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The mischief melts from his expression. He nods at me and leaves with the others.
I approach Rock and Teller slowly, assessing their interaction.
Rock squeezes Teller’s shoulder and Teller nods. Since things look civil, I join them.
“Do you want me to give Malik a heads-up that most of the club will be away?” I ask Rock. “Or just tell him I’ll be out of town?”
“Have him call me if anything comes up,” Teller says. He’s not as sullen as he was at the table, but annoyance seems to linger in his expression.
I rest my hand on his shoulder. “You’ll never forgive yourself if Charlotte goes into labor early or something happens with those babies.” My voice drops to a dull rasp. “Trust me. You’re needed here more than you’re needed to wish Digger a bon voyage into the afterlife.”
“Thanks, brother.” Teller nods once. “Appreciate that.”
“I’ll kick Murphy’s ass if he needs it,” I promise.
That finally makes Teller laugh. “Perfect.” He taps Rock’s arm with his fist, then mine, and heads out of the war room.
Rock watches him leave with an unreadable expression. When we’re alone, he settles his gaze on me. “Thank you for that. I didn’t want to spell it out for everyone at the table. But there’s no way I’d drag him down to Tennessee right now.”
I get it. Most bikers will tell you the club comes above everything else in a biker’s life. But it’s a lie. Or it should be. “He can’t be a good brother if his body’s on the road, but his heart is here.”
“Exactly.”
“You think you’ll have Hope and Grace drive down with Trinity or something?”
“I haven’t had a chance to talk to her about it, yet.” Rock shrugs. “Honestly, I don’t think any old ladies should go. It’ll be boring for them.”
“How do you feel about riding down to Virginia, and meeting with Ice’s crew?” I ask. “Then we can all ride to Deadbranch together. I know it’s a longer route but—”
Rock must approve, he cuts me off before I finish offering alternatives. “No, that’s a good idea. We can ride home whatever way’s quicker, but I think three charters from the East Coast riding in together is a good showing. I’ll give Ice a call later and run it by him.”
“I’ll map out a few routes just in case and when you give me the go-ahead, I’ll touch base with Boots about the ride.” I have a good relationship with Virginia’s road captain, so it should be an easy conversation. “I’ll run it by Jigsaw today.”
“Thank you, Dex. That’s a big help.” He slaps my shoulder. “Emily doing okay up here?”
Heat creeps up my neck. “So far.”
“All right. Better go get her before she’s overwhelmed by everyone.”
“Thanks, Prez.”
Outside of the war room, Jigsaw’s waiting for me. “Let’s get you ready to pop your road captain cherry,” he announces.
“I don’t know what to say to that, Jiggy.”
We walk down the hallway to the dining room together, discussing the ride and the possibility of meeting up with Ice’s crew.
Once I step into the dining room, I tune Jiggy out. My gaze roams over the crowded space, searching for Emily.
“Boy, you’re already pussy whipped, aren’t ya?” Jiggy says.
I roll my eyes at him.
“Looks like your girl’s with Shelby.” He lifts his chin toward the end of one of the dining tables. Emily’s sandwiched between Shelby and Heidi. She’s smiling but tight lines of tension frame her mouth.
“Figures you can spot Shelby from across the room,” I say, just to be an asshole.
He doesn’t care, though. Just gives me a shit-eating grin and makes his way to the breakfast buffet.
