Page 7

WOLF

Holding Kale to my chest while reporting to Viper on the phone about the installation of the system at Jacqueline’s gallery, I watch out the window as she makes her way out of the house and to the limo waiting for her.

My cock immediately takes note of the sexy curve-hugging black dress she’s wearing. I don’t know who the hell she’s dressed up for, and I shouldn’t even care. But my cock seems to.

“Need you to go to a dinner tonight,” Viper announces, catching my attention once again.

“Come again?” What dinner?

“Dinner. Cordova and his sister are attending a dinner. He’ll have his men with him, but he’s requested someone, meaning you, join them,” Viper explains.

“Fuck,” I grumble and look down at my son. “What about Kale? I can’t take him with me.”

“Rosemary and Kevlar will be there before you have to leave.”

“You sure waited until the last minute to tell me about this.” I didn’t want to go to some dinner. Then again, Viper did say that Cordova and his sister will be there.

“I know, but I’ll also be in attendance. Just as Mateo will be.”

What the fuck?

“What is Mateo gonna be at this dinner for?” We have an alliance with Mateo, who happens to be Noelle’s family.

“Don’t really know,” Viper mutters. “All I know is I’m taking Jade out, and she’s excited to be getting out of the clubhouse and dressing up.”

Considering what I saw Jacqueline wearing when leaving the house just now . . . “Where the fuck is this dinner?”

Viper gives me the name of the restaurant and finishes the call. Shoving my phone in my pocket, I grind my teeth together, not liking this at all. I wanted to be home with Kale the rest of the night, not leaving to go to some fucking dinner.

Kale makes a cooing noise, and I lift my free hand to pat his back.

“Guess you’re gonna spend the evening with Aunt Rosie and Uncle Kevlar, bud.

”Kale coos again, and I take it as his okay.

He’s only a little over a month old. In the time he’s still sleeping a lot of the time, but he enjoys sitting in his bouncer that vibrates while sucking a pacifier.

Placing my kid in his seat, I strap him in grab the seat to bring it in my room.

With him settled close to my bathroom, I step into the bathroom and turn the shower on.

I leave the door to the bathroom open in order to hear Kale if he needs me while I’m getting ready for the night.

I make it quick, knowing I don’t have a lot of time.

In my room, I find a pair of dark jeans.

I don’t go anywhere where I have to dress in a suit.

The closest I get to dressing up is a button-down shirt with a collar.

I pull out one from my closet and tuck it into my jeans, leaving two buttons at the top open.

Rolling the sleeves up to my elbows, I look at myself in the mirror on my dresser.

Guess this will do. Not that I give a shit what anyone says.

I grab my nicer boots, shove my feet into them, and head back into the living room taking Kale with me as the front door opens. All of my brothers had a key to my house, which works out so far, I don’t have to let them in if I’m busy doing something else.

“Yo,” Kevlar says, entering the house behind Rosemary, a grin tugging at his lips.

“Don’t even say shit,” I tell him, rolling my eyes.

“Wasn’t gonna say a word.” Kevlar smirks and shakes his head. “We’ll see you when you get back.”

“Right.” Grumbling, I grab my phone, wallet, and keys while telling them when Kale ate last. My boy was asleep in his bouncer and didn’t have a care in the world about what was going on around him. “Hopefully, this won’t take long, and I’ll be back before he gets put in his crib.”

“Okay,” Rosemary says, moving to the couch to curl up and turn a movie on. “We’ve got him. You just go do what you have to do and maybe have some fun.”

Fun. Yeah, like what we’re gonna be doing is fun.

At least I know I’ll get to enjoy the sight of Jacqueline in the dress I saw her wearing.

Images of her in my bed, those legs wrapped around my waist, her heels digging into my back, pop into my head.

Fucking hell. I can’t go there. That can’t happen.

But in my gut, I know if I get the chance, that’s exactly where I intend to be.

Pulling my bike up to the front of the restaurant, I inwardly cringe. This is definitely not my style of a place to sit down and eat. It’s one of those places where you better know the differences between forks and bowls.

Fuck me.

I barely get my helmet off and run a hand through my hair when I spot Viper making his way toward me with Jade in his arms. She was dressed in a long dress that went to her feet. Her baby bump evident, with the way she has her hand resting on top of it.

“Ready for this?” Viper asks, smirking.

“Do I look like I’m fuckin’ ready?” I ask, shooting him a glare.

Viper lets out a snort and jerks his chin toward the restaurant. “Let’s get in there and get this over with.”

Following after him and Jade, we all make our way to the entrance.

The hostess gives Viper and me both the come-hither look we’re known to get while ignoring Jade.

Big mistake for her, considering Jade was Viper’s life.

He’ll do anything for her and won’t allow disrespect.

By the time we leave tonight, she’ll probably be looking for a new job.

Still, she shows us through the building to the back, where a long table was set up, and some people were already seated. Izaiah being one of them. To his left sat Jacqueline, who was speaking to him and hadn’t yet noticed others having arrived.

Cordova’s gaze flickers to us briefly, but he keeps his attention on his sister. I gotta admit, I hadn’t expected the expression I’m seeing on his face while he listens to Jacqueline talk to him.

Clearing my throat, I cock a brow as Jacqueline whips her head around to find me standing there.

“What . . . what are you doing here?” she asks, eyes wide.

“Wolf, please have a seat next to my sister.” Cordova motions, earning a look from his sister. “Viper, this must be your lovely wife. Please have a seat.”

“Cordova,” Viper grunts and helps Jade into a chair across from me. “This is my wife, Jade.”

“Nice to meet you.” Jade smiles and looks at Jacqueline. “You’re Wolf’s neighbor, am I correct?”

“Yes,” Jacqueline squeaks out, clears her throat, nods, and repeats. “Yes.”

Taking my seat, I look to Cordova. “How big of a dinner is this supposed to be?”

“Several of my associates will be here tonight, along with one that you all know as well. MateoQuirino should be arriving any moment now.”

“I hear my name.” Mateo chuckles, coming into the room, eyes scanning, a grin in place. He stops on Jade, and his grin brightens. “Jade, you look as beautiful as ever. How is my cousin?”

I knew exactly what he was doing. He was ensuring those who came into the room behind him knew that he knew her and would protect her. Mateo was sending his message loud and clear.

“I believe she and Bride planned to torture Cyprus with Disney movies tonight while they painted nails and whatnot.” Jade laughs.

Mateo snorts and shakes his head. “I feel for Noelle’s man. He’s admirable for raising his little sister and giving her a good life. I must admit, Bride has a way of getting what she wants even from me.”

“I take it she’s had you watch the new Moana movie with her?” Jade asks, giggling.

“On repeat.” Mateo smiles, taking his seat next to Jade. He looks at Cordova and nods. “Thank you for inviting me to tonight’s dinner party.”

“You’re always welcome, Mateo.” Cordova smiles and holds a hand in Jacqueline’s direction. “You remember my sister, Jacqueline.”

“Who could ever forget a lovely woman as she is.” The way Mateo says those words grates my nerves.

“Mateo,” Jacqueline says politely.

“How are you doing, Jacqueline? Your brother said you were opening a gallery. I look forward to seeing all the pieces that I’ve heard you’ve created.”

“I will make sure to send you an invite to the art show once I have everything ready.”

Fuck me. Tonight was going to be a long night if this was anything to go by. I’d much rather be at home with my son or even at the clubhouse having a beer with my brothers.

Throughout the course of the evening, I stole glances in Jacqueline’s direction. Each time, I noticed the way she’d quickly look away. Jade spoke with her through dinner. The two of them got along and spoke about books, art, and music.

By the time we finished, it was later than I expected.

But I’d learned by watching the associates of Cordova’s which ones we’d have to look out for in regard to the alliance between him and us.

Nothing was outright spoken through dinner, but the looks and body motions spoke loud enough for us to read them clearly.

Dinner wraps up, and I get to my feet before Jacqueline and help her out of her seat. She gives me a quizzical look before looking at her brother.

“Dinner was nice, big brother.”

“Thank you for remembering to come. I know you’ve been busy this week.” Cordova looks closely at his sister and then looks at me. “You’ll follow my sister home?”

“Yeah.” I nod. Considering the looks she’d gotten from those associates of his, I wouldn’t have it any other way. They all know that Cordova’s weakness lies within his love for his sister. It makes sense why he seemed as protective of her as he was.

I follow her out of the restaurant with Jade and Viper right behind me.

I wait for Jacqueline to climb into the back of the waiting limo.

With her in the dress, there’s no way she could get on the back of my bike, otherwise, I’d give her a ride myself.

Though I wouldn’t have minded having her all butt-bare pressing up against me.

However, her ass would have all but been exposed to everyone we passed, and I wouldn’t want anyone to see her in a way that I only dreamed about.

Once I know she’s securely in the limo, I head for my bike.

Eyes on the limo, I straddle my bike, put my helmet on, and start her up.

The whole way home, I stayed right behind the limo until it pulled into her driveway.

Putting the kickstand down, I remove the helmet and climb off. The whole time, watching her.

Instead of going into her house, though, she marches over to where I’m standing, hands on her hips.

“What exactly were you doing at tonight’s dinner? How do you know my brother? Did he tell you to move in next to me? Are you supposed to be keeping tabs on me for him?”

“Princess, regarding tonight’s dinner, I wanted to be there just as much as you did, meaning I didn’t want to.

You want to know how I know your brother?

Ask him. I didn’t even know who the fuck you were when I moved in next door.

I bought the place ‘cause it’s down the street from my VP, and I needed a place for my kid that would be safe. ”

I step closer to her, getting in her space. Near enough that if I wanted, I could reach out, yank her even closer, and kiss her as I want to.

Jacqueline plants her hands on her hips and glares at me for a split second before furrowing her brows. “VP? What’s that mean?”

“Vice President. Cyprus is the VP of my club. You met my Prez tonight at dinner. Jade isn’t just his wife, but also his ol’ lady.”

Jacqueline’s eyes widen, and she looks like she might faint at any second.

That or she’s preparing to run, thinking something that doesn’t sit well with me.

“I knew you were a biker because well, the bike, but I didn’t think you were in a club.”

“You got something against MCs?” I ask, cocking a brow and watching her closely.

“No,” she says firmly and shakes her head. “I have no reason to have anything against an MC. I mean?—”

Jacqueline doesn’t get the chance to finish what she’s saying before Kevlar interrupts us by calling my name from the door. “Wolf, you need to get your ass in here. Kale’s running a temp.”

Bolting for the door, I leave her standing in my driveway to get to my kid. All thoughts shift to my little boy and making sure he’s okay.