Rock's not amused. As much as the motherfucker gets around-or got around-you'll never hear him talk shit about a chick he's nailed. "So fucking what? She tossed your homely ass a pity fuck. Be grateful, not a dick about it." He all but snarls at Teller.

Teller snaps his yap shut. That's the way shit works 'round here.

"Rock's right. She's a nice girl, and she does a lot for the club," Bricks adds.

Oh, shut the fuck up. "Ass-kisser," I grumble.

Rock's clearly done with us and stressed from having Hope out of his sight for five fucking seconds. He gives us all a behave-or-I'll-kill-you stare and takes off.

I'm out next, except I'm not sure where to go. I don't want to run into Rock and Hope in the common room, and I don't want to run into Trinity in the kitchen. But I can't stay here either. I'm a goddamned trapped animal.

Trinity, ironically enough, makes the decision for me as she slowly approaches our table. "You guys need anything?"

Teller flicks his gaze up and smiles. "Just you, babe."

Fucking asshole.

To my utter shock and delight, she shuts him down, moving away to sit next to Bricks.

"Haven't seen you in forever. How's Winter?"

Bricks is one of those faithful types. Won't lay a finger on Trinity. I still need to get away from all of them.

Sparky's in the living room, having a shit fit because Rock hasn't been downstairs to discuss tonight's drop yet.

"Brother, we've got hours. Chill the fuck out."

Sparky huffs and flails his way to the basement door.

Rock has been gone a while now. I take a look around outside. His bike's still here. Hope's keys are in my pocket and her car is parked on the side of the building. They've got to be here somewhere.

The sound of crunching leaves alerts me that someone's coming in from the woods. Rock strolling back with his girl. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what they were up to out in the woods. Her hair's wild and pine needles are sprinkled all over her sweatshirt. I smother a laugh. Surprised the poor bitch can even walk. Prez has a year's worth of fucking to take out on her ass.

Because I've been properly scolded by my president for my shitty behavior this morning, I'm determined not to make any smart remarks that make Hope uncomfortable.

Yeah, we'll see how that goes. There's a first time for everything.

"Hey, guys."

Hope's reddened lips curve into a smile. She really is a nice woman. It's hard not to smile back. I hand her the keys to her car, and Rock glares at me. Goddamn, can't do a fuckin' thing right today.

Careful not to reveal more than I'm supposed to, I remind him, "Prez, we got that thing this afternoon." I catch his warning look and keep my yap shut.

He turns Hope away and they murmur to each other. I kick a few stray pebbles while I wait. Glancing up, I catch the lick of pink flaming across her cheeks.

She finally leaves, and I can tell Rock's pissed about it.

"Tell me again why I put up with these Green Street dickwads?" he asks.

Yeah, maybe a walk down bad memory lane is what my brother needs to get his head in the right space for tonight. "Because they buy everything we grow."

He grunts at me.

"And when we stopped moving stuff for the Mexicans and growing our own shit, they stuck with us." I remind him.

He nods and finally glances at me, a wry smile twisting his mouth up. "Still doesn't explain why that mouthy little punk insists I be there for every damn drop."

"I think he's got a crush on you, prez."

He doesn't seem to find that as amusing as I do.

"So what's the story with the uptight lawyer chick? How was she?" Nope, by the look on his face, he's not in a joking mood. If I had to guess-he's considering dismembering me and scattering my body parts around the club's property.

"Do you have some sort of death wish you need to discuss with me?" Yup. My brother's got murder on his mind.

Where exactly does he see things going with this chick? "She your ol' lady now?"

He's quick to answer. "Yeah, she's gonna be."

I swallow down the first thing I want to say, which is-Are you fucking serious? "Wow, that's big, prez. We don't got any ol' ladies right now. So that's huge," I say instead.

"I'm sure Trinity wouldn't mind you making her an ol' lady," he says, just to be a dick.

What can I say? We fucked up good there. She's never going to forgive me, and I can't forgive her. "That's never going to happen, prez."

"Why? She's a good girl. She's gorgeous. Knows when to keep her mouth shut. Knows her way around the club."

He just had to say that, didn't he? I know he didn't mean it the way I took it, but it still stings, especially after last night. "That's the problem. She knows her way around the club a little too well."

"Oh please, you've fucked every skank within a hundred-mile radius, so what's the difference?" He's right. But none of those skanks were her sisters. Well, I guess the other club girls are sorta.

Whatever. This isn't the first time Rock's expressed his strong opinion on this subject. He's very much a What's good for the goose type of fellow. But since he apparently plans to make a total outsider his ol' lady, I'm of the mindset he should take his self-righteous attitude and shove it up his ass. I'm about to say so, when Trinity's voice comes out of nowhere.

"The difference is, I wouldn't be his old lady if he got down on both knees and begged in front of the entire club." The hurt in her voice shames the shit out of me.

"Fuck, Trinny. I should make you wear a damn bell around your neck," Rock teases.

She walks around the corner with a pained smile. Won't even look at me. I grind my teeth so hard my jaw aches.

"Thanks for sticking up for me, Rock," she says softly, still not glancing my way.

Rock holds out his arms to her, and she hurries over, throwing a nasty glare my way. He gives her a hug and tries to make her feel better. "You're a big help to the club, Trinny, and we all appreciate what you do."

"I know that's not true. But I know you appreciate it and that's all that matters."

Rock pats her hip, and white, ragey spots spar with my eyes. I don't know why. I hate how tight the two of them are. Always have. They share secrets the rest of us know nothing about, and it drives me nuts. She was mine first. It should have been me she confided in.

"You headed out, babe?" Rock asks as they both continue to ignore me.

"Kitchen's all cleaned up for now. There's still some girls inside, so if it gets messed up again, they'll take care of it."

"Good deal. You coming back later?"

Finally, she looks at me, and I prepare to apologize for my shitty comments.

"No. I've got a date tonight," she announces.

Fuck this shit.

I don't actually have a date. But pissing Wrath off feels pretty fucking good after the bullshit he's been tossing at me all morning. After the crack about my name in front of Rock's girl, I gave serious consideration to returning from the kitchen with a knife to slit his throat.

And Teller. Well, at least I know what he really thinks of me. I hope he had fun last night because that's the last time I'm crawling into bed with him for a long fucking time.

As usual, Rock stands up for me. And not just because he doesn't want them saying that shit in front of his woman. Because he doesn't tolerate any disrespect toward me or any of the girls. He knows full well what goes on in his clubhouse, but he's never once made me feel like shit about it.

Nor has he ever made a move on me.

In eight years, he hasn't once treated me as anything other than a friend under his protection.

In return, there's nothing I won't do for him.

Not since my father was alive have I trusted a man the way I trust Rock.

For a brief time, I thought I could trust Wrath that way. Look where that got me.

The door slams shut after Wrath stomps off like a pissed-off toddler, and I can't help laughing.

"That was fun."

Rock smirks at me. "Thanks, babe. He's had it coming all morning."

Yup. Definitely caught that vibe. "I like Hope. Will we be seeing more of her around here?"

Rock seems pleased. "That's the plan."

"Good. It's about time you find the right woman. You do so much for everyone. You deserve to be happy too." He seems embarrassed by my words, but I mean every one of them. I've seen Rock with an endless parade of dancers and club girls. I've never seen him with a civilian woman. I've never seen him this at ease and happy either. That woman better be prepared, because Rock's not letting her go anytime soon.

"Think you can show her the ropes? Ease her in slow?" he asks.

I'm going to have my work cut out for me on that front. "Of course. You know I'll do anything for you, prez." My first priority's gonna be keeping her away from Wrath. I know him well enough to know he's not going to tolerate an outsider real well. Especially one so tight with his president.

I keep that to myself, though. That falls under the category of club business, which is not my business.

Speaking of business people shouldn't meddle in. "Don't worry about Wrath and me. It's never going to happen. I'm over it," I say, just in case Rock gets the urge to play matchmaker again.

He sighs and rakes his fingers through his hair. "Trinity-"

Nope. Not happening. I can't tolerate pity from him. "Seriously, Rock. I'm fine."

The only thing on my mind on the long drive to our drop-off with the Green Street Crew is Rock's unease before we left the clubhouse.

Motherfucker has one hell of an intuition. There was a brief time when he held my position in the club. His instincts have saved our lives more than once over the years.

So if Rock's uneasy, I'm anxious and alert for trouble. Even more than I usually am.

Riverwalk Park is deserted. My gaze sweeps the shadows as we roll in. No hidden cars tucked in any corners, nothing. The park is serene and empty.

While Rock makes small talk with GSC's shotcaller, Gunner, I continue inspecting the area. Any couples looking for a quiet place to park and fuck tonight will be redirected elsewhere.

Thumping bass music from an incoming SUV gets me trigger twitchy, and I keep my hand on my piece while I walk over to Rock.

It's just the other two dipshits from Gunner's crew. Bunch of useless fucking twats, every one of them. Well, the nice, fat duffel bag of cash is useful and the only reason we're here.

After we do our exchange-weed for cash-Gunner and Rock step aside to talk. This annoys the fuck out of me. These drops should be quick. Get in. Get out. The longer we stand around scratching our asses, the more risks we take.

My point's proven about two seconds later when the distinct sound of Harleys roars into the park.

"Wrap it up," Rock shouts, and that's my cue to get on my hog and lead us the fuck out.

But I don't even get to start her up.

The bikes come into view, two punks who have no clue how to control the machines they're riding or the guns they're shooting.

One of them aims at Gunner. I couldn't give two fucks about the punk, but my president's standing right next to him.

I launch myself at the kid with the gun, punching him clean off the bike.

Somewhere, there's a god who favors angry biker thugs, because this is exactly what I need tonight.

The thrill of adrenaline rushes through me. I love to fight, but while I get my kicks by sparring with my brothers from time to time and the occasional underground fight, I always hold back so I don't kill someone.

I don't have to hold back this time.

Fuck yes.

Blood pounds through me as I land one blow to the fucker's face. I drill a second jab into his gut.

The punk doesn't do much in the way of fighting back. Kinda takes all the fun out of it for me. I still punch him a few more times. For fuck's sake, he shot at us. He's earned every hit.

Barely out of breath, I stand but keep my foot on the kid's chest so I can keep an eye on Rock. He's no slouch in the fighting department. Trained him myself. He's a big fucker-not as big as me, but then not many men are. One deadly motherfucker too, but he has an incredible amount of self-control, something I've always lacked.

I laugh as the kid lands a few hits, doubting Rock even noticed. When the punk's down, Rock hauls him up. I remove my foot and pick up my prize too.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" Rock shouts at the kid who reanimates enough to mouth off and spit at Rock.

Aw, buddy, big mistake.

Rock plants his fist in the kid's gut hard enough to make him puke.