Page 101 of Hell & Back

“The sooner you let him go, the sooner we can take you home, Kylie Jo.” Tucker, now fully dressed, climbed back onto the bed and gently coaxed her to face toward him. Darren took the opportunity to use the bathroom and get dressed while Tuck kissed her.

He finished putting his boots on then went back and kissed her goodbye. It was so damn hard to walk away when she was naked and in their bed. “Kylie, we’re locking the door behind us so you can sleep some more.”

“Okay. Thank you.” She pulled Tuck’s pillow into her chest and rolled to her side. They were almost out the door when she said, “Hurry back.”

Tuck locked the door and pulled it closed behind him. Together they headed for church.

Entering the room they used for church, Darren was happy to see Jackson and Trick already seated at the table.

“When did you guys get back?” He pulled out his chair and took a seat. Tuck dropped into the one on his left.

“Fifteen minutes ago,” Trick answered.

“Not like you would have heard us with whatever you were doing in your room.” Jackson’s wide smile said he knew exactly what they’d been doing in there.

Trick continued as if Jackson hadn’t interrupted him. “Anyway, took a piss and was going for a cold one when Race told everyone to head this way.”

“When the hell did Tinker get here?” Jackson’s smile turned into a deep frown.

“You know that asshole?” Darren asked.

“Yeah. He was one of the founding brothers and a complete dick. Growing up in the club, I’ve been around him enough to know he’s nothing but trouble.”

Damn. Jackson just confirmed his impression of the man.

Jed and Tulsa came in next, dropping into their seats. Followed right behind them was Dagger, Lance and Chris. The latter asked, “Who’s the old guy out there?” Before anyone could say anything, Race entered with Tinker in tow.

Tinker stopped at the opposite end of the table from Race, scratching his head, pretending to be confused. “Not sure where I’m supposed to park my ass.”

Race pointed to an empty chair at the opposite end of the table. “There’s an open seat over there.” Darren bet it chapped his ass to be put in the open seat next to the newest patched brothers.

Race waited for Tinker to take his seat then went around the table introducing each of the brothers to put a name to each face. “For those of you who came after Tinker, he was one of our founding brothers and was VP before Dagger. I hope everyone can make him feel welcome.”

No one asked where he’d been because as a prospect everyone had to learn the history of the club. Part of that history included knowing who the founding brothers were, what position they held in the club, and some of the major plays made by the club. That last fateful drug deal gone bad was common knowledge.

Tinker leaned forward to better see down the table. “So, you two, uh, Darren and Tuck, right? You’re the ones with Kylie? Which one of you knocked the bitch up? Or do you even know?”

Jackson pinned both Darren and Tuck with an “I told you so” look before Tuck leaned forward to respond. “That would be me and Kylie is our old lady so we’d appreciate a little respect when you talk about her.”

Darren’s teeth and fists clenched. He was seconds away from teaching the old fucker some manners. No one disrespected Kylie and they sure as hell didn’t do it to their faces.

Tinker held his hands up, quickly apologizing. “Sorry. Sorry. Didn’t mean to offend.”

That was bullshit. That was exactly what he intended to do.What Darren didn’t understand was what did he hope to gain by pissing off two of the brothers, one of which, meaninghimself, was a big guy and could pound his ass into the floor and not break a sweat?

Normally, if a brother had been away in prison, his welcome home would include a party, women and an all around celebration that their brother was back in the fold. Darren didn’t see that happening with this guy. But, he could be wrong. Race might plan a party to try and keep the peace.

Maverick got up and passed out shot glasses, then a bottle of tequila was slid from one person to the next around the table so everyone would have something to drink when Race made a toast. He held his glass high and said, “Welcome home, Tinker.”

Everyone raised their glass, echoing Race’s sentiment. If the welcome seemed a little lackluster, Tinker didn’t comment on it.

“Race, you remember that sweet, big tit redheaded whore that used to be here ten or fifteen years ago? She still around? She gave the best damn head I’ve ever had. You remember her name?” Then with a nasty glint in his eye, he asked, “You remember her name, don’t you, Mav? She was the one you were partial to. You used to like to take her to your room,” he was cut off by Race.

“That’s enough, Tink.”

Darren didn’t get it. Was the asshole purposely trying to provoke someone into kicking his ass? Everything that came out of his mouth was vile and geared to piss someone off.

Tinker’s eyes rounded, fake shock and regret on his face. Like he’d accidentally slipped up in front Jackson. “Oh, sorry. I forgot that one was your son. My bad.” His laugh undermined his apology. “What happened to the good ole days when brothers gave brothers shit and didn’t have to worry about hurting someone’s feelings?”

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