“Wait.” He scrubbed his hands over his face. “It’s just … I like you.”
“I like you, too, Wheels.” She forced a smile and stepped out of the vehicle.
“Maybe you should leave tonight,” he said. “You know … just in case Viper finds out.”
She breathed out a relieved sigh. Ah. He wasn’t crazy after all, just a nice guy looking out for her. “I need to get stuff ready and say good-bye. I’m going to be leaving forever, and forever is a very long time.”
*
Two days after Banks’s beating, the Sinners held a party. Partially in honor of all the brothers who had been injured recently, and the brother they had lost, but mostly to keep up their spirits, because the war with the Jacks had just begun.
By the time Jagger arrived at Riders, Cade had taken over the DJ booth by the window and was spinning his favorite blend of heavy metal and thrash, interspersed with the odd Irish jig. The vines and palm trees from Dawn’s party had been cleared away, the bullet holes filled, glass repaired, and the bar was back to looking as a biker bar should: rough and gritty, with worn tables, wooden floors, and metal band posters plastered over the walls. The sweet butts laughed it up with the brothers, and old ladies helped the staff serving snacks and pouring beer. Gunner stood at the corner of the room, arms folded, trying to keep order with the fierceness of his scowl.
Jagger nodded a few greetings and then threw himself on the couch at the back of the bar. He was here for appearances and nothing else.
“Hey, baby. You’re not lookin’ the way a man should look at a party.” Sherry joined him on the couch, tugging the bottom of her skin-tight black dress over her ass. The damn dress was cut so low, the only part of her tits not showing were her nipples. But then, Sherry had nice tits and she liked showing them off. Tonight, however, he didn’t take up the invitation when she leaned across his body, ostensibly to brush something off his shoulder.
Instead, he turned away. “You’re back on probation on the recommendation of the executive board,” he said abruptly. “And not just because you’ve been feeding us info on Axle’s whereabouts, or because we found out you acted under duress and no small amount of abuse. If it were up to me alone, you’d still be gone, especially after you helped him steal our weapons.”
“You looked like you needed some cheering up,” she said softly. “And I know where you sit on me coming back. I also know you could have vetoed the vote, so thank you for not doing that. Axle was a mistake. I was messed up after you broke it off, and he was there for me. He told me he loved me, and I believed him. But after you kicked him out, and he started making all sorts of demands for information about the club, and forcing me to do things I didn’t want to do, I realized he never really loved me at all. He was using me to get to you. You’re a wanted man, Jagger. In more ways than one.”
She settled by his side and leaned her head on his shoulder. His nose wrinkled at the sharp scent of her cloying perfume, but he put an arm around her for the simple comfort of her familiarity and the fact she didn’t want anything from him, at least for the moment. They always wanted something. The sweet butts and hood rats wanted in his bed. Sherry had wanted to wear his patch. The brothers jostled for position or favor. Even Max would nudge his leg or nip his hand when he wanted to play or go for a walk. Everyone needed a piece of him.
Except Arianne.
Damn, the woman had made it clear she wanted nothing from him. Didn’t need his help or his protection. Hell, she took independence to a whole new level. Jagger didn’t know if he liked that or not. How could he control her if there was nothing she needed from him? Not that it mattered now.
“I knew you couldn’t stay grouchy for the entire party.” Sherry slid her hand over his thigh and his cock twitched—an automatic response, given their history together.
“Sherry…”
“You’re thinking about her.” Sherry gave his leg a chaste pat. “You only smile when it has to do with women or Max. So don’t worry. I won’t try to seduce you, although you’re looking mighty seduceable, all glowering and moody here in the corner. Some girls go for cheerful guys. I go for the dark, sullen type.”
“Well, then, Zane’s your man.” He jerked his head at Zane, who was chatting with Gunner in the corner.
Sherry laughed. “I think I’ll pass. You might be scary, but you’ve got heart. Zane is cold all the way through.”
“He has heart,” Jagger said. “He’s just hidden it away.”
“And yours is on your sleeve.”
“She’s gone, Sherry.” He stood so quickly, she had to throw out an arm to catch herself. “I withdrew the Sinner claim, and kicked her out. She’s nothing to the club.”