“You’re in Hatch’s clubhouse asking him for help with the Spiders—”
I interrupted, “This shit with the Spiders affects his club as much as it does ours.”
“That’s bullshit and you know it. The Saints have a bigger target on their backs and more to lose than the Dogs, should the Spiders decide to go to war. Besides, Hatch didn’t come to you for help. You went to him.”
“And I appreciate his help, but that doesn’t give him the right to pull some half-assed attempt at taking me down a peg in front of my club.”
“Is that what he was doing?”
“Fuckin A.”
“Is that A as in Alpha Dog or Alpha Male?”
“Look, Cricket. I know you think this is all about some macho, toxic male, bullshit—”
She flicked a nonexistent piece of lint off her lap. “You said it, not me.”
I ignored her comment and continued, “This is about respect. Your brother got bent out of shape over nothing and disrespected me in front of my crew.”
“What about the lack of respect you showed him? On the day he was patched in as President no less. And like it or not, he’s not just my brother. He’s your brother too.”
“Look, I’m sorry about what I said before—”
“I’m serious, Minus. My brothers are the only family I have and if you’re gonna be with me, that means we’re all a family. And the head of that family is Hatch.” She shrugged. “Unless you don’t plan on you and I being together long term.”
“Low blow, Cricket,” I ground out. “You know that I do.”
“Good. Then act like it. Because, not only is Hatch essentially your brother-in-law, he’s also your club brother. You may not ride under the same patch, but you’re supposed to be allies out on the street. Now more than ever.”
“You think I don’t know that?”
“I do. I simply think you’re not acting like it.”
“Thank you, consigliere,” I said flippantly.
Cricket rose to her feet and looked me dead in the eyes. “You don’t get to do that,” she said with an anger I’d never heard in her voice before.
“I didn’t mean to—”
“Didn’t mean to, what? Bully me as my boyfriend or strong arm me as the club’s president?”
“Fiancé,” I corrected, then answered her question, “And neither.”
“I am the Burning Saints’ consigliere, and as such, I’m here to advise you to sac up and act more presidential, starting by apologizing to Hatch and Booker,” she said. “Tonight.”
I fought every urge to argue and instead remained silent.
“You’ve now enlisted the assistance of both me and my brother. The Wallace family has done right by you and your club, at least two of us have, maybe it’s time you do the same and show a little gratitude.”
With that, Cricket walked out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
* * *
Cricket
I had to leave the room or I might murder my boyfriend...fiancé...whatever. God, how the hell did I end up with the very definition of a man-child?
“You look like someone kicked your puppy,” Hatch observed with a smile. “You okay?”
I scowled up at him, taking his arm and dragging him into one of the bunk rooms and slamming the door. “You need to stop being a dick to Minus.”
My brother let out an exaggerated sigh. “Christina.”
“Don’t you ‘Christina’ me,” I snapped. “You know he’s on shifting sand right now and trying to figure out how to make it all work. You’ve got ten years of experience on him and have a huge support system which he doesn’t have.”
“He’s got you.”
“Yeah, Con, I know! But so do you. I don’t want to have to choose between my man and my brother, and if you make me do so, you’ll lose.”
“I’m not makin’ you choose between us, Cricket.”
“You absolutely are.”
He crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. “How do you figure?”
“By continually poking the bear.” I waved my finger at him. “Stop being a dick. Cullen, Cade, and Cam have embraced him. I need you to do the same.” I patted my chest and blinked back tears. “I love him with every fiber of my being, Hatch. I have for years. You know this. Don’t test me in that. Please. I love you just as much,