Page 37 of Hodge
“Of course. You’re one of us now. You’re always welcome here.” I smile as he reaches over and grabs a beer, bringing it to his lips and taking a long pull. “Hodge bein’ an ass?”
“He was doing what he thought was right,” I tell him.
“By brandin’ you? That was more than what he thought was best,” he chuckles.
“What do you mean?”
“He likes you, darlin’. There’s more to brandin’ someone than that.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means he cares about you to some degree. He wouldn’t have done that if he didn’t.”
“It doesn’t mean anything to him.”
“Oh, it does. You just don’t see it yet. Hell, maybe he doesn’t see it yet either.”
“He told me he didn’t want me.” Now Sly laughs.
“He was lyin’ to you. When a man in an MC decides to brand a woman, that’s the highest level of honor. Yeah, we tattoo our women, we claim them as our own, but a brand? That’s somethin’ you can never take away or take back. In fact, not many people brand their woman anymore.” I run my hand through my hair as I look over at him, confused by what he’s saying.
“I don’t … he doesn’t want me.”
“Like I said, he had his reasons for doin’ what he did. Maybe he doesn’t see it yet, and maybe he never will, but he put that mark on you, Kemah. He made it a point to let everyone know that you belong to him,” he adds before taking down what’s left of his beer. He sets the bottle on the counter and motions to Dezzy for another. She pops the top off and slides it over to him when I grab my drink and take it down. This is all too much. I don’t know what any of this means, and I don’t think Sly knows what he’s talking about either.
“I can see the look in your eyes. You don’t believe me.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Don’t have to, sweetheart. I can see the look on your face.”
“It just doesn’t make sense. He made it clear he didn’t want to be with me,” I remind him.
“Men are tricky, Kemah. We’re not good with our feelin’s and shit. We’re not good at tellin’ you how we feel. We show you.” I snort a laugh.
“He showed me enough. I didn’t need to see anymore.”
“Just give him a chance.” I don’t answer, and I don’t look over at him either. Instead, I raise my glass to Dezzy, and she smirks before refilling it. I take down glass after glass until nothing else in the world matters.
Chapter 17
Hodge
“Why are you like this, Hodge?”
“Like what?”
“Stubborn as fuck! What the hell is wrong with you?” she snaps at me.
“Nothin’ is wrong with me. Everything’s goin’ accordin’ to plan.”
“Is it? And where the fuck does Kemah play into this plan of yours?” Kiki snaps at me.
“She doesn’t.”
“What the fuck?”
“Just stop, Kiki, okay? She’s gone. She left,” I remind her.
