Page 73 of Stone

Feet shuffled, and eyes hit boots rather than look John in the face.

My heart sank as one of the brothers, KC, stepped forward to address John, and a deadweight settled in the pit of my stomach.

KC’s big, beefy arms crossed over his barrel chest, beady black eyes resting on John. “You’ve made your point, young Stone.” His mouth stretched into a broad smile, revealing a missing tooth. “Your ol’ lady can call on me if she gets any more shit off this bunch of fuckheads, and you’re not here to sort it. You earned it after that.” He cocked his head to one side, his fathomless stare narrowing on my guy. “Where’d ya learn that move with the dagger? It’s shit hot.”

John’s stare slid to Bandit, then back to KC. “I learned from the best.”

Bandit smirked proudly before his head swiveled to address the brothers. “Show’s over. Get your asses inside. It’s colder than a witch’s tit out here.” He gestured toward Seth, who by then was sitting up with his head in his hands. “Take Apollo-fuckin’-Creed here with you. Somebody get that dagger out of his arm. I think he needs a strong one. Open that hooch, give him two shots, and for God’s sake, somebody stay sober enough to keep an eye on him tonight in case he’s gotta concussion.”

Two men came over and hauled Seth to his feet, following the others as they made for the clubhouse, one under each arm, dragging him forcibly toward the door.

All tension left John’s body. He kissed my temple and asked, “You okay, baby?”

I peered up at him, wincing at the cut on his eyebrow. “I’ve never seen anything like that, John. I didn’t know you were such a good fighter.”

Bandit cackled. “He’s a chip off the old block, girlie. Just like his old dad.” His stare swung to me. “Maybe next time you’ll remember the consequences when you feel like flouncin’ in here to give me lip.”

“Dad,” John muttered, tone full of warning. “Don’t.”

Bandit’s eyes glittered angrily as he studied me. “You’re back in, but these men hold grudges. I only want you here when you’re with John, at least for the time bein’.”

My gaze met his hard one, and my blood turned to ice.

John may have made a point to the brothers, but his dad wasn’t buying it, and he wasn’t buying me. Bandit’s distrust of me went deep. He’d always seen me as a townie, not suitable for his son, and definitely not to be trusted. When I lost my head at him, I’d proven him right. In his eyes, I wasn’t ol’ lady material and never would be. John could take on the entire club and win; hell, I could fight them myself, but Bandit’s opinion of me would never change.

He’d made his mind up.

And it didn’t bode well for me and John.

Chapter Nineteen

Stone

The days passed quickly, and before I realized, New Year’s Eve was upon us. We decided to go to Elise’s folks’ house for dinner and drinks, then onto the clubhouse to party. I only had two days left. I had to leave on January second because the only flight out I could get on the third was at three p.m., but I had to report for duty at midday.

Things at the clubhouse had settled down, and the brothers seemed receptive to Elise coming around again. Still, every time she was mentioned, I caught Dad twisting his face.

I got it. Pop had ideas about how ol’ ladies should behave. The women of the club were ballbusters, but they’d been around a long time, and Dad believed Elise still had to earn her place. I just hoped he’d give her a chance to do that one day, because if Elise wasn’t welcome, there was no way I’d join the club.

Still, we had years to go until then, and I was sure, in time, Dad would mellow.

In the meantime, I told Elise to stay away from the club when I wasn’t there. She had the phone number for the farmhouse and could contact Mom and meet up with her in town.

It would have to be enough.

It was New Year’s Eve. I was home and determined to shrug off all the heavy shit and just have a good time with my girl. These days, moments like these were few and far between, so whether Dad liked it or not, he’d have to put up with Elise partying at the club for one night and deal.

We’d arranged for me to go to her place early, where we’d eat ‘cause her folks had a few friends around. We’d make nice, chat politely, then, as soon as we could, jet to the party.

Jerome Bell had loosened the reins on Elise considerably since she’d turned eighteen—or maybe it was because I wasn’t around anymore to corrupt his princess—Elise didn’t have a curfew, though I knew I’d have to get her home before the sun rose, which still left me plenty of time to get my fill of her before I went back to Cali.

Turning into her street, my eyes fell on the mayor’s Merc, and my gut hardened. Elise told me Robbie had made nice with her, but I hadn’t seen him the day at the creek when he’s fucked around and nearly cracked Stevie’s head open.

I parked Bessie up and jumped out, walking up the porch steps and knocking on the door. Within seconds, Elise answered and beamed a smile so bright it lit my soul up. She rolled up on her toes and kissed the side of my mouth. My hands snaked out, and I tagged her waist, keeping her against me while I returned the favor.

The sound of a throat clearing made me look past Elise’s shoulder to where her dad stood, disapproval rolling off him in waves.

Taking Elise’s hand, I turned her so I could slide my hand around her waist and pull her against me. “Evening, Mr. Bell,” I said politely. “Happy New Year.”

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