“Do you know why I started this charter?”
“Money.”
“That’s part of it.”
“Territory.”
“That, too. A few years ago when General Motors pulled out of Shreveport, economists tagged Shreveport-Bossier the fastest shrinking economy in the nation. And that may be true. We have high crime rates and casinos and strip clubs on every corner.”
“Is that really a problem?”
Eagle chuckles. “I see it as an opportunity to invest in the community. To win the trust of the people here, offer protection to the mom and pop shops that provide vital services to the city. With American steel getting a boost from the new president, Benteler Steel and other manufacturers are going to expand. And if we’re already established as the dominate club…”
“That’s why you brought me in, isn’t it?”
“To deal with local, crooked politicians who want to raise the sales tax and property taxes and drive out all the regular people we need to be successful? Yeah. I already have a hit list. And I need your head in the game, not between Starlet’s thighs.”
He’s right. I didn’t accept his offer and move across the country to get saddled with an old lady. I’ve had my fun. Starlet is beautiful and wild, but I need to end our relationship before it gets any deeper—before I end up making mistakes.
“I’ll take care of the problem.” If Eagle knew the effect Starlet has on me he’d keep me as far away from her as he could.
“Will you?”
Yeah, after I fuck her a hundred more times and make sure she can never forget me. It’s primitive, but it’s real—she makes me feel like a caveman, all grunts and groans, mindless and wild—driven by nothing more than the need to possess her one last time. “Have I given you a reason to doubt my word?”
“Not your word, brother, but your judgement.”
I have to keep my temper in check. Eagle is my president. If I didn’t want to answer to anyone, I should have turned down the offer to move here. What has Starlet gotten me tangled up in? “There’s no need to be. I reported it, didn’t I?”
Eagle rubs his chin. “Do you know the story of how Angel and I hooked up?”
I’ve heard bits and pieces around the clubhouse. Angel changed her name and underwent plastic surgery to alter her looks in order to keep the club safe. “I know enough.”
“Love for a good woman can make a brother take risks.”
I look away. Who said anything about love? Lust, yes. A little obsessed, maybe. Addicted to what’s between her legs… I’m a man, it goes without saying. “I met her a week ago.”
Eagle shrugs. “Time is inconsequential. Took me one dance to know Angel was the only woman for me.”
“I’m not you.”
Eagle tries to hide his smile. “Whatever you say.”
The back of my neck throbs as I wait for him to say something else that casts a shadow of doubt over my reputation. No one has ever questioned my ability to follow through on what I need to do. “Are we finished here?”
“Dismissed,” he says, gesturing toward the door with his head.
I don’t waste any time escaping the conference room. Sonofabitch, I hate being put on the spot like that—criticized and challenged. Starlet needs to explain what she’s done. If a charter can’t control its women, then they don’t deserve to be called outlaws. But damn I’m conflicted by my personal feelings for her. The very thing I’ve spent my life avoiding—complications—the temptation to choose someone over my club.
“Where are you off to?” Shorty stops me at the front door.
I stare down at him, irritated by his constant interference. “Try breastfeeding one of the prospects,” I say, pushing past him.
His echoing laughter follows me outside. Growling with frustration, I trudge to my bike. Now I have to prove myself to Eagle and my brothers. Worse yet, to my fucking self.
