Page 141 of Filthy Love

He knew that would be next, wouldn’t it? Rider would bringherup next…

“You divulged your fucking history to the girl? You were right there with me having your own fucking bitches on their backs. We’re not fucking perfect. Gia knows that, so don’t spout your hypocrite bullshit to me, Rider.”

Rider made a noise in the back of his throat. It seemed a ridiculous conversation to have, what with him holding a something-month-old kid in his arms at the time.

Now the clubhouse main room looked like a damn circus, what with Preacher supping on soda and throwing back chips and Grinder sharing candy with Capone and Arson who had his feet kicked up on one of the tables.

The fuck did they think his life was, a day time soap opera? Assholes.

It was only Tag who wandered in from the shop, oil stained hands and clothes, heard the shit Rider was yelling at him, and turned to head back outside. At least Prince Charming had some respect.

He faced his president. “If you’re asking me to make a choice between being in the club or having a life with her because you can’t accept it. I’ll give you my cut back right now. It’s not a choice for me. It’ll kill me to give this back to you, you know what the club means to me.She means more.”

That seemed to settle in the air, breaths sucked in with shock, his words rang in his own ears but rather than regret, they gave Hawk some peace.

She meant more.

It was that fucking simple.

******

With everyone’s backs turned, Gia was able to slip into the massive clubhouse undetected except for Uncle Jed who winked at her.

“You’ll watch your fuckin’ mouth.” She was in time to hear growled by her brother. She didn’t know in what context, but it was more than obvious things were heated between him and Hawk and had been for some time. Rider was leaning against a wall, Hawk was by the bar. And every biker who’d ever come through those doors appeared to be around all at the same time. No doubt to watch the Prez and VP bickering show.

Men. They never truly grew up.

Okay, she could give Rider the act of surprise, but it was more than three hours since Hawk called her, and they were still glowering at each other? Seriously.

Hawk glared in equal hard-edged measure.

It was like witnessing modern day gladiators squaring off with each other.

Gia caught Zara’s smile and shoulder shrug.

Hawk spat back. “If you wanted a yes man to bow and scrape to the high and mighty Rider Marinos then whistle for a fucking prospect. I’ve always spoken my mind to you. I’m not gonna change it now. I get it, I overstepped a buncha fucking brother rules. You want my fucking cut back? You wanna make this a club situation instead of something personal? Then be a fucking man and say so, Prez, stop little bitch pouting over something that isn’t your fucking business.”

“Fuck you. You know what? Go fuck yourself if you can’t see how fuckin’ fucked up this is. My sister, man! My goddamn sister and you couldn’t tell me.”

“What would you have said if I’d told you I wanted her?”

“I would have told you to climb on one of your many fuckin’ bitches and get over it.”

Gia sucked in a breath, feeling the pain of that in her chest.

Rider stared him dead in the eye, serious as a tumor and twice as mad, fury in his unblinking stare. In all honesty she’d figured Rider would have a problem with them, but to act like their dad … now that came as a surprise. She wasn’t a damn kid, and neither was Hawk. She could take care of her own emotions, thank you.

Gia felt like she needed to chime in here before their war with words escalated between the two friends. A twinge of guilt hit her belly knowing she caused this. “Yeah, your sister. Your very grown up capable of her own decisions sister so if this chest pounding is for my sake it’s unwarranted. If you’re butthurt I’m taking your best friend away, then get over it.”

She placed her purse on the bar and sidled up to Hawk, sliding her hand on his waist letting him know she was there. He turned and nearly smiled.

A nearly-smile from Hawk was magic and heaven and she beamed at him.

“Hi.”

“Hey,” he croaked and canted his head as if he was going to kiss her but changed his mind mid descent. Dammit.

Just like that her brother’s gaze turned towards her and for the first time probably in her life she felt a shiver of the coldness he gave off to other people.

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