Page 69 of Marx

My little brother pulls Serpiente into an almost standing position, one arm banded around his chest as the two love birds stare at each other.

“I love you, baby,” Renae sobs, her shoulders shaking, her cries turning to screams when Rhodie’s knife slides through skin, tendon and muscle along Serpiente’s throat.

Blood sprays on Renae’s face and into her open mouth, effectively gagging her. Rhodie drops the dead man at Renae’sfeet, before leaning into her, wiping the blood off his knife on her silk blouse.

“My daughter doesn’t exist to you. You will never speak of her, you will never think of her for as long as you live.” He brings his clean blade down into her thigh, pinning her to the chair.

Her mouth opens on a wail but her eyes roll back and she slumps down in her seat.

“Thank fuck, her voice was giving me a headache,” one of my brothers mutters.

“Grab some Tylenol, my girls have arrived and it’s time to have a little fun,” Chewy grins, her eyes fixed on Renae’s slumped body.

The heavy metal door slams behind the Ol Ladies, each one beelining for their men. Lovely smiles wide, seeming in good spirits considering she has to be in pain. She must read my thoughts because she moves to her tiptoes, pressing a gentle kiss to the corner of my mouth.

“It doesn’t hurt too bad. Vi gave me a pain reliever and as long as I don’t talk or move my neck too much I’m fine.” She pats the center of my chest with her hand, and I grasp it in mine, holding it against my heart.

Her eyes turn soft and she leans into me, breathing deeply before turning, allowing me to trap her in the circle of my arms, her dark head leaning back against my chest. I nuzzle into her hair, breathing her scent as I press a kiss to the top of her head, then fix my gaze on Chewy.

“What’s the plan?”

“Let me just confer with the girls.”

The women make their way to the other side of the room. I’m reluctant to let Lovely go, but she throws me a cheeky grin over her shoulder and mouths “I’ll be back” as she sashays that plump ass across the room.

“No ogling until she’s patched up,” Pops jabs me with his finger while mean mugging me.

“I agree, Son, Lock that woman down, and fast,” Mad Dog adds.

Before I know it all my brothers are murmuring their agreement. I rub the center of my chest, feeling damn warm inside knowing my brothers approve of Lovely. I didn’t really think I’d give a shit whether they liked my choice of ol lady or not, but to know they not only like her, but approve wholeheartedly means a lot. Having a first lady that the MC loves and respects is not only preferable, but powerful. Her brothers were right, she’s the type of person the club will go to war for.

Feminine giggles draw mine and my brother’s attention to the other side of the room, the women looking animated, Mira scribbling frantically in her book while the others look like all their Christmases have come at once.

“Should we be afraid of how excited they all look?” Rider asks, tipping his chin in their direction.

“Should I be afraid that Kaia has slipped right into their Girl Gang bullshit?” Judge grumbles, never taking his eyes off Kaia.

I slap him on the back and give him a rueful smile. The brother has always been quiet and collected. The fact that he’s set his sights on a woman that I’d be afraid to piss off has my lips tipping up even more.

“Judge, I think you have a lot more to be afraid of than the Girl Gang.”

He lets out a sigh, “I know Pres. Kaia is fucking everything wrapped up in this dynamite package. I’m convinced she could rip my balls off at any moment.”

I slap him on the shoulder. “So? She may be scary, but can you imagine yourself with anyone else?” He stares at me before shaking his head. “Good luck, brother, it’s worth it.”

“AND BREAK!” The women all clap their hands like they’ve been discussing plays in an NFL huddle and make their way back to their ol men.

Chewy frees Chomper and Gretchen from their homey little cages in the corner, leads them to Serpiente’s prone body and nudges them closer. “There, babies, have a snack before bedtime,” she coos. She prances past Rhodie, stopping to suck face with him, before her and Pops go to the storeroom.

“You girls have a plan?” I whisper to Lovely, as she automatically finds her way back into my arms.

“Sure do,” she whispers hoarsely.

“Should we be worried?”

She just grins up at me, a twinkle in her eye.

“Ladies and gentlemen! Before we start the show I need two strong volunteers!”

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