Page 3

Kiki

I sit next to Duke and watch as the others talk and drink. It still feels a little strange to be here after all these years.

“What are you thinkin’?”

“That it’s nice but weird to be here,” I tell Duke as he slides his arm around my shoulders and pulls me into his side.

“What do you mean?”

“This is the complete opposite of what Spike’s club was like. I mean, everything is different.”

“What was his club like?” I turn my head and look at Duke, knowing he’s just trying to get an idea, but I’m not ready to talk about that yet.

“I don’t … I don’t really want to talk about that.”

“I get it, sweetheart. But I’m here when you do. I know not every club is sunshine and roses. We’re just glad you’re back here where you belong. No more runnin’ off, you hear me?” I smile and press a kiss on his cheek.

“No more running off.”

“Good. About killed your daddy to see you go and not come back. He was a bit of a mess while you were gone.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for that to happen.”

“I know. You were love-struck, and no one can blame you there. It happens to the best of us at some point in life. Now you know what’s out there and what’s at home waitin’ for you.”

“I know. I don’t plan on going anywhere again, Duke. It was … not something I’d want to do again.”

“That’s a start.”

“So tell me about the new guys. What am I missing?”

He runs down the list of new guys, telling me about each one. A few things make me laugh, and others make me question their sanity.

“That one right there is Locke. Good guy. Dark past. He doesn’t talk about it, though. He likes to keep shit bottled up inside, and then when he explodes, he fuckin’ explodes.”

“You’ve seen that first hand?”

“Yeah. Once. It wasn’t a pretty sight. He lost his shit, and that was that. We cleaned up the mess because that’s what we do.”

“And him?”

“That’s Remy. Locke’s best friend. He came to us before Locke did. A little fucked up, but not as bad as his friend, though. We all have a story, yeah?” He glances at me.

“We do. Locke just seems … darker than most.”

“He is. He takes a little time to get warmed up to people so if he’s a little short with you, that’s why. He’ll come around, though. He makes a good VP and that’s what we needed around here.”

“How did that happen? He steps into that role?”

“His story to tell, not mine. Just know he would do anything in his power to keep this club and the people in it safe.” I nod my head, not wanting to question him further.

“Is Tina still around?” I ask. Tina was one of my best friends before I took off with Spike. She told me I was making a mistake, and I shouldn’t leave, but I didn’t listen, and I took off anyway. She was a good friend, just trying to make her way through life the best she could.

“She comes around every once in a while. She isn’t here all the time like she used to be. She’s different now. Life has changed her in the last two years,” he tells me.

“How so?”

“She’s on a lot of drugs, Kiki. Whatever secrets she hides, she masks them with drugs now.” My stomach sinks. I know she used them before, but I can’t help but think that she used them more because I left. It was hard to leave her behind, but I was so dumbstruck with Spike. I couldn’t see past him, and that ruined a lot of things in my life.

“I hate that for her. Maybe I can talk to her.”

“You two were good friends before. I don’t doubt that she’ll come around for you,” he adds. I smile sadly. I hate that this is what her life has become. I hate she turned to drugs.

“I’m going to get a drink. You want anything?”

“I’m good darlin’. Go get you somethin’.” I shove off the couch and walk toward the bar, catching Locke looking my way as I go. I ignore his dark, sinister stare as I make my way closer to the bar.

“Bartending now?” I ask when I’m close enough. Hodge smirks at me and shoves a beer my way.

“I don’t make the girls serve me drinks.”

“Lies, Hodge. I know you do.”

“Okay, I do. But I saw you comin’ and knew you wanted somethin’ special.” He finishes mixing up the drink in front of him before passing it to me. I don’t know what the hell it is or how he does it, but I have loved every drink Hodge has ever made for me.

“This is so good,” I say as I take a second drink.

“Don’t get trashed and start strippin’.”

“Not a chance in hell. Speaking of, am I still good to work at the club?” He sighs and runs his hand through his hair before nodding his head.

“I don’t really like the idea, but it’s fine.”

“Why don’t you like it? I’m not stripping. Just serving.”

“I know, but I still don’t like it. They can get handsy, and sometimes that place gets out of control, Kiki.”

“You think I can’t handle myself?”

“I know you can. That’s not the point.”

“Then what’s the point?” I ask.

“I don’t have one. I just don’t like it,” he tells me as he brings his beer to his lips.

“Well, I’ll be fine. I can handle myself.”

“I know you can. Fuck, I’m just glad you’re back.” He walks around the bar and pulls me into his arms, hugging me tightly. “I’m so fuckin’ glad you’re back.”

“Me too. I’ve missed this, missed you.”

“Don’t do that shit again, yeah?”

“Never.” Hodge pulls away and nods his head as Locke walks up to the bar.

“Bondin’?”

“Somethin’ like that. You watch out for my sister, yeah?”

“I watch out for everyone in this club,” Locke adds.

“I know you do. She’s included in that now.”

“No doubt, brother.” They fist bump before Hodge walks away, leaving the two of us.

“How long have you been in the club?”

“Two years.”

“That’s not long. You must have come right after I left.”

“Maybe.”

“Are you always this short with your answers?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

“Listen, I’ll watch your ass because of your dad and your brother. That doesn’t mean I trust you bein’ here. I don’t know why you’re back. I don’t know what you want. What I do know is, if you try and fuck this club over, I will fuck back.”

“Are you always this accommodating, or is this just for me?”

“Anyone who strolls their ass back in here after runnin’ with another club would get the same treatment.”

“Good to know. But I’m not just anyone. And trust me when I say that part of my life is dead. I want nothing to do with it or him. I did what I did, and now that’s over.”

“Doesn’t mean I trust you.”

“You don’t have to trust me. I didn’t ask you to.”

“But your dad wants me to. My Prez.”

“You two became close in the last two years.”

“Yeah, we have. And nothin’ and no one is gonna fuck that up. What we have here is a strong brotherhood, and I don’t plan on that bein’ broken any time soon.” With that, he downs his shot and walks away. I watch him go as Remy steps up next to me.

“He’s always like that. You’ll get used to it,” he says.

“Good to know.”

“He’s a good guy, though. He’d do anything for this club or the members.”

“At least he has that going for him.” Remy laughs and I can’t help but smile along with him.

“That he does.”