“Girl, you’re making me hot! I just want to kiss every inch of you, taste that sweetness for myself,” Tania said as she approached Teagan.
Devlin amusedly watched Teagan’s eyes rounding in shock. She held her balance by gripping the pole beside her. “Eh, thanks.”
“I’m Tania,” she said as she stepped closer to the stage.
Wolf’s chuckle tore Devlin’s eyes from a blushing Teagan. “I swear Tania’s mouth is watering at the sight of some fresh meat.”
“She’s the female version of you,” Zeus said to Wolf.
Wolf grinned. “I remember some nights with you, me and—”
“Give it a rest,” Zeus barked before he looked over his shoulder at Gwenn sitting at the bar, talking with Turtle. Devlin recognized Zeus’ need to shelter Gwenn from those tales about the good old days.
Zeus’ Old Lady got murdered on their wedding day last year, and Devlin’s half sister Gwenn had been the first woman since to catch Zeus’ eye. The club was trying to get back on its feet after Zeus took over from his father, who had fucked the club over by secretly dealing with the cartel.
As a regular club member, Devlin wasn’t in on the church meetings between officers where they discussed the most hush-hush topics of the club like protection jobs, gun runs and retaliation plans against the cartel and any of the rotten old members who were thrown out in bad standings but still tried to stir up shit.
Devlin wasn’t in the know about everything and he was glad for it. He would hear about it when things would get to a need to know basis. His duty was to manage the strip club as one of the legitimate businesses of the MC. He fought in the MC’s underground MMA fight club to pay for his sister’s college intuition. Devlin had his brother’s backs if needed. He’d done his fair share of illegal shit for the club. He’d been called in often enough to talk with his fists as the club’s fighter whenever some dumbass would go against the club.
Yet for the most part, Devlin tried to fly under the radar in order to take care of his siblings. Maybe that’s why he never got a spot at the table as an officer—even after two decades of loyalty.
Zeus knew of Devlin’s past as they practically grew up together in the club. They prospected side by side at the age of seventeen. Devlin still struggled with the risk of being a part of an outlaw motorcycle club. If anything happened to him, his sisters and Finn would only have Kieran left to take care of them since Devlin wouldn’t put it past his father to disappear from their lives once again. It would leave his mom in shambles, unable to get out of bed—let alone able to take care of his siblings. He should know: he grew up with that toxic shit.
“Talk to me, Dev…”
Devlin shrugged. “She’s different, Z. I don’t have to tell you what happens when you stumble upon someone who makes you question every single detail in your life. Wondering if you’re good enough for that person. It’s a shit feeling when you come to the conclusion that you’re not.”
Wolf groaned, “That’s club life for you, man. You see this?” He pointed to the back of his cut. “It says: ‘Born to be warrior’. We were fuckin’ born for this. I’m never goin’ to apologize to a chick for living my life. And neither should you. Fuck that shit.”
Zeus stood from his chair. “I see where Dev is coming from, Wolf. That sweet girl is as innocent as they get. She isn’t used to our world. I don’t want our dance coach running out of here before she’s done with helping us out. You get what I’m laying down?”
Now would probably be the time for him to inform his VP and Prez that he’d already fucked up. Zeus’ dark stare made Devlin however close his mouth.
“Fuck. Already?” Zeus said, his gaze ping-ponging from Devlin to Teagan.
Wolf also stood and slapped Devlin’s shoulder. “Damn, can’t say I’m surprised. I saw you two riding away on your bike that night.”
Devlin wasn’t one to kiss and tell. Wolf could fuck right off.
“I don’t want any of this backfiring on the club, am I clear? You stay on your best behavior. Let Teagan spread her magic and let’s make these girls and us some money.”
It wasn’t bad enough he already was nervous about even considering starting something with Teagan. His president had just made it club business, putting extra pressure on his shoulders to not fuck things up.