Baddy clenched his jaw.More irritated with himself for letting the shit that's going on around Lydia get to him than Kodiak pulling him from escorting the shipment.
"Look, I get it.You're trying hard to put Lydia to one side and the club to the other, but it's impossible to keep them separated.Trust me, brother.I've been in your boots."Kodiak stepped closer."I'm protecting the club.Andyou.In the long run, even that girl you're trying real hard not to get involved with will agree that she needs you by her side right now."
Baddy's stomach twisted.
Kodiak clapped a heavy hand on his shoulder."Get your head on straight.We'll push back Cusclan, and then we'll talk."
He pushed out the door, the fresh air slamming into him.He needed to move.Needed to burn off the frustration clawing at his ribs.
He stalked across the yard.Every muscle in his body coiled, restless, pissed off.
Taken off a God damn shipment.He prided himself on leading Royalla in every run.
His frustration centered around Sonny.He kicked at a pebble, sending it skittering across the lot.
If he got rid of Sonny, Lydia would be safe.Cusclan MC would back off.He would return to the crew, packing and escorting the shipments out.
He ran his hands through his hair.He wasn't losing his edge.He was fucking distracted.
By Lydia.
By the way she'd looked at those pictures.By the way she'd curled into him last night.He pulled on his beard, breathing hard.
Kodiak was right about him losing his head, but that didn't make it easy to swallow.
He needed to work this off before he returned to Lydia, and she saw the storm in him and thought it was aimed at her.
He wasn't losing her.
He wasn't losing himself either.
He needed a minute to remember who the hell he was.
The clubhouse door creaked open behind him.
Baker stepped out, wiping his hands on a towel, the smell of onions and grease clinging to him like always.Baddy turned around, not in the mood to talk with anyone.
"What's got you stompin' around?"asked Baker.
Baddy shot him a look."Not in the mood."
"Didn't ask if you were."Baker folded the towel over his shoulder."You wanna break something, go hit someone looking for a fight."
Baddy snorted."Ain't looking to throw down, brother."
"Sure, you are."Baker walked closer."Kodiak benched you."
Baddy stiffened."I'll get back on the crew."
"Maybe you will, maybe you won't."Baker shrugged."It doesn't change the patch you wear on your back."
Baddy gritted his teeth and looked away.
"Look here, brother."Baker sighed, the sound heavy but not unkind."You think he pulled you because you're weak?"
"No."Baddy inhaled deeply."He thinks I'm distracted."
"Aren't you?"Baker stepped beside him, staring at the fence as if he could see trouble coming from miles away."There's a difference between being distracted and giving a damn."
