what it was.
Taking a breath, I pulled out the box and flicked the lid open. I’d made it during a night I’d been too drunk and stupid to know any better a few months back. I’d twisted the silver wire into pretty swirls around the silver nameplate that said Property of Hawk. I’d even engraved it myself.
The bracelet had gone into this box and been shoved into my dresser the next morning when I’d woken and realized what I’d done. It wasn’t the first time I’d drunk myself stupid while thinking about Hayley. What the fuck had she done to me? I was two decades older than her. It wasn’t like I lacked for female companionship. I had my pick of women. And yet I wanted the one who didn’t seem to want me back.
Fucking figured.
I shut the box and gripped it in my hand, nearly tossing it back into the drawer. Something stopped me, and I put it into my bag instead. The chances of running into Hayley were slim, and even slimmer she’d want anything to do with me. I finished packing and went out to my bike. I balanced the duffle in front of me while I drove to Beast’s house. Even though he’d have his woman and kid in the car with him, I knew they’d have room for my stuff too.
It was the least he could do since he was forcing me to take this trip. I tossed my bag into the back of Lyssa’s SUV, then pulled away to wait for them by the gate. I gave a nod to Brick and Ranger who were going too. I wondered why Beast felt the need to have so many of us with him. Was there something going on he hadn’t mentioned? We’d had Church three days ago when he’d announced this damn trip, but he hadn’t said anything else. No danger heading our way, or issues with any deals. It was weird as shit, but the Pres was being tight-lipped about it.
“You look like you’re going to the gallows,” Ranger said.
“Maybe I am,” I said.
Brick snorted. “He hasn’t been right for a while now. Hasn’t been with the girls at the clubhouse, or any others that I’ve noticed. Your dick broken? Or have you discovered you’re gay?”
I flipped him off, making him laugh. “Laugh it up. You’re not exactly getting younger. How long before you need those little blue pills? And no, I’m not gay. I still like pussy, but I’m more particular.”
Brick sobered and glared at me. Served the fucker right. Although the tinge of pink on his cheeks made me wonder if he’d already needed those pills. If so, I felt sorry for the bastard, but at least his dick wasn’t refusing to work because of a certain woman. If I didn’t find a way to get Hayley out of my system, or into my bed, my life was going to be a never-ending nightmare.
Beast and his family rolled up to the gates in Lyssa’s Escalade. The club had given him shit for driving it the first few times, but Casper VanHorne had given it to Lyssa. Since it had sentimental value, it was here to stay. I had a feeling if the damn thing were to die tomorrow, VanHorne would just send her another one. Or something even flashier.
We pulled through the gate and down the winding drive to the street. As much as I didn’t want to take this damn trip, I also knew my place. I pulled in front of the SUV with Beast and his family behind me. Brick and Ranger took up the rear. I didn’t know how many stops we’d have to make. Last time, Lyssa had been pregnant. Now there was a small baby who’d need diaper changes, feeding, and whatever else tiny humans required.
My bike ate up the miles, and by the time night fell, we’d pulled up to the gates of the Dixie Reapers’ compound. A Prospect let us through, but once inside I wasn’t sure where to go. I braced my feet and let my bike idle while I waited for instructions.
Torch ambled out of the clubhouse and approached our small group. He went up to Beast’s window and waited while my Pres rolled it down. The man winked at his daughter and smiled into the back seat at his granddaughter, Madison.
“There’s an apartment set up for you, one for Ranger and Brick, and another for Hawk,” Torch said. “You remember where they