Footsteps echoed inside the house, then the porch light came on. Sable opened the front door then froze in place.
“You should always check who’s at the door before opening it.”
She scowled. “Why are you here, Dog?”
“I’m not allowed to check up on you?”
He pushed his way inside the house. The air smelled sweet.
“They’re vanilla-scented candles.” She took the pizza from him and walked back to the kitchen. Her long black hair was brushed out smooth, flowing past her ass. She was only wearing a pajama shirt that didn’t reach her knees. He ground his teeth together as he watched her move.
She set the box down then turned around, resting her hands on either side of the counter.
“How you getting along here?”
Sable shrugged. “I’m alive.”
“Hank come by?”
“We have a lunch date tomorrow at the diner. I’ll use the chance to tell him I’m out of the club. That will get things moving.”
“What do you mean a date?”
“Forge wants me to warm up to him. That’s the entire plan, isn’t it? Get close to him, then get closer to Grass.”
He chewed on his lip, holding back so many things he wanted to say. “Don’t get too warm. We just need information on Grass.”
“How am I supposed to get close to him if I don’t pretend to like him?”
“Are you sure you’re even pretending?”
She stormed off, ignoring his question. He followed her to the living room, grabbing her arm to stop her. “This wasn’t my idea, Dog. It was Forge’s idea to use a club whore to fuck around with the cop. To get close to Grass. To save the club from a political nightmare.”
His entire body bristled. A territorial claim he’d never known burned hot in his gut, twisting and turning until he felt like he’d wretch. The thought of Sable and Hank together was indigestible.
“I don’t like the plan,” he said.
“You didn’t s
ay anything to Forge about it. As far as I remember, your lips were sealed. You watched me leave.”
“Maybe I made a mistake,” he said.
She shook her head. “It had to be done. Forge asked and I agreed. Do you think he’d be so forgiving if I told him I wasn’t interested in helping? He’s a smart man. He saw Hank’s interest in me and used it to his advantage. The club comes first. I understand how it works, Dog.”
Forge demanded loyalty and obedience. If Sable had refused to support the club, Forge would have likely tossed her out on her ass like he had with Romy. Club life wasn’t for the faint of heart.
“What about the note?”
“What about it?”
He spun away, running both hands through his hair before turning back to face her. “How, Sable? How can it be true? I’ve seen brothers go to your room with my own eyes. They weren’t planning to play cards with you.”
“They were drunk and slept it off. I can’t be responsible for the stories they tell the next day. Hard to believe I’m not a whore, isn’t it? Why? Because my mother and sister can’t keep their legs closed? I’m not like them, Dog. I never will be. Maybe leaving the club is the best thing for me.”
“And being Hank’s woman fits perfectly in your plan?”
“Fuck you.” She ran up the stairs away from him.