“Oh.”
The one word said it all.
“You have a problem with me marrying her, too?”
“No. I might not like her, but that’s your call to make.”
“I’m getting pretty fucking sick of everyone sharing their opinions that I don’t want or ask for.”
“We’re just trying to watch out for you—”
“I don’t need you watching out for me, Loker. You served an extra year because you didn’t want to leave me overseas without you. I don’t need you fathering me every five seconds. Ton doesn’t even keep track of me the way you do.
“I don’t understand why you don’t like her. She has a good job, she keeps her own roof over her head, and she has more money in her checking account than I do.”
“You want to know why Taylor went for you when she had every brother in the club wanting to fuck her?”
“Careful, Viper. Some things can’t be taken back once they’re said.”
“If you want to hold hearing the truth over me, go ahead. But I’m never not going to tell you what I think because I’m afraid you’re going to cut me out of your life. Taylor wants you because the only other man in the club right now who has more medals than you is Shade, and he shut her down when she made her move on him.”
“If I was a jealous man, I wouldn’t belong to The Last Riders. Taylor wouldn’t be the first woman to try to hook up with Shade.”
“No, but she was the first one who grilled Evie about which brother came home with the most medals pinned to his chest. You know Evie; she couldn’t help but brag about Shade. When Shade wasn’t interested, she kept asking when she was going to be able to meet Lucky. And when Evie finally wised up and quit talking to her about Lucky, she suddenly decided to let you catch her.
“Damn, Gavin, I thought you were smart enough not to be taken in by a bunny magnet. You were smart enough to see through Delara, brother. I raised you to recognize a spade is a spade—”
“That’s enough! We’re done.” Gavin furiously tore his jacket off, throwing it at Viper. “I’m so fucking done with you trying to run my life. I’m fucking done! Hear me?” he yelled. “I fucking love her! You get me? I’m not asking you or anyone else in the club to like her; all I ask of you is to respect my decision.
“Taylor was right! She’s been telling me the club has been trying to drive a wedge between us! But no, I didn’t believe her. I took up for every one of you fuckers!
“You’re right, Viper. Taylor isn’t the one trying to fool me. I’ve been fooling myself that you’d ever see me as an adult able to live up to your standards. I’m never going to do it, am I?”
Gavin went to the door, his hand on the knob. “I’m going to fulfill my commitment to The Last Riders because all the loans and paperwork are in my name. When it’s finished, I’ll leave with a clear conscience that I didn’t leave you or the brothers with a job half-done. I’m riding alone.”
“You’re not going alone!” Viper yelled so loud the jug of water in the water cooler swirled.
Unlike the argument he had with Rider, Gavin didn’t feel guilty. This fight had been brewing for a while. He just couldn’t believe that it was a woman who made him realize that he was never going to measure up to Viper’s standards. The only way he would earn the respect he deserved was to break away from The Last Riders. Show them that he didn’t need the club as a shield. No one worried about the other members when they left for missions, only asked when they would be back. No, it was only him they made a big fucking deal out of it. And that is going to stop now! he thought furiously to himself.
Viper lowered his voice, but said just as commanding, “If Rider doesn’t want to go, take Train.”
“Train’s not going. I want him to stay here. He’s going to be responsible for Taylor while I’m gone.”
“You asked me to be the one to watch her.”
“Things change. I want Train.”
“It’s your choice.”
Gavin turned around to face his brother and said in a chilling voice, “Yes, it is. If you’re determined to send someone, send Memphis. At least he’s honest, and he won’t be breathing down my neck.”
“Fine. Take him.”
“Thanks. At least you can agree with one thing I’ve said,” Gavin mocked. Opening the door, he felt a moment of regret that he had let the argument get out of hand.
“Gavin ….”
Gavin started to turn, thinking Viper was going to apologize. He was going to offer his own apology when Viper’s next words stopped him cold.