She sniffles, threading her arms up around my neck, pulling me into an embrace. “I don’t know how to react to this. I want to be stronger than how I feel right now.”
I pull back, looking into her gorgeous eyes. “Lockdown is scary. I’m not gonna lie… but if an attack happens, you stay with the other girls. Keep your focus on the kids. Keep them safe. Your instincts will kick in. I’ll teach you how to use a gun if it helps.”
She glares at me. “This is Texas, Kevlar… I know how to use a gun.”
“I’m not sure if I should be worried by that or turned on.”
“Oh, you should definitely be turned on.”
I lean in, pressing my lips to hers briefly, then pull back. “I’m serious, though. If you want me to teach you anything… hand-to-hand combat, target practice, anything. Just let me know.”
She lets out a long exhale. “I want you to teach me how not to be scared.”
“I can’t teach you that. The second you’re not scared in this situation is the second shit gets dangerous. If you’re not constantly watching your six, and keeping an eye out for your brothers and everything else, that’s the second you become a liability.”
She relaxes a little more in my hold. “Okay.”
“There is a difference between being scared shitless and being brave enough to push through, though.”
She tilts her head assessing my words. “What do you mean?”
“You have to decide if you’re the type of person who’s going to hide in the corner while those around you are dying or the type to pick up the gun beside you and shoot the asshole gunning your family down.”
I see it.
The fire lights in her eyes the second I finish talking. She stands taller, her body stops shaking as she puffs out her chest ready to take on any-fucking-thing thrown at her. “I’m not letting anything hurt my family.”
Bringing my hand up, I caress her cheek. Pride swarms through me, so I lean in, kissing her briefly. “That’s my girl.”
She lets out a long breath. “I get it now… why you stand and fight. I’m sorry I argued with you about it.”
“Hey, I want you to argue with me. I want you to stand up for what you believe in. I want you to make a fuss when you think I’m wrong. We’re a team. You’re gonna be an attorney. It’s your job to fight. So, practice on me.”
“Are you sure? I mean that’s asking for trouble? Getting my point across can be tedious sometimes.”
“I’m sure... I want you to be you. Completely. Don’t ever hold back.”
“In that case, then, I hate this tee you’re wearing. This dusty blue is not your color.”
Chuckling, I lean in, pressing my lips to hers. Kissing Jovie affects me so profoundly that somehow, it makes all the shit in the world disappear. Standing here in the kitchen of the clubhouse is like nothing, and no one can ever pop this happy bubble we’ve found ourselves in.
But I know they can.
They will try everything in their power to bring the club and us down.
I have to find a way to keep Jovie, my kids, Ethan, his wife, and my brothers at the club safe, all at the same time.
Good fucking luck to me.
JOVIE
Watching everyone arrive for lockdown has been interesting, the way the brothers of the club change when members of their family come in. They’re tenser, more on edge. I guess having everyone’s family here at the same time is never a cause for celebration. It’s always more out of fear.
Fear for their lives.
Fear an enemy is going to strike.
Fear they will be snuffed out.
The attorney in me thinks a mass gathering like this only spells more danger. Having all the families gathered under one roof is asking for trouble. I can’t see the logic behind it—this is begging for the Baron and Damir to attack—but the pessimist in me keeps remembering safety in numbers, right?
There are kids, women, and the elderly here. I have no clue what good they will be in a bloodbath fight. Honestly, this lockdown feels like a disaster waiting to happen. Surely, it would be safer if families split up and ventured out across the country.
But I haven’t been at this game long.
So, what would I know?
Neon is sitting with his family in the corner, and everyone’s steering clear of them. I heard something about Neon’s sister not being overly liked among the other members here, but I’m not one to judge a book by its cover, or even before I’ve read the blurb and perhaps dived in a few chapters to really get the feel of the backstory. So, I walk over to the table, assessing her before I sit down. She’s styled beautifully. Her hair is in a short black bob, her face done up with so much makeup, but she’s clearly beautiful, and her outfit is gorgeous. She does not fit in here. She’s so different from Neon. How did he end up here if he comes from a family who’s as uptight as this girl appears?
Don’t judge the cover, Jovie!
Striding up, Neon spots me. Gives me a head bob, but his eyes give away how utterly bored he is with the conversation he’s having with his sister and parents. I step to the side of the table, smiling wide. His eyes widen like he’s unsure of what I’m doing, but I’m all about making friends with Kevlar’s brothers, and I’m going to do just that.
“Hi! I’m Jovie. I’m new around here. This is my first lockdown. These things are crazy, am I right?” I let out a small laugh, and Neon’s sister stares at me like I’m the crazy one.
“Hi, Jovie, you’re new to the club, did you say?” Neon’s mother asks, breaking the weird tension between Neon’s sister and me.
I take the opening and slide in next to Neon. He shuffles over as I nod my head. “Oh, yeah. Haven’t been here long. Just trying to find my place. Getting to know all the brothers and mingle with the old ladies. Everyone’s so lovely.”
“Pffft. They’re not lovely.”
“Anna,” Neon warns.
I side-eye Neon, he subtly shakes his head at me, but I continue anyway. “Anna, it’s nice to meet you. I hear you’ve had a long history with the club. I haven’t heard it personally, but I’d love to chat about it with you sometime.”
“Seriously? You want to chat with me about my relationship with Zero? Honey, please, do some fact-checking before you waltz in here acting like you’re some great chick trying to get in on my family’s good side… we won’t accept you. If you’re Neon’s latest squeeze, you can just forget it, okay? Dump him now, because this…” she waves her hand between Neon and me, “… isn’t going to work.”
“Oh, no, you have me all wrong.”
“Anna, shut it! You don’t even know what you’re talking about,” Neon groans.
“Sorry… I’m not interested in Neon. No offense,” I tell him.
He puts his hand up. “Absolutely none taken.”
“Then why the hell are you trying to suck up to our family?” Anna sneers.
I exhale and stand. “My mistake. I was just trying to be nice…”
“You were just trying to fish for something, weren’t you?” Anna sneers.
“Anna, why do you think the world is against you? Honestly, darling,” Neon’s mother berates.