For living in the same clubhouse, it’s pretty hard to miss seeing someone altogether. Yet, somehow Odin has found a way to avoid me completely for two days. I even broke down and went to his room last night at three a.m. when I couldn’t make myself fall asleep, but he wasn’t in bed. The only thing I can think of is that he’s been staying over at Viking and Princess’s house. Well, unless he went and found another woman and has been warming her bed. Not that I have any right whatsoever to complain or say something about it if he actually is with someone else.
He’s free to be with whomever he wants, whether I like it or not. We’re not a couple and he’s never put any sort of claim on me or given me the impression he would. He’s also never once stopped me from having sex with the other brothers. I just couldn’t stop myself from worrying and thinking over and over that I had messed up and how he’s probably angry with me. I’ll suck his cock a million damn times if that’s what it takes for him to forget about what happened and forgive me for my slip, even if I chose to remember it forever.
Wandering around the compound, I come across Chaos in the bar. He’s amongst a few crates of moonshine, dusting and handing the full bottles to Blaze for stocking. Chaos found this old ranch out in Alabama that has the absolute best moonshine around. The liquor and helping with the sales of it has sort of blossomed into his baby. His daughter even ended up marrying one of the brothers from that ranch. He goes on random rides to pick up as many bottles as he can, treating the bottles like a proud poppa. He does whatever he can to support his daughter and her in-laws. They’re the moonshine brewers themselves and I must agree with him, the liquor is delicious.
My gaze is cast around the room, taking in the shiny dark oak bar top along with the various tables, chairs, bright green felted pool tables and black leather couches. This room is by far the biggest in the entire club. We’ve gathered in here too many nights to count and have been through many celebrations here. It may be just a bar to some, but to us it’s more like a living room where we spend time together.
Hearing Odin’s deep rumble of a voice, my stare darts over to the far corner, seeking him out and discover his massive frame. He and some other brothers stand around three men I’ve never seen before; I’m drawn to his side like glue.
“Hey there, sweetheart.” Chaos pauses in his task to pull me to his body, warming me with a hug. I sidle up to his side, wrapping my arm around his back and tuck my hand into his back pocket. This way he’s free to move his hands, but I’m still close. We’ve done this for a long time, so no one even blinks at it. Especially Odin. He knows Chaos and I are best friends and nothing more.
“Hey you two, I see you’re keeping everyone happy.” I gesture to the bottles with a nod of my head.
He and Blaze both grins. “Gotta do the hard work around here,” Chaos says and Blaze chuckles. “What are you up to today? We have a break in that cool air, you could go for a run if you wanted.”
I shrug, feeling too lazy to run today. “Not much, I got all prettied up since it’s Friday evening. I figured you guys would be getting all loud and rowdy tonight.”
Blaze snorts. “Us, rowdy? When does that ever happen? I’m an angel, remember?”
“Oh, right, my bad. I must’ve dreamed all that from last Saturday night. You weren’t actually the drunk one on the bar in your underwear then, offering to show off the ‘biggest dick in history;’ according to you.”
Chaos laughs loudly and Blaze’s cheeks actually grow a bit warm. It’s funny but cute at the same time.
“What happens at the clubhouse stays at the clubhouse,” he mutters dejectedly, suddenly seeming a little too busy with the bottles in front of him to discuss this further.
The thing with Blaze, though, is he’s a funny drunk. The man has jokes and sarcasm to go on for days, so drinking with him is never boring. Especially when he decides to peel nearly all of his clothes off, having his washboard abs on full display and dance on the bar. I thought women were only the ones who did stuff like that, but apparently not. Blaze loves to see his friends and family laugh and I don’t mind in the slightest with abs like that to drool over.
Odin’s deep timbre tugs at my core when I hear his rumble again. I can’t help but to flick a look back at the men standing around in the corner over Chao’s shoulder. If Chaos were standing to his full height rather than perching his ass to lean against the stool, there’d be no way I could pull that off. Since he’s chilling at the bar, I can step on the foot rest to see over his large frame. One of the guys I’d never met before meets my gaze, amusement swirling in his irises. My breath catches for a moment as I take in his raw magnificence. He’s got that I’m-a-pretty-boy-but-I’ll-break-your-fucking-face look about him. Those are always the most dangerous types, kind of like Odin. He’s so damn manly and handsome—a rugged alpha male, but one look at him and you also know that you won’t want to be on his bad side.
Chaos taps my side and I quickly step down to stop my nosey staring. “We’ve got some guys wanting to prospect.” He answers my unspoken question. It’s club business, so I’m not allowed to ask no matter how curious I may be.
“Oh wow, it’s been a while since the brother has let anyone new come in to join.”
Both of the men nod and Blaze takes a drink of his bottled water. Chaos keeps filling me in. “Yep, well, since Mercenary transferred. It’s overdue though. You and Honey will have to give them a warm welcome. Show them some of the perks of being patched members and always around such beautiful women all the time.”
A smile graces my lips; he’s always saying sweet things, even though Honey isn’t very pretty on the inside. I wish all men were so open in giving out compliments. “What’re their names?” My head tilts and I perch on my tippy toes as I attempt to get another look toward the back corner. At a glance, I swear two of them look similar...maybe brothers? I wish I could see the third guy, too, especially before they notice me.
“The twins facing our way are Rage and Karma.”
Honest to God, I stutter as I gasp. “T-twins? We’re getting twins?”
“Mmhmm, and the third is Frost.”
“Rage, Karma and Frost,” I repeat trying to memorize their names. I probably sound like a twat.
“That ain’t all, either,” Blaze interrupts. “Nomads added to their ranks after all this time. When Ex, Spidey and Rugger pull in next time, they’ll have two new boys riding along with them. Names are Knuckle Buster and Magnum. they came straight off classified deployments and have been fully patched. Those two are some bad ass special forces veterans. you be careful warming their beds alone, sugar. I’m sure they’re some decent fellows if the Oath Keepers let them into the fold. However, they’re way too wild to be cooped up on a compound and with the shit they’ve seen and done, you won’t want to fall asleep in their beds without someone else there to save your ass if needed.”
My chest grows tight at his words, the cavity suddenly flooded with anxiety. It’s rare the brothers warn you about other members, and it’s always in your best interest to heed their advice. I learned that the hard way when Saint and Sinner had some rough fun with me for the first time. I wasn’t expecting Saint to be so challenging, even if the guys had forewarned me. I was too stupid to listen and nearly ended up with a slit throat.
With a swallow, I inquire, “Do either of you know anything about the three new prospects?”
Chaos leans in to speak lowly near my ear. “Frost came to join us from up north. He was Bronx’s blood brother.”
My hand flies to my heart, remembering the day Bronx was brutally murdered by the Iron Fists. I’ll never forget that terrifying day. Members were killed, Blaze nearly died, Princess was beaten badly, and Nightmare’s son was kidnapped. It was horrifying and I’d never seen the club so heartbroken and angry all at once. Bronx was so damn young when he died...too young to be stolen from the world.
“Oh, Bronx,” I whisper and both men nod solemnly. Blaze exhales a heavy sigh, his mind going back to replay the memories of the tortureheendured, I’m sure. He’d tried so hard to protect Princess and Nightmare’s family—Bethany and little Maverick. He’d ended up nearly bleeding to death from stab wounds; many of us thought he wasn’t going to make it. One day at a time he slowly regained his strength and Blaze prevailed, showing just how strong he truly is, but it was a scary process.
Chaos clears his throat, choking down his own emotions from remembering. He guzzles his beer down before continuing. “The twins are a couple of Torch’s cousins—Rage and Karma, don’t let the names fool you, sweetheart. They each fit the men well. Definitely the same blood in their veins as Torch’s.”