Theo nods, sliding the card into the back pocket of his jeans.
Diesel looks down at me. “Walk me out?”
Saint snarls, and it’s amusing to see him like this. With the mask down. Unable to conceal his jealousy.
I glare at Galen, as we walk past him toward the door, funneling every ounce of hatred into the dark look.
Once outside, we walk in silence for a few minutes until we’ve put enough distance between us and the barn. “Thanks for that,” I say in a low tone, circling my arms around his neck and hugging him.
“I want to help. They need to know you’ve got backup. That I care about you. That I will go postal on their asses if they try anything again.”
“What do you think?” I ask. “Was he acting alone?”
He runs a hand over his prickly jawline. “As much as I hate to say it, because I fucking loathe Saint, I think he’s telling the truth. I think Galen went rogue.”
“Not that it really matters,” I say, and it’s only half a lie. “Because it’s a timely reminder I can’t trust them anyway. I was getting too close.”
He plants his hand on the nape of my neck, reeling me in. His lips linger against my forehead. “I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but…they care about you. At least Saint, Caz, and Theo do. It won’t take much to have them eating out of your hand, but Galen is a dangerous asshole because he’s damaged goods, that much is clear, and that makes him volatile. Make him grovel for forgiveness, but never trust him.”
“I don’t need any convincing.”
Diesel’s gaze darts over my head, and his lips kick up ever so slightly at the corners as he bends down, pressing his mouth against mine. It’s only a peck, and I’m guessing it was for Saint’s benefit. “Stay safe, sweetheart. Call me if you need me.”
I watch him disappear into the trees with fondness, glad I called him. I turn around, keeping my gaze trained on Saint’s as I walk back toward the barn. He’s standing in the doorway, his expression and stance like that of a strict army major. He’s furious. That much is obvious.
I move to brush past him, but he grabs hold of my elbow. “Were you fucking him the same time you were fucking me?”
“I don’t recall him being in the room.” I’m being facetious on purpose because this shit never gets old.
“Don’t get smart. You know what I mean,” he growls.
“Jealous, Saintly?”
“Of that old perv, hardly,” he scoffs.
“Then you don’t need an answer, do you?” I shove his arm off and step into the room.
The door slams with a violent bang, and then, I’m pushed up against the wall with Saint’s strong, tan, inked arms caging me in. “I spent hours terrified you might be lying dead or injured, and then, you show up with attitude and that prick in tow. Cut me some slack here, princess.” He presses his body against mine, and red-hot emotion rolls off him in waves.
I reach up, running my fingers along his stubbly jawline. “I haven’t fucked him since you guys moved into the house.”
His lips crash down on mine, and he winds his fingers through my hair, firmly clasping the back of my head. The kiss starts off rough and punishing before his lips soften and he makes love to my mouth in a way he’s never done before. The rawness of the emotion pouring from him scares me, and I rip my lips from his before he sucks me back into his orbit again. He presses his forehead to mine, holding me in place at the back of my head. “I know you don’t trust us, trust me, and I hate that Galen has fucked things up, but please give us a chance to put it right because we can’t lose you, Lo.”
“Why? Because I’m one of you now?”
He moves his hand, rubbing his thumb along the side of my neck. “Because you’re our girl.”
“That remains to be seen,” I say, ducking out from under his hold.
“The fuck does that mean?” he demands to know, trailing me as I walk back to the table.
I reclaim my seat, and he plonks down beside me, radiating thunderous vibes. “You owe me.” I glance around the table. “All of you.” My eyes narrow on Galen, and I jab my finger at him. “Especially you.”
“Whatever it is you want, it’s yours,” Galen says.
“I want you groveling at my feet,” I coolly reply.
He gulps, and I bet he’d love to protest, but I have him where I want him. His brothers are pissed at him. I’m pissed at him. Sinner would lynch him if he discovered what he did, and Darrow will be out for his blood now too.
He is at my mercy, and he knows it.
“Whatever it takes.”
When he doesn’t move, I arch a brow and stare at him.
“What?” he asks, looking confused.
A knowing smile curves the corners of Saint’s mouth, and Caz chuckles. Theo’s lips twitch while his fingers fly over the keypad of his tablet.
“I meant it literally,” I explain, enjoying watching all the blood drain from his face.
“You can’t be serious?”
I school my features into a neutral line. “Do I look like I’m not?”
He glances at Saint.
“Don’t look at him,” I snap. “I’m calling the shots now.” I curl my fingers at him. “Get up here and kneel before me.”
Slowly, he stands, biting back a hiss of pain and clutching his upper torso as he hobbles toward me. His entire face is flushed red with anger when he reaches me, but he doesn’t bother arguing anymore, clutching the side of Saint’s chair as he painfully lowers himself to his knees.
“Kiss my feet,” I demand, smirking as he leans down and kisses the toes of my mucky boots. “Stay there until I tell you to get up.”
Saint pins me with one of his trademark amused looks while Caz is full-on grinning. Theo is oblivious, lost in technology.
“We should hit the road soon,” Saint says. “It’ll take six hours to reach Grenlow, and it’s best to get there before dark.”
“I’m not going to the safe house. You’ll take me to the training facility like Sinner requested.”
“Like fuck I will.” Saint’s heated expression and response are predictable.
“You cannot shield me from this, and I’m not running.”
“Babe, initiation is hardcore fucked-up shit,” Caz says.
“You think I don’t know that?” I lean forward in my chair. “That I’m not capable?”
Galen hisses, and I’m guessing he’s uncomfortable bent over like that.
Well, screw him.
I reach down, grab handfuls of his messy dark hair, and tug on the strands. “Stay still,” I snap.
“We know how resourceful you are, Lo.” Saint rubs at his mouth. “But the training process is extremely physical, and the initiation tasks usually involve violence and criminal activities. None of us want that for you.”
“What we want doesn’t come into this,” I say. “It’s doing what needs to be done to achieve our end goal.”
“Which is?” Theo asks, lifting his head from his screen.
“The same one it’s always been. Vengeance.”
“Look, none of us have allegiance to Sinner,” Saint says, pinning me with a grave expression. “Our plan was always to climb the ranks and take control as soon as possible so we can restore order to The Sainthood. Kidnapping, torturing, and murdering kids and women is not something any of us signed up for. Hell, most members in most chapters feel the same way. Sinner’s new direction makes a lot of members uncomfortable, but he has powerful allies, and he’s a bona fide psychopath. He won’t be easy to take down.”