Page 33 of Ruthless Reign

He is a bad, bad man.

“But,” Roman continued, “I think your idea is a good one. And when I tell the others that itisyour idea, that should earn some respect.”

“Aren’t you upset that our expensive decadent wedding will be used as a trap?” It wasn’t like I’d been particularly looking forward to it, but itwasmy wedding. And the only one I’d ever get unless something happened to Roman.

He sighed and let out a sad laugh. “I just want the war to end. I’m tired of losing people.”

That, at least, we could agree on.

We talked while I ate, and he told me about his family. I’d already met his siblings, of course, but he had a special glimmer in his eye when he mentioned his father. I knew Gabriella had worked with the FBI to get Crow locked up, but seeing the effect it had on Roman made my heart strangely heavy. He clearly missed him, and that he wouldn’t be at our nuptials, even if they were a ruse, made him melancholic.

“I’m sure he’d be proud of you,” I said. Roman glanced up at me with his eyebrows raised, surprise in his expression. “As far as cowardly Roses can be proud of each other, that is.”

He glowered before shaking his head and laughing. I helped him clean up, and after that, we headed to the clubhouse. I still refused to get on the back of a motorcycle, so he drove us in his truck. Much to my immense astonishment, we continued our conversation the entire way there. He showed me places he’d grown up: his middle school, his high school, the place he’d taken his first girlfriend—though all they did was make out.

“She let me touch her boobs though,” he said with a grin.

Heat flushed my cheeks, and I laughed at a younger version of him finally feeling up a girl for the first time. Then, my memories went to last night and how those strong, capable hands had held me, had played with my breasts, had touched me with such deliberate competence. Perhaps I owed that girl my thanks.

When we got to the clubhouse, he put the truck in park and looked at me. “Are you ready?”

I understood what he meant, and it wasn’t just sitting in the corner the way I had the last few weeks. We would have to pretend. We would put on the act and show the others that we were completely in this marriage, and they’d have to deal with it.

“Absolutely,” I said, opening the truck door to climb out. When we got to the door, he held his hand to me with thatadorable grin on his lips, and I pushed down my girlish response to that, placing my palm in his. He led me into the clubhouse, and I took a deep breath at the eyes that immediately flicked to us.

For being so early in the day, the place was packed. My focus immediately went to V, Selene, and Alba by the bar, and normally, I would have taken an empty seat by them. But Roman squeezed my palm and rubbed a circle over my skin with his thumb before bringing it to his face so he could kiss my knuckles.

“Come with me, little wife,” he said, nodding toward the back room. I followed his lead, never letting go of him, and five sets of eyes looked at us when we walked through the entry. KC, Hollywood, Thor, Doc, and Wheels sat around the table, each with a different expression. Thor and Wheels seemed impassive, Hollywood smirked, and KC grinned in that jovial way of his. But Doc eyed me with suspicion, inhaling a cigarette before stabbing it out in the ashtray.

“Morning, prez,” Hollywood said before glancing at me. “Lady prez.”

“Morning,” Roman said, walking over to his spot at the head of the table. He sat and opened his legs, gesturing me into his lap, the same as he’d done last night. Gulping and trying not to seem nervous, I sat before pushing my hair behind my shoulders. One of his hands settled on my lower back, the other splayed out on the table in front of him.

KC looked at me before shifting his gaze back to Roman. “This is new.”

“She’s in this with us,” Roman said. “She’s the one who knows Gabriella the best, the one who has the best source of inside information. We can’t do it without her.”

“And Leo?” Thor asked.

“Leo will be here any second,” Roman said, raising an eyebrow in expectation, like he’d been waiting for anyone to disagree.

“So we’re just bringing old ladies into church now?” Doc blew out a disbelieving breath.

“She’s notjustan old lady. She’s my wife, so watch your fucking mouth,” Roman argued. “She’s been feeding us information for years. We need her to bring down the enemy.”

“Heraunt.” Doc shook his head. “You wanted me to get Stallion and the others on our side. This is not the way to do it.”

“I don’t give a fuck whatyouor Stallion think. If you don’t like it, challenge me.” Roman’s features remained stoic. “How about it? Do you need a reminder why my road name is Bear?”

Doc took a deep breath and let it out through his nose. “I’m not that stupid, but Stallion and Reaper are fucking idiots, especially if they got Lunchbox involved. They’re having a hard time with all this.”

“That’s why she’s here,” Roman continued, giving me a little hug. “The more they see her, the more they understand her brilliantmind, the more they’ll come around.”

Doc shifted in his seat but didn’t argue. The door to the back room slid open and my brother walked through, flanked on either side by his bodyguards. He wore an impeccable suit and loafers with his hair brushed back, the same uniform I’d seen him in my entire life.

“Well, well, well,” he said when he set eyes on me. “What do we have here?”

“Brother,” I said when he leaned down to plant a kiss on my temple. “It’s good to see you.”

---