Page 16 of Johnny Gun

Glancing at the sofa, Johnny G stared at the back of the guy’s head. He didn’t pick up a solid trait in the unfriendly biker, or any of that all-out loyalty to his MC that Deacon spoke about. Instead, self-centeredness mixed with narcissism was evident to him, but he wasn’t here to disabuse the MC’s prez of his opinion or enlighten him about his guy. Besides, with time spent in close quarters, Johnny G might get to know Gomez better and even change his mind about the testy biker…

Not likely.

Moments later, his thoughts changed when three new brothers walked in. One was Viper, the Dalton’s chapter vice prez. He’d heard lots of good things about the intense VP from Blade. The vice prez embodied the solid loyalty to his club missing in Gomez. Viper’s demeanor and sharp gaze went along with his reputation. Plus, the intricate sleeve of entwined king cobras tattooed on his right beefy arm underscored his name.

Once introductions were over, beers continued to flow, Jax cracked a few dumb jokes, and the tone of the conversation turned jovial and easy.

Johnny Gun had forgotten about Gomezwhen a good-looking lady with bright red hair he hadn’t yet met appeared in the hallway.

“Deacon, dinner is ready,” she announced.

“Thank you, Sydney,” Deacon responded. “Give us a moment. We’ll be right there.” With a quick nod, she moved back within the hallway shadows.

“I hope you like baked pasta,” Deacon said. “It’s a specialty of the house.”

“Food is food,” Tank said. “Let me tell you, I’m a pasta fiend. I hope she made extra.”

“No kidding.” Axel laughed. “Tank will eat enough for two or three people.”

“Nah,” Deacon said. “Sydney knows her stuff. She’s been involved with the MC for years and knows all about hungry guys. I’m sure she’s made plenty. Follow me.”

Sydney?A touch of intuition hit Johnny as he took his spot at the end of the group.

Something about the woman inspired trust. He couldn’t explain the feeling, but he was almost certain she could be an unexpected ally. Maybe help him find hideout locations if removing Isolde from the clubhouse became an absolute emergency.

He followed the group into the hallway, made it to the spot where, months ago, he almost ran over Isolde, and a vortex of memories, emotions, and remembered sensations pounced on him…

Time had him in its grip. Invisible ties bound his feet to the ground so he couldn’t move one step. Her scent, fresh and real, filled his nostrils. In a moment of desperate clarity, he understood why: Isolde must have just walked this way, and her unique perfume clung to the air.

As he glanced up, an endless corridor extended into a black void. A feeling of inescapable doom struck him, and a painful vise around his throat hampered his ability to speak.

“Dude. What are you doing? Keep up.”

Bullet’s voice snapped him out of the trance. Taking a deepbreath, he caught up to the guys as Deacon led them into a spacious dining room.

With the exception of a long table, already set for twelve diners, the room didn’t have a single decoration. Not even a poster hung on a wall. Two oversized bowls filled with chips and pretzels and accompanying dip bowls sat at each end of the table.

Deacon stood at the head. “Sit anywhere you like. Sydney will serve in a moment. She put out the chips to munch on while the food comes.”

No one had to tell Tank twice. He parked next to one bowl, served himself a huge mound of chips on his salad plate, and proceeded to stuff his mouth.

Viper took the opposite end of the table, facing Deacon. The other guys scrambled around to find a seat. Johnny G made sure he sat mid-table between Jax and Pilot. He didn’t escape scrutiny, though. Gomez sat directly across from him, and Johnny G shuttered his expression. From now until the end of the dinner, he wouldn’t show a single reaction if Isolde came into the room.

If she even appeared.

All twelve places set at the table were taken. Meaning this was strictly an MC dinner. No one outside the crew was welcome. Sydney and Isolde would bring in their food and be gone just as quickly.

Johnny G stuffed a chip in his mouth, reminding himself to be patient. He was in a long game. Isolde lived on the premises. He’d see her soon enough.

A pretty young woman—she seemed a little younger than Isolde—entered the dining room holding two salad bowls. She had light brown hairanda sexy, curvy figure. He admired her lovely hazel eyes when she placed the bowls on the table.

A friend of the family, maybe? Then it came to him, the story about Warden’s daughter. Deacon and his wife, Elaine, hadbrought the orphaned child to their home. Pity her parents weren’t alive to see the beauty she’d become.

However, Johnny G wasn’t the only one who’d noticed the girl. Axel followed her every move. Sensing Axel’s interest, she glanced briefly at him, and their eyes connected… Blushing, she walked out.

Oh, shit.

For everyone’s sake, Johnny G hoped this was a momentary thing and nothing more. Axel was a couple of years older than him, and going with the timeline he remembered, Warden’s daughter was younger than Isolde. Deacon would flip if he found out an attraction existed between Isolde and Johnny Gun. But anything between Warden’s daughter and Axel would give Deacon a heart attack. Once dinner was over, Johnny G would pull his friend aside and warn him to be careful. They had enough problems already.

---