Page 23 of Property of Gray

I know the second I’ll do he’s going to kill me. He’s warned me several times what will happen to any man who lays a finger on her. I’m not scared of him, but I’ve worked my ass off for this club and I hate that I’m betraying my best friend.

“She was showing her ass. Had too much to drink and was grinding all up on some fucker that was getting a little too handsy.”

“She never gets shitfaced.” His tone comes out accusatory.

I weave my fingers together behind my head, cracking my knuckles and stretching. “That’s probably my fault. She saw me doing a line off some whore’s ass.” The lie rolls off my tongue like butter.

“Fuck, man. I’ve got to ask and don’t bullshit me. Do you have something going on with my sister?” He takes a hard drag from his cigarette. His nostrils flare and he balls his fist like he’s about to lay my ass out.

“No. Fuck no.” I’m a terrible liar. “You know, I think of her as my own blood.” That used to be true. I looked at her like a bratty kid sister, but that’s changed. I’ve tried to fight it, but I think deep down I’ve always loved her in some way.

He shrugs and relaxes his shoulders. “If you say so.” He snubs his cigarette out with his boot. “I’ll catch up with you later. Keep an eye on Low. If anything happens to her, it’s your ass I’ll be shoving a boot up.”

“She’ll be fine.”

“She’d better be,” he growls and walks off with Wicked.

Fuck me. We are going home tomorrow. He’s got a stick up his ass because Faye chose not to come. He needs laid. Hell, we all do.

I open my cell and check the tracking app I have synced to Willow’s phone. Since her little stunt at the strip club the other night, it’s better if I keep tabs. Besides that, we’re too close Lamb Society hunting grounds. It’s no secret that they kidnap, trade, sell, and breed women. They’d be fools to try something with KOAMC property, but there’s a first time for everything.

I follow the beacon on my screen. I find her easy enough. She’s sitting on a log outside her tent nursing a beer, talking to Madz and that Smoke guy from West Virginia.

Madz shoots me a knowing grin. It’s a wonder my ears aren’t on fire. I’m sure Willow has been bitching about me to her. The two of them have grown quite chummy. I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing.“Let’s give them some privacy.” Madz gets to her feet, taking Smoke with her.

Willow doesn’t acknowledge my presence.

I sit down next to her and kick her boot with the toe of mine, knocking my knee against hers. She’s never been good at giving me the silent treatment. “How long are you going to be nursing this snit?” I elbow her, and she returns the favor. Only hers is pointy as a damn tack.

“Fuck.” I rub at my side, and I catch the semblance of a smile crinkling at the corner of her mouth. “What? You think this shit is funny? That fuckin’ hurt.”

“Poor baby.” Her mouth snaps shut as she realizes she has broken her vow of silence already.

“Come on. It’s our last night here. I’m sorry I yelled at you.” Sometimes I forget how young she is. That I’m ten years older than her. That I’m putting a lot of pressure on her by asking her to keep whatever this is on the down low. Sure Madz knows about us, but I know she won’t rat us out to Woods. She’s got it too good living at the clubhouse for free and being on the payroll. “You can’t stay mad at me.”

“Aren’t you afraid my brother is lurking around?”

“He’s preoccupied.”

“With what?”

“You know better than to ask me that.”

She rolls her eyes.

“We’ll do whatever you want.”

“I should make you go stick your dong in one of those ween measuring tubes.”

I snort. “Baby, if you want to see my dick, all you’ve gotta do is ask.” I go to unzip my jeans, and she scrambles to put her hand over mine in an attempt to stop me.

“Can we catch the last of Bad Habits’ set?”

“Anything for you, gorgeous.” I flick the tip of her nose, earning me a flip of her middle finger. “That’s my girl.”

I thread my fingers through hers, knowing no one’s paying attention to us. It’s dark and everyone’s drunk and caught up in their own shit or off getting laid. I feel like a dickhead. I’ve been inventing meetings and keeping busy to keep Woods from seeing me with Willow. He’s already asking questions.

It’s not only pissing off Woods that eats at me. I was raised by a womanizing, alcoholic, cheating bastard. I’m terrified ofbeing just like my father. I’ve got his taste for hard liquor and easy pussy. I’ve never been faithful to any woman I’ve dated. I’m not good at the whole love and commitment thing. And Willow deserves to be treated like a queen. Woods knows I’m not capable. That’s why he tells me to leave her alone.