Page 23 of The Innocent

The corner of his mouth curved into a smile. He was out twenty bucks, but it was worth every penny not to see her face ever again. And he wouldn’t. Jekyll had a keen sense of people. She’d be back, but she wasn’t getting in.

He tucked his wallet in his pocket, adjusted his cut, and walked out of his room. His was located off the addition in the back. Years ago, the club had built a warehouse sized room that held most of their parties, the cage fighting, multiple bars, and pool tables. It could get noisy, but that wasn’t much of a concern anymore since he wasn’t sleeping in his room at the clubhouse.

He stopped at the opening of the room, looking at the crowds of people. He knew most of them. Some were members, but quite a few were friends and associates of the club. Jekyll cupped his hands, cracking his knuckles. Since his release six months ago, he was still cagey around large groups of people. It had never been where he was most comfortable, but since he’d gotten out, he enjoyed it even less. He’d spent most of the time with his brothers. That’s exactly who he went in search of. They were easy to find once he left the back room, down the short hallway lined with bathrooms. There was a line for the women’s. And look who it fucking is! The girl from his room scowled and leaned closer to her friend, whispering. The friend glared in his direction.

Enjoy this fucking party because it’s going to be your last.

He pushed open the door, and the group in front of him separated, making a clear path to the table. Jekyll took the empty seat next to Cue and across from Oak. He jerked his eyes to the man at the head of the table. Man might’ve been a stretch. He couldn’t have been older than twenty-two. A fucking kid compared to him.

“Prospect.” When Joker looked over, Jekyll lifted his chin. “Get me a whiskey, no ice.”

Joker furrowed his brows, and Oak burst out laughing.

“Brother, he patched in months ago. I’ve told you that like four times already.”

Cue sipped his beer, smirking. “And I’ve mentioned it, at least five.”

Jekyll leaned back in his seat, eyeing Joker. “Right.”

There was a long stretch of silence until Joker’s chair scratched the wood floor, and he stood.

“You said whiskey, no ice, right?”

Oak laughed. “Brother, he’s fucking with you.”

Joker shrugged. “Yeah, I got that the first few times. But” —he glanced over at Jekyll— “you were away during my prospecting and missed out on hazing the fuck outta me. The least I could do is get you a drink.” Joker lowered his chin and headed toward the bar.

“That kid is too fucking soft.” Oak shook his head.

Cue snorted. “That’s called respect, asshole.”

It was. Joker had been the only new member to the club since he went away. When he came home, the kid was a stranger but always remained respectful. He kept his distance, not expecting to be accepted by him and Hyde simply because he’d joined the club. He’s growing on me.

Oak cocked his brow, looking over at Jekyll. “Well, I ain’t getting you a drink, man.”

Jekyll’s lips twitched. “I got to fucking torture your ass during prospecting, so we’ll call it even.”

Oak twisted his lips. “You were such a brutal fucking bastard.”

“Made you earn the patch.”

Oak slowly nodded. “Yeah.”

Cross walked over with his old lady, Addison. This was a new and surprising development when he was released. Wraith finally claiming Cleo hadn’t come as a shock. That had been years in the making. But the VP settling down? No one was more surprised than him.

Cross stopped at the end of the table with Addison next to him, her arm wrapped around his waist. She gave a short wave, smiling.

“Hey guys.”

Cue and Oak greeted her. Jekyll merely stared. He didn’t know her, but to Addison’s credit, she’d tried making small conversation a few times. Twice at a clubhouse party and once at Barry’s where she was bartending. Jekyll hadn’t given her much. Hyde was more welcoming. They’d always been that way with his cousin being the lighter one. It hadn’t stopped her from trying to get to know him without forcing it. It was a move he could respect.

Cross scanned the room. “Where’s Hyde?”

“Penny’s. Saw him leave a few hours ago,” Cue said.

Cross nodded and grasped the back of his neck. “I take it we won’t see him for a few days then?”

“Probably not,” Cue said.