"Did you tell her about them?"
"I know I shouldn't-"
"But you did," I finish for him. He nods his head. It doesn’t bother me. It’s only another secret I’ll keep of his like the many he’s keeping for me.
"We can have it at The Pit," I tell him.
His brow raises. "Weren't they just sniffing there?"
"It's a public place. They can't cause too much of a stir. And I don't want them to have a reason to come waltzing in here like they own the place. We keep them as far away from the club house as we can."
"Sounds good. I'll tell Alice the change of plans." He goes to leave but I stop him.
"Do me a favor," I start. He walks back to me and waits for me to continue. "Tell Alice not to get her hopes up."
He tilts his head to the side. "What do you mean?"
I swallow. "I saw how she looked at Grace and I during breakfast today. She was happy, Snake. And I know what she's thinking but it's never going to happen. Don't let her think otherwise."
"She's not the only one thinking it, brother."
"Listen, I know you are, too but-"
His snort cuts me off. "Admit to yourself that you think about it, Oak. There's something there. Everyone can see it. Be a fucking man and stop denying it."
This time he goes to leave and I don't stop him.
There isn't much I can say without having to lie to his face anyway.
"I'm ready to go!" Connor shouts excitedly as he comes running in. He doesn't stop until he barrels into me.
Because of how small he is compared to me it doesn't affect me but I pretend. I stumble a couple of steps back as I wrap my arms around the kid. "Whoa, champ. You almost took me out."
I then let go of him and he playfully punches me on the stomach. "I'm getting stronger everyday," he says proudly. He then punches me in the stomach again, this time with more force. He narrows his eyes up at me and points. "Best you remember that."
"You going to hurt me? Aren't we friends?"
"We are friends but if you hurt my sister I'll have no choice but to hurt you back. And that would suck because I hate losing people when I don't have that many to begin with."
Fuck.
Hollows Point has forced this kid to grow up so much faster than many others.
Bending down so that I am at eye level with him I make him a promise. "I'm not going to hurt your sister, Connor."
"I know you won't. You're one of the good guys."
Why can't I believe that?
I only give him a smile in return. One that I hope reaches my eyes but I'm not quite sure.
Then I hear the soft footsteps that only belong to one person. Turning that way my breath catches. My heart beats faster.
That ice cold shower did absolutely fucking shit.
Because as I look at her everything comes rushing back.
She's as gorgeous as ever. Her hair pulled back in a slick ponytail with lose tendrils framing her face. Her lips are coated pink instead of their signature red and her eyes are shinning brightly.
