Page 42 of Thunder

“Yes,” Thunder answered with no hesitation, no thought because it was just what it was. It shocked the hell out of him it was so simple to blurt it out.

“Well.” Trip strode over to them. Thunder had failed to notice him on the couch with Tammy. “Then maybe you’re looking for trouble where there isn’t any. Sabotaging shit before it even gets started. Not like you don’t have a perfect track record of doing just that.”

All his brothers agreed emphatically.

Granite handed him another bottle. “So, stop borrowing trouble. Wait until the first time you forget an anniversary or a birthday. Then you can worry.”

They shared a few drinks in companionable silence. When Granite stood to leave, he turned back to the men gathered around. “Church at ten. We have a plan to nail down.” With that, he disappeared through the front.

After the sound of his pipes faded, the conversation resumed. “So, did you get all the weak spots on lock?” Thunder knew that his brothers followed orders, but he was making conversation.

“Of course, Caleb and his mom are settled in already and Lexi will be along after Tails closes. What about Andy, when is she coming back? Ripley got eyes on her at work?” Whiskey asked.

“Shit!” Thunder swore. “The drugs had me fuzzy when I woke up and then the fucking ghosts of the past, and shit, she was so beautiful standing there.”

Thunder hated himself. All he did was fail Andy. The only thing he’d done right so far was fuck her senseless in the locker room three years ago.

“Granite took care of it before Andy left. You’ve had our backs more times than we can count, we got yours this time. As soon as she said she wasn’t returning tonight, Granite sent Davis to her place. Lexi said they’d stay there tonight and be here before breakfast.”

Thunder breathed a sigh of relief. The Phantoms were family. “What about while she’s at Horns?”

“Said the shop was closed, and the client was a friend. Seemed fine to us, but Granite still asked Ripley to do a drive-by just to check in on her. It’s all good. Relax and enjoy your last night as a free man, so to speak.”

“Hear, hear!”

20

ANDREA

It felt like her life was a series of things she didn’t want. More so in the last few days than ever before. She certainly didn’t want Thunder to get shot or call out to a woman he wanted for comfort when he woke up, who wasn’t her. She damn sure hadn’t wanted to hear him comparing them in his head.

If only you’d kept it in your head and out of your mouth.

She definitely did not want to be waiting on a woman who was a manipulative cunt from her past. One she felt she owed for some twisted reason. Well, not so much anymore, but when it came to the Fordhams, Andy had always had trouble standing up for herself.

Not anymore.She would tell her in no uncertain terms they were through. There would be no introduction to the clubs or check-ins or coffees. None of that.

The sound of the front door opening grabbed her attention. Only one other person had a key and knew the alarm code, so she wasn’t worried.

“Hey chica, had some free time and thought I’d come catch up on some busy work. Don’t mind me… where’s your client?”

“She’s running a bit behind. No big deal, I just thought I’d busy myself drawing some flash for the, ‘Hey, we’re in Vegas so let’s get some ink,’ crowd.”

“Cool. I’m going to go dive in. Holler if—” Ripley’s words were cut short by her phone. She didn’t even answer, just looked at the screen before announcing.

“Can you reschedule, I need to jet. You can lock up and I’ll get Styx to see you home.”

The thought of ditching Tracey was sublime, but that meant she’d have to see her again and Andy wanted to make a clean cut. Needed to get her out of her life once and for all.

It appeared she also needed to put some distance between her and the Phantoms if she was to get over Thunder.

“If you’re only here to catch up on paperwork, then why do you need me to reschedule and Styx to escort me home? Thunder put you up to this, didn’t he?”

The thought of him being protective made her heart flutter until she remembered what Granite said.

“You’re under our protection, sweetheart. That doesn’t depend on your relationship status with Thunder or any other brother. You feel me?”

The flutters stopped.

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