Addictive (Houston Defiance MC #2) - K.E. Osborn Page 0,55

we thought he had no one with eyes on him, it’s just not the case. The girls want to celebrate by having a small, low-key party today in honor of Zero, and I agreed.”

“We’re havin’ a party?” Ax asks. I dip my head in answer. “Well, that’s greater than an armadillo in cowboy boots.”

Texas groans. “You say the weirdest shit, country boy.”

“And what? You don’t, city slicker.”

Texas chuckles. “Touché. Back to business, you need us to do anything, pres?”

“Nah, just have a good time, but don’t get fucking wasted. I want you to enjoy yourself, but I need you to function. I have no idea what’s around the corner. Got it?” I bang my gavel on the table, and we all stand.

Neon walks over to me. “You think Zero’s okay in there now?”

“Honestly, no, I’m still waiting for the call. Because what we don’t know is who’s on the Baron’s payroll. Zero’s not safe anywhere but here at the clubhouse with us. The one positive to come from this is… we now know there’s someone willing to look out for him. That’s got to count for something, and that fact gives me belief that maybe things are not as dire as we think they are.”

He grips my shoulder. “Let’s hope so.”

PRINIE

The party’s been in full swing for hours. Everyone’s having a great time. I’ve probably drunk a little more than I should. I’m not drunk, but I have had enough to numb the pain.

I should be happy. I tried to fake it as much as I could.

Zero is alive.

That’s fucking amazing.

But the fact is, he’s still in there, and while he’s still in there, he’s in danger.

So, yeah, we’re celebrating this small victory, but we may still lose the damn war.

Cherry has let her hair down, and it’s good to see her unwinding. She’s been bossing everyone around, getting shit organized. She’s not the wallflower she once was when we were in Chicago. She fits into this life so much better than I could ever have imagined. I’m not sure why I didn’t see it in her when I met her over a year ago.

I know what it takes to be an Old Lady.

You need to be strong.

You need to carry the weight of the club on your shoulders and do it without showing any emotion.

Cherry does that easily. She has turned out to be the strongest woman I know.

I wish I had a quarter of her strength. For me, it’s like half the time I am freaking out about what this club has done to my family or about how my family has been torn apart, and the other half I’m scared about what’s coming next for me and the club.

I wish I could find a balance.

An even keel for me to sit on.

Because right now all of this is teetering on a fine edge, which at any moment, could topple over.

I hate that fact.

I used to be so strong, so self-assured in my actions.

Then my parents were killed in front of me, and my entire persona changed. That’s when I started covering up in dark makeup and wearing grunge-style clothing. I try to show everyone how I feel by my appearance. I’m not sure why, I guess it’s the only way I can express it without losing control.

Since being back in Houston, I’ve toned down the clothing a little, but the grunge girl is still inside me. The dark-rimmed eyes, the dark hair, the attitude are still there.

Wraith doesn’t help. Seeing him, having him constantly hot and cold is so frustrating. I can’t tell from one minute to the next what headspace he’s in.

So, maybe I should stop trying.

Taking another long sip of my whiskey, it’s clear the brothers have started passing out around me as I sit by the fire pit on a beautiful spring night. There’s less humidity in the air, which makes it perfect for the fire. The moon shines brightly in the darkened sky while the stars twinkle like diamonds above me. It’s peaceful and calm as I sit curled in a ball on the seat simply staring at the sky.

Movement to my right startles me. As I turn, Wraith slides into the seat next to me. He looks tired. Worn out. Exhausted. He really should get some sleep. “Did you enjoy your night, princess?”

I inhale appreciating the fresh spring night air. “I really did. I needed this more than I knew. You?”

He tilts his head to the side. “I was on guard, making