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“Gettin’ there,” I answer honestly. He’ll understand. “Good thing we waited on this party. If you guys had sprung this on me right after I got out, I probably woulda lost my shit.”
“Yeah,” he answers.
The front door opens and another pack of Lost Kings enter the clubhouse. Hearty, welcoming shouts rise above the rest of the noise. My gaze lands on the tallest newcomer. “Jesus, is that Ice?”
“Looks like it.” Rock raises his arm and waves him over.
“You’re all making me feel old as fuck,” I grumble.
“How you been, brother? It’s been a minute.” Ice ropes Rock into a hug, slapping him on the back.
“Not bad. Good to see you up here.” Rock pulls back and angles Ice my way.
“God damn, Grinder. Real glad you’re out, brother.” He pulls me into a brotherly embrace. “Been a long time.”
“Sure has.” I look him over. “You’d barely grown into this cut last time I saw you.” I slap his chest. “Now you’re wearing that president’s flash well. Congratulations, brother.”
“It’s been a journey,” he says with the same humble attitude I remember.
“Heard you did time too.”
He nods once. I ain’t gonna ask him more about it. We can share prison stories some other time. Tonight’s supposed to be about celebrating freedom.
Z swaggers over to us and bear-hugs Ice. “Glad to have you in our house, brother. Thanks for taking care of my guys last summer.”
“Please, Rooster and Jigsaw helped out a lot. Rooster’s still providing technical support.”
“Good.” Z slaps his shoulder again. “He’s around here somewhere.”
“I’m gonna leave you to your presidential circle-jerk.” I flick my thumb toward the bar. “I’m going to grab a drink.”
I’m able to wedge myself into a corner and ask for a club soda without too many people bothering me.
“Here ya go.” The girl behind the bar slides a glass my way and leans over, showing off her tits in her barely there top.
“Thanks, darlin’.”
“Grinder!”
Fifteen long years and I recognize that voice. Like nails scratching over my nerve endings. I turn and yup, there’s Tawny mincing over to me with her arms open wide. “Welcome home, baby.”
Inside, I cringe. Not a fan of being called baby by anyone.
Guys say hi or try to get Tawny’s attention, but she’s focused on me.
She envelops me in a tight squeeze, her cloying perfume an unpleasant reminder of the past. “So happy to see you, Grinder,” she says. “Been a long time.”
“Sure has.” I pull away and look her over. Damn jumpsuit she’s squeezed herself into nearly blinds me. “Still a lightning rod, I see.”
“You always had the nicest things to say.” She slaps my chest. “Even if you were a grumpy old bastard.”
“What do you mean were. Still am.”
“I see that.” Her lips curve into the sly, snake-like smile I remember well. “I’m a little shocked to find out you patched some girl you barely know so soon.”
Now we’re getting down to business. Knew she wouldn’t be able to help herself. “I’m shocked that you don’t remember how much I hate people sticking their noses in my business.”
“Grinder, you know I’m lookin’ out for ya. You’ve been through hell. You need a woman you can trust.”
“I trust Serena fine.”
“I’ve known her for years. And not because she was sweet and innocent.”
“Since when do you get to know any of the girls that hang around here?”
Her eyes widen and she drags her fingers over her chest. “You already know?”
“Of course I fuckin’ know. You shoulda stopped and asked Steer how well I tolerated this conversation.”
“See what I mean? She’s already causing trouble between brothers.”
“She hasn’t done anything. People running their rude mouths are the ones starting trouble.”
Her sneaky little face curls up in an imitation of concern. “You don’t want to worry that she’s sucking off your brothers every time you’re out on a run. That’s no way to live at your age.”
My fingers twitch. I’d choked the shit out of Steer for less. But no matter how far I’ve fallen, I can’t put my hands on a woman that way. Even one that’s practically begging me to.
“Cut your phony concern act.” I push into her space. Enough to force her to back up until she hits the bar and has to arch to get away from me. “You’ve always been a conniving rattlesnake. Fifteen years of lockup didn’t erase that knowledge. You need to drop this. If you start shit or you disrespect Serena, there will be consequences. Are we clear?”
“Crystal,” she hisses through her clenched jaw. Pure hatred burns in her eyes, and I don’t give a single fuck.
“Good.”
I back away and run my palms over my cut. We’re done.
“Think whatever you want about me, but I’ve never betrayed the club,” she says. “I’ve had opportunities…”
Guess we’re not finished. “Never said you weren’t loyal to the club. But you disrespect the brotherhood by causing trouble. Don’t try to fool me, Tawny. You forget how well I know you.”
