Page 18 of Outlaw Xmas
“It’s great. Are we ready to go?” Rags said.
“Kimber’s gonna love it. It’s not the usual clear diamond ring. And I’m with Rags… are we ready to blow this joint? I can’t believe how damn long it took you to pick out a ring.”
“Quit bitchin’ and tell me how much money you got on you. This ring costs four grand. I only have three on me. You got a thousand between the two of you? I’ll pay you back when we get to my place.”
They nodded and handed over the money, the salesclerk watching with bulging eyes as Throttle laid the bills down on the counter.
A half hour later, they were downing beers in front of a crackling fire, their feet up on the coffee table. Outside, the snow fell like confetti from the grayish-white sky, blanketing everything in shimmering white.
As Throttle brought the beer bottle to his lips, he glanced over at Wheelie. “What’s up with you and Tigger?”
Wheelie’s eyes narrowed and he stiffened. “Nothing.”
“Bullshit,” said Rags.
Throttle reached over and put his beer on the side table. “Now don’t go taking a swing at me like you did at the club last week, but you gotta leave this shit alone, dude. Sofia’s with Tigger. She wants to be with him.”
“You’re not telling me something I don’t know. Fuckin’ leave it alone.” Wheelie grabbed his bottle and guzzled it down.
“Throttle’s just bringing it up because Jax said you told him you’d keep an eye on Sofia while Tigger’s on the poker run.”
“So? Tigger asked me to.”
“Yeah, but he asked Bear, Chas, and Jax too.”
“They have families. I don’t. Fuckin’ leave it alone. This is the last time I’ll warn you.”
Throttle pressed his lips together and a strained silence fell over the room.
Wheelie pushed up from the chair. “I gotta get going.”
“Dude, I’m just telling you to be smart here. Tigger’s a damn jerk, but he’s a brother and Sofia’s his old lady. You gotta respect that,” Throttle said.
“Tell her to file a complaint with Banger. You know you can’t mess around with a brother’s woman.” Rags stood up.
Throttle saw the vein in Wheelie’s temple pulsing, his jaw rigid, and decided to change the subject. “You wanna come over Thursday night for poker? I’m hosting it this month. Kimber makes kickass guacamole and the best kickass burritos in town.”
Wheelie’s jaw visibly softened and he ran his hand through his hair. “Sure. Count me in.”
“We all go way back,” Rags said as he shrugged on his leather jacket. “Let’s not let shit get between us.”
Throttle nodded, but he knew Rags was just trying to smooth things over. Wheelie was on a fucking slippery slope with Sofia, and Throttle knew how hard it was to resist the pull of a woman who touched you deeply. No matter how hard a guy resisted it or tried to talk himself out of it, it was inevitable that he’d end up with his cock buried deep inside her. He knew all about that firsthand. Of all the brothers, he never thought he’d end up with an old lady and buying an engagement ring. He’d resisted it like hell, but he’d been lost the minute Kimber’s sexy rose and patchouli scent wrapped around him.
And that’s what scared him about Wheelie. When he talked about Sofia, he hadthat lookin his eyes, and there was nothing Banger, Hawk, or the entire membership could do to stop him from sliding down the slope. Throttle didn’t want Wheelie thrown out of the club; the only hope was that the loyalty and love he had for the Insurgents had a bigger pull than Sofia.
Rags gripped Throttle’s shoulder. “I’ll make sure the crews are up and ready to plow once the storm dies down.”
The wind howled, piling up snow in drifts, filling the air with icy dust.
Wheelie gave him a chin lift. “See you Thursday.”
Heaviness weighed Throttle down as he watched his brothers walk to the truck and then vanish, swallowed by white.
He closed the door, went back to the family room, and stared at the flames as they curled around the burning logs.
Chapter Six
Banger
