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His mom was still giving him the glare and he knew he wasn’t out of the woods yet.
“Hey, Remington, why don’t you show him how capable you are? Sounds like he needs a little convincing, but you both have to wear gloves and headgear. We have the meeting for that month-long contract tomorrow,” Winnie suggested.
Remington’s middle sister had always been the instigator and today wasn’t any different. She wanted him to fight Remington. He’d had to practice with women police officers at the academy and years ago, he’d sparred with his first female partner. He shook his head. He didn’t need those thoughts in his head right now.
He hoped his dad or mom would put a stop to this. Maybe with that reasoning, they shouldn’t be fighting after Sunday lunch but by the looks on their faces, they weren’t coming to his rescue.
“I’m a little full from this amazing lunch. Maybe some other time.”
Was she scared to fight him? She seemed so different from the girl he knew in high school who was upset they’d spilled punch on her dress. He’d felt bad when he’d thrown the football and been embarrassed. He’d smarted off and she’d been so mad, their dads had to pull them apart. Before that she’d always been one of the Franks daughters. She’d been more of a jeans and motorcycle boots person. She and Matt had always gotten along but she’d rubbed him the wrong way. He wasn’t interested in going in the ring with her, though he’d do it to save face. He’d take the reprieve she offered. He needed to know more about her before he got in the ring. He didn’t want to do something to completely screw up what sounded like a lucrative business for the MC.
“I agree. I’m full and I’m looking forward to apple cobbler.”
He imagined the relief he saw on Remington’s face was reflected on his. He was sure he could beat her, but he didn’t need to tick her off when they might be working together. He had no problem beating up on his brother and the other brothers who had knowledge of it for not mentioning the security company and Remington’s involvement. That seemed like something that should have come up in their weekly meetings these last couple of months. He was interested in what exactly the security company provided. War finished lunch and then decided to go on a ride. He needed space from everyone. Taking to the road was always a place he thought best and being back around everyone had him needing space.
After riding for a couple hours, he pulled over near the creek. He had a lot of memories along here. Baron had taught them to swim at this creek. He and Roam had ridden dirt bikes along the hills nearby. He hadn’t realized how much things had changed. The last couple of months had been an adjustment. Being away for so long, he’d created an idyllic view of home. He’d known people would have grown older, but his view was of the past. He’d thought he and the guys coming home would be the ones to change everything—make the MC all it could be. Half the things he’d envisioned had already been added in the last few years—the gun range and tactical center for one. His dad and the brothers over the years had set the groundwork for the future. Coming home was more about how he and his friends fit into the MC and how they could help grow it in the years to come. He wished there was a roadmap of how to navigate the MC he’d come home to.
He wasn’t the only one whose vision had been stuck in the past. He loved his parents and the MC, but he’d forgotten how everyone was in everyone else’s business. His mom vacillated between treating him as a man and the president of the club and then bossing him around as if he was still in high school. He was treading a tightrope with the originals, too. They had a huge amount of wisdom he gave due consideration to but ultimately, he was leading. His dad had handed over the president’s gavel but was still a member. And the freaking life questions as if getting married and having kids was a given. He’d lost track of the times someone had asked him when he was going to settle down. The funniest one had to be Bear. He’d understood when Bear had done it because Regina had been trying to ask him what he wanted in a woman so she could help him find someone since she knew all the available women. Bear had not only thrown him under the bus by deflecting to War’s single status but had driven the bus back over him when he suggested Regina should work on helping him first since he was older. He hadn’t figured out how he was paying him back for getting Regina’s laser focus targeted on him, but he was sure something appropriate would come to him.
If he and Remington weren’t at each other’s throats all the time, he could see himself with her. Even when she was pissing him off, he was so turned on he had to work on hiding it. She was the only one appearing in his dreams and most nights, she was who he pictured when he took things in hand. He hadn’t even had a blow job since he’d seen her at the party. No one interested him like she did.
Even when she was tramping on his last nerve, he admired her. She was capable and Locks would never have put her in charge if she couldn’t handle it. He wondered how he’d react to her if they didn’t have their history.
When he pictured himself with someone, she would be the type of woman he pictured. A woman who knew the score. He didn’t want to have to wonder if she could handle their lifestyle. Roam had talked non-stop about how if it wasn’t for Remington, he wasn’t sure if the bail bonds company would have survived. When Remington’s mom had died ten years ago, Locks had been devastated and ignored the business for a while. Remington had held the family together while keeping the bail bonds company from going under. Now he found out she’d also added a joint security company which was profitable. Maybe she wasn’t the princess he’d grown up with. She’d grown up close to the MC. Locks had kept some distance until their bail bonds company was established. Remington was exactly the kind of woman he was attracted to; gorgeous, strong, and smart. He also wanted to protect his woman and he wasn’t sure Remington would ever allow a man close enough to protect her and shield her from the storms of life. In his mind, the man was the ultimate head of the household, and his woman would need to understand that. She’d also have to know he couldn’t tell her everything. Baron had always protected his mom and it was the kind of relationship he aspired to.
Life was more complicated than he’d imagined. If he could present a calm façade while dealing with his corrupt chief, then surely he’d be able to adjust his attitude and work for the security company for the good of his MC. Maybe he and Remington could even work together. He grabbed his phone and contemplated how to word a text. He could adjust his attitude, but he wasn’t going to overthink every little word. Since they would be working together, they’d need to learn to read each other.
War: Could we meet? I’ll buy lunch and we can discuss which men to schedule for security.
He waited for a reply, watching the dots for what seemed like forever. How hard could it be to say yes or no? He’d hoped they could work together but not because he wanted to be around her. He didn’t want his mom thinking less of him.
Remi: Per protocols, we don’t meet to decide who is available. I assign who best fits the case. If there is a valid reason why they can’t, we consider changing. I appreciate you wanting input but like I said—not protocol.
So, basically, he was at the mercy of whatever she wanted. Maybe he was wrong wanting to appease his mom. He was president and that counted for something. Little Miss Princess needed to get on board and remember who he was. Why was he the one who had to do all the changing? Why couldn’t she bend a little? Maybe she still was the little princess he’d thought, only playing at being an adult. He wasn’t putting up with her shit.
War: It is now, Princess.
He laid his phone down, breathing deep and tapping his hand. He wanted to go hit something. Why did every conversation with Remington end up with him furious? He really needed to go blow off some steam and hit something. He glanced at the phone, but Remington hadn’t replied. He’d tried to do something nice, and it had backfired. He wasn’t sure what he’d do next, but he was positive he was staying away from his mom just in case Remington tattled on him.
He headed over to change clothes. He’d go throw some punches at someone then maybe check with the guys to see if anyone wanted to play poker. He needed something to distract him.
