I glance at Trinity. “Will you sit with her?” As our longtime club girl, I want Trinity to give Hope some info.
“Of course.” She immediately drops next to Hope, and the two of them start chatting.
Satisfied Hope will be okay, I pull Wrath to the door.
“Why you giving me bitch work, Rock? Fuck, man, Peach is a fucking porn star. I wanna hit that.” While he’s whining about Peach, his eyes are focused behind me where Hope and Trinity are.
Tilting my head into his line of vision, I give it to him straight. “Then don’t be making a play for Trinity and two seconds later someone else right in front of her. We fucking talked about this. God damn.”
He pulls his stare to me and smirks. “Think she’s up for a three-way?”
I shake my head. This asshole never quits.
Suddenly he’s all business. “Be serious, prez. You need me to go down to CB or not?”
I’ve made my point. No reason to make him drive down there and back for nothing. “No. Just tone it down.”
“I like Hope,” he says out of nowhere.
“Like I give two fucks.”
“No, seriously. I gave her shit before, and for a second I thought she was going to cry and you were going to murder me, but then she just dished it right back.”
I laugh, although I do kinda want to throat punch him for trying to upset my girl on purpose. Before I get the chance, Z’s at my back.
“Yo. Dex wants to nail Inga. You cool with that?”
“Why are you asking?”
Z shrugs. “I may partake as well.”
Christ.
“She’s fair game. We haven’t been a thing for a year and a half.”
“Fuck—why didn’t you say so sooner?”
“Am I required to update you on where I park my dick now?”
Z gags. Wrath laughs.
Z straightens up and throws Dex a thumbs up. “Hey, I’m sorry Dex and I brought them up. I didn’t realize Hope would be here. This asshole said it would be okay.” He jerks his thumb at Wrath.
“Surprise, surprise,” I grumble.
“What?” Wrath has the nerve to make a “who me” face. Maybe the girls fall for that shit. I don’t.
“Go meet me in the conference room.”
“Now?”
I ignore him and turn to Z. “Take a run at Peach. Just remember, they’re both employees at the dance club. Treat them with respect, even if they don’t treat themselves with any.”
The corner of Z’s mouth lifts in a smile. “Yeah. I got you.”
Wrath glares at me while Z flips him off and flees. “Not cool, prez.”
I grab him by the back of the neck and aim him in the direction of our war room. “Stop acting like a little bitch. It’s my birthday. Come have a drink with someone older and wiser.”
I slip my keys out of my pocket and open the door, closing it quietly behind us.
“What up?”
“I wanna show you something.”
“Should I be scared?”
Wrath scared of anything is hilarious. “Don’t be a dick.”
Unlocking my personal cabinet, I pull out the bottle of Scotch Hope gave me and show it to Wrath.
“No shit. Where’d you get that?”
“Birthday present from Hope.”
He whistles. “Nice present.”
I set out two glasses.
“You’re going to open it now?”
“What better time?”
Wrath’s hard stare drills into me, and he shakes his head. “I can’t believe you brought her here. It’s like corrupting fucking Cinderella or something.”
My laughter is forced because, while it’s an accurate description of the night, I’m not happy about it. I pour the Scotch and hand him one of the glasses. After swirling the caramel-colored liquid around for a bit, he holds up the glass. “May you live to be a hundred years with one extra year to repent.”
“Ha. I’ll repent nothing.” We clink and tip our glasses back.
“Fuck, that’s good.”
“Smooth and spicy,” I agree.
“So, this thing with her is serious?”
His question annoys me for some reason, and it takes me a second to consider how I want to answer. “I feel like we’ve already had this conversation before, brother.”
As usual, nothing fazes him. “Someone like her might be better off as a citizen wife,” he suggests.
Wrath is brave for even mentioning such a thing. The idea of keeping Hope away from such a big part of my life leaves me cold. “Too late now.”
“You tell her everything?”
“No.”
“You gonna?”
I turn this over in my mind before answering. Everything? What’s everything?
How we earn? I’m pretty sure she already suspects.
That I’ve fucked around a lot? I think that’s been made more than obvious tonight.
That I preemptively killed two cold-blooded bastards to keep her safe?
I’ll keep that one to myself for now.
“Eventually. As a lawyer for the club, she can’t spill anything anyway. What we tell her is confidential. She becomes my wife, it will be like double protection.”
Wrath nods, looking relieved. Has that been his problem all along?
“Wife. Wow. Okay. Ol’ lady status isn’t enough?” he asks with an eyebrow lift. When I shake my head, he continues. “You got it bad for this broad, don’t ya?”
Unlike some of my brothers, I’m not afraid to express my feelings for the woman I care about. “She’s not a broad. And yes.”
“No disrespect intended. I like that she can hang. Trin seems to like her too.”
“Good. They can be helpful to each other.”
Wrath nods, so I guess I don’t need to spell it out for him for a change.
I pick up the bottle of Scotch and our glasses. “Go park your ass on the couch and make sure Trinny isn’t scaring Hope away.”
“You doing okay with all this?” Trinity asks as soon as the guys are out of earshot. Well, except for Teller, who is so furiously texting someone, I doubt he hears anything we say.
“Yeah.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t know what the guys were thinking bringing Inga here.” She stops and gives me a level stare. “I’ve never slept with Rock, if you’re wondering.”
That’s a huge relief.
“I can only imagine what you’ve heard.” She flings her hand toward the open room.
“What’s your role here?” I’m honestly curious.
“Well, club took me in about eight years ago. I have a room here. Club pays my expenses. I kind of take care of the place, clean up after these pigs. And I make myself available to the guys on an as-needed basis.”
I’m not really sure what to say to that. “Why?”
She shrugs and thankfully doesn’t seem offended. “I dunno. I grew up around MCs, so I guess I just feel safer around one.”
“Safe?” I’m not sure if “safe” is the word I would use for hanging around a bunch of guys who could snap me like a twig.
“Have you seen these guys?” She gestures toward Wrath, who is heading our way with a determined expression. “Wrath is a dick, sure, but he’d never let anyone hurt me.”
“I wouldn’t let anyone mess with you either, mama,” Teller remarks without looking away from his phone.
Trinity giggles and punches his arm. The corner of his mouth twitches, and he winks.
Lowering my voice, now that I know Teller is more alert than I thought, I ask her. “Why aren’t you a member? They don’t allow women to be members, do they?”
She hesitates. “I don’t know if any have ever asked. These types of clubs don’t usually have women members.”
“What type is that?” I’m so confused with all their specific, odd rules I don’t understand.
“Outlaw, outlaw, outlaw…” Teller chants for no discernible reason.
“Giddy-up, brothe
r!” Wrath shouts as he approaches, giving Teller a fist bump. Oh, goody—more grief from the big, blond Viking to look forward to.
Trinity continues educating me. “Look. I grew up around bikers. My dad was in a nasty MC. Got shanked in prison when I was ten, but before that he owned a tattoo shop where all the guys would hang. I saw lots of shit growing up. From what I understand, LOKI was in rough shape when Rock took over. But he and Wrecking Ball,” she says, jerking her thumb at Wrath, who blows her a kiss, “and Z whipped the club into shape. Rock’s a good guy. He takes care of everyone. He’s responsible for the family. Women aren’t disrespected here. Rock doesn’t allow it. You know, besides the normal antics of the male pig.”
For some reason, Wrath takes those words as a cue to squeeze in between Trinity and Teller. Hauling Trinity into his lap, he grins from ear to ear like she just paid him a compliment.
“Ugh, get offa me, you beast.” She slaps at his hands, but he wraps himself around her tighter, resting his chin on the crown of her head as if he has no idea what her problem is.
Curious about her story, I ask. “How did you find these guys?”
Trinny waves her hand in the air, then settles it against Wrath’s arms encircling her waist. “Club girls know how to find bikers.”
“Fuck yeah, baby,” Wrath says in a low, rumbling tone that even makes my tummy flutter. As I watch, he takes her ear lobe between his teeth, flicking his tongue back and forth. Her eyes flutter shut for a second and then she elbows him in the chest until he lets go.
She continues as if I hadn’t witnessed the intimate moment between them. “But honestly, I was tending bar downtown with this girl.” She turns to Wrath. “You remember Stormy?”
“Yup. Poser skank.”
She tilts her head as if his assessment is accurate. “She kept telling me about LOKI, and having known bikers since I was a kid, I found her story a little hard to believe.”
Wrath pulls his head back, looking indignant. “Cause she made us sound like a bunch of pussies?”
“No.” Trinity clarifies. “That you weren’t a bunch of pigs. Although she was wrong on you.”
“Oink.”
“Exactly.”
“So where is she now?” I ask.
Wrath shifts his long legs, rolling Trinity in his lap. She wriggles, trying to keep upright, causing Wrath to moan. “Watch it, woman.”
“She was not about this life,” Teller answers my question after shooting a glare at Trinity and Wrath.
“What? Riding motorcycles?” As usual, I’m having trouble following their jargonized language.
The way the three of them share a look, I know I’ve just made an ass out of myself. Why, I have no idea, since everyone keeps insisting it’s just a “club.”
“Thug life,” Teller remarks.
I smile because I think it’s a joke. “You’re not thugs. Well, you probably are,” I say pointing at Wrath.
“I definitely am,” he says, meeting my stare.
“Anyway,” Teller continues, smoothing over the awkward moment. “Stormy-girl found herself a nice citizen husband.”
My blank stare is enough that I don’t have to voice the “what the heck is that” on the tip of my tongue.
Both Wrath and Teller focus their stony glares on me, but Wrath is the one who delivers the lecture. “She was one of those good girl types lookin’ to take a walk on the wild side. You know, spice up her dull, sheltered life? Attaching herself to outlaws made her feel special,” Wrath says. It’s similar to the speech he gave me earlier. Shame—I’d just started to think he might not be a complete asshat.
Trinity seems alarmed by how intense this conversation suddenly turned. “That’s not entirely true. She got tired of being passed around. No one was gonna claim her back then, and she really wanted to get married and start a family.”
Wrath sneers. “No one was claiming club ass. Back then.”
A flash of anger lights up her face, but she doesn’t respond. Instead, she leans forward and lowers her voice. “From what I hear, Rock hasn’t been with any of the club girls in like a year or something.” She straightens up.
I already know this because Rock admitted it to me the afternoon we had our heart-to-heart in his garage. But it still feels good to have confirmation from an inside source.
“All the girls gossip about the guys,” she says with a snicker.
Teller chuckles. “Boys compare notes too.”
Gross.
Wrath’s jaw and his hold on Trinity tightens.
“Anyway, I just wanted you to know. Me and Rock. Never.” She makes a slashing motion with her hand.
Wrath’s gaze shoots toward the ceiling.
She continues. “He’s more like a big brother or father figure—”
“Fuck, Trinny. I am not old enough to be your dad.” Rock’s back. A smile breaks over my face. I’m so happy to see him. The education I’ve been getting, while interesting, doesn’t have a lot to do with our relationship.
Trinity flushes eight shades of red. “Sorry. You know what I mean.”
The party seems to be winding down out here, but there’s still a lot of noise going on around us. The music has been lowered, and sex noises can pretty much be heard from every direction. Rock traces his finger over my cheek.
“You okay, doll?”
I nod, enjoying his touch.
Someone comes over, taps his shoulder, and they turn away to talk.
Wrath clears his throat. “Uh…Hope, I’m sorry about Inga coming here tonight. I gave the okay for it. I didn’t think Rock would actually bring you to a club party.”
Trinity must be as shocked as I am. She twists in his grasp and presses the back of her hand against his forehead. “You feeling okay, Wyatt?”
For a second, the hard lines of his face settle into something softer before he shakes off her hand.
“What? I’m not a total dickhead. I know it’s not cool to bring the piece around an ol’ lady. Or former piece, as the case may be.”
“I have the feeling if I try to decipher that, I’m going to be offended.” I’m only half joking.
Trinity lets out a huge laugh, and Wrath opens his mouth. “Well, you’re his ol’ lady apparently—”
“No. Just stop. Stop talking. Trinity giggles, while covering his mouth with her hand.
“Always good advice, brother.” Teller says, looking up from his phone finally. “So, Hope. Rock says you’re a lawyer and you do family court work?” Teller asks.
Oh no. I feel it coming. Please don’t.
“You heard what I told Rock earlier. I’m trying to get custody—”
“Uh, I was. I haven’t practiced law in a while.”
Wrath frowns. “Why?”
“Well, um—”
“Because of that thing with Rock?” Wrath prods.
I flush at the reminder of that awful day, remembering that Wrath had been there to witness my humiliation. “No. My husband died last year, and except for helping Winter out, I haven’t gone back to work since.” I can’t bear to tell these people I hardly know that it took me almost ten months to crawl out of bed after Clay’s death.
“Oh, shit, Hope. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know,” Trinity whispers.
Wrath’s chin is now resting on Trinity’s shoulder, but his eyes are focused on me. “I’m sorry, Hope. I forgot.”
“That’s okay.” I wonder how much of my story Wrath knows. How much do these guys share with each other? And did I just receive another apology from Wrath?
“Sorry, Hope,” Teller apologizes. “I just hate the guy that got assigned to me.”
Now my curiosity is piqued. “What county?”
“Johnson.”
“Oh yeah, they have a small pool of lawyers on the list out there. Who did you get?”
“Lenny Kozak.”
It’s unprofessional, I know, but my nose wrinkles before I can stop it.
Understanding lights up Teller’s eyes. “You’ve worked with
him?”
“Yeah. He’s smart but lazy. I hear he used to be a great lawyer, but he does the bare minimum these days. Keep after him.”
“I’m back, baby doll,” Rock says in a voice that makes me melt. He hands me a glass of water. I take a deep sip, realizing I’m parched. We shift places, and I’m in his lap again. I never thought I’d enjoy sitting in someone’s lap, like a teenager. But here I am loving every second. Rock’s playing with my hair, and I find the movement soothing. Teller’s still watching me with bright eyes.
“Did you talk to her?” Rock asks.
“Yeah. She’s not working now.”
I turn to face Rock, and he arches a brow at me. “You took care of that thing for Winter.” One well-muscled shoulder lifts, momentarily distracting me. “Figured you were going back and I’d get you your first new client.”
I’m not comfortable discussing my career path in front of an audience. “I’m supposed to go meet with Adam this week about maybe taking over my office again.”
His jaw ticks at the mention of my friend’s name. Interesting, since he’s met Adam.
“Baby doll, that is not an office. It’s a closet,” he jokes.
I do a little teeth grinding of my own. I’m so pissed he just embarrassed me in front of his friends. As he takes in my reaction, his body tenses underneath me. What does he think I’m going to do—blow up here in front of everyone?
A big, burly red-headed guy walks over and drops next to Teller. “Fuuck, I’m tired.” He yawns like a bear.
“Hope, have you met Murphy?” Teller asks.
“Not really.”
Murphy sits up and leans over. Since there’s three people in our way, he waves at me. “Hi, first lady,” he says with a chuckle.
That makes Rock laugh too.
“First Lady—I like it.” And he’s swishing my hair off my shoulders, tracing my neck with his fingers, once again chasing my anger away. Dammit. I shiver from his touch.
Another girl I haven’t met but I’ve caught glimpses of all night joins us. She’s one of the girls who brought out the cake and gave me the stink eye the whole time she was doing it.
“Geez, why don’t you just piss on his leg, girl. Damn. You been in his lap all night. We get it.”
As far as greetings go, that’s pretty rude.
“Uh, hi. I’m Hope.” I don’t bother trying to shake her hand—she might stab me.