With the threat of the Death Dogs gone, she’d be able to go to her house, pack up her personal belongings, and bring them to the clubhouse. She’d agreed to be mine, and that meant living with me.
Jack and Blade escorted Slyce, the woman, and her daughter over to Grace’s house. Indie went with them so she could pack up more of Grace’s clothes and bring them back.
I was expecting visitors today. I didn’t know how many, or how long they planned to be here. But one thing was certain: this shit wasn’t ending anytime soon. Steele was gone, and Stone was in the wind. But the Death Dogs had been wiped out, so whoever their rich-as-fuck backer was, they’d have to find someone else to do their bidding.
I could only pray it would take some time before they did.
I wanted to spend some time with Grace before the next round of bullshit started. I stepped into the main room and searched for her. I wasn’t expecting to find her behind the bar. But fuck if she didn’t look sexy as hell wearing my cut. I had to adjust myself and heard Colt chuckle as he walked passed me.
Walking up beside her, I wrapped my arms around her and whispered, “You look good wearing my name, baby.” I took a chance and kissed the side of her neck. She’d flinched when my arms went around her, but as soon as she heard my voice, she relaxed against me. “What are you doing back here? You’re the queen now; this is a prospect’s job.”
“I’m comfortable here. This is something I can do without thinking. Let me do this.”
“Okay. We have some people coming in today. Keep that cut on.” I felt her stiffen and held her tighter. “I don’t know who all is coming, but you don’t need to be afraid. They’re old timers who’ll respect the cut on your back.”
“I don’t plan on moving out from behind this bar. Not without you,” she said.
“If you want to go upstairs and I’m not available, any one of my men will escort you. They love you, Grace.”
“I know.” She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. I was just happy it didn’t look forced.
“I need to tell you something.” Her body stiffened again, and I tried to school my own reaction. I could only hope someday she would get back to where we were before. “Stocks and two of the other guys went out last night. They blew up the Death Dogs’ clubhouse and all the brothers in it.”
She spun around in my arms. “What?”
“I wasn’t going to let them live, Grace.”
“I thought you couldn’t tell me club business.”
“I shouldn’t. But this involves you, and I wanted you to know they weren’t coming after you again.”
“They’re all dead?” she whispered. I nodded.
“There was a hiccup though.” I waited for her to register the words. Her eyes closed, and she sighed.
“Please tell me no one else was hurt. I can’t take it, King. I can’t add another—”
I leaned forward and kissed her. I felt the tension drain from her limbs and smiled. My hand moved to hold the back of her head in place. I didn’t care who was watching; I needed her pliable when I told her the rest. What I didn’t need was another kick to the balls.
I pulled back, and she leaned toward me. “They came back with a woman and her daughter. The girl looks about twelve. They need a place to stay, baby. So I put them at your place.” I rushed through the words and took a step closer.
“My place? My house? You put a fucking stranger in my house?”
“Oh shit!” I heard someone say behind me. The brothers snickered, and I knew I was in deep shit.
“You didn’t see them, baby. They were terrified. They needed a place no one would connect to them.”
“What right do you have to put someone in my house?”
I bit my lip. I’d known she was going to be pissed, but I’d missed the fire she had in her eyes right now. I’d caught a glimpse of it upstairs when she was blaming herself for all the shit that happened.
“Well, technically, it’s my house.”
“WHAT?!”
She stepped back, and so did I. Then I took a few more steps to make sure I was out of the line of fire. “I own the house, Grace.”
Her eyes narrowed at me. “No, you don’t. Mrs. Hoover owns my house. I signed a lease with her. I pay her rent.”
