ready to explode in a rage. Ethan had no doubt he was hiding something, whether it had to do with Martin’s disappearance, the alliance with the Ravens, or something else entirely. At the very least, he was guilty of disrespecting Brett, who was his interim leader, and that meant he couldn’t be fully trusted.
Maybe Brett realized that, and it was the reason she was making this offer. It could be a cry for help. Either way, he waited, wondering how Corey and Dylan would respond. They exchanged glances, and Corey nodded. “I think that might be a good idea. We’ll talk it over, figure out the logistics. In the meantime, we’ll start making plans to help with security for that run you’re handling. Dylan will work out his deal with the other club that’s going to take over. And Rafe will get in touch with the investigator, who’ll be in touch.”
He offered a hand, and Brett shook it firmly. “Sounds fair.”
Ethan slid his chair back and stood, letting her out of the booth. She brushed up against him, and her eyes shot to his. The chemistry crackled like electricity between them, and Ethan had to look away to control the urge to touch her. Instead, he gave her a nod and strode outside to wait for the others.
When they jogged out of the café, Dylan wore a telling smirk. “Holy fuck she’s hot!”
Corey scoffed. “Sure, but Regan’s hotter.”
They all laughed out, and Dylan clapped Ethan on the back as he approached his bike. “I forgot I was talking to two married geezers.” They kept laughing, but something about the conversation rubbed him raw, and Ethan revved his engine, laughing as well.
Brett had him as full mast, no doubt, but it felt weird talking to his brothers like this about her. She was hotter than the seventh level of hell, but it wasn’t just that. She was attractive beyond just the physical, even in the short interaction they just had, and the sparks he felt made him think that the attraction wasn’t just one sided. So why the hell was he feeling angry when they talked about her like that?
The problem was that nobody saw her as the president of the Silver Suns, as temporary as she might be. They only saw a hot woman. And if the people he respected were thinking of her like this, he just imagined how difficult it must be for her to take the president’s seat and hold on against people like Dennis.
Putting his attraction aside, he thought about it from the club’s point of view. If the inside man they send sees Brett the same way, and inadvertently undermines her authority in the club, shit would go south real fast. And some idiot like Dennis – probably even Dennis himself – would take charge. And that was the last thing anyone needed.
By the time they rolled into the parking lot and shut off their bikes, Ethan had made up his mind, and he followed Corey around the back, lighting a cigarette as he walked. Corey glanced over his shoulder casually, but he obviously knew Ethan had something to say. “What’s up, brother?” he asked, lighting a cigarette of his own.
“I’m surprised Regan hasn’t made you quit yet,” Ethan teased.
Corey shrugged. “She’s grateful I only have one vice. But that’s not what’s on your mind right now.”
With a sigh, Ethan shook his head. “No, it’s not. Listen, this thing with the Suns and Brett Carrigan puts everyone in a precarious situation.”
“Yeah, I know. What’s your take on the whole thing? Anything smell fishy to you?” Corey asked, not making eye contact.
“I don’t trust Dennis. He was part of the plot against us, and he has no respect for Brett. That’s going to cause a lot of trouble internally for their club. It’s not big, and they’ve never been well established. All it takes is one riot, one mutiny, and we’ve got a bigger problem on our hands than we’re bargaining for.”
“How so?” Corey asked.
“If they end up with internal beef, it could screw up the run for the Kings, and Dylan will wage war. But the Suns have a lot of sneaky, vindictive members, and they won’t play fair. We’ll end up involved.” Taking a long drag on his smoke, Ethan blew it out and ventured, “We need to firmly back Brett, for now. She’s got a hold on things, but she can’t keep it if we don’t give her the support she needs. And