Page 31 of My Hotshot

“Not really. Unless you’ve talked to Stretch,” Yarder said, his tone a little too pointed.

I shook my head. “Haven’t called him. He hasn’t called me.”

“Anything new from Leo and Brynn?” Throttle asked.

“They’re keeping eyes on Boone and Gibbs,” Yarder replied. “Looks like they’re thinning their herd. Stretch is sticking closer to Gibbs now—Gibbs has three guys with him regularly. Boone’s down to two.”

“Trying to consolidate power,” I muttered.

“Exactly,” Yarder nodded. “Very few people in or out. Gibbs has a woman with him all the time.”

“Wife?” I asked.

“Nope. Not married, far as Leo can tell. Just some chick he’s probably got wrapped around his finger.”

I nodded slowly. “So… it justseemslike Stretch flipped on us?”

“Pretty sure Boone and Gibbs don’t know he’s Iron Fiends,” Yarder said. “He managed to embed himself as one of their hired guns. Not sure how, but he did.”

“He’s still got time before Leo and Brynn move?” I pressed.

Yarder nodded. “As long as Boone and Gibbs don’t wise up before then. He’s got three weeks left to work his magic.”

Somewhat reassuring, but the knots in my gut didn’t ease.

“There is the matter of you,” Yarder added, eyes sliding over to me.

I straightened. “Me?”

“Yeah. What was up with the text last night? Smoke said it was a chick from your past?”

I nodded slowly. “Yeah. It was nothing.”

“A nothing that we might have to move into the clubhouse?” Yarder asked. “You’re theeighthone falling for a chick that ends up needing club protection.”

I scrubbed a hand over my face. “Not sure, Yarder. As of right now, no. She’s just someone I used to know.”

“Sure that didn’t change after last night?” Smoke asked with a smirk. “I saw the way she looked at you when we finally found her phone.”

“Dice finally falling for a chick,” Throttle snickered. “I never thought I’d see the day.”

I rolled my eyes. “I didn’t fall for her last night.”

Sixteen years ago, I had.

“Nothing to worry about right now,” I added, firmer. “Lainey’s not club business.”

Yarder watched me closely, and his face was unreadable. Then he gave a slow nod. “Fine. But let me know when that changes. I’m not much into being surprised.”

“Will do,” I said.

With that, Yarder banged the gavel on the table, signaling church was over. Everyone started filing out, some grumbling about the photoshoot, while Pirate was planning how to get out of the shoot.

I lingered in my seat, letting the noise drift out of the room with the guys. When the last of them was gone, I pulled out my phone and stared at the screen.

Lainey’s number sat in my contacts now. Simple. Easy. Too damn tempting.

I didn’t hit call. Didn’t type out a text. Just stared.

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