Lucien nodded but kept his expression neutral.

  Malice’s blood was still pumping fiercely, and he knew that although he really had no right to fight Stinger over Molly, he would still brawl with the other man if it came down to it. He was feeling mighty fierce right now, like he could slam his fist into the side of a concrete wall and not even feel it.

  “You trying to get Molly back or something?” Lucien asked with all seriousness in his voice.

  Malice didn’t answer right away, because honestly he didn’t know how he was feeling. “We haven’t been together in a long time—”

  “Yet you’re starting shit with another club—one that we are on good terms with—and you don’t know if you want her back?” There was no anger or animosity in Lucien’s voce, but he did want an answer, that was clear in his tone.

  “I don’t know how I feel about that, but what I do know is that I’m not about to let some fucking guy—Grizzly or not—be a father to my kid.” Malice was getting pissed, and going to the barn for a bareknuckle fight was sounding more tempting by the second.

  Lucien stared at him for a few seconds and then nodded slowly. “Do what you got to do, but the end result better be fuckin’ worth it and not interfere with the club, Malice.” He held Malice’s gaze with his own. “I fucking mean it.”

  Malice grunted in response, because he knew if he responded verbally right then he might have said something that was not appropriate to his President.

  “But I wanted to talk to you anyway.”

  “What’s up?” He leaned against the wall and stared at Lucien.

  “I was talking to Marx from the Fairview, Utah charter, and he might need some help down there in the next couple of weeks.”

  “Okay, what’s going on?”

  “He has some girls that work the club, but because the MC is stationed in that backwards town, the church, some of the police that can’t back down for the religious pressure, and picketers that think it is a sin and the devil’s work to sell pussy, they may need to get the women out of there.”

  “Why don’t we just get them now? I mean if it is getting bad to the point they have reached and may need our help, shouldn’t we just head out right now?”

  Lucien shrugged. “No rash decision. Marx is going to stay in contact, but he knows that we are holding up some women here, so that is why he contacted us.”

  Malice nodded, although to him it seemed more of a logical decision to just head down if shit was getting stirred already.

  “Anyway, if it comes down to it I want you and a couple other guys to go pick up the women and bring them up here. Maybe Rock and Ruin, but we will figure it out if and when it comes to that.”

  “Yeah, okay.”

  Lucien moved toward him and gripped his shoulders, giving them a strong and powerful squeeze. “Molly’s a good woman, smart as fuck, too. She knows what she is doing, Malice, even if that is getting involved with Stinger.”

  Malice stared in Lucien’s eerie silver eyes The president’s short dark hair was still wet, and the scent of the same brand of cologne he had been using for the last ten years filled his nose. He never butted heads with Lucien, never had a reason to, and he also knew what he said was true. Moly was all those things, and maybe this was more about him exerting some kind of dominance bullshit, and also the fear that the Grizzly would somehow take his kid from him. All of that was serious to Malice, and until he figured out what in the hell he was going to do about all of this, he wasn’t going to think too far into the future.

  “Just know what you’re getting yourself into, okay?” With that Lucien let go of him and left him to deal with his thoughts alone.

  Chapter Eight

  Stinger had dropped Molly off at the cabin so she could check on the prostitutes hours ago. Maybe Stinger shouldn’t have called them that, even though that was the “profession” they had chosen, but it was what it was. A couple of prospects had fixed her car and had taken it over to her, and although she had been planning on leaving Steel Corner and going back to Brighton today, he had sweet talked her into staying one more night. Yeah, his female was changing him, and the words “pussy-whipped” had come up more than once since he had been back at the clubhouse. Stinger hadn’t even needed to say that he had a woman, and had claimed her has his old lady, for the other Grizzly members to know that was why he was acting so out of character.

  Since he had been shot by Trick all those months ago he admitted, only to himself of course, that he had gone into himself. He had never thought of himself as weak, but nearly dying tended to put life in perspective to a man. But Stinger, as well as any Grizzly member, was very good at keeping shit buried deep down, and although he knew his brothers knew he was probably acting standoffish because of the Trick incident they never busted his balls about it. They all had their own issues, demons, and challenges they went through. But they dealt with it, and if they wanted help there was an unspoken commitment that any and all Grizzlies would be there. They could function with their own self-loathing, making sure their problems and anger were mostly buried. Of course there was always that slip, like what happened when Dallas lost his son and ex, and when any of the club members had found their old ladies. There were just emotions that not even an outlaw could hide.

  After he had taken her again at the motel room, this time far longer than last time, he felt on edge and about to tear his skin off. He may have played it off like he wasn’t pissed at the stunt Malice had pulled, but the fact of the matter was he was so fucking pissed he wanted to destroy something until his knuckles bled.

  “Dude, you are about to shift.”

  Stinger cut a nasty glare over at Diesel, who was chuckling at him over by the pool table. The male was expecting a baby with his old lady, Maggie. Singer had honestly never thought he’d live to see the day when the Grizzly MC VP would settle down, but when he claimed Maggie there was a big change in the rough talking and violent outlaw biker. “Fuck you,” Stinger gritted out and then turned away from Diesel just as the other male started to laugh harder.

  “Who is getting fucked?” Court came out of the backroom with a case of beer in his hands and a joint between his lips. He was grinning, and there was no doubt he knew what the hell they had been talking about. He just wanted to be a smart mouthed asshole.

  “You are when I shove my boot up your ass. And I’m about to do the same to that fucker.” Stinger glared at Diesel, who was chuckling so hard he had to brace his hand on the wall to support himself. “Laugh it up, motherfucker.”

  Court set the case on the counter and inhaled deeply from his joint. He stared at Stinger, and a somber expression covered his face. “You are on edge, man. This because you finally claimed a female?” Court leaned against the counter but didn’t wait for Stinger to respond. “Because I’ll tell you, if you’re fighting it, don’t. It’ll only make it more painful, and you’ll just lose in the end anyway.”

  “True story,” Diesel said from behind him right before the sound of pool balls cracking filled the room. “You’ve seen it happen from all of us. Better just tuck your tail between your legs and surrender.”

  “I’m not trying to fight claiming her. Molly is already mine. I made that clear to her and that motherfucker Malice when he showed up at the motel room this morning.” The room grew silent, and he looked around to see all the members of the MC staring at him. He hadn’t told anyone that the woman that was his used to be Malice’s old lady, never even told them that he wanted her. Although Dallas had realized something was up since he was the one that had stopped him from kicking Malice’s ass back at the warehouse when all he did was talk to Molly.

  “We talking about Malice from The Brothers?” Drevin asked from behind the bar.

  Stinger wanted to give a smart assed retort, because he was on edge and any little annoyance grated on his nerves, but instead he nodded and clenched his jaw.

  “Stinger, man, I’m all for you taking what’s yours, and caring for a female that you want as your old lady, but are you sure you want to go there?” Jagger asked.

  Stinger didn’t respond right away, but he did scan the room. All of the members were at the clubhouse: Diesel, Court, Dallas, Brick, Drevin, and even Jagger. They loved their women, but sometimes they also needed to be with the crew, and right now he was thankful they were all in one place. Besides, a few of them had to head to the barn to man the fights, and make sure shit stayed sane since some of The Brothers were going to be doing the bare-knuckle fights with some other humans. He didn’t respond, and instead leveled a stare at the Grizzly President. Jagger held his hands up in surrender.

  “No sweat. You know the club has your back, but we also don’t want to start shit with another club that we are in good with, right?” It was phrased as a question, but there was also that hint of a warning, too. “I just want to make sure you know what you’re getting into.” Jagger brought his beer to his mouth and took a long drink. He finished it off and set the empty bottle on the table. “Besides, if anyone thought to come between me and my old lady,” Jagger took on a hard, menacing look. “I’d tear them the fuck down until there was nothing left.” The room grew silent after their President had spoken, but it wasn’t just Jagger that felt that way. Any Grizzly MC member would fuck anyone up that meant to get between them and their woman.

  “But if she isn’t with Malice anymore, why is he getting between you two?” Drevin asked.

  “He thinks he has some kind of fucking claim on her because she used to be his old lady and they have a kid together, although I think it is more than that. I think he feels I’m trying to move in and take away his kid or something.” Stinger started pacing the length of the club. He needed to fight, to burn off some of this wild energy inside of him. But they’d be at the barn soon enough, and then he’d be jumping in with a shifter and letting all of that aggression out on him.

  ****

  Molly looked at the last wound on one of the girls at The Brothers’ cabin, and smiled up at her. All of them were healing nicely, and Molly could even see a visible change in the girls, see their confidence and their strength returning. She might not agree with how they made their living, but she had no room to pass judgment on anyone. She packed up the medical supplies Lucien had made sure was at the cabin for the women, and headed out of the living room where they had all congregated. The sound of several Harleys pulling up outside had her walking over to window and looking out. She saw a few guys from the club park their bikes in front of the house, and saw Malice’s SUV. Her ex climbed out of the vehicle and got their son out of the back seat. Although Malice had a very pissed off look on his face, when Dakota started talking to him his face changed into an expression that was softer. Dakota was all but bouncing up and down, and she grabbed her bag off the floor by the door and headed outside. She really didn’t want her son here. No offense to the women, but she wasn’t about to sugarcoat what this place actually was—a whorehouse.

  She opened the door and stepped onto the porch. A few MC members were leaning against the banister. They glanced over at her, gave her the chin tilt greeting, and then went back to talking to each other.

  “Momma.” Dakota screamed out in his tiny voice and came running up to her.

  She picked him up, and the air left her when he wrapped his arms around her neck and squeezed. Molly looked over at Malice, who was doing a pretty good job of avoiding her. God, she felt like she was in high school. Malice moved away from the crew who were dismounting off their bikes, and walked toward her.

  “You heading out now?”

  She set Dakota on the ground, and he ran up to Pierce, who had walked over to them from around the house.

  “Airplane,” Dakota squealed out.

  Pierce grinned and scooped up Dakota. He promptly put him on his shoulders and ran around the property. Molly couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of a big, muscular biker running around all because her son had asked. She looked over at Malice. “Not yet. I actually might stay one more day.”

  Malice didn’t show any expression on his face. “Because of Stinger?” He kept his voice low and controlled.

  “Does it really matter? Besides, it isn’t like I couldn’t use some time off, and I’m sure you’d like to see Dakota one more day if you aren’t busy.” Being a hospice nurse allowed her to make her own schedule, but being in that line of work always meant she dealt with dying people. It wasn’t all bad, though. She got comfort and strength in being with them during their last moments of life, easing their passing and not allowing them to die alone. It was a rewarding job as much as it was a depressing one. Having some time away, even if it was for only another twenty-four hours, was a nice thing to have.

  “Where are you staying? That motel?”

  “Since my options are limited, yeah.”

  “Well, then if you’re staying another day do you mind if I keep Dakota? It isn’t like I get to see him as much as I’d like.” He glanced over at their son.

  “Sure, as long as you have the extra time.”

  He shrugged. “I always make time for my kid, Molly.” When she didn’t answer he ran his hand through his short dark hair, messing up the strands so they stood on end.

  “If you’re sure, then I know Dakota would love to spend some time with you.”

  He nodded. “I have some things to take care of earlier this evening, but I can swing by the motel and get him after that. I’ll call you with a definite time.”

  “Okay.” They stared at each other for several seconds, and she hated that there was this awkwardness between them. They might have been split for a while, but there had always been this comfortableness when they saw each other. Now it was just weird.

  “Listen, I did a lot of thinking, and you’re right.”

  This had her lifting a brow in surprise. “You are actually agreeing with me on something? On what exactly?”

  He looked over at the two guys that were talking on the porch, and waited until they looked up at him. “Can you find something to do? Somewhere else?” The guys nodded and walked off the porch and to the back of the cabin. “Listen, Molly, I knew things were over the moment you broke up with me. I never had any kind of delusions that we would get back together.”

  She stayed silent, because for the first time since they split they were actually talking about this. It seemed stupid to do so now since so much time had passed, and especially since Malice had been acting the complete opposite despite what he had just said.

  “I am stubborn and like things to go my way. You know that better than anyone.” He looked at the ground for a second, as if trying to process his thoughts, and then looked at her once more. “I won’t lie and say I am not fucking pissed and jealous that you left me, but it isn’t because I think I still have a chance with you. I love you, but I’m not in love with you, and I know you feel the same way.”

  She didn’t respond, because she liked that he was being so honest.

  “The fact you talked about not liking the MC lifestyle, but then leaving me and going to another MC member did sting, but it was my pride that was wounded, Molly.”

  “I didn’t break things off and purposefully go to another biker, Malice.”

  “Yeah, I know, and it seems totally fucking ridiculous since it has been so long, but that is how I feel, you know that.”

  She nodded. “Malice, it isn’t like we have just broken up. It’s been nearly two years. I didn’t just jump into a relationship with another MC member.”

  He was grinding his teeth again, a bad habit he had when his control was slipping. “I know that, Molly, but I guess the stubborn asshole part of me said ‘fuck it’ to that point. Regardless, I believe in keeping my things close to me, and I still consider you one of those.”

  Hearing him say that was surprising. He was admitting he was wrong, and that had been maybe the first time since she had met him that he had actually done that outright. Even if he had known he had done something wrong Malice never apologized. He did other things: dinner, flowers, sex. It was how he was, and how all men of his breed were. A Brother was a different kind of man. He was a ruthless, determined, dominant man that was used to living life a certain way. Malice’s father had been a Brother of Menace member, so it ran in her ex’s blood. He had grown up in that world, and it was a far different atmosphere from what a non-MC member lived.

  “Listen, I’m not going to stand in anyone’s way, okay? You want him, fine, have him. But no way in hell will Stinger be a father to my kid.”

  Molly shook her head. “God, Malice. I’ll say this again, because obviously when I told you this after we broke up you didn’t comprehend.” She moved down the steps of the porch and stopped in front of him. “No one will take your place as Dakota’s father. It doesn’t matter if I have a relationship with Stinger, or anyone else for that matter. That is not a worry you need to have, okay?” They stared at each other for a few seconds.

  “That isn’t a worry, because it isn’t going to happen.” He glanced over at Dakota and Pierce, who were making their way over to them.

  Dakota held out his arms for her, and she pulled him off of Pierce’s shoulders. “You want to spend one more night with Daddy?” Dakota started rambling after she said that, and Molly smiled at the excitement in her son’s voice. Being so far away meant he didn’t get to see Malice as much as either of them would have liked. “Daddy will come and pick you up later, okay? Say bye to him until then.” She kissed Dakota on the cheek. She handed him over to Malice and turned to grab her things off the porch while they said their goodbyes. Agreeing to stay one more day had been as much for her as much as it had been because Stinger had asked her. She wanted to spend more time with him, wanted to get to know him on more than just a sexual level. Sure, they had spoken about themselves, but it had been brief, and between heated kisses. But there was also a very selfish part of her that wanted more than just talking. Having him above her, and inside of her, had been an experience she had never had before. And if Malice hadn’t been able to keep Dakota again tonight? Well, that would have been okay because if things were going to naturally progress with her and Stinger he needed to meet her son. She also wanted Dakota to like Stinger, and if her little boy didn’t then she would have to evaluate that, too. Her son meant more to her than any relationship, but she also couldn’t deny that there was something more than a sexual connection between her and Stinger, and she wanted to find out how deep that went.