“I’m sure we could lock her down into more than a few positions to accommodate us, brother,” Mason laughs, holding his hand up for his twin to slap.

  I’m going to rip their faces open soon if they don’t shut their mouths. I don’t care who finds out about us.

  “Her body is tight,” Mason continues. “I wonder if anyone’s tapped it yet?” Myles adds.

  When I say they do everything together, they literally do everything together. I can’t be sure of the ins and outs of their crazy ass lives, but I do know they lost their virginity to the same girl during a threesome and I’ve only ever heard about Mason fucking someone once when Myles was sick. Apart from that, I’ve never seen them apart.

  “How can you sit there and listen to them shit talking about your sister?” I ask Zach.

  “They’re nothing but talk, if they try anything, it’ll give me the excuse to kick their asses,” he says, not bothered one bit. He slouches back in his chair and swigs from his bottle of beer.

  “You think you can take us both, pretty boy?” Mason barks, finding him amusing.

  “I reckon India could take us both, she’d come back for more too,” Myles goads him and I’m about to leap across the table and knock them out myself when Zach has already punched Mason square on the jaw.

  Myles is on his feet and barrelling over his twin to get to Zach. They land on the floor in a heap, but Zach is fast. He flips Myles over and pins him down. He gets a quick right hook in before Mason jumps on his back and wraps his arm around his neck. Zack flips him off like he weighs nothing and continues to punch Myles.

  I must remember Zach is this quick when the time comes. The old man’s table erupts as Slade and Ricky rush over to their sons. Slade drags Zach off and Ricky grabs hold of the twins’ collars. They could get away but out of respect for their father, they don’t move. Zach however, throws major glare at Slade and shrugs him off.

  “What the fuck, Zach?”

  “Ask the twins what they want to do to your daughter,” he pants, putting extra emphasis on, your.

  What’s his problem with Slade? He storms out leaving Slade watching his back disappear and Ricky slaps the twins around the back of their heads.

  “What’s wrong with you two?” he sighs and heads back to his table.

  His son’s nose is pouring with blood and I think, broken, but Ricky just walks back to his table.

  “If I catch you two anywhere near my daughter, I’ll rip both your fucking heads off,” Slade roars before walking off.

  They exchange one of their strange twin silent messages and Mason nods and then follows his brother outside.

  JJ and I sit back down to find we’re alone at our table now.

  India messages me and I regret opening her text.

  ‘What do the twins want to do to me?’

  I shoot off a quick reply before anyone notices.

  ‘Forget about them…You should be wondering what I’m going to do to you the next time we’re alone.’

  Her reply comes through fast.

  ‘I’m always wondering what you’re going to do to me.’

  Her message hits me straight in the balls and I slide my phone in my pocket.

  “The twins are planning something, you might wanna put your claim on her, it’ll be the only way they’ll back off now.”

  “It’s too soon, and I’m sure we can stop the twins.”

  Plus, I asked India to give me the summer, it doesn’t mean we’re in a relationship. She isn’t like most girls I’ve been with. By now, they would’ve been asking to put a label on us, but India hasn’t. It doesn’t sit well that she might go off to college having had enjoyed her summer romance and put me in the past, concentrating on fresh college assholes. Fuck, my gut knots at the thought of anyone who isn’t me touching her. Occasionally I think she’s going to ask for more, but then she takes a deep breath and the moment passes.

  A banging comes from the old timers table and the bar hushes down as my dad stands. He casts his eyes over us brothers and a mournful, semi happy, but definitely mournful, gaze sweeps over him.

  “It’s been twenty years since this club was hit so bad we are still feeling the repercussions. We wear our scars on our hearts, and our brother Sparky wears his on his face. Our biggest scar who isn’t sat with us tonight is our brother Oak, he was the original Lost Soul who lived and breathed for this club. You’re either a brother who was there, or a brother who has heard the stories over the years, either way, Oak’s legacy is everyone of us, it’s the bricks around us and it’s the foundations that lay under our feet. Every man who wears our patch, dead or alive, here or on the road, are a part of us for eternity. We will never forget.”

  He raises his glass of whiskey and places his hand on my mom’s shoulder as she sits beside him. She smiles up at him sadly and raises her own glass.

  I wish I knew the guy who I am in shit loads of photos with as a kid. By all counts, he was the heart of this club and it took a long time before it beat properly without him. Hence, why on this night we celebrate him and every brother that has been taken too soon.

  “To Oak, to all we miss and to all we will drink with again.”

  Brothers become a flurry of movement as they stand and drink, and the prospects run their asses off to make sure glasses never empty.

  India whispers in her mom’s ear and then Kristen nods and kisses her cheek. My girl gets up and walks by me, raising her eyebrows as she goes.

  No one’s interested in what I’m doing, and I slyly follow her outside and jog to catch her up.

  “I was going to message you. My mom said her and dad are staying here tonight, so I was hoping you’d come to mine? I want to have memories of you in my room.”

  Fucking yes.

  “I’ll meet you there.”

  I don’t hesitate to give her my answer. Everyone will think I’ve left for the twin’s party and no one at the party will question too hard where I am, they weren’t expecting me anyway.

  My dick is hard the entire ride, and I’m opening her car door before she has the chance to do it herself. I crossed the line when I slept with a brother’s daughter but having intentions to fuck her under his roof is going beyond crossing the line. Even knowing this, I can’t help myself, she has become a drug to me and I will get my fix anywhere and anytime I can, damn the consequences. They will be worth it. She is worth it.

  “Do you want a drink or anything?” she asks, as she lets us in.

  Shaking my head, I slowly prowl towards her and throw her over my shoulder. As much as I know this is crossing the line, there is an element of being caught that is turning me on.

  Her giggle fills the emptiness of the house and she swats my ass as I climb the stairs.

  “If you drop me…”

  “You’ll what, baby?” I smirk.

  “I don’t know,” she giggles, “Please, don’t drop me though.”

  “Which room is yours?” I ask when I make it to the top of the stair case.

  I remember it’s not the one opposite the bathroom from the last time I was here and helped her make the bed up for the little tramp who took off on Luca.

  “The one at the end.”

  Her bed is neatly made, and the room is perfectly arranged. A beautiful wooden bed sits under the window and scatter cushions take up half of the mattress.

  I throw her down in the middle, the cushions bouncing everywhere, and I climb on top of her.

  “Your dad will kill me if he finds me here,” I warn her, you know, just so she knows.

  “Leo Jackson, are you saying you need me to protect you?” she giggles, as I drag my lips across her shoulder.

  “I’m saying, you better have a nice black dress for my funeral if he comes home. No one will be able to protect me, and I wouldn’t hide behind you,” I growl, as she lifts my t-shirt up and over my head.

  “Why did you come over? If you’re so worried you’ll be caught, why did you come?” she breathlessly murmurs, as I rip her sk
irt up and over her hips.

  “Didn’t you hear my father tonight? I’ll always be alive no matter where I am,” I grin, leaning up to unbuckle my belt.

  “And here’s me thinking I’m worth the rush of danger,” she smirks.

  Every word that just come from her mouth hits me in the balls, hard.

  “You’re my biggest rush, India McCarthy, don’t you ever doubt that.”

  If this was my last time with her, I wouldn’t change anything. I’d still trace my lips across her stomach and up and over her breasts. I’d still claim her mouth and steal the very air she needs to survive. I’d take everything as she lets me take what I want. I’d still hold her in my arms as our bodies became one in a moment of time that warps around us like a soft cocoon where nothing and no one can touch us. If Slade found us now, I’d die happy as he beat the shit out of me on his daughter’s bedroom floor.

  I feel her legs wrap around me, urging me in deeper. She shouldn’t have done that, I can’t stop myself, my body shakes as I climax.

  Her whimpers as my body moulds to hers fill my ears and I fucking love it.

  “You owe me, I wasn’t finished,” she laughs, closing her eyes and catching her breath.

  “Well, never edge me in deeper and I’ll last longer,” I chuckle, and roll off her.

  Her bed isn’t that uncomfortable as it goes, and I go to reach for my smokes, until I remember no one smokes in this house.

  “Tell me what happened at the club with the twins and my brother,” she’s quick to ask.

  I forgot about them, and they’re the last thing I want to think of right now.

  “They were being pricks,” I grunt.

  “They’re always being pricks, what were they saying?” she pushes.

  “They’ve noticed you and wanted to invite you to their party.”

  “And that made Zach go hulk on them, why?”

  “They were implying they wanted to fuck you and they weren’t shutting up.”

  “Oh.”

  “Yeah, oh,” I whisper.

  It still makes my blood boil, just thinking about it. I will protect her from every fucker at the club.

  “Like they have a chance.”

  And thankfully, that’s the end of it. I’ll keep a close eye on them and under no circumstances will they ever get close to her.

  It makes me wonder though, what are my chances with her after the summer. I know I don’t want this to end. I haven’t had a steady relationship before, but India makes me want one. “What do you think life was like for our parents when the club was at war with that Danny guy?”

  “You’re full of questions tonight.”

  We’ve all heard the stories, from the Lost Souls fight with the Raging Riders that started decades ago and we’ve heard the stories about their fight with Danny after he took the presidents patch for the Devils Bastards.

  “I think it’s a life we’re lucky not to live through ourselves,” I say, meaning every word.

  The thought of India being caught in the crossfire or being taken because of the club isn’t something I want to see happen for real.

  “Do you think life will always be this peaceful?”

  “I hope so.”

  I really fucking do. Although, it could all change now because of the Black Crows. Dad has been plotting with Sparky and the brothers closest to him. I’m sure he’ll fill us in when he has a plan. I’m thankful this isn’t my responsibility to bear. I’ll take any form of revenge for my dad, but I’m glad he’s still around to keep the club in line and the one who calls the shots.

  Leo

  The first time I sat at this table as a patched in brother, I couldn’t sit still. I spent my whole life being told I would follow in my father’s footsteps and one day, I would take the gavel and the lives of the Lost Souls would depend on me to lead the way. The day before my eighteenth birthday, my father sat me down in this room and gave me two options. He only wanted to hear one answer, but he still gave me the choice. He could give me the prospects patch, just because I was his son didn’t mean I got a straight in, I had to prove myself just like he did. Or, I could go off and find my own path to walk down and see where I ended up. I didn’t give it a second to think it over, I took the patch and never looked back. I spent years waiting for that moment and I don’t know who was prouder, my dad or my mom. Even now, my mom gets this faraway look in her eyes when I’m wearing my cut.

  Today, I can’t sit still but for a completely different reason. India leaves for college tomorrow and tonight is my last night with her. The last three months have whizzed by in a summer blur and it’s not enough for me. She’s adamant she doesn’t want to go still but with the pressure from Slade and Kristen, she will, and I feel like I’m going to lose her.

  “So, with Slade away for the next few days, we’ll ride as normal,” Dad says, and I tune back in.

  The only times in my life I’ve been jealous is when India is involved. I’ve pictured myself being the one to take her to college, but it will never happen.

  Dad bangs the gavel down and I bolt from my chair. Every minute today counts and I’m not going to waste a single one of them.

  “Leo, hang back a moment.”

  In my mind, I’m on my bike and heading for the cabin, but in reality, my body stills as everyone else leaves the back room, Sparky closes the door after him.

  “What’s up?”

  “Sit.”

  I don’t have time for this, but I do as he says and sit back down.

  “I want to check in with you, I’ve not seen you for more than ten minutes at a time for the last few weeks. Where have you been going?”

  This is because he got shot. He isn’t usually one to worry. That’s mom’s role.

  “I’ve met someone,” I tell him, truthfully.

  There’s no point lying to him, still, I’m not going to tell him it’s India.

  “Yeah? Someone I know?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Spit it out then, who is she?”

  “I can’t say, not yet.”

  “Why?” he asks, suspiciously.

  “I’m not going to lie to you, old man, but I can’t say who yet.”

  He sighs heavily and taps his thumb on the table as he rests his hand by the gavel.

  “Sounds like trouble is coming for you, which means it’s coming for me cause you’re my son. It also sounds like you’re fuckin’ around with someone who someone’s gonna have a problem with. Am I wrong? Because I know you, son. You wouldn’t hide anything from me if it weren’t the case.”

  I look him in the eye, “Someone is going to have a problem with it, that’s why I want to do this right, because I love this girl. She is everything to me.”

  It’s the first time I’ve said how I feel out loud, I wish it was to India, instead of my fucking dad.

  “I must admit, it’s not feeling good that you won’t talk to me.”

  “I don’t want to put you in a position here at the club. When the time comes, and I talk to…someone, I don’t want them questioning your knowledge or loyalty.”

  There are a few daughters and nieces around here that he won’t guess it’s India.

  “Fuck that, you’re my son, no one can question me standing by my blood.”

  I don’t say anything because I know when people find out, they’re going to be pissed. I reckon my mom will be happy for me, she’s happy if I’m happy and I’m more than fucking happy. I’ll never put my dad in the middle of me and the club, so I’ll keep my mouth shut for now.

  “Okay, you’re not gonna tell me, but tell me one thing and I won’t mention it again. Are you treating her right and being respectful? At least, someone, won’t be able to accuse you of mistreating her.”

  This I can answer.

  “I’m different with her, dad. It’s not in me to treat her other than with respect.”

  “That’s good,” he nods and stands.

  “My only piece of advice is not to keep secrets for long, if this
is serious then fight for it and face the repercussions. Don’t let anyone come between you, I know what’s it like to have that happen and I fuckin’ hated it.”

  It’s common knowledge around the club what my dad did to my mom in the beginning of their relationship. She walked in on dad fucking some whore just to break her heart because my great uncle Michael threatened him when he found out about their relationship.

  I won’t let anyone dictate mine and India’s relationship. We haven’t defined anything but we’re in a relationship, no doubt about it.

  “I can promise you now, no one’s coming between us. I’ll fight the world if I have to.”

  He smiles and nods again.

  “I’m going home to see your mom, I suggest you see her soon or she’ll come looking for you,” he laughs, and I follow him into the bar.

  “I’ll see her when we get back from the run.”

  Tonight is all about India and me.

  I arrive first at the cabin. She was spending the day packing the last of her things ready for tomorrow so we could have tonight to ourselves. I collect the small box from my saddlebag and shove it in my pocket.

  The sun disappears behind a dark cloud and I feel the first drops rain hit my face as I step onto the porch. I slide the key into the lock as she arrives, and she runs over as the rain starts falling in heavy sheets.

  I pull her against me and she shivers from the cold. A strange sense of goodbye washes over me, I force it to the side. A low rumble of thunder rolls across the sky as we step into the cabin and I slam the door behind us.

  “Can’t we stay here forever so I don’t have to leave tomorrow,” she groans.

  “Come and sit with me,” I say, pulling her down on the couch beside me.

  I keep a hold of her hand and she soaks in my warmth.

  “We need to talk and with you leaving tomorrow, we need to talk tonight,” I begin, and she looks worried, “I don’t want us to be a summer thing. If you want more, I want you to know I’ll wait for you. I’ll call you every day and come and visit. I’ve fallen in love with you, India, and I’m already missing you and you haven’t even left yet,” I grin, bringing my speech to an end.