“Because he cares. Besides”—she huffs out an annoyed breath—“there are concessions in every relationship. You have to decide for yourself which ones you can live with.”
That realization’s been fluttering around in the back of my brain for days now. My little sister seems to have more maturity about these matters than I do. I drop my gaze to the floor, annoyed, confused, and ashamed all at the same time.
Even though he started out messing with us, Dante’s all business once the girls leave. “If we remove Red Storm from the area, your club planning to take over their action?”
“Possibly.” I feel like this is something we should have discussed at the table earlier. Not out in the open. “Are you?”
“Not sure yet. I think Romeo wants to start dialing back on the heavy shit. Gettin’ riskier, you know?”
The man in question joins us. “Where you been, Prez?” Dante asks.
He smirks but doesn’t answer as he takes the seat across from me. “See your dad’s busy,” Romeo comments with a nod at my father.
My shoulder lifts. “Making up for lost time, I guess.”
Romeo and Dante eye one another as if they’re not sure they want to supply me with too much information. I’m used to it. Guys outside our club assume I made VP because my father’s the president. Never occurs to anyone that I bust my fucking ass ten times harder than anyone else to prove myself. I was voted in fairly, and I earned my club’s respect. Since we’re not always allies, Dante and Romeo are naturally going to distrust me anyway, so I don’t take offense to their attitudes.
Two of the Lost Kings also join us, although club action isn’t what they want to discuss.
“Ring open tonight?” Murphy asks. His buddy glances at him as if he hadn’t expected that question.
Romeo’s the one who answers. “I can arrange something for you.”
A club girl stops by and drapes herself over the back of the couch. Romeo raises an eyebrow at his guests, but they both subtly shake their heads. Romeo gives her aget-losthead jerk.
“I’ll be right back,” Murphy says.
“What’s up with him?” Romeo asks after Murphy clears the area.
Dex leans forward. “He’s all fucked in the head. His girl back home’s gettin’ married.”
“Think he’d be drowning in pussy.” Romeo smirks.
Dex shrugs. “Whole situation is awkward. She’s the sister of a brother.”
Romeo nods, and I tune out the rest of their conversation.
My gaze lands on Kadence, laughing and having fun with her sister. A sick knot forms in my gut at the thought of her with anyone else.Marryingsomeone else?
Unthinkable.
I’m glad Kady had her few months of freedom. And I hope she enjoyed them.
Because now that she’s back, she’smine, and I’m never letting her go again.
CHAPTER TWELVE
An hour later, most of the party moves out back to watch the fights. Romeo not only managed to get a halfway decent ring set up, but he also arranged three different matches. He’s not stupid, though. Bulls are going up against Bulls. The Lost King is going up against a hangaround. Puttin’ him up against an Iron Bull in their clubhouse could go fuckin’ sideways quick.
Actually, this whole thing could easily turn into one big brawl. Three ruthless MCs under one roof—under a less observant president, this situation has powder keg written all over it. Romeo’s earned my respect for keeping such tight control over this situation. It eases my concerns about aligning our clubs when the fight with Red Storm turns bloody.
Luck has the responsibility of collecting bets. I put down a few bills on Murphy’s fight.
Once the fists start flying, it’s obvious that while the hangaround is a match for Murphy size-wise, he’s got no control or skills. The ginger Road Captain puts him down with a flurry of brutal punches after taking one to the gut.
“Gingersnap!” Dante roars from the side of the ring when the match is called in Murphy’s favor.
Next to me, Kadence cringes. “Please tell me you’re not getting in the ring tonight,” she says.
