“Trust me, there isn’t much you can do to corrupt her,” Avery scoffs. “Taz is funny at least. He’s just what this place needs.”
“Aww, I knew someone here loved me,” Taz preens loudly behind us, making me slowly turn and Avery jump. Neither of us heard him. I narrow my eyes at him, watching as he pulls the last of the rope from around his wrists. “I’ve been practicing to beat my record,” Taz announces proudly, before looking at Avery. “And don’t worry, we can let him down easy. We’ll travel around the world and live life, nothing to hold us back.”
Jealousy burns in my gut, and I glare at him, not that he seems to care. It only makes his grin widen even more. Fucker.
“Something tells me that you offer that to all the girls, and I like to be special,” Avery returns drily.
“You know who we should fix him up with?” Rose offers with a wicked grin. “Peyton.”
Viper scoffs. “She’d eat him up and spit him out.”
“Oooh, kinky,” Taz cries excitedly. “I do love me a little bit of fun and danger.”
“I think we should sic Raven on him,” Sniper snickers.
“Sloan would lose his shit.” Rose laughs. “But that would be hilarious.”
“His head is going to explode with how inflated it’s getting,” Glitch warns suddenly.
“Then I think it’s time we had Church,” Bullet states simply, getting to his feet. The room instantly sobers. “That includes all Prospects. Thea, you’re good being on guard for Avery, the kids, and the Dragons Old Ladies?”
“Nope,” Glitch and Karissa both say firmly, making Bullet look at them with a cool stare. Both point to their cuts. “We’re patched in members of the Devil’s Predators, and that’s who we are here, not as Old Ladies. When we’re at home, on Dragons’ territory, that’s the only place that we wear those cuts and claim that title,” Karissa states firmly.
I glance at the Devil’s Predators, who have steely looks of their own, and the Dragons look resigned. Clearly, this has been an issue in the past. We’ve never had this situation before, though, so I don’t know how Bullet will handle it.
Bullet eyes them and then nods. “Apologies.” He looks back at Thea. “So you’re good to watch Avery, Rose, and the kids?”
Thea nods. “No problem.”
Huh. Well, that was easy. Even Karissa and Glitch look a little surprised that they don’t have to put up too much of a fight. The Devil’s Predators visibly relax and head into the Church room without another glance. Even Taz looks sober, which, honestly, is a strange sight considering he’s been like a giant wrecking ball the entire time he’s been here.
I get to my feet and then lean down to kiss Avery. “I’ll see you soon,” I murmur.
She nods, her eyes worried, but she still smiles at me. “Don’t kill Taz. He’s harmless and is just trying to get under your skin. You’re stuck with me.”
“As if I’d let you run away,” I tease lightly, kissing her again. “I’d have to hunt you down.”
She gives a delicate shiver. “Don’t tempt me to test that,” she whispers seductively, running a finger down my chest. “There is a whole set of books that’s all about that. Add in a mask and I’ll definitely be giving it a try.”
I arch a brow at that. A mask, huh? I’m not sure what kind of books she reads, but if it’s something she’s into, I’m game. “I’ll give you whatever you want,” I promise her. I put my lips by her ear and whisper, “And I’ll catch you, angel. Just think of all the orgasms I’ll give you when I do, so I can remind you of just why you belong with me.” She shivers, and I grin as I pull away.
When I straighten and go to turn, I see Isla standing there watching me. She arches a brow. “I don’t want to know,” she says, holding up her hand.
I laugh and head for Church. Yeah, life is definitely looking better.
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
HULK
We don’t give up. We don’t give in. We fight until we can’t anymore.
Church issomber as we all take our seats. Well, all of us who can. With three clubs in the room, including Prospects, it’s a tight fit. Most of the Devil’s Predators, other than Glitch and Karissa, stand. And I notice that both women are seated with their men. I doubt that’s by accident. I can only imagine how much of a mess that is between the two clubs. All the power to them, though, that they seem to have made the best of it.
Bullet bangs his gavel. “First off, I’d like to have a moment of silence for our fallen brothers, Timber, Titan, Milk, and Carson, who will be patched in as an honorary member as soon as we can have a proper ceremony. He was going to be getting his patch as soon as this shit was over anyways.”
Everyone is silent, and my heart feels heavy in my chest. Knowing that we’ll never see them around the clubhouse, laughing and joking with us, feels so wrong. The heaviness in theroom is thick, but I don’t look at anyone. Everyone should be allowed to process the moment on their own.
When the moment is over, Bullet clears his throat. “We’ll get in touch with their families and handle all funeral arrangements, no matter where they are. We have allies all over the areas they’re from. Carson’s family isn’t well off, so we’ll ensure that any money he was giving them continues.”
