me again as I awakened more.

“That’s gonna have to wait, Poppy,” he said, climbing out of bed.

“We have an hour to hash it out,” I countered.

He ignored me and headed into the bathroom. I stayed in bed and shimmied my panties back up my thighs. “Devon?” I called.

He peeked out of the bathroom and frowned. “You wanna get into why the fuck you drove all night, alone, when I specifically told you to stay put?”

“Not really.”

“Didn’t think so.” He disappeared again and I heard the shower start.

My bladder screamed at me, so I slid out of bed and padded to the bathroom just as Devon stepped into the shower. I did my thing and then brushed my teeth.

“I’m not going to apologize for coming,” I said.

“You’re tryin’ to spin this Poppy, and it’s bullshit.”

“How am I trying to spin this?”

“I’m not pissed you’re here and you know it,” he said. “I’m pissed you drove alone in the middle of the night.”

“Well—”

“Hold on,” he said, and I watched as he shoved his head under the showerhead and rinsed. The shower doors were frosted, so I could see the shadow of his actions and waited until I saw him step away from the water.

“I couldn’t wait,” I said. “I was worried about you.”

The water stopped and Devon slid the door back and frowned. “Not hearin’ an apology, Poppy.”

“I don’t intend on apologizing.”

A pounding on the door made me jump, but the voice bellowing, “Poppy Kenna Wallace, you better open this god damn door immediately,” had me groaning.

Devon rolled his eyes, stepping into the bedroom. “Hold on a sec, Hatch.”

“One second, Devon, then I’m breaking the fuckin’ door down,” Hatch snapped, and I grabbed my bra and jeans and pulled them on while Devon dragged on a pair of jeans... commando... then pulled open the door.

My father stormed into the room and stopped in front of me, crossing his arms and glaring at me. “What the fuck is all this business about you driving, alone, in the middle of the night?”

“Sid—”

“Huh-uh. Right now, I’m your father, baby girl. Nothing stand-in about it.”

“I was perfectly safe. My car is perfect, because you make it perfect. It has never broken down on me, ever, and I’ve made this drive a million times.”

“What was the deal, Poppy?” he asked.

“Dad—”

“The deal,” he growled.

“I’m an adult—”

“Goddammit, Poppy, what was the deal?”

“Watch your tone, Hatch,” Devon warned.

Hatch ignored him, continuing to stare daggers at me.

“I wouldn’t drive more than an hour in any direction alone, especially at night.”

“That deal wasn’t made based on whether or not you’re an adult, Poppy. It also wasn’t made based on the fact that we don’t trust you or think you’re not capable of absolutely everything you decide to do. It was made based on the fact that I’m not close, Devon’s not close, the Club’s not close.” He stared at me for a few tense seconds. “Poppy, you’re a beautiful woman any psychopath would love to find alone and vulnerable.”

I stared at my feet. “I know.”

“Eyes, Poppy.” I looked up at him and his expression had softened. “You made the deal, baby girl. No one put a gun to your head, but you went back on that deal and that’s not cool.”

He was right. I sighed. “I know. I’m sorry.”

He pulled me in for a bear hug and kissed my head. “Fuckin’ scared me to death, and I’m not sure I’m ready to tell your mom yet, ’cause she’s gonna lose her mind.”

Goddammit, he was right again. “We don’t need to tell her... do we?” I was only half-joking.

“Never lied to your mom, baby girl. Won’t start now.”

“I’m really sorry I went back on our deal.”

“’Preciate that, Poppy.” He released me and ran the back of his knuckles over my cheek. “If anything happened to you, I’d end up in jail from the rage, so let’s not do this again, yeah?”

I nodded, but I secretly knew I’d need to renegotiate the terms of our ‘deal’ when we got home.

“And if you’re gonna stay, you’re locked down here, get me? Willow’s comin’ too, so you two can fuckin’ squawk about whatever the fuck you’re mad about, but you’ll do it here while we have armed men guarding you.”

I nodded again. “I got you.”

He hugged me again, then kissed my forehead and walked out the door. Devon flipped the lock behind him and leaned against the wall, crossing his arms.

“At least he didn’t kick me out,” I admitted, and sighed.

“Poppy, we’re at war. Even if he wanted to, he wouldn’t send you back out there. Doesn’t mean you’re off the hook though.”

“Oh, hell, no. I’m mad at you. You don’t get to be mad at me. You caused all of this.”

“Two wrongs don’t make a right,” he said, pushing away from the wall and further into the room. “Nice try.”

He snagged his towel off the end of the bed and ran it over his head, then looped it around his neck.

“Are you really at war?” I asked.

“Yeah.” After chucking the towel into the corner of the room, he pulled on a clean T-shirt.

“With another club?”

“No.”

“Are you really not going to tell me anything?”

He frowned. “I told you I will... when this is over.”

“No, you told me you’d tell me when you saw me. You’re seeing me.”

“Poppy. Give me a fuckin’ break, huh?”

I sighed. It was a little unfair that I was arguing semantics with him right now, so I closed the distance between us, needing to touch him, and slid my hands under his T-shirt. “I don’t want to be mad at you anymore.”

“Didn’t realize it was a choice.”

“Okay, you can stop being surly now,” I ground out.

“Yeah? Can I? That’s big of you, Poppy.”

“Are you seriously choosing to be a dick right now?”

He slid his hands to either side of my neck and scowled down at me. “You fuckin’ drove through the shittiest part of town at three in the morning, Poppy. Alone. You’re gonna need to give me some time for the images of what could have happened to you to go away. In answer to your question, I’m not choosing to do anything, I just happen to be really pissed off at you. It doesn’t change how I feel about you, but you’re gonna have to give me a minute to calm the fuck down.”

I bit my lip.

“Not to mention, you have graduation in five days, which begs the question, why the fuck are you wasting your time here, instead of getting ready to celebrate something you’ve worked so hard to accomplish?”

“If you’re not going to be at my graduation, I’m not going to be either.”

“Are you fuckin’ high?” he snapped.

“It’s not like I won’t get my diploma. It’s pomp... I’ve never cared about the pomp.”

“Do your parents feel the same way?”

I shrugged. “I haven’t asked them.”

Before he could say anything further, my cell phone buzzed and I grabbed it off the nightstand. “It’s Mum.”

Devon nodded. “Take it.”

“Hi, Mummy.”

“What the fuck is this about you driving overnight to Savannah?” she hissed.

Devon raised an eyebrow in a “told you so” expression and I sighed.

“Sid’s already read me the riot act... so has Devon.”

“Devon doesn’t count,” she said.

“Why doesn’t he count?”

“Because you can get around him with sex.”

“If only that were true,” I breathed out.

“God, I can’t believe you were so reckless!” she seethed.

“Mum, I’m here, I’m safe. It’s all good.”

“Do not quip at me, young lady. You made a deal.”

I ground my teeth together in frustration. “Yes, Mum, I know I made a deal. I’m sorry. I don’t really know what else to say.”

“You say you’ll never do it again.”

“I can’t say that,” I admitted. “If someone I love more than life itself is struggling, I will go where they are. Period. However I have to get there.”

“I really shouldn’t have raised you to have an opinion,” Mum grumbled.

I bit back a giggle. “Sucks to be you right about now, huh?”

“The boys and I are flying to Atlanta in four days. Are you going to be there?”

Devon squeezed my arm and gave me a silent challenge. I sighed. “Yes. I’ll be there.”

“Don’t make me divert to Savannah, poppet. I get that you’re an adult, but I pushed you out of my vagina, so I will always own you.”

I rolled my eyes. “So you keep telling me.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yes, Mummy, I’m fine. I’m locked down for the moment, and I promise I won’t go anywhere.”

“Okay, my darling. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” she said, only it was kind of more of a warning.

“Okay.”

I hung up and faced Devon, who was still staring at me like he wasn’t sure if he was going to stay mad at me or not. “I’m sorry, Dev.” I bit my lip. “I’m not sorry I came, but I am sorry I took an unnecessary risk.”

“I appreciate that, baby.” He slid his hand to my neck and tugged me forward. “I’m sorry you were worried.”

“Please don’t do that to me again,” I breathed out. “I can’t deal with the thought of you being hurt.”

“I get it,” he whispered, and kissed me gently. “You showerin’?”

I nodded.

“Can you do it quick?”

“Yes, why?”

“I’ll wait for you.”

I almost argued... almost, but I knew he wanted to make sure I was settled before he went into what I was sure would be a really intense meeting, so I nodded and rushed through a shower.

We walked into the great room just as Willow arrived. Gator was on “Willow Watch,” since Dash was still in the hospital, and she looked about as happy to be here as Olivia (whom I was not expecting).

“The kitchen’s stocked, baby,” Devon said. “But you need somethin’, tell Gator. He’ll get it brought in.”

I nodded, kissing him quickly before watching him walk to the back where the meeting rooms were. I headed to one of the sofas where Willow had flopped onto, dropping an overnight bag next to it. She frowned up at me. “They’re worried enough to bring you here from Atlanta?”

“I went rogue,” I said, and sat beside her.

“No wonder Devon looks angry.”

“He’ll get over it. Hatch, on the other hand...”

She sighed. “Yeah, your dad’s more intense.”

“Little bit,” I agreed.

I glanced to where Olivia was arguing (not loud enough to hear, damn it) with Doc. She was jamming a finger into his chest, until he’d apparently had enough, grabbing her arm gently and pulling it behind her with a grin. I rolled my eyes. Doc seemed to get great enjoyment out of making Olivia crazy.

On the other hand, Olivia seemed to protest a little too much, considering whenever he wasn’t watching her, she was watching him, and her eyes followed him with open interest. There was no doubt these two had a complicated relationship and I wondered when it would come to a head.

I turned back to Willow. “How’s Dash doing?”

“Driving the nurses crazy.”

“Really?”

She nodded. “They put him and Badger in rooms next to each other and he’s constantly demanding updates on how Badger’s doing. He makes one of them wheel him to his room a couple times a day... well, unless I’m there and he makes me do it.”

“Aw, they’re in love,” I crooned, and Willow giggled.

“Badger’s feeling better every day, and now he’s flirting with the nurses, so that’s a good sign.”

I grinned. “He is a ridiculous flirt.”

“Right?” she agreed.

“And it doesn’t help that he’s pretty.”

“This is true,” she said. “But I’m not allowed to say that out loud, so I’ll just nod my head and say nothing.”

I chuckled. “True nature of the alpha-male.”

“Indeed.”

Olivia joined us and slammed a bottle of bourbon on the coffee table. “Anyone want a drink?”

“It’s not even eight o’clock in the morning,” I said.

“So?”

“Wow, that bad, huh?” Willow asked.

Olivia growled low in her throat, while shooting daggers at Doc. “Male chauvinist, son of a bitch.”

“How are you wrapped up in all of this?” I asked.

“All this lovely bullshit he’s dragging everyone into is because of me,” she seethed. “He’s decided I’m his ‘priority,’ whatever the hell that means, and is going to ‘wipe out the assholes’ who hurt me.”

Willow had told me about Olivia being kidnapped about a year ago, but only Doc and Alamo really knew the entire story. Olivia was beaten so badly, she’d been in the hospital for a few days and then went home with her parents for several weeks, to convalesce. According to Willow (through Dash’s recollection), Doc had been a raging ball of assholery because he’d been kept from Olivia. Her best friend, Ryan, had kept her whereabouts secret, per Olivia’s request, however, neither of them had been prepared for Doc’s resourcefulness.

It took him a little over a week, but he’d found her and gone to her immediately. After that, he’d calmed down, but no one really knew what transpired between them, and now she was here and apparently angry that she was.

“Why is that a problem?” I asked. “Devon would do the same thing.”

“I’m not his,” she insisted. “I’m not his responsibility.”

I didn’t point out that once a Dog claimed you, it was very difficult to be unclaimed... I figured I’d let them figure that out themselves.

“He cares about you, Liv,” Willow said. “And if you took a second to get past your fear, you’d see you cared about him too.”

“I’m not afraid of him,” Olivia countered.

“I don’t think that’s what Willow’s saying,” I said. “I think you might be afraid of the feelings Doc incites in you. It makes sense... these men are intense.”

“Well, you’re wrong,” she said with a huff. “I don’t care about him... in that way, and I have a mind to fly somewhere far away to hide from him. I’m probably going to be fired if Dumbass over there keeps dragging me away from work.”

“Don’t you own your own company?” Willow asked.

“I’ll fire myself.”

I bit back a giggle because Olivia was funny when she got wound up.

Before she could say anything else, Doc stalked over and snagged the bottle off the table, rolling his eyes. “Drama, Liv? So unlike you,” he droned sarcastically, and walked away.

“Fuck yourself, Tristan,” she snapped.

“I’ll wait for you, baby,” he retorted, and set the bottle back on the bar.

“Asshole,” she hissed.

“Love you too, Liv.”

“Well, I’m hungry and I can’t sit around here all day, so how about I get breakfast started?” Willow said, rising to her feet.

“I’ll help,” I offered.

Even Olivia reluctantly followed us into the kitchen and we went about making everyone breakfast.