Page 39 of Soul
“You and ChaosthinkI’ve been trying to fuck her forever. I never said that shit.”
“Well damn, hero.” I chuckle, sliding onto the barstool. “Keeping us all on our toes. What’s up with you lately? I’ve barely seen you.”
“Steel’s keeping me busy.” He downs a shot, gritting his teeth. “I’ve been helping him figure out what he’s doing with Ironside Ridge.”
“You’re not moving to Texas on us, are you?”
“And leave Vegas? Fuck no.” His face puckers. “I’m just helping figure out logistics.”
“Good, we need you around here to balance us out.”
“Why? You thinking of going rogue?” Venom grins, and I know if I said yes, he’d be the first one who would want to join me.
“No, sorry. That’s on you now.”
I glance around the room, taking in the start of a party. Shots are already circulating, and a couple of the guys are getting rowdy with patch bunnies. It’s the beginning of what will probably be a good night, but I have no interest in sticking around.
“Let me guess, you’re headed out?” Venom smirks, downing another shot.
“Are you gonna try and talk me out of it?”
“Nah.” He shakes his head. “Have a good one, brother. Go be with your family.”
My family.
That’s never sounded so damn good.
13
Emery
The inside of mycar is nearly unbearable with the stifling heat. The moment I climb inside, I roll down the windows, hoping the wind will blow away the choking hot air, but it’s no use. By the time I make it to the front gate of the compound, sweat drips down the back of my neck.
At least Charlie is with Reagan, so I’m the only one suffering.
I spent the morning cleaning bathrooms, but the heavy chemical scent made Charlie fussy. The moment I mentioned it in passing to Hayes on the phone, Reagan showed up, offering to watch Charlie for me while I finished cleaning.
It’s the first time I’ve left Charlie with anyone voluntarily, but Hayes trusts Reagan, and I trust him. Besides, with Charlie in safe hands, I can make a trip into town to get the few things we need to make it through the week.
I roll to a stop at the closed gate that marks the end of the Twisted Kings compound.
If Hayes knew I was taking this detour off the property, he might have something to say about it. But Charlie is out of diapers, and while he’s been helpful, I can’t rely on him to do everything for me. He’s given us a place to stay. He’s giving Charlie protection. I appreciate all he does, but I’m capable of doing some things on my own.
Besides, Hayes has been busy these past two weeks, so I don’t want to put anything else on him. It’s clear whatever he does when he’s not at the house takes up all of his time.
He might be tracking my uncle or doing business with the club. Or maybe he’s having fun at the clubhouse, and he doesn’t want to tell me about it so I don’t get jealous. I’m too scared to find out the truth, so I don’t ask.
It’s not like we’re in a relationship. I don’t have rights to him.
I’m a one-night stand turned mother of his child. Nothing more.
He hasn’t so much as tried to kiss me since I arrived. And while I still look at him with the same unbound excitement that I did when I walked up to him in the casino, I’m willing to be only friends for Charlie’s sake. After all, his being here for her is all that matters.
He’s slowly learning her routine, trying to get to know her when he isn’t busy with the club. He makes sure to show up to give her a final bottle before bed, and he’s figured out the car seat. When it clicked into the base,there was a ridiculous amount of cheering, and I swore my heart was going to burst.
He’s loving.
Protective.
