After Burn Read online

  I place my hands on his hips and he moves them to where I usually hang on.

  Across the parking lot, I catch Tawny staring at us. She shakes her head as she straps on her helmet.

  “You all right?” Rock asks.

  “Yup.”

  Mad at myself for letting Tawny rattle me, but otherwise everything’s perfect.

  I catch Tawny glaring my way again, and this time I lift my hand. There’s only one finger I actually want to flip her way, but I behave and wiggle my fingers at her in a carefree manner instead.

  Then hang on tight to my man.

  Stump’s clubhouse is in a festive mood when we arrive. It’s almost dark and the prospects at the gate hurry to open it as we approach.

  It’s Stump’s son, Chaser, who greets us outside. “Long time, man. Good to have you.”

  “Thanks.”

  He greets Hope the same way and she immediately seems to relax.

  Chaser’s wife, Mallory, gives Hope a big hug. They’ve met less than a handful of times, but Mallory’s always been a good hostess. If she hadn’t grown up as the daughter of a mob boss, I’d say she’s a lot like Hope.

  Chaser moves on to say hello to Sway and Z ambles up next to me.

  “Christ, Mallory’s still smokin’ hot,” he mutters as he watches the girls talk.

  “Are you trying to get yourself killed tonight?”

  “Come on. The term MILF was created for her.”

  I slap my palm against his shoulder, pushing him back to get his full attention. “Keep your eye on our girls tonight, please.”

  “Who’s watching your back?”

  “Teller.”

  He nods, not insulted that I’m asking him to look out for the girls instead of standing next to me discussing club business. Not that Z won’t do plenty of that too.

  All of our attention is drawn to a black stretch Navigator pulling into the parking lot.

  “What the fuck?” Z mutters. Teller and Dex wander over with similar questioning expressions.

  I can take a guess who’s going to step out of the limo, but I wait with my mouth shut.

  “Oh!” Mallory turns and hurries over to the car.

  Two overly muscled goons jump out as if they pulled up to a red-carpet movie premier, instead of a midlevel outlaw motorcycle club in the backwoods of western New York.

  Goon number one opens the back door and Mr. DeLova—Mallory’s father—steps out.

  “Jesus fucking Christ,” Stump grumbles as he passes us and pastes on a fake smile.

  “Didn’t realize we were in for a family reunion,” Dex mutters.

  “This can’t be good,” Teller says.

  Hope and Charlotte are still surrounded with other old ladies of the club and probably have no idea of the significance of this visit.

  I can only assume it means trouble for Stump.

  I just hope my crew can stay out of the crossfire.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  The excitement of the unexpected visit from Mallory’s father seems to change the atmosphere of the party.

  Oh, there’s still an abundance of the usual drugs, drunken dancing, and topless girls pouring shots. I swear at this point, I’m pretty much blind to all of those antics.

  Besides the debauchery, there’s an air of everyone rushing around to please Mr. DeLova. And the few times I’ve met Stump he didn’t exactly seem like the type to go out of his way to please anyone.

  Mallory also went from welcoming hostess to tense and edgy the minute her father showed up. I wish I could do something to help her out, but I’m not sure what would be helpful.

  Even though we’ve only met a few times, I’m usually able to relax around her. I never feel like she’s waiting to stab me in the back.

  Unlike other people I won’t name at the moment.

  “Hope, why don’t we go in the kitchen and help out in there?” Tawny says, taking my arm and dragging me through the swinging doors before I give her an answer.

  Z sort of trails behind us, and out of the corner of my eye, I catch him motioning Charlotte to follow me.

  Well, at least I won’t be alone with Tawny.

  It’s mostly club girls in the kitchen cooking and preparing drinks. Tawny takes over immediately and I admire the balls of her coming into someone else’s clubhouse and immediately bossing their girls around.

  A short dark-haired young woman flinches when she realizes who Tawny is, and slinks out the door.

  “Ten dollars says Sway’s banged her like a barn door,” Charlotte whispers in my ear.

  “Ew, I don’t want to even… ew.”

  Tawny glances over. “What’s wrong, girls?”

  “Nothing.” I jam my elbow in Charlotte’s ribs, hoping she’ll keep her theory to herself.

  Eventually there’s nothing left to do in the kitchen. Z pokes his head in and curls his finger at me. “Your man’s looking for you.”

  “Sway out there?” Tawny calls out.

  Z’s face smooths into an expressionless mask. “Not sure where he is, Tawny. Probably talking to Stump.”

  Tawny narrows her eyes and glares at him, but his expression doesn’t change. Nor does his answer.

  Eager to get back to Rock, I duck out of the kitchen. Rock’s sitting at the bar and he pulls me against him. “You want my chair?” he asks.

  “Nope. This is nice.” I run my hands over his thighs, admiring the hard muscles underneath soft, worn denim. He cocks his head and pushes some hair off my cheek. “What are you doing, baby doll?” he asks in a low voice.

  “Touching you.”

  The corners of his eyes crinkle with his smile.

  “Everything okay?” I ask.

  “Hope so.”

  Well, that doesn’t tell me anything.

  He signals the girl behind the bar to bring me a drink.

  “Oh! I’m so sorry about that,” Mallory says, joining us. “Dad’s going to kill me,” she says, and it doesn’t take a genius to recognize she’s referring to Stump. “I had no idea my father would be stopping by tonight.”

  Rock grins. “Still keeping tabs on his baby girl?”

  “Ugh,” she groans. “Please.” She turns my way. “Thanks so much for helping out.”

  “I didn’t do much. It was mostly Tawny.”

  Her lips quirk as if she’s familiar with Tawny’s brand of “helping.”

  “So, Hope, did Rock ever tell you about the first time we met?” she asks with a devilish smile.

  You’ve got to be kidding. Here I think Mallory’s so nice, and she wants to share a story about how she banged my husband back in the day?

  Behind me, Rock groans. “You don’t have to share that story, Mallory.”

  She grins even wider. “Oh come on. It’s cute.”

  Another groan from Rock. “It’s really not.”

  My face must betray what I’m thinking, because the smile slides off Mallory’s face. “It’s not that, Hope.” Her eyes sparkle with mischief again. “Chaser and I had just gotten engaged.” She wiggles her left hand in my direction and I stop to stare at the stack of pretty sparklers on her ring finger.

  “I’ve always loved this ring, Mallory.”

  She studies it for a minute with a secret smile. “Thank you. Anyway, Rock here came with his mentor, Grinder.” Her mouth pulls down. “How’s he doing, Rock?”

  “Okay. Was out to see him not that long ago. We’re hoping he’s released soon.”

  She nods and seems to collect her thoughts before continuing. “So, Rock was, what?”

  “Thirteen, maybe,” Rock answers.

  “Well, he looked at least sixteen. I didn’t realize he was younger because he seemed so sure of himself.” She puffs up her chest and holds up her arms in an imitation of a young, cocky Rochlan North.

  Behind me, Rock snorts, but his arm around my waist tightens, drawing me closer.

  “What Mallory is forgetting to mention is that she starred in one of the biggest music videos that year,” Rock says
.

  She blushes and drops her gaze to the floor. “He’s exaggerating, but yes.”

  “And I didn’t know she was Chaser’s ol’ lady,” Rock adds.

  Chaser slides up behind Mallory, wraps his arms around her, and hugs her to his chest. He leans down and kisses her cheek before addressing us. “Is Mal telling you about the time Rock hit on her and I almost kicked his ass?” he asks with a wide grin.

  Rock shakes with laughter and sits forward. “Unfortunately, yes.”

  “He was a little punk,” Chaser adds. “But a respectful one.” His easy-going manner fades and he takes on a more serious tone. “Grinder always thought highly of you, Rock. Even back then he said you’d be leading your club one day.”

  Rock goes completely still and a few seconds pass before he answers. “Best mentor I could’ve had.”

  Mallory’s bright smile smooths over the awkward moment and she goes on to regale me with juicy stories about her time trying to make it as a young actress in Hollywood.

  “I’m going to fucking kill you!” someone screams so loud it carries over the music and conversation. The four of us turn, seeking the source of the commotion.

  “Always something around here,” Mallory jokes, but when I turn her way, she seems troubled.

  Tawny storms down the hallway with Sway right behind her. The lighting’s dim, but I’m pretty sure he’s buttoning his jeans as he chases her down.

  “Great,” I groan.

  Sway catches her arm and the two of them exchange a flurry of harsh words in front of the entire clubhouse. Conversation in the room quiets as everyone watches with wide eyes or laughs and badgers the troubled couple. Thank God no one turns down the music or the scene would be even more awkward.

  Tawny pulls free and slams open a side door, disappearing into the night.

  “I better go check on her.” I flash a smile at Mallory, feeling terrible we brought drama into their clubhouse.

  Rock hasn’t released his hold on me and I turn to face him. “I should make sure she’s okay?” I phrase it as a question because I’m hoping he’ll tell me not to worry about it.

  But he nods and gives me a quick kiss. “Thank you, baby doll.”

  Groaning, I push my way through the crowd and out the same door Tawny stomped through minutes before.

  I find her pacing along the side of the clubhouse, frantically smoking and tapping on her cell phone at the same time. Somehow she manages not to turn an ankle in her five-inch heels as she stomps over the uneven ground. Impressive.

  “Tawny, are you okay?” I call out.

  At first, it seems she didn’t hear me, but finally she shoves her phone in her pocket and looks at me. “I never should’ve come.”

  Think. I’m a lawyer for fuck’s sake. I can come up with some helpful words, can’t I?

  “Go back inside, Hope. I have a car coming. I’m fine,” she insists.

  I take a few steps closer and lightly touch her arm. “Please don’t leave.”

  Honestly, though, won’t it be a relief not to worry about her flipping out during the entire trip? I mean, this is just the first night and look what’s happened. Not that I blame her. How anyone can stay married to Sway mystifies me. Together they seem so toxic. “Why don’t you come back inside and talk to—”

  She settles a bony hand on my shoulder, long talons lightly grazing my skin. “I’m all talked out, Hope. Just”—her gaze darts to the side—“watch your man. Put your foot down early and often. Don’t let him get away with shit.”

  Oh please. If I thought Rock was anything like Sway, we wouldn’t be together. At a loss for a response, I simply nod.

  “I know you two are still in that obsessed-lovey-dovey-honeymoon stage.” She blows out a wistful breath. “Believe it or not, I was in that spot once myself.”

  That must have been a long, long time ago.

  My heart squeezes, wanting so badly to do something to make this situation better for Tawny. Even though she either intimidates me or irritates me whenever we’re around each other, the pain in her eyes is almost too much to stand.

  Her gaze strays to my stomach. “I wouldn’t wait much longer to have those babies. Men like ours need to fully claim their woman.”

  That erases any sympathy I was feeling toward her. I almost choke. Gross. Maybe her man feels that way. Rock and Sway might both be bikers. Might both be presidents, but they’re nothing alike. Rock’s shown me over and over that I matter to him more than my reproductive organs. And anyway, doesn’t Tawny have two kids? Doesn’t seem like it helped her marriage one bit.

  Thankfully, I express none of those thoughts.

  A car skids to a stop on the road in front of the clubhouse.

  “Are you sure you’re okay, Tawny? Who did you find to pick you up at this hour?”

  “Don’t you worry about me. I’ll be fine.” She pulls me in for a hug and pats my hair. “Be careful. I’m sorry I won’t be there to look out for you on this trip. But I think you’ll do fine. You’re property of a Lost Kings president. Do us proud.”

  I almost say, “Trinity will be there to make sure I don’t stick my feet in my mouth,” but catch myself at the last moment. No need to make Tawny feel more unwanted than she probably already does. Or point out that Tawny causes more problems than she solves.

  We say goodbye one more time before she struts to the car without looking back, head held high. Her special brand of regal biker bitch on full display. Quite admirable under the circumstances, honestly.

  As soon as the car’s out of sight, I sigh and shake my head.

  “Shit,” I mutter, scuffing my boot against the crumbling asphalt, sending a bunch of little stones skittering away. A cloud of unease settles around me and I have the strongest urge to find Rock and hug him tight. To thank him for being who he is and tell him I love him.

  “Thanks, Hope.” The gruff voice comes out of the dark to my left and I jump.

  Sway steps out of the shadows.

  “Jeez. You scared the crap out of me.” Why did he wait until his wife left to make his presence known? Like some killer clown from a horror movie waiting for the right moment to pounce on the hapless victim.

  Without apologizing for startling me, he moves in closer. This must be what little fish feel like right before a giant shark scoops them up.

  “Thanks for trying to get her to stay and waiting with her.” He nods toward the clubhouse. “Lotta old ladies woulda whipped her up into even more of a frenzy.” He smirks. “Or encouraged her to come slice off my balls.”

  Yuck. Now I’m picturing what I assume is a wrinkly, hairy…I don’t want to think about Sway’s balls or… anything else.

  “I’m worried about her.”

  “She’ll be fine,” he says in a tired voice. “She always is.”

  Maybe you should treat her better.

  He lifts his chin in the direction of the road. “She tell you I’m fucking Stella?”

  Taken aback by the change in subject and crude question, I pause. “Uh… she’s mentioned it before,” I mumble like an idiot.

  Where the hell is Z? Isn’t he supposed to be following me around?

  “I’m not.” He shrugs. “Just so you know. She’s not like that. It’s purely business.”

  Good for you? “Why do you care what I think?”

  “I don’t,” he answers bluntly. “But I’m tired of being accused of shit I haven’t done. Feel free to mention it to her next time you gals chat.”

  Yeah, no thanks. I have zero desire to play family therapist with these two. Of course, the lawyer part of my personality decides to ignore that instinct. “You two obviously loved each other at some point.”

  He stares down at me and I fight the urge to twitch. I may not like or respect Sway all that much, but he’s a terrifying man. I’m acutely aware of how much he towers over me.

  Slowly, he slips a quarter out of his pocket and holds it in front of my face. Flashes of light bounce off the shiny coin as he twists it b
ack and forth. “You ever hear that saying about love and hate being opposite sides of the same coin?”

  I swallow hard and try to come up with something halfway intelligent that won’t piss him off or insult him. “To hate someone, you have to care about them.”

  “I care about her more than she understands.”

  It feels more like he’s using the word to mock me more than he’s explaining his feelings for his wife.

  “Well, I’m sorry she’s not joining us for the rest of the trip.” I gesture toward the clubhouse where I really want to be right now.

  “It’s probably better this way.”

  As I try to step into the clubhouse, he slaps his hand against the doorframe, blocking my path. “You’re a better ol’ lady than I expected.”

  “Uh, thanks.”

  “Maybe Rock’s onto something with the quiet types.” He reaches out and tucks a piece of hair behind my ear. “I don’t picture you screaming at your man in the middle of a full party. Bet you never raise your voice to him at all.”

  My entire body shudders with displeasure from the unwanted touch. Did he just insinuate I’m a pushover? Somehow, I keep my spine straight and don’t break eye contact. “He’s a good man.”

  Sway’s lips twitch as if he’d heard the “unlike you” I left unspoken.

  “Sway,” Z barks from behind us. “You’re needed inside.”

  Oh, thank God.

  Sway nods, acknowledging Z’s words without taking his eyes off me. “Thanks again.”

  “Sure.”

  Gravel crunches behind me as Z approaches. Sway disappears inside the clubhouse.

  I practically collapse in relief that he’s finally gone. God, that was creepy.

  Z’s arm grazes my shoulder. “You okay?” he asks. “What was that about?”

  “No idea.” I throw my hands in the air. “Trust me, I didn’t initiate that conversation.”

  He snorts as if the idea is absurd. “I figured that.”

  “I was waiting with Tawny, and after she left, he popped up like some creepy-ass horror-movie clown. Thanked me for talking to her.” I lower my voice. “Wanted to assure me he’s not banging Stella. Like I care.”

  The corners of his mouth turn up and he chuckles. “They’ve always been volatile, but it’s never exploded in front of another club before.”