Page 104 of Thor

"Yeah?" Her expression brightened. "Thanks, Thor."

Across the room, Lena was whispering something in Tyson's ear, her red-painted lips close to his skin. The disciplined former soldier looked decidedly less composed than usual, a flush creeping up his neck as he nodded at whatever suggestion she'd made.

"Twenty bucks says they leave together," Amy wagered, eyes twinkling with mischief.

I snorted. "I’ll gladly take that bet. There’s no way Tyson would give in to his impulses. Even though he’s in love with Lena."

"Really? In love? How can you tell?"

"Because I recognize the symptoms." My eyes found Mandy in the crowd again, her copper head bent toward a client, her hands moving expressively as she explained something complicated with effortless clarity.

Amy followed my gaze and smiled. "Yeah, you've got it bad, big guy." She bumped her shoulder against my arm—the highest point she could reach. "It looks good on you."

As Amy drifted away to mingle, Duke approached with two amber-filled glasses. The champagne flute in my hand had barely been touched—fancy bubbly shit wasn't my style. Duke knew this, like he knew most things about his brothers. He extended one of the whiskeys toward me, a peace offering of liquid courage. "Thought you might need something stronger than that fizzy piss," he said. The familiar burn down my throat centered me, a welcome reminder of who I was beneath the tailored jacket Mandy had insisted I wear tonight.

Duke nodded toward Tyson and Lena, who were still engaged in what appeared to be intense conversation near the entrance. "Think Ty’s finally gonna make his move?" he asked with a knowing smile.

“You know Tyson. Gotta evaluate all the eventualities. Check and recheck everything. He’ll get around to it in a couple of decades.”

Duke chuckled. “You know I’ve been thinking that Tyson might be interested in being a Daddy. And Lena has some serious bratty Little energy.”

I snorted. “Maybe. But Ty still wouldn’t make his move.”

"Some men need a push," Duke said, his tone casual but his eyes sharp as they studied me. "Others need a fucking avalanche."

I acknowledged the dig with a slight tilt of my glass.

"So," Duke continued, "how are the wedding plans coming along? Still set for next month?"

"Yeah." I couldn't help the slight smile that tugged at my lips. "Small ceremony at the cabin. Just family and close brothers."

"And my goddaughter as flower girl," came a soft voice behind us.

I turned to find Mia standing there, elegant in a simple black dress that hugged her petite frame. The transformation from the frightened, half-starved girl Duke had brought to the clubhouse six months ago was remarkable. Under his protection, she'd blossomed—gaining healthy weight, standing taller, her dark eyes no longer constantly scanning for threats.

"Diesel's practicing his ring bearer duties," Mia continued, her smile gentle as she mentioned her beloved dog. "Duke's been helping him learn to walk nicely down the aisle."

The mental image of Duke—feared MC president and legendary hard-ass—teaching a rescue mutt to carry rings on a velvet pillow was almost too much. I raised an eyebrow at my oldest friend, who had the decency to look slightly embarrassed.

"Dog needs discipline," he muttered.

Mia's laugh was soft but genuine. "He's a natural." Her eyes moved to mine, warmth replacing her usual caution around men. "Mandy asked me to remind you about the final fitting for your suit next Tuesday. And she wants to talk about the flowers for the arbor."

I nodded. "Tell her I'll be there. And the arbor's almost done—just need to seal it."

"Perfect." Mia squeezed Duke's arm affectionately before gliding away to help Mandy with something at the display table.

"You did good there," I told Duke once Mia was out of earshot. "She's come a long way."

His expression softened imperceptibly—a change only those who knew him well would notice. "She's stronger than she looks."

"Like someone else I know," I replied.

Duke took a long sip of his whiskey, his eyes suddenly more calculated, more presidential. "Need a word," he said, inclining his head toward a quieter corner of the venue. "Club business."

I followed him, instinctively positioning myself so I could still keep Mandy in my peripheral vision. Old habits died hard, and my protective instincts had only intensified since the photo leak.

Duke positioned us in a corner partly obscured by a large floral arrangement, providing just enough privacy for sensitive conversation without appearing suspicious. To casual observers, we were just two brothers sharing a drink away from the crowd.

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