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“My advice is to disclose things on an as-needed basis.”
I scratch the side of my head. “I seem to remember that not working out for you and Hope sometimes.”
A sly smile creeps over his face. “I’d argue everything worked out fine.”
He has a point. Hope’s as loyal and ride-or-die as any of the brothers. The stuff she’s been through and the way she’s always defended the club, maybe Rock’s right. Once Emily understands we’d all die to protect each otherandher, she’ll accept the MC and all that comes with it with no problem.
Right?
CHAPTERTHIRTY
Dex
While I’mat the clubhouse, I decide to take advantage of one of our large garages. That’s one thing we didn’t add to the new clubhouse down in Empire—a big enough garage. Rav and the others had been too focused on making it a party spot than a functional MC clubhouse. It should’ve had enough room to service more than two or three bikes at a time. Instead, they’d been worried about having enough flat surfaces for fucking.
Murphy kept the garage neat and organized when he was road captain. I’ve taken it a bit further by adding more cabinets to store parts that we go through regularly. I’m counting how many air filters we have left when happy little chatter echoes from outside the garage. I glance toward the open doors. Hope’s standing right outside, holding Alexa’s hand. They both wave. Heidi’s daughter’s getting bigger. I swear she’s shot up two inches since I last saw her.
I set the boxes in my hands on the shelf, close and lock the door, then meet them outside.
“What’s up, First Lady?” I glance down at Alexa. “And little lady?”
“Hi!” Alexa wiggles her fingers at me.
“Heidi rope you into babysitting?” I ask Hope. “Where’syourlittle one?”
She glances over her shoulder at the clubhouse. “Grace is with Rock.” She swings Alexa’s hand back and forth. “Someonewas restless and wanted to peek in the garage.”
“You did?” I squat to Alexa’s level. “You want to help me change some air filters?” I say in a chipper, kid-friendly tone.
Alexa giggles. “I can help.”
“Why doesn’t that surprise me?” Hope says.
“She might be a good road captain one day.” I stand and ask Hope, “How are you?”
“Good. Waiting to hear when we can go see baby Lincoln.”
An ice-cold trickle of painful memories rolls down my spine. I fuckinghatehospitals. “I’m surprised the whole club isn’t in a waiting room at Empire Med.”
I’m hoping like fuck Grinder tells us not to come at all.
“I don’t think they let you do that anymore.” Her mouth scrunches into an amused pout or disgusted sneer—hard to tell. “I hear the club’s favorite dancer is in town.”
I lift my gaze to the sky.Why the fuck would Rock tell her about Inga showing up?
“He doesn’t want me leaving the compound by myself,” she explains, as if she heard my unspoken question.
Guilt prickles over my scalp. “I’ll take you anywhere you need to go if Rock’s not around.”
“I highly doubt she’d bother stalking me.” She flips her hand in the air, dismissing the issue.
Rage spikes the guilt out of my system. I’d fucking murder Inga myself if she ever approached Hope.
Hope glances up at the trees and inhales deeply. A peaceful expression settles over her face. “Don’t worry about me. I’m perfectly content.” A devious spark lights up her eyes. “Besides, I can always borrow one of the ATVs and escape to Charlotte’s if I need some adventure.”
“She okay?” I ask. “I haven’t seen her the last few weekends.”
“She’s good.” Hope tilts her head toward the clubhouse. “You haven’t been around here much lately.” She arches a brow. “Did you abandon us for the snazzy new clubhouse downtown?”
