“Could use a little excitement,” Tracker agrees, smirking. “But you know what they say, be careful what you wish for.”
Sin scowls in his direction. “Think we’ve had enough excitement to last us a lifetime.”
Arrow lifts his pint of beer. “Ain’t that the fuckin’ truth? Could write a book on all the shit that’s happened here over the years.”
“Lana probably has,” Tracker adds, taking a swig of his own beer.
“She’d have more than enough material,” Vinnie says, running a hand over his bald head. “It’s kind of nice that things have slowed down now. Don’t worry, when the time comes to kick ass we’ll be more than ready.”
Rake rubs his flat stomach. “No one better get a fuckin’ beer belly.”
We laugh.
Irish nods his head to Arrow. “If anyone is getting a beer belly it’s going to be the prez here. He’s the oldest.”
Arrow taps his stomach a few times. “This old man will still take your ass down in the ring any time, Irish.”
“Challenge accepted,” Irish fires back.
I check my phone, wondering what Jo is doing right now. I can’t say no to Elizabeth, but the situation is a little bit fucked. Maybe I can talk her into being okay with having the men do checks around her house at nighttime, or something like that. What am I gonna do if she tries to kiss me or something? It’s really fuckin’ hard to reject someone who has been through what she has. Not only that, it was me she went looking for in the first place, otherwise she’d never have been inside that biker bar. At the same time, Jo is my first priority, and I don’t want her to feel uncomfortable. She wants Elizabeth to be happy, as do I, but I won’t do it at her expense.
“Everything all right?” Talon asks, studying me.
“Yeah,” I say, scrubbing my hand down my face. “Elizabeth doesn’t want to be alone tonight, says she doesn’t feel safe.”
“Is that the real reason she doesn’t want to stay alone tonight?” Talon asks, frowning. “I guess it’s understandable—she wouldn’t want to be alone and you’re her friend, but she has a family to look after her, right?”
“Apparently only I will do,” I say, avoiding his gaze. “I don’t know. I saved her, maybe she just feels safer with me there to protect her.”
“Her cousin is a cop,” Sin points out. “If anyone should be protecting Elizabeth, shouldn’t it be her? I mean, sure, maybe because you’re a big, scary biker that might make her feel safe . . . but more than likely—”
“She just wants to fuck you?” Rake crudely supplies. “Maybe she sees you as her hero. Knight in shining armor. Women love that shit. You should probably just bone her, it would be rude not to.”
I groan and rest my elbows on my thighs. “I’m not boning her. But I can’t exactly say no to going over there, now can I? I’ll try to show her it’s safe now, and tell her that we can drive by her house at night as a precaution or something.”
“Not me,” Tracker mutters under his breath. Rake slaps the back of his head playfully.
“Whatever you need, we have your back,” Arrow says, nodding at me.
“Thanks,” I say, standing up. “I should get there before my phone starts ringing again.”
Talon cringes; he knows I don’t do clingy. I usually need my space, and I like my alone time. Jo seems to be the exception to that rule though, and I know that means something. She means something. The men don’t need to hear about it just yet though. I need to make sure she’s not going anywhere first, and to break the news to Elizabeth when she’s in a healthier place.
“They closed the bar down, by the way,” Talon notifies me before I walk inside. “The biker bar where they took her. Whole operation has been shut down. Faye made sure of it.”
“Does she think she’s the heroine of the week, then?” I joke, clapping Talon on the back and walking inside. I pass the women in the kitchen on the way out and make a stop as I smell the food. I can’t exactly leave without eating when they made everything for me. “Smells delicious.”
“Have a seat,” Bailey says, smiling at me. I sit down and they pass me a plate. I start piling food on it, from homemade sausage rolls to quiche, wondering what Jo is having for dinner.
“You guys spoil me,” I say, taking a bite of a spring roll. I groan and dip it in some sauce. “So good.”
Faye sits next to me and watches me eat. “How is she doing?”
“She wants me to go stay with her tonight,” I say, chewing and swallowing. “She doesn’t feel safe.”
“That would be expected,” Faye says, sadness hitting her hazel depths. “I’ll pack up some food for you to take to her, then. Will anyone else be there?”
“Her sister, Helen, and Jo,” I say, thinking that even if Jo isn’t going to be there I can drop off some food to her on the way.
“Three plates coming up,” she says, then adds, “By the way, this is just finger food, not the actual meal, so save some room.”
My eyes widen. “Fuck me, you guys went all out, didn’t you?”
She grins, flashing her straight white teeth. “Steak with mushroom sauce, mashed potatoes, corn, salad, and garlic bread.”
I place my hand over my heart. “If you weren’t married, you would be right now.”
“To you?” she asks, laughing. “I don’t think the cop would like that very much.”
I stop chewing and narrow my eyes on her. “What are you talking about, Faye?”
She waves her hand in the air. “Oh please, I know sexual tension when I see it. You couldn’t take your eyes off her. She’s a babe, so I get it. What happened with that, by the way? Did you bone—? You so did! You’re hot, as if she could have resisted that, biker or not.”
“Did you just have a whole conversation with yourself?” I ask, continuing to eat.
“Yes, she did,” Shayla says, kissing my cheek and then sitting down on the other side of me. “We missed you around here. You’re not going to leave again, are you?”
“Tonight? I have something to take care of. In general? Nope, I’m done playing hero. I’m going to leave that up to Faye.”
Faye rolls her eyes but stays silent.
Anna sits down opposite me, green eyes narrowing slightly, but she stays quiet. I love fucking with this girl. Every time she’s around it’s always a good time.
“Staying out of trouble, Anna?” I ask, reaching for another sausage roll. “Any recent kidnappings?”
“Nope,” she replies, pursing her lips. “No one else has been stupid enough to try.”
“Or smart enough to succeed.”
“Remember the time I beat you in beer pong?” she says, smirking. “We should have a rematch. So I can see your face when you lose again.”
“How long are you going to bring that up?” I ask, scowling. I really don’t like to lose.
“How long are you going to bring up the kidnapping?” she fires back, crossing her arms over her chest.
“For as long as you still hold a grudge about it.”
“So forever, then?”
I nod. “Guess so.”