“A woman always suffers when she tries to do something nice for her man and he doesn’t appreciate it.”
He stopped talking, giving his food all of his attention.
Rider came in, giving him a reprieve from Killyama who was watching him eat every bite as she leaned lazily against the counter with her arms crossed in front of her.
“What’s for breakfast?” Rider asked, staring curiously down at his plate, missing the tension between the two of them.
“Pancakes and bacon,” Killyama told him. “Sit down, and I’ll make you a plate.”
Train eyed Rider over his bite of pancakes. He had sat down and was happily watching Killyama make him a plate. Frowning, he saw her microwave the syrup before pouring it over his large stack.
“There you go. You want coffee or juice?” Her sweet voice had Train’s hair rising on the back of his neck.
“Both. I’ll—”
She put a hand on Rider’s shoulder. “You go ahead and eat while it’s still hot.”
Train chewed off a piece of his crispy bacon, seeing Rider’s gloating expression. The brother was knocking on Heaven’s door, and Train was going to answer it if Rider wasn’t careful.
Killyama went behind the counter to load the dishes with the pans she used to make breakfast as the kitchen gradually filled and the members piled up their plates.
Viper, Shade, and Cash sat down at the table with him, while the rest of the members went to the dining room to find a seat.
The men ate as their wives were drawn into a conversation with Killyama while making their plates. When they didn’t come to the table where the men had saved them a seat, the men tried to eavesdrop on their conversation, but their low discussion was hard to hear.
“Rider, go see what they’re talking about?” Viper encouraged, staring at Winter, who held Aisha, not making any attempt to join him.
“I’m eating. Make Train. It’s his fault Killyama is here and they’re listening to her.”
Train started to get up, but then sat back down at Viper’s glare and Killyama asking him if he wanted anything.
“I was going to get another cup of coffee.”
“I’ll get that for you,” Lily offered.
The men’s table went silent as Lily refilled his cup, bringing it to him and then hurrying back to where the women were talking.
“Why didn’t you ask Lily what they’re talking about?” Train whispered out of the corner of his mouth to Shade.
“Because I’m clearly the only one at this table who has a dick, and I’m not worried about what they’re talking about.”
When Killyama said something to Rachel and Winter that had them arguing, Lily hushed them. Four pairs of eyes turned to the table where they were sitting before resuming what they were talking about with lowered voices.
“This is bad.” Cash was the closest to the counter, but his back was turned to it. He leaned back in his chair until it only had two legs on the floor, trying to overhear the conversation.
“Can you hear anything?”
“I thought you weren’t worried?” Train asked Shade.
“I’m not. I’m just curious.”
“Then walk your curious ass behind the kitchen counter and see what they’re talking about,” Viper snapped.
Rider started to get up. “Jesus, I’ll do it.”
“You need anything, Rider?” Killyama asked irritably.
“Uh … Is there any bacon left?”
“No, it’s all gone.”
“Never mind, then.”
Train and the rest of the men at the table blasted Rider with a look, causing him to hide behind his coffee cup.
“Killyama, I thought you were supposed to meet T.A.?”
Train didn’t know which brother kicked him under the table, but it hurt like a motherfucker.
“She texted to tell me she’s running late. Finish your breakfast.”
Killyama’s sharp response had him scooting his chair backward from the table, out of range from another kick.
“Yes, ma’am.” Train found it hard to choke down his late bite.
“I’ll give you another ten percent of the company if you break up with her. I’ll even let you pick which woman you want here. You like Dawn? She hasn’t been here in a while.” Viper’s cajoling voice dropped to a whisper as the women finally started toward their husband’s sides.
“I’ll give you my truck. I know how much you want it.” Cash barely managed to stop from falling backward as Rachel moved by him to take a seat.
Train nearly jumped out of his chair when Killyama placed a hand on his shoulder.
“I have to go.”
He was conscious of the brothers listening to every word.
“I get off at four. Am I going to see you tonight?”