“You’re why Cher got fucked up!” Tricky hollered in Lula’s face.
For a second, Clint’s grip on me eased. I sensed he wanted to let me handle Tricky so he wouldn’t need to be the bad guy. I had no issue tearing up the asshole trying to intimidate Lula.
She backed away and shoved her hand in her pocket. I thought she might pull a weapon. As I struggled to break free, an alarm went off on Clint’s phone.
Suddenly, the armed Reed family poured out of Pax and Ford’s houses.
“Get away from my girl!” Pax hollered and pointed his pistol at Tricky. “Your dad already lost one son. Are you gonna make Joker lose another?”
Tricky froze at the sight of them charging at him. His blue-eyed gaze slowly shifted to Lula, who stood very still a few feetaway. She didn’t smirk in triumph. Her gaze was pure steel. This was the woman who rode with an outlaw biker club. Her unflinching stance was the sexiest damn thing I had ever seen.
LULA
Tricky had always been the opposite of Clint. Where my cousin remained cool on the outside, always sizing up situations and maneuvering people, Tricky acted like an emotional wrecking ball.
He never thought things through. When his actions created negative consequences, he figured an “aw-shucks” apology would fix everything.
Years ago, I learned to show zero patience toward Tricky. He would never grow up if everyone treated him like a big, funny dog, instead of a grown man capable of hurting people.
Tricky always suspected I encouraged Cher to dump him. He was right, not that I was the only one telling her the truth. They couldn’t work because Tricky wanted a specific version of Cher.
Right now, as he accused me of causing Cher’s suffering, I refused to back down. His words stung, and I felt weak under the weight of them. Yet, I refused to show even an ounce of guilt to Tricky.
Behind me, Exile cursed at the other biker. I barely glanced at where Clint and Zodiac held him back. My gaze remained focused on Tricky. He wasn’t thinking straight. I smelled liquor on his breath. Though he wasn’t drunk, he had clearly been drinking. All his unresolved feelings toward Cher had resurfaced when she got hurt. Now, he wanted someone to blame.
Rather than allow Exile to brawl with Tricky, I hit the panic button on my phone. My mom and dad, along with my siblings, uncle, aunt, and Sabrina’s girlfriends, ran outside to face whatever enemy dared to upset me.
Despite the guns held by most of them, Bebe’s phone turned out to be the most dangerous weapon.
“I’m calling your mom,” Bebe said and dialed Amanda, who lived on the other side of the lake. “She can come over here and explain why you’re threatening Lula.”
“I’ll just leave.”
“Amanda, Tricky is over at Lula’s place. I think they’re about to fight. Yeah, sure,” Bebe said and handed the phone to Tricky.
As the large biker took the phone, my mom inched me away from him. I wanted to check on Exile, but Tricky was in a weird mood. Every time I saw him, even before Cher was hurt, he seemed on edge, like he was searching for a reason to blow his top.
“I’m not doing anything,” Tricky muttered.
Despite his defiant tone, he clearly felt embarrassed to have his mom involved. Tricky returned the phone to Bebe and walked to his bike.
Focusing his anger on Clint, he warned, “If I see those two assholes around town, blood will be spilled.”
I sensed Zodiac wanted to reply with a snide comment, but he got distracted by Elle wandering over. Before anyone triggered Tricky again, he raced down the road toward his parents’ place.
“What’s he doing here?” Pax asked Exile about Zodiac. “Is your entire club moving here now?”
“No,” Clint replied before Exile could. “But I think it would be a good idea to get the Black Rainbow to Little Memphis for a celebratory party. Our clubs can get to know each other at the Fire Hooch.”
Zodiac exhaled deeply and nodded, clearly approving of Clint’s idea. Exile ignored them both and walked to me. I smiled at him, wondering what would happen next.
Behind Exile, Pax and Ford talked to Clint and Zodiac. I noticed my siblings entering my house to meet Nova. Bebe andShay were gossiping and texting with the other club moms. Everyone settled into a jovial mood, except for Exile.
“I wanted to kick his ass.”
Cradling his jaw, I murmured, “I used this hand to slap him.”
“He’s an asshole.”
