And she’s perfect.

  * * *

  After class I head straight to the clubhouse. “This has been the best week ever,” I tell Saint, Hammer and Temper, who are sitting outside chatting. “I’m so happy I decided to do this.” I love going to class every day, learning all these new skills on saving people, and it’s just such an empowering feeling. I stop my rant when I realize something isn’t quite right, going by how tense the men are.

  “Is everything okay?” I ask. I must have interrupted some club business, or some other conversation that stopped the second I made an appearance.

  “It’s fine, Sky,” Hammer says, reaching out to touch my hand. “I’m glad you found your calling. It makes me happy seeing you happy. And soon you won’t have to serve drinks for a living.” He turns to Saint and smirks. “And now because you have a man, I don’t even have to pay for it.”

  “What do you mean?” I ask, confused.

  “Saint paid for it. Didn’t he tell you?” Hammer asks, glancing between us.

  “No, I didn’t tell her, because I knew she was going to give me shit about it,” Saint mutters, throwing Hammer a dirty look.

  Hammer simply shrugs. “He’s your man and he wanted to pay for it. Don’t need my bank anymore when you have his.”

  Fuck’s sake.

  This program was a hell of a lot of money, but I didn’t feel that bad about Hammer paying for it—he’s my dad and has paid for and bought many things for me growing up.

  But Saint paying for it? That’s different.

  “I’m going to pay you back,” I announce to him.

  “See?” Saint growls.

  “At least she’s not a gold digger like the last one,” Temper adds, chuckling to himself.

  Pursing my lips at that comment, I turn to Saint but before I can open my mouth he starts talking. “Sky, you don’t need to pay anything back; don’t be ridiculous. You just study and then save some lives.”

  “Some biker lives,” Temper adds. “You’re basically an investment.”

  I throw my hands up in the air. “I can’t deal with the lot of you, seriously. But Saint...” I turn to my man. “I can’t thank you enough. You really didn’t have to do that.”

  “I wanted to,” he replies, brushing it off. He lowers his voice and says, “I don’t know what you think we’re doing here, Sky, but I’m in this forever. That means we’re going to look after each other and support each other, and that’s what I’m doing.”

  I feel a little bad that he didn’t even want to tell me because he knew I’d have something to say about it, but it’s not that I’m ungrateful. I don’t ever want him to think that. It’s just that I don’t like feeling like I owe someone.

  “Thank you,” I say, kissing his stubbled cheek. “I appreciate it.”

  “I know you do,” he says, leaning in and pressing his soft lips against mine.

  “Okay, get a room, you two,” Temper adds, looking uncomfortable. “I don’t know where the fuck to look right now. How’d you deal with it, Hammer?”

  Dad just shrugs. “At least she’s with a Knight. Imagine her bringing some banker or businessman home. This way she’s here almost every fucking day and I get to see her.”

  “I’d come and see you anyway,” I point out. “Are you sure everything is okay?”

  I can tell when it’s not, because the change in atmosphere is so obvious.

  “Yeah, just club business,” Dad replies, glancing up and flashing me a smile, as if to reassure me.

  “Okay,” I reply, lips pursing. I know they aren’t going to tell me anything else, so I change the subject. “What are we having for dinner?”

  “I’m going to make the spaghetti I never got to make last time because we had that huge fight and you went home,” Saint replies, glancing around the table. “If anything goes wrong this time, one of you please stop her from leaving.”

  “What could go wrong this time? Unless you have more baby mamas and secret children, I think we’re good,” I say, arching my brow.

  “None that I know of,” he replies, the men chuckling at his smart-ass answer.

  “I’m going to kill you,” I threaten, eyes narrowed to green slits. “This better be the best fucking pasta that has ever entered my mouth.”

  “It’s pretty good,” he says, standing up and winking at me. “You going to come help me in the kitchen?”

  “I’ll supervise,” I agree, standing up and following him. “Do we have any wine?”

  “Is he driving you to drink already?” Hammer calls out.

  “Yes,” I call back, and then all I can hear is laughter. Whether it’s at me, or with me, I have no idea.

  “Yeah, I’ll get you a glass,” Saint says. I sit back and watch him work the kitchen, first getting me wine, then starting to cook. “How was your day?”

  “Good,” I tell him, perking up at the thought. “We’re doing anatomy right now and there’s so much to remember, but it’s interesting, so I don’t mind it. I’m going to have to do some studying tonight.”

  “Oh, need someone to help you study?” he asks, turning around from the stove with a wooden spoon in his hand.

  “Yeah, actually. I was thinking of asking Reece, this really cute guy from class,” I reply, getting him back for his baby mama comment outside.

  Now he’s the one with narrowed eyes. “You’re giving this Reece guy a death sentence if you decide to continue.”

  I sip my wine, pinky finger sticking out. “Now, now, Saint. Let’s not get violent. Also, he’s a martial arts expert.”

  I put my glass down just in time for Saint to grab me and lift me up. I wrap my legs around him and hold on to his neck.

  “You just don’t want to eat my spaghetti,” he says to me, lip twitching. “That’s what all this is about, isn’t it? Or has the spaghetti left you traumatized after last time?”

  “No, it hasn’t left me with PTSD, don’t worry.” I smirk, kissing his nose. “I’m just feeling a little...”

  “Sexually frustrated?” he offers, laughing out loud. “Is that why you’re pushing me? Babe, if you want me, all you have to do is ask. Hell, all you have to do is look at me. I’m always wanting you and I will always be ready for you.”

  I put my hand over his mouth when I hear footsteps near us. If my dad heard that, I’m going to die a little inside.

  It’s Renny who sticks his face in the kitchen. “What the hell is going on in here? You’re supposed to be cooking, Saint, not having your way with the prez’s daughter in the middle of the day.” He barks out a laugh before disappearing. “You have some balls, brother. Balls of fucking steel. I’d be pretending I was a virgin while Hammer is around.”

  Saint puts me down and I pick up my glass once more, resuming my position. When I down the rest of it, Saint murmurs something about needing some of the wine for the pasta.

  Maybe he’s right and I am sexually frustrated, but it’s not like I’m going without. Saint and I have sex pretty much every night we spend together. He’s created a monster. Or maybe I’m just hangry, which is also a possibility. When I glance over at him he’s picking up a tea towel that fell on the floor, and I can’t stop looking at his ass, his strong thighs...

  Fuck, he’s right.

  I’m addicted to his D. This is going to be a problem.

  Speaking of D... “Why do you guys call Wade Dee?”

  Saint turns to me with brows furrowed. “How the hell do you know his name is Wade? I didn’t even know that.”

  “I saw his credit card when he came into work once. Remember, I told you—his first date with Maryanne,” I explain.

  He nods. “Oh yeah, that’s right. They call him Dee because he’s the biggest dick.”

  “Biggest dick or he has the biggest dick?” I ask, dead serious. Why else would they call him that when his name is fucking Wade?

  And guess who decides to walk in just as I say that?

  All I can hear is the bastard’s laughter, like a fucking hyena, absolutely losing his shit.

  “What the fuck is so funny?” Temper asks as he comes to see what all the commotion is about.

  Dee can’t breathe at this point, so when he tries to tell Temper what I said, it just ends up in more fits of laughter.

  “Sky is asking how Dee got his nickname,” Saint says, scrubbing a hand down his face. He looks like he’s torn between laughing and killing me. “And she’s come to the scientific conclusion that he’s either a huge dick or has a huge dick.”

  Pointing my finger in the air, I sophistically state, “I believe it’s a valid conclusion. I mean, Saint got his name because he’s a man whore, right? You guys were trying to be funny.”

  Saint always tried to maintain that he got his road name because he was a Saint compared to the others, but I learned long ago that it’s because he always had a way with the ladies.

  “I’m reformed,” Saint adds in, finally admitting the truth.

  “Temper got his because...well. He’s apparently a psycho.”

  “And how did I get my name?” Dad asks as he joins us, amusement plainly written on his face.

  Hammer?

  Ew.

  The only thing I can come up with is something I’d rather not think about.

  Ever.

  “I need more wine,” I declare, looking for the bottle.

  And this motherfucking conversation is over.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  I can tell that something is wrong the second I step inside the clubhouse—the atmosphere so thick and tense, it’s a struggle to breathe. There is a tension in the air that’s just festering. Searching for Saint, I find him sitting outside at the table with the men.

  All of the men, and all of them looking very serious.

  After all the time during my childhood spent at the clubhouse, I know this isn’t a time to intrude. I walk back inside and wait in his bedroom. I hope no one is in trouble with the police, and that no one is in danger. Did one of their deals go wrong? I know that they run several businesses, like Saint said, and not all of them are legal.

  Things have been so lighthearted around here recently that it’s easy to forget what they do to earn their money; they don’t exactly have a nine to five. I don’t really think about what each of these men I call my family are capable of. I just go by how they treat me, and that’s all that I focus on. Maybe it’s naïve, but it’s how it needs to be.

  I fall asleep with my book in my hands, and wake when Saint opens the door and comes in. “Sleeping beauty,” he says, lying down next to me. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”

  “Is everything okay?” I ask, reaching for him. “Seemed pretty heated.”

  “Yeah, there’s an issue, but we’re going to sort it out, so don’t worry. Unfortunately I’m going to have to go and do the rounds tonight with Temper, so I’m not going to be able to stay in and do all the things I want to do with you. Will you stay here, though? I want to come home to you in my bed,” he asks, kissing me softly, which soon turns heated.

  Lifting myself up, I lower my body onto his and straddle him. “Do you have to leave right now?”

  Someone bangs on our door. “Saint! We’re leaving!”

  “I guess that’s a yes,” I whisper, leaning over to kiss him and then roll off.

  “Well, you just made my night that much harder,” he groans, glancing down at his cock.

  I bury my smile into the pillow. “Great pun. I’ll see you later tonight then.”

  He groans again, gets out of bed and comes around to my side, kissing my cheek. “Just wait until I get back, you little tease.”

  “Be safe.”

  “I will. Renny will be here if you need anything.”

  Another kiss, and then he’s gone.

  Not knowing what is happening or what we are dealing with is hell. I know I could push and get more out of him if I wanted to, but I’d rather him just tell me what he feels comfortable with. The MC is my family, but I’m not a member, and I know there’s a difference. I trust them, and that they will handle any situations that arise.

  While I study, Renny locks up the clubhouse and makes sure everything is closed. They should really amp up the security here. I know they only have security cameras and the big fence, which they usually just leave open because there’s so many people coming in and out. I think they live by the “no one is stupid enough to come in here” law, but they should be smarter about it.

  I fall asleep without Saint, and when I wake up in the morning he’s not in bed, either.

  Finding him in the gym, I watch as he punches the shit out of a boxing bag, shirtless. “You didn’t sleep?” I ask when he stops to take a break.

  “I did, but just for a couple hours,” he explains, wiping his face with a towel. “You were knocked out so I didn’t want to wake you, although trust me when I say I was tempted.”

  “You could have,” I say. “I’ll go and make us some breakfast.”

  I’m frying bacon, and the smell brings in Dad and Renny, so I end up making breakfast for everyone. “Bacon, eggs, toast, mushrooms and hash browns,” I say, placing the plates full of food on the table for them to serve themselves.

  “Thank you,” Dad says, and I don’t miss the bags under his eyes. “Looks like none of you got any sleep last night.”

  I know Saint said he had to do the runs with Temper, which means he was checking on their businesses or whatever, but there’s obviously something going on because they all look exhausted and their morale seems kind of low. I open my mouth, but decide to close it and make some coffee instead. Coffee might perk them up a bit.

  “Is there anything you guys want me to do before I head to class? I could drop off some lunch for everyone on my break,” I offer, glancing around the table.

  “We’re okay, Sky,” Saint assures me, standing behind me and massaging my shoulders. “You just worry about your class, and we can sort ourselves out. Are you here tonight or at Logan’s?”

  “Logan’s,” I tell him. “Tonight is family night with my brothers, so basically we’re all going to eat, drink and talk shit and rip on each other until we call it a night.”

  I clean up and then head to class, but I can’t shake off this bad feeling in my gut. Something is going on.

  * * *

  “So we actually have some news tonight,” Logan announces, clicking a spoon on his bottle of beer. He has Smith and Axel on video chat, so I know this news must be big.

  “You won the lottery?” Seth screams.

  “You’re visiting us here in Ireland!” Axel says enthusiastically.

  “You’re getting a dog,” I add hopefully.

  “You found out you were really adopted?” Brooks asks, garnering a smack in the back of the head from Seth.

  Logan rolls his eyes at Brooks. “Sabrina is pregnant! You lot will finally have a niece or nephew.”

  “What?” I shout, jumping up and running to Logan to hug him. I know how long they have tried for a baby, and I’m so happy for it to finally happen for them.

  “What about me? I’m the pregnant one,” Sabrina teases, so I give her a hug too.

  “Congratulations to you both. Just telling you now that Skylar is an amazing name, and I’m not against having another one in the family.”

  “One Skylar is enough, thanks!” Brooks calls out, eyebrows high on his smug face.

  “Hopefully it’s a girl because I’m tired of being outnumbered,” I say, looking back at him. “And also surrounded by assholes.”

  “Are you sure? Because you have the same thing at the clubhouse,” Brooks fires back, chuckling to himself. The rest of my brothers join in.

  I throw daggers at Logan, the most mature one, but he just shrugs. “Oh, come on. That was funny.”

  We all speak to Smith and Axel, who are over the moon for Logan, and it’s really nice to see their faces. Axel tells me that they’ll be coming back soon and will try to stay in the city long enough for me to spend actual time with them, which warms my heart.

  The pizza Seth ordered us all arrives, and we sit in front of the TV and eat. It’s the quietest it’s been since we walked into the house.

  “How’s class been?” Seth asks me. He’s the brother who has been the most interested in my education from the get-go, and when he found out I have decided to become a paramedic, he was so proud of me.

  “Really good, I’m learning so many new things every day,” I tell him, swallowing my mouthful of pepperoni. “It’s both mentally stimulating and physical when we do the practical stuff, so it’s really interesting.”

  “I’m glad you’re studying again. You’re such a smart girl, Skylar. You always have been,” he continues, reaching over and touching my shoulder. Seth isn’t very affectionate, so him actually touching me of his own free will is kind of a big thing. Usually it’s me hugging him, and him awkwardly standing there and taking it.

  “Thanks, Seth,” I reply, beaming. “It feels good to be moving forward instead of being stuck in the same place and routine like I was in my last job. And the bar job I’m in now, I actually don’t mind it, maybe because I know I won’t be there forever.”

  It’s going to be nice having some options for a change, and some sort of qualifications behind me, not to mention financial security. I don’t want to have to live paycheck to paycheck for the rest of my life, and I also don’t want to have to rely on Saint for anything. Logan told the rest of my brothers what happened with Mom, and I don’t know if they’re in contact with her or not, but I’m fine with it either way. They haven’t asked me anything about Saint or Hammer, so it’s not like anyone is trying to get information out of me to pass on to her. She’s just like the elephant in the room, and no one wants to bring her up or discuss what happened so we’re all just going to pretend she doesn’t exist.

  And I’m more than okay with that.

  It’s easier this way.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  “I have it all under control,” I hear Dad say. I’ve shown up unannounced at the clubhouse, and with the loud talking they mustn’t have heard me enter.