Chapter 37

Molly

“I’m not interested.” Like a spoiled brat, I cross my arms over my chest and refuse to budge.

“He expects us there.” Briar holds his hand out, but I ignore it.

“It’s a trap.” I’m certain of it. There’s no other reason Lynch is summoning us along with every other member in the club. This was a regular occurrence when my dad was still alive. He’d get us all in one room, and then issue his form of justice on those that betrayed the club.

“It’s not a trap.”

Looking up, I find Briar smiling down at me. He’s almost back to normal, able to see out of both eyes now, but the now yellowed bruises on his handsome face are an everyday reminder of what my brothers are capable of.

“How do you know?” He winks his assurance, but it’s not enough. “Have you been talking to them?”

“It’s business as usual, babe. You’re the only one that’s been holding a grudge and hiding out in the room for the last week.”

“I can’t face them,” I mutter. “I hate them.”

“Everything they did was because they love you.”

He’s a broken fucking record, and it makes me want to jab him in his still-sore ribs to remind him why my feelings toward my brothers haven’t changed since he was carried out of the basement.

“How about a trade?”

His head is shaking back and forth as he steps back. “No.”

“You don’t even know what I was going to ask.”

“Yes, I do.”

“You don’t,” I argue.

“I’m not fucking you in exchange for you going out there with me.”

My wicked smile disappears immediately. Maybe he does know me well.

“Really? You got your ass kicked so you can sleep with me.” I hold my arms open wide. “Here I am. Claim your prize.”

“I got my ass kicked because I went behind your brothers’ backs.”

“I want sex.” Sticking my lower lip out, I pout, even though I know it won’t help.

“Keep sticking that lip out,” he threatens, “and I’ll put it to work.”

My pulse quickens with the delicious threat. Our mouths are something he hasn’t banned in this room. He won’t sleep with me, claiming that he wants to date me like a normal couple-his words, not mine-before we take that step.

“Okay.” I nod enthusiastically as I grab the bottom hem of my shirt and begin to tug it over my head.

His huge hand comes down on mine before I can pull it all the way off. “You test my resolve most days.”

Once he’s pushed my shirt back down to cover the fact that I’m not wearing a bra, his lips are on mine. But, he’s not kissing me with a hungry need. It’s a soft, sweet brush of his lips against mine. One hundred percent amazing and zero percent of what I’m craving.

“Soon,” he promises against my lips before scooping me up in his arms and carrying me, kicking and screaming, from the room.

I fall limp in Briar’s arms when a couple of chuckles sound around the room.

“Always know how to make an entrance,” Zoe says with a smile so big in her voice I don’t even have to look at her to know it’s there.

Briar moves to place me on my feet, and I’m reluctant to release him, knowing no matter how upset my brothers are, they won’t physically hurt me to get to him. My eyes dart around the room, focusing on the front wall, specifically the area directly below the beam that runs the length of the room. Lynch’s backpack is nowhere to be found, but I wouldn’t put it past my brother to be keeping it hidden for some big reveal later.

My skin grows cold, itching under my clothes, but when my eyes find Zoe’s, I have a sense that everything will be okay. Her loving eyes watch me as Briar wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me against his side.

For the first time in all my years of loving this man, I’m able to stand tall in front of every member in this room. I don’t have to school my face or look around to see if anyone has caught on to my feelings. I don’t have to be concerned that Briar’s safety is on the line when I look up into his blue eyes before leaning my head against his sturdy chest.

“Glad you could make it,” TJ says with humor in his voice as I cringe away from him when he walks up and presses a kiss to my temple.

I keep my eyes focused on a spot on the floor, still not ready to thank him for what he’s done. I don’t know that I’ll ever get to that point, knowing they’ve damaged my opinion of them with what happened last week.

“I need to put some shit to rest.”

My head snaps up. Lynch is standing in front of the room, looking so much like my father, if only in stature, my knees begin to shake. Briar pulls me tighter to his side, and I don’t know if the action is for my protection or if he’s trying to reassure me that things will be fine.

“I’ve heard chatter.” Lynch narrows his eyes on Mac, one of the newer prospects to step foot in the clubhouse, before sweeping his gaze over everyone in the crowd. “That I was soft on Briar after he went against my direct order about Molly.”

Anticipation swarms through the crowd. They get a little restless wondering what he’s going to say next, but no one speaks or leans to their neighbor to discuss predictions. They all know better.

“I’ve heard that he should’ve died for his betrayal.”

Lynch doesn’t focus on anyone in particular, which is smart. If he singles anyone out, he might as well sign their death certificate because no one in the club would have their back, but it doesn’t keep me from wondering who would want Briar dead.

“I was going to kill him.”

You could hear a pin drop, or rather the splash of my tears as they begin to fall on the worn concrete floor at my feet.

“He’s alive today because he took that choice out of my hands. Briar made the decision to die himself. His loyalty, his dedication to my sister is so strong, he was willing to die to protect her from a moment’s pain.”

My entire body is trembling now. I’m confused, scared, and more in love than I’ve ever been before.

“That being said, I urge any man willing to off themselves right now for her to step forward.” My oldest brother pulls his gun from the back of his jeans and holds it down by his side.

“I would die to protect her.” Ronan steps forward, sureness in his voice.

“I’m not asking you to take a bullet for her.” Lynch swallows thickly, and I’m sure he’s overcome with emotion that another man in the club is willing to lay it all on the line to protect me. “I’m not saying jump in front of a bullet to protect her. Are you willing to put this gun to your head and pull the trigger to save her from emotional harm?”

Ronan’s eyes find mine before jolting back to my brother. Wordlessly, he takes a step back, relief washing over his face when Lynch asks again and no one else steps forward.

“Briar was willing to do that,” Lynch tells everyone in the room. “I’m not going into detail with what happened down there last week because it’s none of your fucking business, but know that Briar is alive because of his willingness to die.”

Several people murmur their approval.

“But you two better keep all your personal shit, personal.”

Briar chuckles when Lynch’s eyes narrow on him. I don’t feel the joy he’s feeling right now. This entire day has left me more confused, with a million more questions than before.

“To Briar and Molly.” TJ holds a beer in the air. “May all of us find someone that loves us enough to step off the crate.”

“Shhh,” Briar pleads against my lips, and I don’t even realize I’ve been crying until I look up to find us in the very hall I tried to seduce him in so many weeks ago.

“Y-you did what?”

“Doesn’t matter.” He holds me to his chest as he tries to soothe my tears. “All that matters is that I love you, and I’m willing to do anything to protect you.”

“It’s really over? They aren’t going to hurt you again?” He’s been telling me as much the last week, but I haven’t let myself believe it. Lynch has never been a forgiving person. It’s one of the character flaws he inherited from our father.

“It’s over,” he assures me. “Now let's go back out there and have a drink.”

Reluctantly, I let him clasp my hand in his and lead us back out to the living room. Everything is exactly as it was before this whole thing exploded. Girls are drinking and walking around trying to entice the men into calling it an early night. The guys are laughing and joking with other members.

Before long, I let the normality of the evening settle over me, and I enjoy sitting beside Briar, holding one hand while his other arm is wrapped around my shoulder. Not once does Lynch or TJ snarl when they look in our direction.