Page 5

CHAPTER

FOUR

Brick

“Pres, I’ll watch your door if you want me to,” Rooster offers as I exit my room. “Figure you should probably be downstairs with all the other Bastards since you’re our president and all. Nothing will happen to her on my watch.”

It doesn’t surprise me one fucking bit that Rooster has volunteered to watch over the woman I’m calling sprite. He’s got a protective streak a mile long, something I know the Ankeny brothers appreciated, especially Phoenix. And now, thanks to Voodoo, everyone knows who she’ll end up being to me. “Thanks, Brother. No one in.”

“Understood, Pres.”

I nod then head back down to the party, my mind still stuck in my room on the wounded woman, wondering who the hell she is, and how she ended up in the condition she did. “Is this a party or what?” Kracken yells in enthusiasm as I walk into the common room. I see Jingles talking to the president and one of the members from the Cleveland chapter, then remember that at one time, he lived in the area.

“You get that situation sorted out?” Jameson asks when I sit down, a fresh beer in hand.

“Yeah, once she wakes up, and I find out who the fuck thought they could do that to her, we’ll be hunting,” I growl out.

“We want in on that hunt, Brother,” Grim states. “No matter when it happens, you call, and we’ll come.”

“You just wanna reap some souls,” Shadow teases.

“If they’re the kind of person who thinks it’s okay to take their hands, feet, and fists to a woman? Hell to the fucking yes,” Grim retorts. “You know damn good and well you were ready to do the very same thing, only we don’t know who to go after just yet.”

“Patience, grasshopper,” Rael says, smirking at Shadow. I hold back my shudder because Rael wears the spooky makeup and when his reaper is near the surface, his face visibly changes. At least he didn’t go full-out this time; not sure my guys are quite ready for that reveal but with the current situation, they’re gonna see it.

“So, ol’ lady, huh?” Scorn asks.

“Not sure how because I have no fucking clue who she is,” I admit. “Plus, she looks young as fuck. I don’t do jailbait and would kill any of my brothers here who did. Chances are, it’s someone else in her life or something, but the message got confused coming to Madame Laveaux through the veil. Regardless, she’s under our protection now and no one fucks with one of ours.”

“Damn straight! That’s the Bastards way!” Declan yells out.

“You want some company, Brick?” Stormy asks, sidling up next to me, her cloying perfume causing my nose to wrinkle in disgust. I can smell sex on her, which is a definite turn-off for me, and despite the fact it’s been a while since I got my dick wet, I don’t feel so much as a twitch of interest.

“I’m good, Stormy, go see to our guests,” I suggest, grateful that she stopped just short of touching me.

“Yo, Stormy, come here, darlin’! I got something for you,” Hawg yells out while grabbing his crotch.

She rolls her eyes at his antics but turns toward him with a smile. “I love riding a Hawg,” she replies, causing the room to fill with laughter at her play on words.

“And I love riding a storm,” he retorts, scooping her up and twirling her around. After smacking her on the ass, he pulls her into his side as they walk toward his room.

“Think you’re going to fit in just fine,” Jameson states. “Hope your woman wakes up soon.”

“So do I, Brother, so do I,” I reply. I deliberately ignore his words about our mystery guest being my woman.

The party finally breaks up around daybreak, with all of the club girls as well as their friends currently ensconced in various brothers’ rooms. Looking around, I shake my head as I realize with no actual prospects, it’ll be up to the women to get this place back in some semblance of order. We’re always down for a good party, but these new brothers of ours took it to a whole new level.

Carrying two bottles of water so I can grab some Tylenol once I get to my room, I see Rooster still standing guard in front of my door. “Fuck, Brother. You shoulda texted me or something.”

“I’m fine, Pres. Not a peep from inside your quarters this whole time.”

“Head to bed, Rooster. Well, maybe grab some food first, think there’s still some in the kitchen unless the horde of locusts that invaded got that as well.” He laughs, knowing how the brothers can eat, especially when they’ve been partying it up.

“I’ll scrounge something up then hit the hay for a bit. This feels right, Pres,” he replies, running his hand down his new cut. “We were a solid club before, but now, we’ve got help at our fingertips. Makes me feel pretty damn good, y’know?”

“Yeah, I hear ya. Night, Rooster. Thanks for the help.”

“Any time, Pres. I got your back.”

I unlock my door and quietly slip inside, relocking it before taking off my cut and hanging it on the rack that holds all my jackets and outside gear. Removing my boots, I line them up with the others. As I move around my room, I notice my guest never budges. I grab some sweats and a t-shirt from my dresser before going into the bathroom. It’s time to wash off the party and get some shut eye because I suspect once she wakes up, we’re going to be busier than we anticipate. I just hope it’s sooner rather than later.

After a long, hot as hell shower, I return to my room and head to the couch I’ve got in the sitting area. Thankfully, the originals bought a failed resort when the recession hit, then they renovated the inside so that every patched brother has what amounts to a mini apartment, complete with a kitchenette. It’s nice to have the stuff I like to eat and drink right at hand, even though the main kitchen downstairs is fully stocked. Stopping by the bed, I gaze down at the blonde beauty. There’s still some bruising evident on her face, neck, and arms, but she’s no longer wheezing or gasping for breath like she was when I first found her.

“You have a familiarity about you, Sprite, but I don’t know why because if we had ever met, I know I wouldn’t have forgotten you,” I whisper, my hand reaching out to stroke her cheek. “You’re an enigma, a puzzle that I look forward to figuring out.”

I double check that the mattress’ heating pad is still switched on, give her one last lingering look then settle myself on my couch, remote in hand as I see what I can find to help settle the noise in my head.