“Everything they did was because they love you.”
He’s a broken fucking record, and it makes me want to jab him in his still-sore ribs to remind him why my feelings toward my brothers haven’t changed since he was carried out of the basement.
“How about a trade?”
His head is shaking back and forth as he steps back. “No.”
“You don’t even know what I was going to ask.”
“Yes, I do.”
“You don’t,” I argue.
“I’m not fucking you in exchange for you going out there with me.”
My wicked smile disappears immediately. Maybe he does know me well.
“Really? You got your ass kicked so you can sleep with me.” I hold my arms open wide. “Here I am. Claim your prize.”
“I got my ass kicked because I went behind your brothers’ backs.”
“I want sex.” Sticking my lower lip out, I pout, even though I know it won’t help.
“Keep sticking that lip out,” he threatens, “and I’ll put it to work.”
My pulse quickens with the delicious threat. Our mouths are something he hasn’t banned in this room. He won’t sleep with me, claiming that he wants to date me like a normal couple-his words, not mine-before we take that step.
“Okay.” I nod enthusiastically as I grab the bottom hem of my shirt and begin to tug it over my head.
His huge hand comes down on mine before I can pull it all the way off. “You test my resolve most days.”
Once he’s pushed my shirt back down to cover the fact that I’m not wearing a bra, his lips are on mine. But, he’s not kissing me with a hungry need. It’s a soft, sweet brush of his lips against mine. One hundred percent amazing and zero percent of what I’m craving.
“Soon,” he promises against my lips before scooping me up in his arms and carrying me, kicking and screaming, from the room.
I fall limp in Briar’s arms when a couple of chuckles sound around the room.
“Always know how to make an entrance,” Zoe says with a smile so big in her voice I don’t even have to look at her to know it’s there.
Briar moves to place me on my feet, and I’m reluctant to release him, knowing no matter how upset my brothers are, they won’t physically hurt me to get to him. My eyes dart around the room, focusing on the front wall, specifically the area directly below the beam that runs the length of the room. Lynch’s backpack is nowhere to be found, but I wouldn’t put it past my brother to be keeping it hidden for some big reveal later.
My skin grows cold, itching under my clothes, but when my eyes find Zoe’s, I have a sense that everything will be okay. Her loving eyes watch me as Briar wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me against his side.
For the first time in all my years of loving this man, I’m able to stand tall in front of every member in this room. I don’t have to school my face or look around to see if anyone has caught on to my feelings. I don’t have to be concerned that Briar’s safety is on the line when I look up into his blue eyes before leaning my head against his sturdy chest.
“Glad you could make it,” TJ says with humor in his voice as I cringe away from him when he walks up and presses a kiss to my temple.
I keep my eyes focused on a spot on the floor, still not ready to thank him for what he’s done. I don’t know that I’ll ever get to that point, knowing they’ve damaged my opinion of them with what happened last week.
“I need to put some shit to rest.”
My head snaps up. Lynch is standing in front of the room, looking so much like my father, if only in stature, my knees begin to shake. Briar pulls me tighter to his side, and I don’t know if the action is for my protection or if he’s trying to reassure me that things will be fine.
“I’ve heard chatter.” Lynch narrows his eyes on Mac, one of the newer prospects to step foot in the clubhouse, before sweeping his gaze over everyone in the crowd. “That I was soft on Briar after he went against my direct order about Molly.”
Anticipation swarms through the crowd. They get a little restless wondering what he’s going to say next, but no one speaks or leans to their neighbor to discuss predictions. They all know better.
“I’ve heard that he should’ve died for his betrayal.”
Lynch doesn’t focus on anyone in particular, which is smart. If he singles anyone out, he might as well sign their death certificate because no one in the club would have their back, but it doesn’t keep me from wondering who would want Briar dead.