Loving Nicole (Savage Brothers MC #3)(12)

“Who’s leaving?”

I look up to give Crusher a pissed off glare, but he ignores it—like usual. Instead he sits down across from me and Nic.

“Have a seat,” I grumble with sarcasm, which is completely lost on Crusher.

He flips me off and takes a swig of his beer. “So, who’s leaving?”

“Dani,” I tell him, holding Nic closer.

He looks at me and I can tell the news upsets him. He is not a happy motherf*cker. I don’t like it, for numerous reasons. Maybe it is good that Dani is leaving.

“Gonna take my woman to bed,” I grumble, and stand up with Nicole still in my arms, my arm under her legs and my other arm around her upper body. She used to complain when I carted her around. She’s given that up, thank f*ck. I guess she realized it won’t do her a bit of good, I love having her in my arms.

“Good enough. See ya’ tomorrow, Boss-man.”

I grunt my reply. I lay Nicole on our bed and go back and lock the door, returning to hold her close. I listen to her crying in the dark, letting her get it out of her system.

“Mama, is there something more going on with Dani?”

There’s no immediate reply so I let the silence stretch out farther.

“Mama…”

“Dragon, she’s leaving. Can’t we just let it go at that? If she was staying, then maybe it would matter.”

“I can help her…”

“I’m just going to miss her. She’ll be safe.”

Safe. That word punches me in the gut. I should question her farther, I should demand more information. I do neither of those. Maybe I’m just f*cking tired of all the shit that’s been coming at my family. I don’t f*cking know. So, I don’t question it. I put my hand over my woman’s stomach and feel my son kick and just remain quiet. It doesn’t take long, twenty minutes at the most and my woman is sleeping. Her breathing evens out, she’s got this cute little whistle that couldn’t be called a snore and she curls into me.

I carefully get my pillow and pad it gently to her side so she can hug it, then I get up. I’m not sleeping, not with all this shit in my head. I leave the room with one last glance at my woman. I’m upset with her. Fuck yeah, I am. She should trust me enough to talk to me. I can’t make her—which means I’m going to have to take matters into my own hands.

“Hey Drag, you’re stirring late,” Dancer says, as I make it to the main entrance of the club.

“Yeah. What are you doing here?” I ask, because it’s not a secret that Dancer hates being around the club. Brother is doing better, but he still can’t handle large crowds. On the times I’ve seen him with them, he keeps Red close.

“Carrie was craving some of Nicole’s homemade strawberry dip. So she begged until I brought her ass here to raid the Club’s fridge. So late now, I figure we’ll stay here and go home in the morning.”

“We’ve become *-whipped brother, wrapped around the fingers of two women. Never thought I’d f*cking see the day.”

Dance shrugs, “Can’t answer for you, but no f*cking place I’d rather be. It sure as hell is more than I deserve.”

I nod, I can’t argue. I feel the same.

“Glad to see you and Red are working through shit.”

For a minute his eyes take on a glazed haunted look, but it’s gone so quick I almost miss it.

“What’s up with you anyway? Hardly ever see you around once Nicole goes to bed.”

“That’s because her body is a hell of a lot nicer to be around than your ugly ass, but f*ck, you’re never here, so what do you know?”

“Point made. Still?” He says, motioning with his drink.

I look at him, he’s not drinking alcohol. Brother is drinking a damn Coke out of a can. He hasn’t touched a drop since he got his woman back. He wasn’t an alcoholic, but he said it was too tempting to lose himself in the bottle. He said it was much more enjoyable to lose himself in his woman. I have to agree, but I’m pouring myself a shot of Jack. Dance moves over and I stare at the drink I just poured.

“Some kind of shit is going down with Nic’s girl, Dani.”

“Fuck a duck.”

“That about sums it up.”

“Bad? Should I take Carrie and Nicole out of here?”

“Nah, at least I don’t think so. Nicole would tell me if it was that serious. I get the feeling it might be some ex-boyfriend.”

“Damn, that girl is f*cked in the head when it comes to that shit.”

“Apparently.”

“Drag? You think it’s cool?” He asks putting his empty can on the bar.

My finger is moving over the rim of my glass. Every part of me wants to say f*ck no. At the same time, I know if Nicole knew something would endanger the club then she’d tell me. I trust my woman.

“Drag?” He asks standing up.

I down my drink and drop it on the bar.

“Yeah man, I’m sure.”

“Sure about what?” Red asks coming out of the kitchen.

“Hey Red, you’re looking good.”

“Hey Dragon,” she says in her quiet voice. She goes immediately to Dancer’s side and curls into him. Dancer’s hand comes automatically over her shoulder and he kisses the top of her head. “Sure about what?”