rear, carrying their bags. As I approached Tank’s door, I saw Maddie and Flame disappearing into his room down the hallway. Brother was walking now, though he looked like he was still favoring his wounded side.
“Tann?” I turned and saw Tank approaching. He had some bags with him. He glanced to the door. “You going in to see her?”
“Yeah.” I stared at the wooden door. Nerves and anger were swirling in my gut. I felt that fucking golden cross she had given me burning my neck. “Give me some time,” I said to Tank. “Gotta talk to her then I’ll take her to my room.”
“You squared that away with Styx?”
Anger shot through me. She was my fucking woman. I shouldn’t have to square shit away. “She ain’t allowed out. She’s under room arrest. But I wouldn’t be bringing her out anyway. I trust our chapter, but not sure some of the other cunts here wouldn’t be gunning her way given half a chance.”
Tank’s hand came down on my shoulder. “I’ll take Beauty for a drink. Styx and Ky have just gone for Li and Mae. She’ll no doubt wanna help them when they get here. Being that they can hardly move they’re that pregnant.” Tank knocked on the door. Beauty opened it seconds later, putting her finger on her lips. She ducked out of the room.
“She’s asleep,” Beauty said quietly. My stomach turned. I wanted to see her. I wanted to see how she looked again when she was at peace. But then that fucking wedding dress popped in my head and a surge of fury pushed those thoughts away. Beauty put her hand on my arm. “She’s all cleaned up and I’ve given her food and clean clothes.”
Leaning in, I kissed Beauty’s cheek. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”
Beauty smiled. “She’s gorgeous, Tanner. I can see why you left the Klan for her. I couldn’t stop looking at her when she was all cleaned up. She’s that stunning.”
She was. Adelita was the most perfect thing I’d ever seen. And in that wedding dress . . . in white . . . My chest tightened just thinking about it. Thinking of her and what she looked like. What I always dreamed she’d look like when she was walking down the aisle to me. Giving herself to me. Not some other cunt.
“We’ll give y’all space,” Tank said and put his arm around Beauty’s shoulder.
“Holler if you need me for anything,” Beauty added.
They walked away into the mass of activity in the club. The noise from the bar was deafening when the door was opened. My hand sat on the doorknob, when I saw Viking coming toward me. He stood beside me, leaning against the wall. I raised an eyebrow.
“I’m on guard now.” He smiled, then pointed to the room where Adelita was. “So . . . you like the Latinas, huh?” Fucker nodded like I’d just answered him with yes. “Those red-blooded bitches do something real special to my cock as well, ya feel me? Like when they shout and scream in that language, and that accent. Shit, brother. It’s like a personal mating call to my dick. Bastardos!” he imitated in the shittest Mexican accent I’d ever heard. He pointed to his crotch. “See?” I wasn’t fucking looking at his cock in his jeans. “Like a damn mating call.”
Exhaling a slow, measured breath, I turned the knob and opened the door. Viking grabbed my arm before I could enter. “Feel free to be loud, brother.” He winked. “I’m not shy.”
“No shit,” I countered, then slipped into the room. It was dark but for a lamp in the corner. Adelita was on the bed. She was dressed in a black dress like some of the other Hangmen bitches wore—Beauty must have got it from her store. It did something to me, seeing her in it. Ever since I’d joined the Hangmen, I’d imagined her in something like this. I’d imagined her wearing my cut.
Walking to where she lay, I glanced down at her and my chest tightened. She was as beautiful as I remembered. Her hair was damp, but still as long and as dark as the day I met her. And even with no makeup, her signature red lipstick missing, she looked just as stunning as she ever was. More so, in fact.
Taking a seat on the armchair in the corner, I watched her. I never moved my eyes from her face. I thought about it all. The first time I met