I glanced back at Saylor, who had turned toward the window again, her profile soft in the glass reflection. “You sound like shit.”
“I have a three-month-old who believes sleep is a negotiation tactic and a wife who keeps trying to do too much because she thinks I don’t notice.” His voice stayed flat, but the contentment beneath it was easy to hear if you knew him. “I’ve been better.”
“Yeah,” I murmured, watching Saylor shift her weight, the movement pulling my eyes down over her curves before I could stop myself. “You sound real fucking miserable.”
“Jealous, Century?”
I didn’t answer right away because my head had already gone somewhere. My gaze caught on her full hips, the breasts I’d had my mouth on so many times I could still taste her skin when I thought too hard, and the still-flat belly I’d been imagining rounded with my kid. I’d come inside her bare enough times already that the thought of a head start settled in my blood like a victory lap.
Kane clocked the reason for my silence because he was too damn perceptive. “Just tell me which safe house you’re taking out of rotation.”
My mouth curved despite the situation. “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Bullshit, brother. You got quiet after I mentioned Elianna, which means you’re either contemplating fatherhood or planning violence. With you right now, probably both.”
“Efficient.”
“Get the property patch on her back first. The old ladies will pitch a fucking fit if their newest friend is kidnapped without one.”
I looked at Saylor again, picturing my name across her back, so every man in the room knew exactly who she belonged to before I ever had to open my mouth. My cock gave a heavy pulse behind my jeans, because apparently my body liked property patches, pregnancy, and safe houses almost as much as it liked Saylor. “Noted.”
“Good. Edge’s office.”
The call ended, and I stood there for a moment with the phone in my hand, watching Saylor’s reflection in the window. She turned when I crossed the room, her eyes searching my facebefore she lifted her chin like she was bracing for whatever came next. I hated that.
“We’re heading to the clubhouse.” I slid my phone into my pocket. “You ride with me. One of the prospects will bring your car back to the compound. I don’t want you away from me right now.”
Her expression softened, and she whispered, “Same.”
That one word settled something inside me. Every time she chose to lean into me instead of pulling away, trusting my instincts instead of treating my protection like a cage, another piece of her became mine in a way that had nothing to do with sex and everything to do with love. I still wanted to get her naked, bury myself deep, and remind both of us exactly how good we were, but that had to wait for now.
I caught her wrist and pulled her into me. “You did good, baby.”
Her eyes softened. “I didn’t do much.”
“You came right to me.”
“I don’t want you in danger. And I really don’t want you blindsided by this.”
“I know.” I cupped the side of her neck, my thumb brushing the pulse jumping under her skin. Then I gave her a soft kiss before taking her hand and leading her out to the parking lot.
The ride to the compound helped burn the worst edge off my temper, though not nearly enough. Saylor stayed wrapped around me, and each time I felt her fingers flex over my stomach, I wanted to cover them with mine and keep riding until there was nothing behind us but road. That wasn’t the play, though. My brothers had a plan that made sure the Diesel Serpents learned exactly what happened when they aimed their bullshit at a Redline Kings’ woman.
When we reached the compound, I parked near the clubhouse, killed the engine, and helped her off the bike, keepinga hand at her waist until she got her balance. Then I took Saylor to my room because I needed a minute with her before my mind was filled with strategy and violence.
The second the door shut behind us, I turned to her. “I have club business to handle.”
It wasn’t an unusual explanation. She’d heard it before. But this time, it didn’t sit well with me.
And Kane had always been clear that when it came to our women, if club business touched them, they got truth where it could be given. They weren’t treated like pretty furniture while men made choices around them. Saylor knew Sutton better than any of us, and that knowledge might matter.
I blew out a breath and dragged a hand over my jaw. Then I stepped closer, lowering my voice even though we were alone. “I need to fill my brothers in on everything Sutton told you. Jax has pieces. You’ve got pieces. We put them together, we figure out what the Serpents want and how to make them regret wanting it.”
She nodded. “If there’s any way I can help, tell me.”
My first reaction was no. Not because I didn’t trust her, but the thought of pulling her deeper into the dark side of my world made something protective rise in me. Turning down her help when it could give us even more of an advantage was reckless, though.
“Maybe you can. It would mean sharing personal shit about Sutton with my brothers. Some of that may mean sharing things about you too. I don’t want you feeling cornered into that.”
