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“Time to go, boys,” he said. “We wouldn’t want to ruin the fun.”

He waited while his brothers filed out again, one by one. Then Popeye gave a salute to me.

“Maybe we can come to an agreement sometime in the future. Wouldn’t you like to settle this tiff between our clubs once and for all?”

“I’ll rest easy when you’re dead and buried,” I shot back.

He chuckled.

“You’re an old dog, too, Kingpin. Your days are numbered just like mine.”

Before I could reply, he ducked out the door. Engines revved in the parking lot with a deafening roar. Then silence descended on the clubhouse again.

I wrapped an arm around Hattie’s waist, pulling her close to kiss her temple.

“Are you all right?”

She nodded.

“You knew those men?"

“It’s been a few years since we butted heads. I honestly thought they might have backed down…”

Crash shoved Vlad away and stormed out of the clubhouse. Poor kid was probably furious that he couldn’t get his hands on the men who murdered his brother.

I searched the room until I met Gatling’s gaze. All it took was a flick of my wrist to indicate the order he already anticipated. Keep a lookout for Forsaken who might be hanging around to cause trouble.

Gatling dipped his head in acknowledgement and slipped from the room, quiet as a shadow.

“I’ll go talk to the kid,” Big G said.

I exchanged a glance with Blackbeard. The Forsaken would be back. And this time, they were going to hit our territory hard in an effort to claim it for themselves.

Two hours later, the party began to wind down. Hattie was in the kitchen, helping to put away the massive amount of leftover food. I placed my hand on the small of her back.

“How are you doing?"

She looked up at me, searching my face.

“I’m fine. But it sounds like trouble is brewing on the horizon for you.”

I sighed and kissed her cheek.

“It’s nothing I haven’t seen before.”

Hattie chewed her lower lip, looking as if she wanted to say something else. Then she shook her head and decided against it.

“What?” I prompted.

“Nothing,” she replied, turning away.

I took her by the hips, guiding her to face me.

“You’ve been off for the past few days,” I said. “Are you worried about the club? Is that it?”

“No, it’s—well, yes, I always worry about that a little bit. But…”

Hattie fiddled with my silver chain. She usually toyed with it when she need to soothe her mind. I waited for her to continue when she was ready. She swallowed and blew out a breath, then dragged her gaze up to meet mine.