Page 58 of Scornful

As I start cleaning up the massage room, I can't help but smile.

Yes, our situation is complicated.

Yes, there are threats and challenges ahead.

But for the first time in years, I feel like I’m in the driver’s seat of my life, and that’s what I want.

CHAPTER NINE

Geirolf

Three days.

It's been three fucking days since my world exploded in the clubhouse, since everyone found out about Astrid and me.

Three days of avoiding Fenrir's murderous glares and Emil's clenched fists.

Three days of feeling like a marked man in my own brotherhood.

I slam the wrench down on the workbench, frustration boiling over.

The Harley I'm working on doesn't deserve my anger, but it's either take it out on the bike or put my fist through a wall.

"You're gonna strip those bolts if you keep at it like that."

I don't turn around at Charm's voice.

The VP's wife has a way of appearing when you least expect it, like some kind of redheaded ninja.

"Just trying to get this done," I mutter, reaching for a different socket.

"Bullshit." She moves into my peripheral vision, leaning against the tool cabinet. "You're hiding."

"I'm working."

"In the garage. Alone. At seven in the morning." She crosses her arms. "When's the last time you were in the clubhouse for more than five minutes?"

I finally look at her.

Charm's got that expression women get when they know exactly what you're thinking and are just waiting for you to admit it.

"Your ol’ man wants to kill me," I say flatly. "Emil, too. Can't blame me for giving them space to cool off."

"They'll come around." She says it with such certainty, I almost believe her. "Fenrir always does, eventually."

"This is different."

"Is it?" She moves closer, lowering her voice. "You think you're the first man to fall for someone the club didn't approve of? Hell, I had my suspicions about you two for weeks."

That gets my attention. "You knew?"

"I suspected. The way you'd watch her when you thought no one was looking. How she'd light up when you walked into a room." A small smile plays on her lips. "Plus, she's been happier lately. More confident. That kind of change usually means a man."

"And you didn't say anything?"

"Wasn't my secret to tell." She shrugs. "Besides, I know what it's like to love someone everyone thinks might not be the best choice."

I set down the wrench, giving her my full attention now. "Didn’t those people understand after a while, back then?"

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