Lily rolls down her window. “Watch out for her.”

  I nod and follow Pam inside.

  Cherry Pie by Warrant booms over the speakers. Two club girls work the poles, and another is dancing around in nothing but her G-string rubbing up on whoever is closest. I expected much worse. I don’t see James right away, but I do get a chin lift from East as he nurses a beer by the bar looking bored out of his mind. I smile knowing he’d rather be home with his girls.

  Pam stops abruptly in front of me and I nearly bump into her backside. “Little warning next time.” I look past her and that’s when I see it. Link slumped down in a chair with his fist buried in some skank’s hair as her head bobs from between his legs. “Pam...”

  “It’s fine. I’m fine. I’m just gonna go pick up Connor,” she mutters, her voice cracking toward the end.

  “You aren’t going to beat both their asses? I’d kill James.”

  “It’s what I agreed to. He wants to explore his options. Who am I to stop him?”

  “You’re his wife. That isn’t right.”

  “Learn your place, Alexa. You used to be the other woman. Now you’re an Old Lady and the rules have changed.”

  I don’t reply because despite her tough act I know Pam is hurting. She’s going to go home and cry herself to sleep. Nothing about this is okay. I get it. Some of the men are unfaithful. Hell James was a cheater, but I don’t think he’d do that to me. Link was supposed to be one of the good guys though.

  “I’ll see you for the big day. Go to your man. He’s waiting for you.” Her shoulders drop, and she trudges back the way we came.

  “Pam,” I call out, but she keeps moving.

  “I got her,” East tells me, jogging to catch up with her.

  Fuck this. Fuck Link. Who does he think he is doing this shit right in front of everyone? He’s making a fool of Pam. His bitchy and crazy ass woman. She may be a pain in my ass most the time, but she deserves better than this.

  James locks his eyes with mine. Then he stares past me then back to the scene that has me shaking my head. I watch him utter the word fuck and move to his feet.

  “Babe.”

  “Don’t try to defend that. Pam just walked out of here with her heart shattered to go pick up their son.”

  He grabs both my arms. “It’s none of our business. Jesus, Lex. What you want me to do? Yank the whore off his dick?”

  “For starters.”

  My man shakes his head. “Pam’s a big girl she can handle her shit just fine.”

  “You didn’t see her face, honey. I can’t believe I am saying this, but Pam is a good woman. He should have more respect for their marriage than that.”

  “Drop it, pretty girl. Been waiting for you to bring that fine ass to me all night. Let’s leave the men to their party and go to bed, yeah?”

  “I’m thirsty.”

  “Fine. Prospect,” he booms. “Get my woman a water.”

  “Tell him I want ice.” I smile and kiss his cheek.

  “Crushed ice.”

  “Thank you.”

  Chapter Nine

  When Rio hands Alexa her water his hand is shaking. Alexa goes to take a sip, but I stop her. Been keeping an eye on him all night. Fucker’s acting weird. All jittery and shit. Like he’s high. I know he was given a script for painkillers, but this is something else. I keep thinking back on that scene at the motel when he called me. I know he’s eager but why wouldn’t he have taken Viking for backup? Why did he call me? He was at my house when the drive by went down. Something isn’t adding up.

  “Don’t drink that.”

  Alexa gives me a funny look. “What’s wrong?”

  “Need you to go upstairs to my room and wait for me.”

  “Honey?”

  “Now, Alexa. Got some shit to discuss with the prospect. Ditch the water.”

  “If you say so.” She flicks her wrist and dumps the water on the head of the whore giving Link a blowjob.

  The whore screeches and jerks up at the same time Link pulls away. “You bit my dick.”

  Alexa snorts. “Serves you right.”

  “Get a handle on your woman.” He points at me and I growl.

  “Lex. Upstairs now.”

  “Gladly.”

  “Hound. Stand at the door till I come up for her.”

  “On it.” He moves off.

  Rio smirks at me.

  “You find something funny, boy?”

  He tilts his head to the side. “You still don’t know who I am, do you?”

  “Should I?”

  “I’m the forgotten son.”

  “Don’t know who the fuck your mom is or what she told you, but you ain’t ours, kid.”

  He laces his fingers behind his head. “Man, you’re lying. My mom said my old man was Prez of the Royal Bastards MC.”

  I roll my eyes. “Fucking Lion. How old are you?”

  It takes him far too long to answer. “Twenty-two.” His eyes are glossy and red. Yeah the bastard is keyed up on something.

  “You join my club hoping to what get revenge on the daddy who didn’t want you? Got news for you, boy. Your dad was my piece of shit father-in-law. His name was Lion, and he was a traitor. A rapist. You weren’t in any shit with Sinners the other night. You shot yourself and tried to lure me out hoping to off me, yeah? And when that shit didn’t work you arranged the drive-by. Since you couldn’t get to me you thought you’d hit me where it’d hurt the most. What was in that water?”

  Rio goes to run but Sandman, Viking, and Link have formed a circle walling him in.

  “Take him to the basement. Get what you can out of him. I’ll decide what to do with him later.”

  Viking grabs him by the neck holding him in place as Sandman gets a punch to the ribs in. They shove him toward the door to the basement and an uneasy feeling settles in the pit of my stomach like cement. It’s hard telling how many bastards Lion fathered or how many will come knocking on our doors for answers.

  I dial Slick and it goes to voicemail. Maybe him and Lily are finally sorting their shit. I’ll speak with him tomorrow when I call church. If Lex and I make it to the altar without any more drama, it’ll be a goddamn miracle. I scrub a palm over my face and glance up in time to see Pam strutting back in followed by East.

  “You cool?”

  “Yeah. I’m cool.”

  “Good. You and Link got problems you sort that shit at home, yeah?”

  “There’s no problem.”

  “Right. Link is...”

  “Right here,” he mutters coming up behind me. “Ready to go home, woman?”

  “I need a drink first.”

  “Come on.” He moves off with an arm around her shoulders.

  I motion for East to follow me upstairs. It’ll be easier to brief him and Hound together. I tell them about the prospect and his possible connection to Lion may the bastard be rotting in the fiery pits of Hell.

  “Church tomorrow morning. Early before our guests arrive. Want this shit kept quiet for now.”

  “Got it. I’ll organize it,” Easts says and him and Hound push off.

  I enter my suite and find Alexa staring out the window in nothing but one of my tees. She spares me a glance over her shoulder.

  “You better be naked under that shirt.” I kick off my boots, empty my pockets onto the dresser, and start undressing. I hang my cut on the hook on the back of the door and shed my jeans. I pull my tee over my head and toss it on my crumpled jeans. “C’mere, Lex. Been one hell of a night and I intend on ending it buried deep inside you, pretty girl.”

  “Do you think Pam is okay?”

  “Sweet that you care, babe, but I left her about three minutes ago at the bar with Link. Your girl is good.”

  “Kay.”

  “Fuckin’ adorable, Lex. But you’ll be even sweeter in my mouth.”

  She pads across the room, meeting me at the bed. I whip my old Sturgis tee from over her head and sling it over my shoulder before I grab her and kiss her madly. Tongue thrusting deep in her mouth taking and taking all her sweetness to wash away all the bad. To make me forget there is a traitor tied up in the basement. That the little fucker tried to kill me and hurt my woman and unborn child. He doesn’t get to ruin this. I’ve waited too damn long to have Lex in my bed every night and another child of mine growing in her belly.

  No one is going to fuck this up. I’ll see them in Hell first. Her lush tits smash into my chest as my hands seek out her ass. I lift her and she wraps those smooth thighs around my waist.

  “I love you, baby.”

  “I love me too,” she sasses back at me, and I pinch her ass, earning me a yelp then a pinch back to my nipple.

  I drop a knee on the bed, putting her on her back. I spread her thighs and settle between them. I lick, suck, and eat my woman as she tugs on my hair and moans beneath me. Pure heaven on Earth. Her sugary goodness melts on my tongue. I hitch one of her knees over my shoulder and play with her ass while I devour her pussy. My pretty girl likes it dirty.

  **

  “I know the last thing you ugly fucks wanted to do after a night of booze and pussy is drag your asses in before dawn but we got a problem. The prospect. Rio. Claims to be the son of your former Prez. Gotta be Lion who fucked his mother. What’d you get out of him?”

  “His mother used to wait tables at Waffle House. I’m guessing that’s where they met. She told him his father was Prez of our club and that he abandoned them both. He had a rough life. Got slapped around by his stepdad and ended up in juvie at fourteen. His mom died while he was inside at the hands of the stepdad. He blamed his real dad for his shit life. Discovered you killed Lion and set out to get his revenge,” Viking tells me.

  East shifts in his seat. “What you want us to do with him?”

  “I’d like to bury him with his cunt father but there’s too many eyes on us with this Cloud Nine business. Need to know if he was the one supplying the dancers and where he was getting it. Work him over more. Hound, want you down there. Whatever it takes I want names.”

  Chapter Ten

  “How are you feeling?” Wylla Mae questions as she hands me a pack of Saltine crackers.

  “Happy but nauseous. Can’t keep a thing down.”

  “Wedding jitters?”

  I shake my head. “The pregnancy. One whiff of whatever Sandman was cooking up in the kitchen did me in. I dry heaved all morning before your dad brought me home. I don’t think I made a good first impression on Jameson, but you should’ve heard his Old Lady, Sadie, teasing him about how she was gonna catch my bouquet so he’ll have no choice but to marry her.”

  “I don’t think I’ve met him yet. He’s the Prez from New Orleans, right?”

  “Mmhmm.” I take a sip of water and nearly gag.

  “You need to eat something. You don’t want to be sick on your wedding day. I still have that medication I was taking when Mila hated everything I tried to eat. You should take it. It will help.”

  “Hey, sweet pea, who is the mom here you or me?” I squeeze her hand. “Does it weird you out that we’re going to, pregnant at the same time?”

  “Should it?”

  I shrug. “Most would be.”

  “I think it’s kinda cool. I know we have had a lot of differences, but I like this whole new relationship we have. You’re both different when you’re together. Better. Everyone sees it. You complete each other and I’m glad you have it. Though a part of me wishes you could’ve gotten your shit together years ago.”

  “You and me both. The journey while hard has been worth it though. I got you and my beautiful granddaughter out of the deal and now this child.”

  “Dad thinks it’ll be a boy.”

  “I sure as hell hope so. If not, he may want to try for another, and this kid is gonna be it for me.”

  “Like you’d tell him no.” She grins and fiddles with the wrapper on my crackers. “Now eat something. You have a big day tomorrow.”

  “Listen to your daughter. She’s a smart one.” Lily enters the kitchen with flushed cheeks dressed in tight jeans and a pretty red sweater, smelling like food.

  “And where have you been all evening?”

  “Out with an old friend. Catching up.” She moves to the cabinets by the sink to get a glass of water.

  “This old friend happen to be a silver fox who goes by the name Slick,” I tease her and Wylla snickers.

  “You’ve been spending too much time with Pam.” She wags a finger at me. “Speaking of, how is she anyway?”

  “I’ve not spoken with her since last night.”

  “What’s going on with Pam,” Wylla presses.

  “I don’t want to gossip.” I make the motion of locking my lips and throwing away the key.

  “You know Jules will tell me anyway.”

  “Fine but if you breathe a word and Pam traces it back to me, I won’t tell you anything else.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Ugh that sounds so old,” I grumble with a pout. “Last night when we got to the clubhouse there was an incident.”

  “What happened?” Lily whispers. “Slick’s in the living room by the way.” She smirks.

  “I knew it! You can’t fool me ya know.”

  “Back to Pam and Link,” my daughter urges.

  “Right. Well, we go in and there Link is all slouched in a chair with a whore going to town on his dick.”

  “What did Pam do?” Lily settles at the chair on the other side of Wylla Mae.

  “Nothing. East talked to her and James sent me upstairs. When he came up, he told me he left Pam at the bar with Link.”

  “That’s fucked up,” Wylla says low, but I can hear the disdain in her voice. Like me she thought Link was one of the good men. I think East must be fucking rare and I’m glad Wylla has such a good man looking after her.

  “Not all men are bad. You married one of the best,” I tell her.

  “Yeah, I did. Poor Pam.”

  “Or poor Link depending on how she reacts. Pam is a plotter. He will get his. Best believe she won’t take this easily. She may play nice for now, but that man is in for a world of hurt.”

  “Did you want me to have East bring over those stomach pills?”

  “If you think it’ll help. I made my first doctor appointment for after the honeymoon.”

  “I’ll ring him.” Wylla Mae excuses herself to dial her man.

  “Have you tried ice?” Lily questions me.

  “I don’t want to talk about me I want to hear about this dinner you had with Slick.”

  Lily cranes her neck toward the living room. “He took me to the Japanese place. It was nice and he’s going to drive up soon to visit me back home.”

  “You ever think you’ll move home?”

  “No. I’m needed at the center.”

  “You could always open up a location here. I’m sure there is a need.” Lily is still running Lily’s Hope her center for abused women in need. There was a time she took me under wing briefly when I had my whole ordeal before I got pregnant with Wylla Mae.

  They’ve got this whole secret network. I don’t know much about it personally, but James and brothers from other chapters of Royal Bastards MC do their part.

  “Maybe. It’s something to think about. James said you’re selling this place.”

  “Yup.” I just hope that shit with the shooting hasn’t screwed up the sale on his house.

  “You have a buyer yet?”

  “You offering?”

  “It’s a nice house.”

  “Would make a nice home for you and Slick or to set up a new location.”

  “Would you stop it. We’re old friends.”

  “Old friends who like to bone.” I smirk and she gets all red in the face.

  “You ladies in here talkin’ ‘bout me.” Slick struts into the kitchen all big, muscled, tall, tattooed, and silver haired.

  “You know it. I’m trying to convince my sister-in-law to come home to Charleston.”

  Slick shoots me a wink. “Got coffee?”

  “I’ll make it. You like it black, right?” Lily shoves her chair back and moves around my kitchen as though she’s lived here for years.

  I nibble on a cracker and pray I can keep it down. Being hungry makes me cranky.

  “East’ll be here in ten. Wha’d I miss?” Wylla plops back down next to me holding my grandbaby.

  “Come to Lala.” I take Mila from Wylla and kiss the top of her soft dark head. Mila lays her head on my shoulder as I rub her back. There is nothing purer than a baby.

  I glance around the room at Lily, Wylla, and Slick and a peacefulness washes over me. Nothing is going to ruin this weekend.

  Chapter Eleven

  I peel back the cover and the sheet then slide in behind Alexa.

  “What are you doing here?” she mumbles groggily.

  “Keep them eyes closed, babe.”

  “We aren’t supposed to see each other until the wedding.” She yawns but doesn’t turn to look at me.

  “Like I could stay away,” I murmur and kiss her neck.

  “Pam finds out we’ll both be toast,” she warns.

  “You gonna tattle on me?”

  “That depends.”

  “On what?”

  “If it’ll get me a spanking.”

  I chuckle and stroke my fingers up and down the curve of her spine. “You gonna show up today?”

  “Hmm.” She wiggles her butt toward me. “That depends on how much sleep I get.”

  “Who said anything about sleeping?” I curve my palm to her ass cheek.

  “Me. Your sister is here. I don’t want her to hear us. And I don’t want bad luck.”

  “I think we’ve reached our quota on bad luck, but if you want me to leave, I’ll leave. I just make no promises that I will get any sleep without you.”

  “Now who is being all cute and shit, hmm?” Alexa rolls into me. Her sweet lips meet my neck, sucking and nibbling their way down to my chest. “Maybe this will help you sleep.” Wrapping her fingers around my cock, she strokes me as I harden in her hand. Her mouth hits my cock. The warmth of her surrounds me and I’m a goner.