Page 61 of Outlaws' Dirty Secret

Maybe I'm supposed to be practical and pull away rather than let my feelings drive this, but what is a relationship if not emotions? And the way they make me feel anytime I'm with them is a feeling that’s worth exploring.

“Do you guys want a house tour?”

“Do we? Yes!” Paige declares enthusiastically. “I have seven months to figure out where to put a crib and I need to start my vision board now.”

They both grin and take them around, showing what I’ve done with the place and talking about my own plans. I show them the garden and point out the tomato plants I have growing in pots by the back door. We make plans to have a girl’s night so I can meet Anne, and they can meet Grace. For the first time in maybe my entire life, I feel at home.

When they leave, I work a little more and then take a quick shower, intending on heading up to the club. I change intosomething I hope the guys will like, black leggings and a pink tank top with a plunge, though if this all works out, I suspect I won't be wearing them for long, and then I nearly run down the stairs, eager to find them and tell them how I feel. How I really feel.

I throw open the door and run right into the large shape standing there, arm raised and finger poised to ring the doorbell. When I bounce back, I have to crane my neck to look up at him. At first my heart assumes it's one of my guys and skips a double beat.

Then it skips a double beat for an entirely different reason.

Tanner.

“Willow. I was hoping I'd find you at home.”

32

SKYHIGH

“I'm here for Hellfire.”The man stopping his heavy motorcycle at the front gate hides his age behind his beard, but if I was to guess? Early thirties? His eyes are hard, and he's got the bronzed skin of someone who's put a lot of miles on the road. Physically, he looks like he could give me a run for my money. There's a hint of crushing gravel to his voice. He crosses his forearms over his bike handles and leans on them as he looks at us. “He's lucky I'm even here, so you boys gonna show me where he is?”

Dragon, who's standing guard with me today, straightens and his face hardens.

I frown suspiciously at this new guy. “Depends on who you are. What the fuck makes you think you can just roll up here and order us around?”

He rolls his eyes. “For fuck's sake, didn't he say anything? Grimm. Hellfire said he needed to talk about some shit that went down while you boys were still learning to ride. So you gonna let me in or do I just turn around and fuck off? I’m doing him the fucking favor, not the other way around.”

“Dragon, call down Hellfire.”

“On it.” He's already got his phone out. A moment later, Hellfire comes striding down the church stairs. If this is a meeting of old friends, his expression sure doesn't show it.

I have no idea who the fuck moves first, but as soon as he’s close enough, Hellfire—one of the most controlled people I know—moves like lightening and plows his fist straight into Grimm’s face.

“Motherfucker!” Grimm shouts, holding a hand to his bloody nose.

I turn to Dragon. “Wha?—”

Grimm’s bike hits the ground as he straight up tackles our president. Men come running, but Hellfire shouts. “Stay the fuck out of this, it’s between him and me.” Talking was a mistake, because it gives Grimm time to snap Hellfire’s head back with a punch of his own. We all stand around stunned, not sure what the fuck we’re supposed to do. Grimm grabs Hellfire’s hair and yanks his head close, smashing their foreheads together.

I wince.

After a few more good hits from both sides, they roll apart, breathing hard.

“You showed,” Hellfire says, wiping blood off his mouth.

Grimm bares his teeth. “Fucking said I would.”

“Yeah, well, you’ve said a lot.”

I have no fucking idea what's going on and I don't like it. Obviously they know each other, but I still have no idea whetherthey're enemies or best fucking friends. Sometimes it looks about the same.

Hellfire stands, looking a little wobbly, and gestures for us to let Grimm through. “Assign a couple other boys to the gate. I want you two with me. We'll talk in my office.”

Grimm hauls his bike off the ground and rolls it in. “Youroffice. What the fuck, man.”

“Yeah, welcome to the Outlaw Sons,” Hellfire replies as they head for the church steps.

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