Page 37 of Double the Dilemma

“Exactly what I’ve been saying,” Jax exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air.

They were right. He just didn’t know how.

CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE

KARISSA

She stared sulkily into her beer, Razor’s words echoing in her head. God, she was so over all this feelings bullshit. It was messing with her head, and she hated it. She wanted it to be easy, and yet, it never was. Razor was acting like she betrayed him. He had no right to think that, considering she hadn’t even been in a relationship with him before last night. Sleeping together was not a relationship, and she’d lost track of how many times she’d told him that.

“You know, for someone who’s had a very exciting day, you’re a bit of a downer,” Harlow remarked, pulling her from her thoughts. “And is it really time for a drink this early? It’s not even noon.”

Karissa gave her a cool stare. “Jealous much?” she retorted.

“Of course I am,” Harlow scoffed. “I haven’t had a drink in months, and I’m so damn tired of watching everyone else indulge. I think we should make it mandatory that all women, pregnant or not, go off the booze if one of us can’t drink.”

Scarlett snorted. “Like hell. I love my wine, and when dealing with Rogue and the girls, I need it in large quantities.”

“Hey!” Wren cried, affronted. Win glared at Scarlett.

Scarlett arched a brow at them. “You pissed off Rogue by talking about how you would love to have a Viking daddy instead of a mean, growly one,” she reminded Wren. She looked at Win and added, “And you pretending to check the size of Taz’s muscles was like waving a red flag at a bull. And you two wonder why I need wine? I’m going to have to calm Rogue down now.”

“Oh please,” Win scoffed, waving her hand. “He knows we’re joking. He’s pissed because he doesn’t want to think about us leaving. And we all know that “calming Rogue down” is code for doing the nasty in your room.”

“Or over the garage,” Wren chimed in. “I give him half an hour before he comes back in, grabs you, and hauls your ass out.”

“Language,” Scarlett admonished, but she didn't deny it, making Karissa smirk. “Just cool it for the rest of the day. It’s been a busy morning already.”

“What I want to know is just how well you know your team,” Esme said with a waggle of her eyebrows. “And spare no details.”

“I second that,” Royal chimed with a grin.

Karissa chuckled. “Hate to tell you, but while I know them all intimately, I’ve never slept with any of them.”

“That’s a lie, woman!” Taz cried out from behind her, making her turn to glare at him and the other women jump in surprise. He walked toward them, and said, “Do I need to remind you about the time you tried to get in bed with me?”

Karissa rolled her eyes, because everyone else had gone quiet. “I was drunk and thought I was climbing into my own bed,” she returned calmly. “How was I supposed to know you traded rooms with me? If you hadn’t been naked, I wouldn’t have nearly crushed your balls.” She gave him a slow, evil smile. “And from what I remember, there wasn’t much else to worry about crushing.”

Snickers and jeers were called out, but Taz was unfazed. “Grower, not a shower,” he replied easily. “Tell me the truth, you’ve been pining for me, haven’t you? You got a teaser, and you’ve been longing for the real thing.”

“I think she’s longing for his death,” Wren snickered.

“Xena, don’t play with your food before you kill it,” Simba called out suddenly.

“Fifty bucks says she’s going to stab him at least once before this mission is over,” Win announced loudly. “Any takers?”

“You’re on, girlie,” Taz declared, pulling out his wallet and handing her a fifty. “I’m far too charming,” he added with a wink.

Karissa laughed when Esme pulled out a fifty too. “My money’s on my sister from another mister,” she announced. She winked at Taz. “She’s nasty when she’s pissed.”

Scarlett groaned. “This is why I need to keep them away from all these bikers,” she sighed. “They’re going to be corrupted before they get to college.”

“But it’ll make it so much more fun,” Wren said cheerfully. “Alright, ladies and gents, place your bets. Mama needs some new clothes.”

Karissa watched as, one by one, everyone came forward and gave the girls their money and placed their bets. Win had her phone out, listing names and tallying up amounts, and she felt a strange feeling build in her chest. Was Razor right that she had been trying not to let anyone else become a family to her?

She stood without a word and headed for the door, needing some air. She ignored the questioning looks she got from everyone, including her old team. She was going to have to meet with them alone soon enough, but they could wait. Instead, she walked outside and went to the end of the large porch, leaning against the railing and staring out at the lot.

She mentally cursed Razor. She hated letting her emotions get the better of her. Hated questioning herself and doubting her decisions. If she was smart, she would leave and deal with Sena on her own. She shouldn’t have called in her team, and she shouldn’t have dragged the Dragons into it. If she left like she planned, she could have avoided all of it.

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