AJ retreated in a flash. I watched him sag atop a stool at the bar and raised his hand for a beer. He needed to spend some time in Boxer’s gym. His endurance was lacking, but Boxer could get him into better shape in no time.
“Sounds like the girl is sugary sweet.” Lynx chuckled, drumming his fingers on his old-fashioned glass. “A teacher. Kids. Flowers. Cookies.”
“Make your fuckin’ point,” I growled at the motherfucker.
“She’s a civilian. An innocent teacher.” His steely gaze met mine.
“And?” I gritted out, ready to put my fist through his teeth. As if I didn’t know anything about Madeline. She sounded as wholesome as apple pie. I usually viewed a girl like her as off-limits.
“Just sayin’ you might want to reconsider pursuing her.”
“Enough!” Raul slammed his hand on the table, knocking over empty beer bottles. He pushed out of his chair and stood, eyes blazing with fury as he pointed his finger at Lynx. “Show your president some fucking respect. All you assholes.” His finger rounded the table, landing on each man.
All eyes were on Raul. For almost fifty, he was still a scary motherfucker with black hair slicked back and a constant scowl on his mug. He took no shit from anyone and always had my back. Track was a younger version of his father. I was proud to have both of them on my side.
Ever since Uncle Matt lost his battle with colon cancer, Raul had been an angry cuss. Not because he wanted to hold the gavel. No, being president didn’t matter to Raul. He just missed his brother, his best friend. They started the Minnesota chapter together twenty years ago when Uncle Matt and my dad fell out. Yeah, Raul missed my uncle about as much as I did.
I lifted my tired ass out of the chair and gripped my VP’s bicep, still rock solid. “Thanks, old man. But you know these fuckers don’t mean any disrespect.” They really didn’t. They were looking out for the girl and me.
“Doesn’t matter. They flap their jaws too damn much.” He was right. They did. Most times, I didn’t take them seriously.
“All right, I’m hitting the road. Whip these boys into shape while I’m gone.” I tossed my brothers a shit-eating grin. “Ride them hard.”
“You bet I will.”
“Mind yourselves.” I threw up the bird, stalking out of the bar.
I carried myself up a flight of stairs. The loud music faded as I turned toward my room in the council’s wing.
When my door came into view, I growled low in my throat.
“Hey, Storm. Been waiting for you.” Carla grabbed onto my cut, pushing me against the wall as if the bitch owned me. She rubbed her tits against my chest, cupped my dick, and whimpered. “I’ve missed you so much, babe.” She was wearing a purple bra and matching G-string. I never liked the color purple because it was my mom’s favorite.
My massive hand wrapped around her wrist and squeezed until she screwed up her face, eyes bulging in pain.
“You’re hurting me,” she cried.
“Don’t fuckin’ touch me again,” I hissed, forcing her to back up. The bitch had some nerve laying a finger on my cut. Knew better too.
“W… what’s the matter with my man?”
“I’m not your anything.” Shit, this woman was getting out of control. “What the fuck you doing up here, Carla?” Everyone knew the council’s floor was off-limits unless invited. I had the presidential suite, naturally.
“It’s been a while. Thought you might need me—it’s June, ya know. I know how you get this time of year.” She didn’t know anything about me, stupid woman.
“If I ever see you up here again, you’re out.”
Her lip curled into a snarl. “Fine.” She jerked her wrist out of my grasp and rushed down the hallway to the stairs, dramatically swinging her bare ass and arms.
Bitch.
Shaking my head, I unlocked my door and entered my sanctuary. Next to my king-size bed, I went to the window to gaze out at the blue sky. It reminded me of Madeline’s blue eyes.
What the fuck are you doing, Storm? Forget her.
Women were nothing but trouble—distractions—high maintenance. I didn’t have the time or patience to deal with one. I didn’t want that kind of pressure or stress.
What I needed were peace and solitude. Time to serve my atonement. None could be found at the clubhouse or with Madeline in the next town over.