Page 42 of Hard Corps (Selected Sinners MC 7)

“Dude, what the fuck? He wasn’t doing anything!” Steve screamed.

“You’re correct, Steve,” I said sarcastically.

I exhaled a large cloud of smoke. “I gave him an opportunity to apologize. He’ll have another chance here in a minute.”

As Austin stood and stared at me as if I had killed Randy, I reached for his arms.

“I’ve got him,” I assured Austin.

“Randy, you need to apologize to the girl. I will count to three again. Tell her you’re sorry for being an inconsiderate asshole,” I said.

“One…Two…”

“I’m…” he murmured.

“Sorry,” he said.

“Tell her why you’re sorry,” I said.

“I uhhm. I’m sorry. I was. I’m sorry I was disrespectful,” he said.

“Will it ever happen again?” I asked.

“No, it won’t happen again,” he said.

“Bug?” I asked over my shoulder.

She walked up behind me and rested her chin on my shoulder as she pressed her chest against my back. “Yes?”

“Satisfied?” I asked.

“Very,” she whispered into my ear.

I released my grip. Randy stumbled, almost fell to the asphalt, and was helped up by his humiliated friends.

“You’ll feel funny for a minute or two, but you’ll be fine,” I said jokingly as his friends helped him walk away.

With her chest still pressed into my back, Katie breathed into my ear. “That was so awesome. What did you do to his neck?”

“Knife hands,” I said with a laugh.

“Knife what?” she asked, grazing her hand over my cheek as she spoke.

I glanced toward Ripp, fully enjoying Katie’s playful nature, but concerned he might not feel comfortable with her acting the way she was.

He returned a smile.

“I’ll show you some time. It’s a good way to gain control of a situation,” I replied to her.

“Vee’s got a stomach ache. We need to get the hell out of here. It’s been a long day,” Ripp said.

“You’re full of it, Ripp,” Kace said. “We know what you’re going to do.”

“Well, you guys do whatever it is you want to. It’s still early. But we’re leaving. I need to make up for some lost time. Austin?” Ripp said.

“Yeah, Boss?” Austin responded.

“Look after Manda until the night’s over,” Ripp said.

“Got it, Boss,” Austin responded.

Katie continued to hang on my shoulders.

Ripp shifted his eyes from Austin to me. Vee hung on his shoulders, clearly imitating Katie.

“A-Train…”

“Semper fi,” I responded with a wave.

And I meant it.

Regardless of what Katie asked, did, or attempted to do, I would stay faithful to my friend Ripp.

I was just worried how long I would be able to keep it up if my interest in her continued to grow at the rate it had been for the entire night.

Only time would tell, I supposed.