“Look for the one who doesn’t look happy to be here,” he growled through gritted teeth.
“Chief?”
He side-eyed me, his body rigid, filled with revenge. “What?”
“The bad guys usually wear pretty deceptive masks. Don’t discount someone who seems at ease. Look for the one who is relaxed or cocksure of himself.”
“Like you?”
“Careful, Sutton. I’m many things, but I’m not one of those guys.”
He had the decency to look a little ashamed, his slowblink and tense jaw somewhat of an apology before he rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Low blow. I didn’t—”
“I took no offense,” I reassured him.
I didn’t. I was angry on his behalf. I could only imagine the uncontrollable rage I’d feel if I were him.
“Go and make yourself look like you want to be here,” I whispered quietly before I pushed him inside, while I went back to my post on the very top step.
Slater glanced up at me, and I gave him another nod as I stood with my legs apart and arms folded firmly across my chest. I’d worn a short-sleeved white T-shirt under my cut on purpose, wanting every man and possible Nav to be certain who the president of the HOB was. My new tattoo told everyone. There was no hiding.
Jedd welcomed the group at the end of the lot, and they made their way through slowly, each one looking at the bikes and the men surrounding them in awe. I didn’t see him right away. He stayed behind. But the second Jacob’s arrogant as fuck silhouette appeared under the streetlights, I inhaled a slow, thankful breath and held it in my chest for a second.
We’d lured one of them to the party.
I looked behind him as subtly as I could, but there were no Navs in sight. No bikes that didn’t belong to us. Nothing but teenage athletes with way too much excitement in their toes as they bounced closer.
I was so pumped on adrenaline, watching everyone approach, I actually flinched when Ayda’s delicate hand touched the bare skin of my tensed bicep.
Her eyes scanned the crowd of teens making their way to the door, and her smile brightened when Tate’s best friend Rubin peeled himself away from the group to give her a nod ingreeting. Then she saw Jacob and fought her natural instinct to stiffen.
“Hey, you,” she said directly to me, her hand tightening on my arm.
I leaned down, offering my cheek for a kiss while I kept my eyes on Jacob Hove who was smirking at all my men like he had nobody to fear.
“Darlin’,” I whispered.
“Do you need anything? A beer?” she asked, angling herself toward me.
“A beer would be good.”
I knew she could sense the shift in me, but I didn’t want her to worry, so I turned my head to give her my full attention and offered her my sincerest smile.
“Please,” I added.
“Seeing as you said please.” She grinned back at me, resting her cheek against my arm before she disappeared inside, stopping Jacob from getting within five feet of her.
I stood tall again and watched as he approached, coming to a stop at the bottom of the steps and shielding his face with the backs of his hands.
“Ah, not the face, not the face,” he cried out. “Please, Mr. Bad MC man, don’t hit the face again. I’m so sorry I nailed your woman in a previous life.”
Ten…I gritted my teeth and started counting backward, forcing a smile to my tight mouth.
“Sorry I nailed your mom.”
Jacob dropped his hands and rolled his eyes. “Is that it? Not even a threat?”
“Why would I threaten you?” I asked him calmly, while inside my head I’d just reachedseven.“That would imply thatyou mean something. Here, tonight, you don’t.”
