Brick Brick (Knights Corruption MC - Next Generation, #4) - S. Nelson Page 0,16

in the first place.

I’d seen the strain Kaden and Riley being together caused for Stone and his family. Not wanting that to happen to Zoe was a perfect reason to walk away, but like I said… I couldn’t.

Call me selfish, but I refused to give her up.

Tripp moved next to Ryder, clasping his hand on the guy’s shoulder. “How about we go inside and calm down?” Then he shot me a look, warning me to stay silent with a flick of his eyes.

Braylen whispered something to her husband when he didn’t look like he was gonna budge from his spot, guiding his hand to her stomach. He took a few breaths before grabbing her wrist and gently pulling her toward the clubhouse and away from the three of us left standing there.

“Not smart, Brick,” Tripp chastised. “Not smart,” he repeated, following Braylen and Ryder inside.

I clutched the back of my neck in a feeble attempt to soothe my tightened muscles. As if I didn’t have enough to fuckin’ deal with, now I had a pissed-off Ryder to contend with, not that his reaction surprised me.

“Don’t worry about him.” Zoe’s fingers trailed over my forearm, and down my wrist until our hands clasped together.

“Easy for you to say. I have to sit at a table with him for God knows how long.” I could handle Ryder, but I’d much rather spend my energy on all things Zoe. There was nothing I wanted more right now than to be back at my place, locked away with her for the foreseeable future. Even as my grand delusional wish transpired, I realized it wasn’t feasible. A threat loomed over the club and we had to figure out how to deal with it before any more of us got hurt.

“You comin’?” Ace peeked his head out and shouted to me across the lot. “Prez is waitin’.”

“I’ll be right there.” I didn’t get a chance to say anything else to Zoe before she trudged forward, pulling me with her.

“Better not keep them waiting or somehow I’m sure I’ll get blamed.” She looked up at me and smiled. “Ignore my dad if he starts in on you. I don’t want you to say something that’ll make things worse.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know. It’s simply a blanket warning.”

I held the door for her so she would step inside first, allowing me a few extra seconds to calm myself before I walked into Chambers.

Once the door shut behind me, Zoe made her way toward Braylen, who was sitting on the couch in the middle of the room. I made a left and moved to the open door of our meeting room. The second I entered, everyone’s eyes were on me.

“Nice of you to join us,” Marek snarked, flicking his hand in the air, which was a gesture for me to take my fuckin’ seat and fast.

“There’s no goddamn code anymore.” The gripe came from across the table, from the man sitting directly next to our VP. Ryder glared at me seconds before his eyes landed on Kaden.

“Why you lookin’ at me?” Kaden asked, the deepest frown set between his eyebrows. He’d unknowingly been pulled into my drama, and just when things between him and Stone were starting to calm.

“Because you’re the one who set the precedent that it’s acceptable to go after another member’s daughter to fill your bed.” Stone grunted with Ryder’s declaration, leaning forward, both men glaring at Kaden.

There were so many things Kaden probably could’ve said in response, but he only replied with, “If you have a problem with Brick and Zoe, you need to take that up with him. Leave me out of it.”

Okay, so maybe he could’ve said something else to direct the situation away from me. But to be fair, this was my fight and not his.

“Enough!” Marek shouted. “Why can’t you guys keep your dick in your pants?” He didn’t wait for a response to his outburst before he changed the subject. “We need to reassess our situation here. They’re gonna make a move and soon. I can feel it. And right when we need everyone on board, we have three of you out of commission, especially if they hit soon.”

“I’m fine, Prez,” Ryder argued, sitting straighter, the sound of his cut against his leather chair sounding almost ominous.

“Yeah, me, too.” I threw in my retort, even though I wasn’t in any shape to fight if something happened in the next few days. Hell, possibly the next week. I felt better than I