CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Breakfast the next morning is a little weird. Too many questions I’m too chicken to ask float through my head. Z and Wrath sort of glare at each other, but overall they seem to have calmed down.
Trinity walks out of the kitchen, coffee pot in hand, and thinking over Rock’s words from last night, I work out a plan in my head. She fills everyone’s mug, then turns to head back.
“Trinity?”
She stops, glances back. “You need something, Hope?”
Next to me, Rock is still, but I feel his eyes on me. Across the table, Wrath is also oddly quiet. Only Z, Murphy, and Teller go on talking, taking no notice.
Shit, I shouldn’t do this in front of everyone. Throwing on a casual smile, I ask, “Don’t you ever eat breakfast?”
She stiffens, but pastes on a smile as she takes a few steps closer to the table. “Sure, in the kitchen while I’m getting everyone else’s stuff together.”
“Oh, no wonder you stay so skinny,” I tease.
“Look who’s talking,” she jokes back.
Actually, with my grief diet behind me, I’ve been packing weight back on with frightening speed. Every time I complain about it, Rock either says he doesn’t know what I’m talking about or he’s glad because he needs more to hold onto. Neither answer comforts me, and I make a mental note to start using the gym here soon.
Shaking that off, I continue with my mission. “Well, I’m kind of on testosterone overload. Would you mind eating breakfast out here today?” I ask shyly.
A nervous smile flitters over her lips, and her gaze jumps to Rock. Under the table, I dig my fingers into his leg. If he chases her away, I’m going to be super pissed.
With my head turned, I can’t see his face, but whatever unspoken permission he must have given makes her relax.
“Sure, I’ll be right back.”
Worried it’s going to take her forever, I jump up before Rock can stop me and follow her into the kitchen.
“Hope, what are you doing?” she asks when I follow behind her. Birch is by the stove, getting plates ready. Well, at least someone helps her out around here.
“The sooner you get your butt out there, the sooner you can rescue me from all the bro talk,” I joke.
“Oh, okay.” I can tell I’ve made her nervous and feel bad about it, so I try to act casual while I dig around in the kitchen for my breakfast. Then I realize I have no idea where everything is kept. Figuring now is as good a time as any to start learning, I wander around the kitchen until I locate the pantry. Sticking my head inside, I find boxes of cereal and pull out two of those tiny single-serve boxes of trusty cornflakes. In the fridge I find a small container of skim milk, so I grab that too.
Birch keeps watching me with interest.
“Bowls?”
He reaches into one of the cabinets and hands me down a bowl, then pulls out the drawer in front of him and gives me a spoon. “Thanks.”
My gaze flicks to Trinity. “What are you having, Trin?”
“Probably cereal too,” she answers without looking over.
“Cornflakes?”
“Sure.”
Grabbing two more little boxes from the pantry, I return and add another bowl and spoon to my armful. Birch helpfully hands me a tray. It occurs to me that while Trinity probably can’t boss Birch around, based on what Rock says about me being his ol’ lady, I can. I don’t mean it in a power trip, bossy-pants sort of way, but a help us out sorta way.
Trin has three trays set up. It’s ridiculous for her to make three trips back and forth before she can even sit down.
“Hey, Birch, help us carry these out, okay?” I ask.
“Yeah, of course.” I think it’s the first time I’ve ever heard him speak. Trinity glances at me with worried eyes, which I ignore. Jerking my chin to the trays, I ask, “which one is Rock’s?”
She points it out, and I transfer my stuff to that tray and pick it up. Ignoring her bugged-out eyes, I bump my hip against the kitchen door. “Hurry up, Trinity. Food is getting cold,” I call over my shoulder.
Rock watches me with interest as I set the tray down and hand him his plate. I place everything else on the table as well and set up a spot for Trinity next to me. Wrath’s keen gaze is also fixed on me, but I ignore him. When Trinity is done setting plates in front of Wrath and Z, I pat the chair next to me.
“Hey,” Murphy grouches, then smiles to cover it up.
“Birch is coming,” I explain.
There’s tension at the table, but I don’t really care. Maybe I’ve overstepped, and if that’s the case, Rock can tell me later. I wasn’t kidding about needing female companionship. I can only listen to cryptic club business conversation and gear head talk for so long before I lose my mind.
Under the table, Rock’s hand gives my thigh a gentle squeeze. I’m not sure how to interpret it, but I don’t think he’s mad.
Except for Wrath, everyone else has gone back to their conversations. Dumping both boxes of cereal into my bowl, I glance up. “How do you feel today?”
He continues staring at me for a few moments before answering. “Hung over. Sore. But happy to be home.”
A smile tugs at the corners of my mouth. “I think everyone is relieved you’re home.”
Next to me, Trinity is silent. She hasn’t moved a muscle. It dawns on me—perhaps a little too late—that it might be awkward for her to eat breakfast at the same table as Wrath and Z, after last night. Oops. Too late now.
Using it as an excuse, I pick up the milk and push it into her hands. “Sorry, didn’t mean to hog up the milk, Trin.”
She shakes out of her trance. “Thanks, Hope.”
The tension seems to melt. The guys go back to talking. Z is lamenting the “last run of the season” they’re all going to miss.
“Fucking go,” Wrath growls.
“No fucking way. We all go, or no one goes,” Murphy shoots back.
“We’ll do up a big one at the start of the next season for you,” Teller adds.
The guys all grumble about being stuck in their “cages” through the winter. Their grumbling turns to excitement as they discuss the plans they have to tear down and upgrade their motorcycles in the next few months. I anticipate that means they will be spending a lot of time out in that giant garage, and now I understand why it’s heated.
Conversation shifts to a club business run, which I gather is a totally different thing than the other type of run they’d been discussing.
Rock cuts them off. “We’ll figure it out later.”
They go back to debating bike modifications, and my mind zones out.
After a bit, I nudge Trinity with my elbow. “Don’t you ever get tired of all the boy talk?” I mock whisper.
She huffs out a soft laugh. “Not really.”
“What do you like to do, Trin?”
She shrugs. “This place keeps me busy. I can’t wait for next spring. The guys are going to put in a garden so I can grow some veggies and stuff here.”
Wrath glances at us and flashes a smile. “We’ll get the prospects started on that early, so it’s ready for you.”
Inside I’m laughing. Guess the prospects don’t get to fix their bikes up over the winter.
Z punches Teller in the arm. “You should let me get one of those compact tractors. I could do all sorts of shit around here with one.”
“So, stop whining about it and bring it up at church,” Teller answers back.
Z flips him off, and they go back to their guy talk.
“So gardening? Are you the one who keeps the big Buddha guy looking spiffy?” I tease.
I finally get a genuine smile out of Trinity. “Yeah, that’s me,” she says with a sparkle in her tawny eyes.
“Neat. I’ve never been able to keep any plants alive for more than a week.”
“Sparky helps,” Trinity explains.
That confuses me. “Which one is he?”
Rock interrupts by wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “Babe, is that all you’re gonna eat?”
“Yes, I’m getting fat enough, thanks to you.”
“Oh, geez. You two can go sit over there if you’re gonna start talking diets and stuff,” Z says, motioning over to the table by the window.
“You need more protein,” Wrath interjects, pointing at my now-empty bowl.
“Fuck, here we go. Mr. Clean Eating Fighter,” Teller jokes.
Wrath shrugs. “Whatever, welterweight.”
The guys start trading insults, and I poke Trinity again. “What else do you do for fun around here?”
She arches a brow at me, and too late I realize she might have interpreted my question as “besides fuck the guys,” which was so not what I meant.
“I read a lot,” she finally answers.
We discuss some of our favorite books, and I promise to stop by her room later so I can borrow a few from her.
“Hey, I don’t know what kind of music you like, but my friend, Sophie, has an extra ticket to see Afterlife on Friday. You think you’d like to go?”
Rock nudges me. “Hey,” he huffs in an offended tone.
“Girls’ night,” I answer without turning my head.
Trinity hesitates.
“Come on. You’ll probably need a night off from playing nurse to Wrath, right?” I say, jerking my chin in his direction. A brief smile twists his lips before his gaze slips to Rock.
She flicks a glance at Wrath who gives her an almost imperceptible nod of his head.
“Yeah, I like them a lot. Sounds like fun.”
Ignoring their exchange, I clap my hands together. “Cool. You’ll like Sophie and Lilly. Hell, they’ll probably like you more than me.”
Z’s watching us now. “Where is the show, Hope? Not the dive we went to last time?”
“No. Downtown at the arena.”
He nods, and I get the feeling girls’ night is going to include an escort whether we want it or not.
Seeing my girl working hard to befriend Trinity is a gut punch that emphasizes how perfect Hope is for me. Trinity has had a difficult life, and she’s important to me. There’s never been anything sexual about our relationship, but every woman I’ve been with over the years has seen Trinity as a threat and treated her accordingly. Club girls, jealous of her position in the house, usually treat her as competition they can defeat. Trinity has always handled the turmoil well. With the life she’s lived, she expects it, I guess.
It’s obvious she’s not sure what to make of Hope’s eagerness to be friends. I figure they’ll work it out over time. Hope can be persistent that way.
Even though I’m happy about their budding friendship, it doesn’t mean I’m thrilled about them running around downtown Empire together for their girls’ night out. Adding Lilly and Sophie to the mix doesn’t make me any more confident.
But I didn’t run a strip club in Empire for years without making a few friends. One of those friends now manages the company that provides security for the arena the girls are going to for their show. After I make that phone call, it’s a lot easier to pretend to be the laid-back boyfriend eager to send his girl off for a night of rowdiness with her friends.
The girls have been back and forth all afternoon getting ready for their evening out. Fed up and chased from Trinity’s room, Wrath throws himself onto the couch. “I can’t believe you’re letting them do this.”
Adam’s words drift into my head, and I chuckle. “One doesn’t let Hope do anything, brother. And I don’t think you have much say over Trinny, either,” I remind him with a pointed look.
“Fuck off,” he growls. Pointing to his cast, he grinds out another concern. “It’s kinda soon after this bullshit to be letting them run around unprotected.”
Okay, he’s got a point there.
“Z and I took care of those fucks.”
Wrath’s jaw ticks, but he nods.
Music drifts out from the back of the house. Wrath rolls his eyes at me. “It’s like backstage at a fashion show down there. Why couldn’t they do that shit in your room?”
I shrug. “Who’s coming up tonight?” I ask to change the subject.
“Fuck if I know,” Wrath grumbles, surprising me, since he’s usually on top of every person who comes through our gate.
“You worried about something else?”
He glances at me with a pained expression, and understanding dawns on me. Brother’s hating this so much, I almost manage not to laugh. “They’re not going out to pick up guys.”
“I know Hope isn’t. But those other two you told me about…” he trails off.
I elbow him in the ribs. “I called Blue. He’ll make sure they’re protected at the show, and Birch will be on their tail. They’ll be fine.”
That didn’t exactly address his concerns, but he relaxes a little. “Whatever,” he mumbles as he swipes up the remote and flicks the television on.
Sparky wanders up long enough to grab something from the kitchen and head back downstairs to his plants. Shaking my head, I go into the war room to work on some stuff that came up during the week.
Loud giggles pull me back into the main room. “We’re almost ready to go,” Hope shouts.
“Oh, hey,” she says, hurrying over when I come out of the war room.
Fuck me. Nope. Not okay letting her go out at all now.
Wrath gives me a smug look that I interpret as “still cool with this, bro?”
As far as dresses go, I’m sure it’s tame compared to what her friends will be wearing. It’s black and has a tight top held together with laces all the way up. The swinging skirt stops way too far above her knees for my taste. Her legs are covered in black stockings with some sort of lacy, flowery pattern. I swear my girl has given me some sort of fucking pantyhose fetish, because all I can think about is ripping right through them and fucking her hard. My filthy thoughts must be plastered all over my face because suddenly her cheeks are bright pink.
Clearing my throat, I ask, “Aren’t you going to be cold?”
She holds up a bright blue leather jacket that I recognize as Trinity’s. My eyes skip down to the black, knee-high boots her legs are encased in, and I stifle a groan.
Soft clicking announces Trinity’s arrival. Wrath’s smug face turns downright deadly when he gets a look at her. Royal blue, equally tight and short, Trinity’s dress makes her blonde hair seem even brighter. She’s also wearing black tights and boots. The two of them make quite a pair. Wrath pushes himself off the couch and hobbles over.
“Jacket?” I cough out.
She holds up a black leather jacket that I’m pretty sure is actually Hope’s. “Yes, Dad.”
“Very funny.” Pulling out my phone, I snap a picture. “Just in case you go missing, so I have something to give the police.” I meant it as a joke, but it came out kind of strained.
“Very funny,” Hope teases me with my own words. Grabbing hold of Trinity’s hand, she drags her to the door. “Let’s go. I don’t like the bossy caveman faces I’m seeing.”
Trinity chuckles nervously.
“Hey, wait a sec,” I call. Hope turns, and I crook my finger at her. Smiling, she saunters over.
“Have fun, but be careful?”
“Of course.”
“Where you going first?”
“We’re meeting up at the Red Room for drinks, then walking to the arena. Sophie has parking passes for her firm’s garage we can use.”
“Okay. Just be careful walking around down there.”
She smiles, but I can tell she’s fighting the urge to tell me to fuck off. “I will.” She tilts her head in Trinity’s direction. “I’ve got the little blonde badass with me. We’ll be fine.”
I snort at that. My eyes skip to Trinity and Wrath. He’s bent over whispering something in her ear. She’s blushing and smiling, so at least he’s not giving her a hard time. Laughing, she pushes him away and grabs Hope’s hand.
“Let’s run before they change their minds.” Trinity giggles, hauling Hope out the door.
I paste on a smile as I walk the girls out. My gimpy brother doesn’t share my lazy grin as we send the girls off in Trinity’s jeep.
As soon as they’re out of sight, he storms back in the house. “When did we turn into such whipped pussies?” he snaps. “No way should we be letting our women out dressed like that.”
Oh boy. I’m laughing so hard, I can’t even respond. “Something you want to share?”
Realizing what he’s said, he clams up and grabs a bottle of Jack from behind the bar. He points at the couch. “I’ll be over there until they get back. You better stay sober in case they need anything. Not like I can drive anywhere.”
Christ, this is good. I smile at the distraction, then head back into the war room to finish up what I was working on before the clubhouse gets too noisy.
I’m not good at being a girly-girl. Never have been. Neither is Trinity, but I think that’s why we’re having so much fun together. After chasing Wrath out of her room, we rifled through her closet until we found a royal blue dress she had hanging in the back.
Holding it up against her, I smile. “This is it. Makes your eyes pop.”
She slides her fingers over the material, almost reverently. “I haven’t worn it in years. I hope it still fits.”
She ducks into the bathroom to try it on and shyly comes back out. “You think it’s okay?”
“Yeah, you look great.”
Glancing down at her legs, she lets out a curse. “It’s kinda cold for bare legs. I don’t have any stockings. I never dress up.”
“I’ve got plenty.” After discovering Rock’s fascination with my legwear, I’ve been hoarding tights like a squirrel stocks up on nuts for the winter. I dash upstairs and grab an unopened pair. Thinking she might want to wear boots, I grab both pairs I keep stashed here.
We spend some more time fixing our hair, and Trinity helps me throw on some makeup. By the time we’re ready to leave, I’m buzzing with excitement. Sophie has sent me about a half dozen texts telling me to hurry my butt downtown.
Seeing the looks on the guys’ faces when we enter the main room is worth all the time we spent getting ready. It takes some effort not to laugh my ass off. Then I get nervous that they might try to stop us from leaving. As much as it offends my independence streak, I recognize it’s a possibility.
Trinity and I breathe sighs of relief when we’re finally in the jeep, bouncing down the road. Her jeep is badass. Bright, shiny blue with a matching hard top, four doors, and big knobby tires. “This thing is awesome, Trinity.”
She glances over at me with a shy smile. “It’s really the club’s. Rock wanted me to have four-wheel drive when I moved up here. He makes sure I get a new one every couple of years.” Then she adds quickly, “Since I do the shopping and stuff for the club.”
Turning that over in my head, I’m not sure how I feel about it. Basically, she’s saying my boyfriend buys her a new car every couple years. It’s a little fucking weird, honestly. I’m not exactly jealous, but once again, I’m reminded of my outsider status. Damn, I didn’t want things to be awkward between us, and now we’ve kind of run out of things to talk about.
“Tell me how you met Sophie and Lilly,” Trinity asks.
Smiling at the memory, I tell Trinity about the first week of law school when Sophie and I met.
After a while, I’m afraid I’m boring her, so I wind up.
Glancing in her rear view, Trinity’s mouth quirks. “We have an escort.”
“What?” I ask, twisting in my seat to look out the back window.
“It’s probably Birch or Hoot just making sure we’re okay. You didn’t honestly think prez would let us wander around downtown by ourselves?”
Well, yeah, I did.
A few months ago I might have been outraged, but I understand Rock’s hyper-protectiveness better now. Especially after the epic crash we took. Honestly, given the crap I suspect his club is involved in, I should probably demand an escort everywhere I go. A question forms in my mind. It’s not fair to ask Trinity, but it pops out anyway.
“Do you know what kind of stuff the club is involved in?” Even though my voice is soft, the question seems to boom inside the quiet interior.
A pained look flashes over Trinity’s face, and I feel like a jerk for putting her in an awkward position. While we might be becoming friends, I know damn well her loyalty is to the club first. They’ve taken care of her for a long time. Even if she knows something, she’s not going to share it with me. By asking, I may have just squelched our budding friendship.
“Club doesn’t share stuff like that with me, Hope. You should ask Rock.”
I have asked. Indirectly. Here and there.
“Sorry. I shouldn’t have asked you.”
“It’s okay. You’re not the typical biker’s ol’ lady.”
“Yeah, I know,” I sigh, and want to pinch myself for sounding so pathetic.
She glances at me. “I don’t mean it in a bad way. Rock’s not the typical MC President. You’re good for him.”
“Thanks.”
We move onto less serious topics for the rest of the drive. I direct Trinity to the parking lot Sophie told us to use right off the highway. As planned, we meet up with Sophie and Lilly on the top level.
“Finally!” Sophie screeches while pulling me into a tight hug. A pang of guilt taps my belly for keeping them waiting.
Lilly gives me a quick hug. Trinity hangs back watching us, so I grab her hand and pull her forward to make the introductions. She seems surprised when I introduce her as my friend.
Lilly takes in Trinity with narrowed eyes but doesn’t say anything other than hello. I wonder what that’s about, but figure I’ll let it go for now. Trin may know how to handle herself at the MC and during a gunfight, but she seems a little out of place here, so I feel protective of her.
No one followed us to the top of the garage, so I wonder where our escort disappeared to. Not wanting to alert Lilly and Sophie, I don’t ask Trinity. As we walk, I take out my phone and send Rock a quick text letting him know we made it downtown safe.
When I slip my phone back into my purse, I catch Trinity’s eye and she gives me a nod.
The Red Room is packed. People like us, who stopped in before the show. Groupies hoping to run into band members. The way we’re dressed, we fit right in.
Sliding into a corner stool at the bar, Sophie orders a round of tequila shots.
“No fucking way. You know what that shit does to me,” Lilly grumbles.
After throwing her head back and laughing, Sophie answers. “Who said any of them were for you?”
Oh boy. It’s going to be that kind of night.
Trinity is quiet. Assessing my friends, I guess. A table near the back opens up, and we snag it.
“So, how tight are you with Z?” Lilly asks after we place our dinner orders.
Trinity slips on a placid face before answering. “I’ve known him for a long time.”
Lilly narrows her eyes. “You fuck him?”
“Lilly!” I gasp and smack her arm.
Sophie gives her friend the side eye as well.
Trinity’s mouth twists down. “Not lately,” she finally answers.
Okay, wow. I had not been expecting that at all.
Lilly gives a curt nod. “He fuck around the MC a lot?”
Trinity cocks her head. “Why are you so curious?”
Sitting back in her seat, Lilly fiddles with her napkin before answering. “We hooked up. He keeps calling. I just want to know if he’s worth the effort, or if he’s full of shit.”
Trinity sighs and glances at me. “Besides club girls, I’ve never seen him with the same chick twice. That’s all I can really tell you.”
I’m not sure in what world that information is helpful, or positive, but it seems to appease Lilly. For now.
When the crowd starts to thin, we follow the herd down the street to the arena. The cavernous building echoes from thousands of excited voices finding their seats, pumped up for Afterlife.
This show is a lot more subdued and organized because the arena is better staffed. We are thoroughly searched on the way in. Sophie surprises us with box seats. Her company was nice enough to let her use their box for the show. Apparently her firm doesn’t have any other metalheads. We even have a stocked minibar, which Sophie violates almost immediately.
The show’s good. Although the box seats are nice, it’s not as much fun as being up close to the stage, but it is safer. That makes me think of Rock. He’d be happy that we’re up here. Away from danger.
I send him a text to let him know.
Good, is all I get in return.
Afterward, one of the band’s crew members stops by to invite us backstage. Apparently Sophie knows people everywhere she goes.
Curious, Trinity and I tag along. Sophie greets a tiny redhead after we pass through a second round of security who walks us backstage. I gather from their conversation she’s a band member’s girlfriend and she and Sophie have met on one of Jonny’s tours.
“You okay with this?” I ask Trinity.
She shrugs. “Sure. I wouldn’t mind meeting Chase. He’s fucking hot.”
I giggle at that. While the band members are definitely sexy, young studs, they don’t really hold a candle to our big, manly bikers. Not in my mind anyway.
In the green room, Sophie’s friend, Sydney, introduces us to the guitar player and lead singer. Trinity is definitely digging the singer, Chase, which I find hilarious. He’s tall and well-muscled, but in a lean way, completely the opposite of Wrath. We do our fangirl thing—asking for a photograph—and the band humors us. Sophie seems ready to smack me for not acting cool, but I’m having too much fun to care.
As the atmosphere changes from fun to rowdy, I realize I’m tired and would rather be in my boyfriend’s arms than with a bunch of strangers searching for a backstage hook-up.
I tap Sophie on the shoulder. “We’re going to get going. You two okay?”
One corner of her mouth turns down. “Party pooper.”
“I know. I suck. Forgive me?”
“Yeah, I’d want to rush home too if I had a hunk of man like yours waiting for me.”
“Where’s Jonny?”
She rolls her eyes. “Texas, I think. I’m taking a few weeks off when his tour is over. Going to see if we can make things work.”
“Good. You know he’s nuts about you.”
“Yeah, I know.”
Trinity edges closer and bumps me with her hip. “Ready?”
“Yup.”
After a round of hugs, Trinity and I head out of the backstage area.
“Hey, Trinity,” a thick, rough voice calls from behind us.
She whirls around. “Oh, shit. Hey, Blue.”
A big, round brute of a man ambles up to us. He gives me a thorough visual fondle before turning to Trinity. “Enjoy the show?”
“Oh yeah, it was great. What are you doing here?”
“Working security.”
“Cool. Oh, this is Rock’s ol’ lady, Hope. Hope, Blue used to bounce at CB.”
“Oh, hi.”
“Where you ladies parked?”
“The garage on Second Street.”
He nods and gives the backstage area a once-over. “I’ll walk you girls out.”
“You don’t have to do that,” I protest.
He takes each of us by the elbow and leads us outside. Trinity’s mouth quirks. “Just go with it, Hope. If I had to guess, Rock called him and asked him to keep an eye on us.”
Blue smirks, but doesn’t admit or deny.
Sonofabitch. I’ll admit, I’m impressed with how far Rock’s reach is.
Once we’re safely on our way back, Trinity giggles. “Birch is back. Let’s outrun him.”
“Yeah, I wouldn’t mind surprising them at the clubhouse.”
She glances over. “You trust Rock, don’t you? I swear, Hope, I’ve known him for a long time now, and I’ve never seen him crazy about a woman the way he is with you.”
“So I keep hearing.”
Trinity snorts. “I get it. Believe me.”
Punching the gas, we rocket forward, and cut over two lanes to take the next exit. Gripping the “oh shit” handle, I suck air in through my teeth. “Geez, Trinity.”
She giggles, but eases off the gas.
After a while we’re alone on the long, winding road to the clubhouse. “I meant what I said, Hope.”
With the surrounding darkness and the hum of the knobby wheels over the rough country road, I’d been halfway to snoozeville.
“What’s that?”
“Rock. He’s protective of the whole family, you know. But the girls he used to…” she pauses as I think she searches for a term that won’t offend me “… hang with. They were out of sight, out of mind. Not that he’s ever been cruel, but unless we had bad shit going down with a rival club or something, he didn’t put tails on them. He didn’t really give any of them a second thought once he was done with them.”
I get that Trinity, in her own sweet way, is trying to make me feel better, but the information actually makes me want to barf.
“I’m making it worse, aren’t I?” she asks with a nervous chuckle.
“Kinda.”
Once we pull in the gate, the place is alive with people.
Trinity ends up parking down the hill, and we hike up to the clubhouse. We find a nice surprise waiting for us—Rock and Wrath sitting outside talking. Not a club girl in sight.
Hurrying over, I throw myself in Rock’s arms before he even realizes we’re there. “Holy—”
I cut him off with a fierce kiss. Behind me, Trinity giggles and Wrath groans.
Cradling my face in his palms, Rock traces his tongue along my lower lip, dipping into my mouth with a soft lash of his tongue. Suddenly, I wish we were upstairs instead of standing outside in front of everyone. As our kiss deepens, I hear the front door open and slam shut.
Pulling back a fraction, I notice we’re now alone outside.
Rock strokes his fingers over my cheek. “Have fun, baby doll?”
“Yes, but I missed you,” I say breathlessly while looking up at his handsome face.
A knowing grin curves his sexy lips. “I missed you too.”
“You had eyes on us, though, didn’t you?” I ask, striving to keep my voice even.
“You mad?” He’s wary, but unapologetic.
I sigh and glance down at my hands, which are still covered in healing scrapes from the accident. “No. I appreciate how much you care.”
His body relaxes. Even in the garish glow provided by the outdoor floodlights, I get a little lost in his storm-gray eyes, the sharp lines of his jaw, and the sensual curve of his lips. His look is equally hungry, and I never tire of the way he makes me feel. Beautiful, cherished, sexy.
“Take me upstairs, Rochlan. Do filthy things to me.”
His eyebrow quirks, and a grin curves his mouth. “You’re bossy tonight.”
“You love it.”
“That I do.” Lacing our fingers together, he walks me inside.
I unglue my gaze from Hope’s sexy fucking lips long enough to get us inside and up to my room. Even her scent, crisp autumn air mixed with her natural sweet fragrance, short-circuits my brain tonight. Christ, I’m fucked up if I can’t stand being away from this woman for more than a couple hours.
It doesn’t bother me in the slightest.
She tosses her jacket on the leather chaise, and I still her with hands on her shoulders.
“Any ass-grabbers tonight?” I ask.
“Not yet,” she teases back.
“Babe, you have no idea.”
She blushes and bends over to unzip her boots.
“Uh-uh,” I scold from behind her. “I can’t believe I let you go out of the house dressed in so little.”
From here, I see her shoulders tense. She’s about to ream me out for the “let you” part. “Can’t help it, Hope. You’re too fucking sexy.”
As I turn her toward me, I see the blush creeping up her neck. I love how shy my woman is. It takes a lot to work her up, but when she finally lets go, it’s so fucking beautiful. Eventually she relaxes and the shyness melts away.
Brushing her hair over her shoulder, I lean down to press kisses along her exposed neck.
Someone bangs on our door, interrupting my filthy plans to ruin another pair of her stockings. Stalking to the door, I throw it open to find an anxious Teller. “I’m sorry, prez. I just got a call from Heidi. Our grandmother had a heart attack or something. Ambulance is taking her to the hospital. I had a little too much to drink earlier…” he trails off.
“Yeah, okay.”
“I can’t find Murph or I wouldn’t bug you guys.” His mouth twists into a grimace. “And Trinity’s busy with…Wrath.”
Christ.
“Give me a sec, okay?”
Hope comes up behind me, nudging the door open wider. “You okay, Teller?”
“Yeah, just shaken up. Heidi sounded terrified.”
Hope reaches out and squeezes his arm. “I’ll come with.”
Teller takes a deep breath and flashes a quick smile. “Thanks, Hope. I appreciate it.”
Huh. Apparently my brother finds Hope more comforting in a family crisis than me. Go figure.
“I’ll, uh, go wait downstairs.”
Hope watches him weave down the hall before turning to me. “Just let me change out of this dress.”
I groan as my plans for unlacing that sexy-as-fuck dress with my teeth go up in flames.
She’s all business as she steps into her closet, quickly works the laces loose, and lifts the dress up, tossing it on the floor. She bends over to unzip her boots, and I groan again at the sight of her in nothing but a black bra and the black pantyhose. I need to get a grip, or we’re never going to make it to the hospital.
Turning in the opposite direction, I head to the bathroom, where I splash some cold water over my face and clean up. When I re-enter the bedroom, Hope’s dressed in faded jeans, a club sweatshirt and boots. “Ready?” I ask.
“Yup,” she chirps back.
I grab my own sweatshirt and we head downstairs. Hope tugs my hand, pulling me to a stop before the staircase.
I turn, a “what” forming on the tip of my tongue, when she reaches up and kisses my cheek. Her lips brush against my ear. “I left the tights on under my jeans.”
“Fuuuck,” I groan. “What are you trying to do to me?”
She lets out a giggle and races down the stairs ahead of me.
Teller’s sitting on the couch alone, head in his hands. He glances up when he hears us. “I’m so sorry, guys.”
Hope hurries over and takes his hand. “You know we’d go with you no matter what, Teller.”
“Thanks.”
The ride to the hospital seems to take forever. There’s not a lot to say. Heidi calls with an update, and even up front I hear the panic in her voice.
“Marcel!” she yells and runs to her brother as soon as we get there. He gives her a big, brotherly hug as she breaks into sobs.
“I’m sorry,” she cries.
“For what, Bug? It’s a good thing you were there to call for help.”
She shakes her head and buries herself against his chest again.
Axel strides in next. Poor kid looks completely unsure of what to do. But he’s here for Heidi, and I respect that.
A nurse ushers us into the waiting room so we’re not jamming up her hallway. Heidi sees Axel and bursts into tears again. He gives her a hug, but is clearly uncomfortable showing her affection in front of her brother and me.
Good.
Heidi finally notices Hope, and her face twists. While I talk to the guys, Heidi edges toward Hope. Eventually, they get up and leave the room together.
Something is bothering Heidi. But she’s not going to spill with her brother and Rock in the same room. As soon as we’re out of their eyesight, she bursts into tears again.
“Hope, it’s all my fault,” she whispers.
“Honey, I’m sure that’s not true.”
She glances back at the waiting room. “Grandma caught me sneaking in the house, and we had a fight. I went to my room and heard her stomping around and yelling downstairs. Then all of a sudden she was quiet. I figured, good, she finally shut up.” Big, fat tears slide down her face. “After a while, it just seemed too quiet, so I went downstairs. Hope, she must have passed out, and I just let her lay there…” She trails off as she breaks into more tears.
Poor Heidi. “Honey, it’s not your fault. You did go check on her. And you called the ambulance. She’s getting treatment now. It’s okay.”
“It’s my fault, though. If she hadn’t caught me—”
“Were you with Axel, honey?”
She slides a guilty look toward the waiting room. “Not exactly.”
I have no idea what that’s supposed to mean and it’s not really important, so I let it go.
“Am I going to get in trouble, Hope?”
I resist the urge to grin at her question. “No, honey. Why would you think that?”
“Cause we had that fight—”
“Did it turn physical?”
Her eyes widen, and she shakes her head violently. “God, no. It’s just that…I know she has a heart problem, and I snapped back at her when she called me names.”
The picture I’m getting of what life is like with Heidi’s grandmother is unpleasant and a little too reminiscent of my own teenage years. My heart goes out to this motherless girl, who while a little wild, is still very sweet.
“No, honey. You’re not in trouble. It’s normal to fight with family members sometimes.”
“Please don’t tell my brother. He’s going to be so pissed at me. Gram’s already furious with him because of the custody thing, and now this...”
Now it’s my turn to have a guilty moment. I’m also aware the woman has some health problems. I’m sure the legal dispute hasn’t helped.
Murphy stalks into the hospital, coming straight at us.
“I got your message, Heidi-bug. You okay?”
Her nose twitches at the nickname, and I hold back a laugh.
“Yeah, thanks for coming.”
“Hey, First Lady.” Murphy nods his head at me. “Prez with you?”
I tilt my head toward the waiting room. “He’s in there with Teller and Axel.”
His eyes narrow at hearing Axel’s name, but he doesn’t comment.
“Need anything, Bug?”
Heidi shakes her head.
When we’re alone again, I give Heidi another hug. “It’s not your fault, sweetheart, okay? Why don’t we join the others and wait for news?”
“Okay. Thank you, Hope.”
“You’re welcome, sweetie.”
The guys break up their conversation when we reenter the room. Rock holds his hand out, and Heidi accepts a quick squeeze. “Thanks for bringing my brother down, Uncle Rock.”
“No problem, Heidi-girl.”
She grins when he doesn’t add her hated nickname.
“How’d you get here, Bug?” Murphy asks.
Her gaze darts between Axel and Murphy. Finally she settles into the chair next to her boyfriend, and he wraps an arm around her shoulders. “Ambulance.”
“I’ll give you a lift home later,” Murphy says.
“I got her, bro,” Axel asserts.
Murphy acts as if Axel hadn’t even spoken.
So much for Murphy not being into Heidi. I wonder if he’s going to freak out when he discovers she was sneaking around with Axel.
Shaking my head, I decide none of this is my problem.
Rock pats the chair next to him, and I drop into it with a sigh. His hand slides under my hair to massage my neck. “Rough night, baby doll.”
“Yeah.”
We don’t have to wait too much longer. A nurse comes in and informs us that Mrs. Whelan is stable. She’s going to be out for the night, so the nurse urges everyone to go home and return in the morning.
Teller gets up and gives Rock a fist bump. “I’ll catch a ride with Murphy, prez. Thanks for staying.”
Rock stands up and pulls Teller in for a quick man-hug. “You need anything, call me. Don’t care what time it is.”
“Promise.”
Rock turns to me. “Mind staying at my house, instead of driving back to the club?”
I mentally run over what I have stashed at Rock’s house. “Sure, that’s fine.”
Rock scans the group. “Anyone need a lift?”
Axel and Heidi are standing apart from the group holding hands. Murphy watches them from his seat and doesn’t even glance up at Rock’s question. Teller kicks Murphy’s leg to grab his attention. “We cool, bro?”
“Yeah, man. You ready to leave?”
“Yeah.” He turns to Axel and Heidi. “Axel, you want to follow us? I’m gonna stay at Gram’s with Bug tonight.”
“Yeah, okay. I got her.”
“Cool, let’s go.” Teller punches Murphy’s shoulder, and he finally gets up.
Rock and I walk ahead of the group. We reach our car first and say our good nights to everyone.
“Well, that was awkward,” I say with a snicker as soon as Rock closes his door.
“What?”
“Murphy. What’s his deal with Axel?”
Rock gives me one of his “are you kidding” looks. “Axel’s a good kid. I hate to break it to Murphy, but I think Heidi really is over her crush on him.”
“Duh. I wanted to marry a Backstreet Boy, when I was twelve.”
Laughter echoes through the interior. “I have no words, Hope.”
“I aim to entertain.”
He starts up the car and points us toward his house.
“What’d you talk about with Heidi?”
“Oh, she was worried this was all her fault because she got into an argument with her grandmother tonight.”
“Poor kid. This shit has been rough on her.”
“Does anyone know where her mom is?”
“Nah. We tried helping Teller track her down for a long time. Nothing ever came of it.”
“That’s awful. I know she’s a handful sometimes, but she’s basically a good kid.”
“I know.”
We’re quiet the rest of the way. Me because my brain is trying to work out how this hospitalization is going to affect my legal case. Terrible, I know. But I can’t help it. I also realize there’s a possibility their grandmother may need the sort of round-the-clock care that only a nursing home can provide. Custody should automatically go to Teller then—
“We’re home, babe,” Rock says, breaking into my thoughts. A loud yawn escapes me.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, just trying to work out how this will affect the case.”
Rock squints at me, probably thinking I’m an insensitive jerk. Instead of chastising me for my callousness, he squeezes my hand. “Thanks for caring about them so much.”
“Of course.”
“I mean it. Teller and Heidi are like family.”
“I know.”
“Known Heidi since she was a little kid.”
Goosebumps work over my arms. Rock’s such a softy underneath all his hard exterior.
“I’ll go in early tomorrow to do a little research and make some phone calls.”
“Tomorrow is Saturday, babe.” His hand reaches over and squeezes my thigh. “Besides, I think you mentioned something before about what you’re wearing underneath these jeans?”
Suddenly legal work is the furthest thing from my mind.