Page 50 of Pirate

Bulldog glanced at Pirate and then headed out. It was hard to believe only a few hours ago the two of them were leaning against each other laughing outside the hospital. He’dlet Bulldog cool off, accept his punishment from Steel, and then offer Bulldog an apology the next day.

Steel walked behind the bar. He pulled two beers out of the fridge from below the front bar and held one out for Pirate to take. Surprised, Pirate reached forward and accepted the cold brew.

They both popped the top off on the edge of the bar. Feeling very much like he was sitting in the principal’s office, Pirate took a sip of beer when Steel did.

Steel rested his beer on the bar, taking a minute to study Pirate. It took all of his nerve not to look away. Whatever Steel was on about, he’d get to it when he was good and ready.

Finally, Steel asked, “Are you going to claim her?”

Though Pirate knew damn well whom he was referring to, he still asked, “Who?”

“Mother Theresa,” Steel snapped. “Don’t play games with me, boy. I knoweverythingthat goes on in my clubhouse. The two of you have been sneaking around for months. Did you forget we have cameras in here?”

He hadn’t, but he also hadn’t realized they were monitored so closely. Knowing he needed to be honest with Steel of all people, he confessed, “I don’t know. We haven’t talked about it.”

Steel tipped his head in acknowledgment. “You know that I can’t let what happened tonight slide. Beyond that it happened in public, Carlos is family. He may not wear a patch but he does wear a badge and he wears it honorably. That earns him our respect.”

Pirate nodded. “I know. I’m not even sure what happened. I didn’t plan for it to happen, but I accept the consequences because it did happen.”

“Good. Your punishment is twofold. First,” he slid the cylinder head across the bar to Pirate, “you’re going to help Fletcher put his bike back together.”

Pirate’s jaw dropped open. “I know nothing about bike mechanics.”

“ThenGoogleit,” Steel snapped.

Pirate groaned but accepted the cylinder head. “Anyone ever tell you that you have a mean streak?”

“All the fucking time.”

“I’m dreading what the second half of my punishment is.”

Steel’s smile was icy cold as he said, “The next time I see you, you better have an answer to my question.”

“What question?” Pirate asked, confused.

“Whether you’re claiming her.”

Pirate swallowed hard. “And if I don’t?”

“Technically, she’s here under Jumper’s protection as his ol’ lady’s best friend. That’ll be up to your brother. But know this, if you’re not claiming her, then this better be the last fucking time your personal life interferes with club business. Do you understand me?”

Stiffly, Pirate nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“Get to it then,” Steel dismissed him. “Only way you’re leaving that garage is if that bike is fixed or it’s time for you to get to work.”

Pirate held back a groan. It was going to be a long fucking night.

Sophia barely slept.Even with the lights on, she could not shake the feeling that she wasn’t alone. At one point, she even got up to close all of her blinds, but the sense that she was being watched did not go away.

Eventually she drifted off, but it was a restless sleep.

However, when she woke up, the feeling was gone. Calling herself all sorts of a fool, Sophia got up to shower and get ready for her day. She had a lunch scheduled with Jazz at her clinic to help her put together the gift baskets for the table centerpieces.

A message was waiting for her when she got out of the shower.

Pirate: Need to talk. Didn’t get much sleep last night but I want to see you this afternoon.

Sophia: Slept like shit too. What happened with you?

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