Page 2

Locke

I stand in the back of the room, smoking a joint as I take in everyone. They are having a good time and enjoying themselves, which is exactly how things should be.

“Who is that?” I ask Remy as we pass the joint back and forth.

“Who?”

“That girl right there. I’ve never seen her before.” I nod toward the little blonde dancing in the middle of the room. She has a drink in her hand and a smile on her face. She’s good-looking, too. Curvy in all the right places.

“Oh, that’s Gunner’s daughter.”

“Gunner’s daughter? Didn’t know he had a daughter.”

“Not technically, but he raised her. He never told you about her?” Remy asks as I glance over at him.

“No. Never said shit. What kind of fucked up shit is that?” Anger surges inside me. I didn’t think Gunner and I had any secrets. Since I joined the club two years ago everything seemed to be running smoothly. I came into a position of power as the VP when theirs couldn’t be trusted anymore. I took that position seriously.

“She hasn’t been around in years,” he adds.

“That doesn’t mean shit. He should have told me about her. Where’s she been?”

“Runnin’ with another MC out in New York. Her old man used to be one of us. The motherfucker lost his mind and left. Took the girl with him. He’s a fuckin’ tweaker. Can’t stay off the drugs for nothin’. That’s why Gunner wanted him gone.”

“No shit? So why is she back?”

“I don’t know. I hadn’t heard she was comin’ back. It’s as much of a surprise to me as it is to you, brother.”

“I’m goin’ to find out. She better not be here to fuck things up.” Now Remy laughs.

“I doubt that’s why she’s here.”

“You never know.” With that I walk away and head toward the middle of the room. I step up behind her just as she spins around to face me. Her smile slowly fades as she stares up at me.

“Who are you?”

“I could ask you the same.”

“But you’re not going to.”

“And why is that?”

“My dad will kick your ass.”

“I’m the fuckin’ VP. There is no kickin’ my ass.”

“Is that right? I’m pretty sure if you fuck around with the Prez’s daughter, he’s not going to like it.”

“From what I hear, you’re not his real daughter.” That hurt her. I can see the look in her eyes. That stung; maybe I was a little harsh.

“Doesn’t mean shit. You want to go ask him yourself?” I like her. She’s a little shit, just like Gunner. I can see he raised her right.

“Yeah, I think I will.” I walk past her, feeling her eyes on me. I take the steps two at a time until I make it to Gunner’s office. The door is open, so I enter and drop into the chair in front of his desk. He’s on a call, but I don’t care. I wait.

“What?”

“You got a kid besides Hodge?”

“And?”

“And you never said shit, Prez. What the hell?” Gunner runs his hand through his hair as he looks around the room before dragging his gaze back to mine.

“Things weren’t always good between us. Her mom hates me. Kiki wasn’t far behind when she bolted from here. I didn’t know if she would come back, to be honest. I haven’t heard from her in years,” he explains.

“What’s she doin’ here?”

“Needs a place to stay. I don’t know what happened out in New York, but she’s back now.”

“She left with one of your guys?”

“Somethin’ like that. He was into drugs. It got bad, and we had to pull his patch. I heard he patched into another club in New York. Took my little girl along for the ride.”

“You think she’s here for a reason?” I ask him needing to know what the club might be up against.

“No. I think she needed to get away from him.”

“That all you think this is?” He scrubs a hand over his face before nodding his head and looking at me.

“Yeah. I think whatever that was is over now, and she needs a place to stay.” I nod my head once. If he thinks that then so will I. I trust Gunner.

“Hey, Dad!” I hear her voice as she scrambles into the room. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t realize anyone was in here.”

“It’s okay. We’re done now. What do you need?”

“Nothing. I was just going to tell you I love all the updates to the club. You have so many new members, too,” she says as she glances over at me.

“You’ve met Locke already?” Gunner asks, nodding toward me.

“Yeah, I have. VP, right?” She says as I nod my head.

“Yeah, we got new members, new updates. You name it, we’re doin’ it.”

“I love it. I’ve missed this place.”

“We’ve missed you too, darlin’. I’m glad you’re back.”

“Are you going to introduce me to everyone?” She rests her hand on her hip as she stares Gunner down. I can see it. Not the resemblance obviously, but that he’s raised her. She acts just like him.

“I will when they all get back. Got a few out doin’ things right now.”

“And Duke? Is he still here?” I can hear the sadness in her tone, thinking that Duke might not be around any longer.

“He’s still kickin’. He’ll be back soon, too.” Now, her face lights up as she turns to look over her shoulder at me.

“He’s like my grandpa.”

“He’s like that with everyone,” I add. She smiles, and fuck, it’s a nice smile.

“I’m going back downstairs. My brother owes me a drink,” she announces before laughing and spinning on her heel. She walks out the door, and I shake my head.

“She’s just like you.”

“I raised her right. At least, I hope I did.”

“Seems like you have.”