CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
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JAKE
THIRTY MINUTES LATER, the palm of my hand squeezed Peach’s ass as we walked into the front room. Nearly everyone’s attention was on us. My gaze met Dillon’s first. With an acknowledging tip of his beer and a pissed off expression on his face, I knew it was clear to him who Peach belonged to. The corner of my mouth raised when Nix eyed me from across the room with his disapproving glare. I pulled Peach into my arm and claimed her mouth.
“I’m gonna play pool with the guys. Don’t let any of my brothers touch you unless you want a fucking massacre in here.”
Her vivid green eyes rolled. “I’ll steer clear of Dillon.”
As I slipped through the crowd, I looked over my shoulder to see Peach sitting down at the table with Jenna and a few other bikers’ girls. Gripping a pool cue, I joined Nix, Trevor, and Max at the pool table.
Nix’s arctic gaze raised to mine. “When I said claim her in front of everyone, that wasn’t what I had in mind.”
“Better get used to it.” The back of my hand wiped the lips that were wrapped around Peach’s pussy thirty-minutes ago. “She’s my girl. I’ll take her anywhere, anytime, whenever I damn well please.”
Nix’s jaw tensed. He set his pool stick against the table and with deliberate steps, moved to my side. He crossed his arms and leaned back. His cold, green eyes narrowed on mine.
“I’m gonna make myself real fucking clear. I’m not kicking your ass right now because I don’t want to embarrass Liz, but if you disrespect my sister like that in this clubhouse again, I’ll knock your fucking teeth out. She’s not one of your floozies, but you just made her look like one tonight. I know every brother in here is wondering why I haven’t murdered you, and we both know the two reasons I won’t; my sister loves you, and you’re the only one I trust to protect her.”
My grip on the pool table tightened. My ego had just been thrashed, but I wasn’t about to even the score when part of me knew he was right.
“I’ll make damn sure everyone knows she means something to me.”
“Good. You can start now.”
“What?”
I turned to see what had caught Nix’s attention. My stomach twisted when I saw who was standing by the door. Fiery red hair cascaded over slim shoulders and head to toe black fabric hugged every vivacious curve.
“You take Liz, I’ll take Angela,” Nix ordered.
My gaze swept between them. Peach had her eyes locked on Angela and was standing from her chair. Fists clenched, she was pushing her way through the crowd right toward her.
“Let that expression burn into your memory, Jake. That’s Liz’s I’m going to fucking murder you expression.”
“I might have seen it a time or two.”
Nix chuckled before navigating through the tables. Quickening my pace, I moved toward Peach and caught her in my arms.
“You look sexy as fuck when you’re in a rage, but I don’t want you hurt, Peach.”
Standing on her toes, she peered over my shoulder. Her cheeks were flush and the adrenaline was clearly pumping through her jittery body.
“I can take her, Jake.”
“I have no doubt you can, but we need to know why she’s here.” I glanced over my shoulder to see Nix pointing to his office. “She must have something to tell him.” Brushing my thumb across her cheek, I attempted to soothe the wild cat within her. “Peach, stay here. I need to see what’s going on.”
“Jake.”
My gaze hardened. “Peach, trust me. I need to be in Nix’s office for this conversation.”
“Fine.” Her shoulders fell back and relief coursed through me.
I kissed her lips and quickly moved to catch up with Nix and Angela.
I opened the office door just before Nix closed it. He nodded to me, indicating his approval, then leaned against his desk, arms crossed. His stern gaze fell on Angela.
“You got some serious grit walking into our clubhouse.”
“After everything that’s gone on between us, I figured I owe you.”
“Then let’s hear it.”
“Tolito wasn’t willing to accept the majority of his crew ended up in jail by accident. He went after one of Otto’s guys. They beat him to near death before he caved on Otto’s deal. Tolito put the word out. He’s looking for the anonymous buyer. Seven G’s to the one who names them. If you know who the anonymous buyer is, you have the opportunity to collect seven grand, or it’s time to put a plan in place to ensure Tolito doesn’t find out who the buyer is.”
Nix’s eyes drifted to me momentarily, then returned to Angela. Tension tightened like a noose around my neck and spread to my chest. Play it cool, Nix.
“I’ll put the word out. If we hear anything, I’ll be sure to contact him.”
Angela shifted on her heels. “If the buyer is someone you know, don’t protect them, Nix. Tolito isn’t one to fuck with. You know that.”
“You back with Rex?” Angela turned to face me at the sound of my sharp voice.
“I appreciate what you did, Jake, but I can handle myself.”
“You can lie to yourself all you want, but you know as well as I do, you’re walking on thin ice. Men like Rex don’t change. He’ll keep beating you, and you’ll continue to take it, until one of you is dead or in jail.”
Her eyes softened as though she was having a moment of clarity, then it was gone, replaced with her usual calculated glare. “I gotta go. Think you can keep your sister off my back so I can get outta here?” She looked over her shoulder at Nix.
“Go out that way,” Nix motioned toward the back door. “Everyone saw you come in and that’ll raise enough questions.”
Her hips swayed, giving us a show as she walked out. I turned my attention to Nix after shutting the door behind her.
“What the hell? Seven grand!”
Nix ran his hand through his hair. “Damn it! Stay with Liz. Everywhere she fucking goes, Jake. Everywhere.”
“I will. What about giving Tolito a false lead?”
“No. We need to avoid being a part of it. We need to act like we don’t know shit. Go get Pat. We need to tell him Tolito is hunting the people who put his crew in jail.”