“No,” I snapped back, and stubbornly pushed back to the wall. Like hell I was going to sleep in a dirty old club room; not while my so-called boyfriend was out here with a woman who looked like she had just stepped out of a magazine.
“Amber,” he growled, and stepped in closer; blocking my view of Jax. “We allowed you to come on our conditions, remember?”
I don’t know how Jax had got them to agree to me coming, but I wasn’t going to ask questions. He told me this trip was important to him, and, after much consideration, we decided it best in both our interests to keep our relationship on the down-low while on the trip but lines were drawn, well one line; if he slept with another woman, or women, we were done.
“Fine,” I grunted and shouldered him as I stormed past. I narrowed my eyes at Jax as I strode across the biker club car park, which was packed with members; bonfires sent shadowed light across it.
Pushing their clubhouse door open, I noticed it was surprisingly a lot dirtier than ours; who knew that was even possible.
“Amber?”
“I’m already going to bed,” I snapped over my shoulder to Tyler. “Want to tuck me in?”
“Bitchy much?” Tyler scoffed. “And no, just wanted to check on ya, alright.”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” I spun around and I noticed the surprise in Tyler’s eyes as he locked eyes with my murderous ones. I just had to keep a lid on it, because it wouldn’t be fair for him to cop the full lash of my anger.“Everyone loves bedtime.”
“Third door down the hall, and don’t take it off the hinges when you slam it,” Tyler said dryly, backing away quickly; most likely the smartest thing he had ever done.
“Who knew the Shield’s had a baby sister?” A deep, amused voice spoke after Tyler shut the door. My eyes darted to the lounge chair, taking in the gruff, older man.
“Who knew couches talked?” I snapped back, before taking in his patches on his vest. Looked like the club President of this chapter didn’t have the partying fire.
“Snappy aren’t we?”
He butted the cigarette out and nodded his head towards the armchair next to him. “Take a seat.”
“Prefer not to, got to get to bed.” Lame cop-out excuse, but, seeing the mood I was in, I knew I could do damage if I chatted with the President. “Night.”
“The Amber I knew didn’t listen to anyone, let alone her brothers. Perhaps it is your new boyfriend that has these sudden reins on you.”
My mouth opened and then shut. For once, I had no comeback.
“Take a seat Amber,” he said, his lips curling in amusement.
“Who… Do I know you?”
“It’s been a few years,but surely I haven’t changed that much?”
I took in his gruff face again… his solid body… his appearance didn’t ring a bell, but, as I took in his tired eyes, it hit me.
“Been a while Grant, although last time I saw you, you weren’t wearing club colors,” I said. I arched an eyebrow at him, “You also weren’t exactly in a fit state. Off the beer, are we now?”
Grant’s chest rumbled with laughter and he shook his head at me as I sat down in the chair to him.
“Tell me, how is my nephew?”
The small smile disappeared from my face as I answered, “Prison.”
Grant’s broad smile went firm into a tight line. “Good leaders often end up locked up for short periods of time.” Grant moved forward in his chair, slightly turning his eyes to me. “So, why are you playing with your brothers when the gang needs a leader? Blake only ever really trusted you.”
“We broke up a while ago,” I muttered. “Things just didn’t work out.”
“My nephew never realized how important you were. I always knew he would lose you.” Grant leaned back in his chair. “Though I already guessed that you had broken up, seeing as you have a new man.”
“What are you talking about?” I crossed my arms. “I don’t have a new man.”
“Went from dangerous, to deadly;” he arched both eyebrows as he spoke, “And I thought you were smart.”