Page 11 of Relentles
“Our brother double-crossed them.”
“Are you sanctioningmurder?”
Jana lifted her head. “What’smer-der?”
“Nothing, sweetheart.” Auntie Seri kissed Jana’s forehead. “Go back to sleep.”
“Tea party?”
“When you’re all better,” she promised. “I’ll bring you a new dolly and tea set.”
“You spoil her,” Mommie said.
“I’m heraunt, Amy. It’s my job to spoil her.”
“Reason has returned. Thank God. Joey didn’t care whether you took Randolph. I don’t think you’ll be as lucky with Jana.”
“He might marry me.”
“He might kill you.”
“He’s honorable and good and kind.”
“He’s a biker.”
“I could lose myself in his eyes. He’s charming and sexy and—”
“Abiker.”
“Fine. You win.”
“If you ever bring upmydaughter’s parentage again, I’ll bar you from seeing her.”
Mommie and Aunt Seri’s talking wasn’t fun, so Jana closed her eyes and drifted off, dreaming of a new tea set.
Part One - A Tangled Web
Chapter One – Johnnie
Normally, John “Johnnie” Donovan sat at the table with his fellow officers whenever he was at the club, but most especially for church. This afternoon, however, he opted to take a seat at the table Christopher reserved for their daughters. Unsurprisingly, Cash “Ghost” McCall joined him.
While Cash truly wanted peace, Johnnie needed time. The only way to buy that precious time was by sowing the seeds of dissent and vetoing everything Christopher proposed.
It was four days before Christmas, so the clubhouse overflowed with brothers who rode in from out-of-town to spend the holidays at the mother chapter. It was standing room only.Johnnie broke out in a cold sweat at the crowd. Challenging Christopher during church with their regular members was bad enough. But his behavior could usher in the winds of war and result in the bitter rivalry that almost tore apart the club after Big Joe’s death.
Low murmurs and the occasional snicker rose amongst the brothers. Christopher walked through the crowd, greeting the out-of-towners who’d arrived earlier that day, conversing with the local members or the brothers who’d been in Hortensia for a few days.
Marcus “Digger” Banks, the club’s SAA, stayed close to Christopher, ready to defend him if the need arose.
Each time Christopher glanced toward the door, Johnnie’s unease deepened.
“Kendall and the other women did a spectacular job decorating the club,” Cash remarked. Like Johnnie, he was following Christopher’s every move. “I love all the poinsettias.”
“Huh?” Johnnie met Christopher’s gaze and his pulse thumped. Christopher’s eyes narrowed, his expression a combination of hurt and anger.
“What do you think of them?” Cash persisted.
Swallowing, Johnnie forced himself to look away from Christopher’s promise of vengeance. “What do I think of what?”
