Renegade - Kristin Coley Page 0,11

smaller person and I let out a laugh as I returned the hug.

“Mary,” I said affectionately, picking her up as if she weighed nothing, her soft gray curls brushing my nose as she started fussing.

“Put me down, you foolish boy, you’re gonna put your back out.” My chest rumbled at the thought and she swatted my shoulder. “None of you boys are as young as you think you are.” She caught my face between her hands, holding me still as her expression grew serious. “Don’t you ever do that again, Clutch Hayes, you hear me? Never again.”

I nodded, or attempted to, but she had a firm grip on my cheeks. “Yes, ma’am,” I mumbled, making fish lips until she let out a reluctant laugh. “I missed you too,” I told her when she released me, setting her down gently right as Hank banged through the door, stopping short at seeing me standing in the club kitchen.

“Well, hell, if it a’int the last Hayes boy come home,” he roared, loud enough the entire building rattled and I winced, knowing my attempt to sneak in to see Johnny was ruined. Hank stomped toward me and Mary wagged her finger at him.

“Now, you be nice, ya hear me?” She warned, her rotund body placed firmly between us. “I ain’t having no trouble. I just cleaned this kitchen.”

“I’m not going to beat the boy,” Hank grumbled, stopping short of her finger. “Even if he deserves it,” he mumbled under his breath and Mary gave a sharp frown. “Don’t you worry your pretty head, Mary, Mary, quite contrary,” he sang, giving her a smacking kiss on the cheek. “Your kitchen is safe.”

“That’s not what I meant,” she retorted, giving him a sideways glance, but she moved from between us, pulling a worn apron over her head. “I’ve got,” she paused, shooting me a glance. “Things to do,” she added vaguely, waving her hand. “You two – behave.” Her gaze darted between us as she backed toward the door. “I mean it.”

We nodded dutifully and she slipped through the door.

“I’m –”

I didn’t get a chance to finish as Hank’s fist slammed into my gut and I doubled over, wheezing. He flexed his hand and I eyed it warily, trying to catch my breath before the next blow came.

“Don’t worry, I’m done,” Hank informed me, turning away as I straightened painfully. “I couldn’t hit you in the face since Mary would fuss.” I nodded in understanding as Hank shook his head, his normally placid expression stormy. “Damn it, boy. I thought you were going to be the son I always wanted.” I flinched, knowing I hadn’t been the only one disappointed when it hadn’t worked out with Ronnie. “My girl never had the best taste in men, but I thought for once, she’d gotten it right with you.” The reprimand hurt worse than the gut punch, but I took it without a single protest. I’d done them wrong, hurt Ronnie and Kara, and in turn, Mary and Hank. He let out a sigh, running a hand over the bushy beard that reached his stomach. “It’s good to have you back,” he finally muttered with a shake of his head. “I won’t be so forgiving the next time you run off,” he warned, nodding to the arm I still held cradled against my abdomen and I managed not to flinch. “They’re waiting.”

I glanced at him questioningly. “I thought I’d talk to Johnny first. Alone.”

“You thought wrong,” Hank rumbled, his stare giving nothing away.

“I didn’t betray the club,” I stated, feeling uneasy at the thought of one of my oldest friends believing me capable.

“I know that,” he grunted, any reassurance quickly fading with his next words. “If I had thought you’d betrayed us, I wouldn’t have met you with a punch to the gut.” His gaze sharpened. “It would have been a hole.”

I swallowed, giving him a grim nod as I went to step around him. He stopped me with a heavy hand on my shoulder. He shook me lightly, falling into step next to me, and a lump formed in my throat at the show of faith. “You’re family,” he reminded me. “We’ll get through this…same as everything else.”

We went down the hall, passing several club members, and it was easy to see who questioned my loyalty. Their downward gazes and the way they shifted away from me were dead giveaways.

“Clutch.” The familiar voice caused me to pause, a smile quirking my lips.

“Weasel,” I answered, absurdly grateful when