Page 38 of Pound

All he needed now was to embrace his future and never let it go.

“Meri!” he practically shouted with excited hopefulness as he swung the door to her room open.

Empty.

He checked the bathroom and no Meri there either. Something felt off, but he attributed that to Meri’s absence. He couldn’t wait to tell her everything. Pound felt lighter than he had in years. Meri had been correct, he hadn’t made peace with his marriage and Lea’s death, but he had now and that was something else to tell her. She was right.

Pound smiled to himself as he knocked on Cami’s door. I’ll be saying you were right a lot in the future.

He relished the idea.

“Hey, what’s up?”

“Is Meri here?”

“No, but I just got back from an appointment, check the ladies' lounge.”

Pound gave his thanks to Morningstar’s sister as he took double strides toward the upstairs lounge area. It wasn’t an area for guests like Meri, per se. It was more for the club girls and hang-around chicks, but Meri didn’t judge. Another thing he loved about her.

The lounge was occupied by two girls whose names he hadn’t bothered to learn. “Any of you seen Meri?”

One stood and gave him the once-over before sighing. “A pity you’re taken because, damn.”

Her friend smacked her arm and gave her a harsh look.

“Her and your secretary were headed home to Vegas after they stopped by her place to grab some shit.”

“What the fuck?”

“Hey.” She put her hands up. He hadn’t realized he’d practically shouted until whatshername spoke. “Don’t shoot the messenger, but if you’re looking for company, I can help with that.” When she started slinking toward him, he saw red. Not only had Meri run out on him with the help of Trip, but the Travelers club girls had no respect for the ol’ ladies. That wouldn’t go over well once they realized Morningstar had claimed one for himself. That, however, wasn’t his concern. His focus was on his own ol’ lady and his brother, who needed to be taught a lesson.

“How long?” When she said nothing, he may have shouted loudly. “How fucking long?”

“Maybe an hour ago.”

Pound grabbed his jacket and headed downstairs.

“Heading home, prez.” Granite turned, but Pound was out the door before he could interrogate him. He’d head straight to Vegas rather than try to catch them at her place. He wanted the home-court advantage when they rolled up and he found out what the fuck was going on.

10

MERI

“Alive?” Meri questioned her brother from the passenger side of the car. “Anna is Lea, and she’s alive?” They had hours of driving before they got to Vegas. So, there was plenty of time to process all the emotions assaulting her.

“That’s what you took from all I just said? The fact that she’s alive is irrelevant—”

“I wouldn’t say someone who was thought to be dead not being dead is irrelevant, Cris.”

“I didn’t mean it like that, Meri. Shit.” Her brother pounded the steering wheel. “It’s just… when he found out, it wasn’t you he was thinking about. It was her. I want more for you. I want you to be with someone who puts you first. You deserve that.”

Meri’d felt the sting of what Trip relayed. Had since the words had left his mouth. But it was a unique situation.

“I understand, Cris.”

“Bullshit, Meri. You are always the one who says she understands and forgives. But you carry it around, just like JJ does. Fuck that. Get mad and deal with it instead of locking it up and being all… you.”

Meri looked at her brother in a new light. He’d changed so much since his youth. The military had laid the groundwork, but the club had shaped him into the man he was. It was the brotherhood he’d been looking for in the service.

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