“Nothing.Yet. Tomorrow night, I’m leaving for the lake.”
Track knew the drill. “K.”
“If you or Raul need anything, Boxer is your man. Shit hits the fan while I’m away—”
“Know it works, Prez.” Track reclined in the chair. I could tell he had more to say. Probably about Madeline. “Anything I need to know about her? For when you’re gone, I mean.”
“Nah. Don’t worry about her.” All I knew was she lived in a trailer park in Winters, but Track didn’t need to know those details. Hell, I didn’t even know why I was so curious about her. Probably something to do with my marginally bruised ego or some shit. Subconscious crap quacks babbled about. I doubted I would even make a move on her.
Why open the door to complications?
“What about the Hunters?”
“Just watch them. Boxer will handle it if there’s any trouble.” My enforcer was indispensable. We’d served in the Marines together and I trusted Boxer with my life. I studied the blade, admiring its sparkle as I twisted it. “Not a word about the woman to anyone.” I lifted my gaze to Track’s.
“You don’t even need to ask.”
“Wasn’t asking.”
“Are you taking a prospect with you?”
“Have I ever?”
“Shit, Storm. Things are different this year.”
I slammed the knife onto the desk and growled. “I don’t need protection.”
Track didn’t so much as flinch. He wasn’t wrong. We were heading into some shit with a small nomad MC looking to put roots down in the area—myarea. It was why bringing a woman into my world would be stupid. I couldn’t afford to be distracted. It would be too fuckin’ dangerous for her and I wouldn’t put my brothers or club at risk.
“Don’t you, though? This woman has you unhinged.” He leaned forward in the chair. “The Hunters are the least of my worries. You’re more of a danger to yourself because you want her. You’re considering her. Don’t.”
“Who the fuck do you think you’re talking to? I’m your goddamn president!”
“You’re my best friend. I’ve never seen you like this over a woman. We’re one-percenters. Outlaws. We said we’d never bring a woman into our world, or fall in love.”
“Aw fuck. Nobody is talking about love. You saw her.” I rocked in my chair, scratching my beard. “She’s exquisite, an angel. I just want a taste of something… different.”
“Don’t go there, brother. That’s all I’m gonna say, don’t go there.”
We stared at each other for a long second. My guess was this woman—Madeline—lived an untarnished, drama, and risk-free life.I should leave her alone to find a safe, boring man.
Wished I was someone who could just walk away.
But I wasn’t.
5
Storm
Seven o’clock on the dot, AJ waltzed into the clubhouse bar and locked eyes with me. I waved him over to the council’s table, where I sat surrounded by some of my brothers. Raul, my VP, sat on my left. He was Track’s father and I liked sitting between them. Boxer was next to Track.
I cut my gaze to the end of the table, where Lynx smirked like a dumbass, trying to get a rise out of me. He couldn’t stop talking about Madeline and her pretty, blue eyes and sassy mouth. If he kept it up, I’d be forced to break his straight nose.
Kittens milled about the room in lacy G-strings and bras in a rainbow of colors, offering their services to patched members at the bar or playing pool. They weren’t permitted to approach the council’s corner table. It was off-limits to women unless invited—and weneverasked a woman to join us at our table.
“What ya got, prospect?” I turned my attention to AJ. Even though the table was full, I didn’t want to put off hearing about Madeline. I might not have wanted anyone to know about her yesterday, but tonight, I didn’t care whether my brothers knew or not.
I hated how I was all over the fuckin’ place with this woman.