Never Love An Outlaw (Deadly Pistols MC #1)(134)

Their President, Blaze, marched toward us like he was running on rocket fuel. Brass instantly tensed up, stepping out of my grasp. Saffron backed up toward the table, and I took a seat with Jackie, trying not to eavesdrop on the serious business unfolding behind me.

Well, good luck doing that. The men were right in front of me, and they looked like dynamite about to explode.

“Well? What's the word?” Brass asked.

“It's an aye. Unanimous. You're a sorry bastard, but you're f*cking right. My boys and I can't risk watching the Grizzlies fall apart or become a damned front for the cartel to creep north. We'll help your asses out – on our terms.”

The thick tension melted. I turned, even as Saffron looked at me like I was nuts. She looked away, clearly marking the hard border she'd chosen to create between club business and family.

Brass and Blaze shook hands like two long bartering merchants finally making a deal. There was no smiling, none of the manly pats on the back I'd seen among brothers. It was a wartime alliance, a marriage of convenience, plain and simple. Nothing more.

“I'll have my guys bring that f*cking video by and get it copied. We'll have it out to every Grizzlies charter as soon as Throttle gives the okay from Dakota,” Blaze said. “Better to head off the reinforcements to Redding before we've gotta fight 'em. Hope you're right about this shit making the other charters flip on Fang.”

“I am. You read my mind, Blaze.”

They shared a grunt, and then Blaze stepped up, grabbing Saffron and lifting her by the hand. “Come on, baby. Let's get his sidekicks some grub before they head to their rooms for the night.”

“Oh, no,” Saffron said, standing and shaking her head. “I'm not putting my own brother and his old lady up in that crappy lodge. It's a bad place for a little girl too.”

Blaze's eyes bugged out. “What the f*ck are you saying, woman? You wanna bring 'em...?”

“The lake house. I knew you'd throw a fit if I said home, so I'm picking the next best thing. Seeing as we're not using it in the off season...”

“Jesus Christ.” Blaze pushed a hand through his spiky hair, going red in the face, as if he was trying to hold in a hurricane.

“Fuck. All right!” He turned to Brass. “You're welcome to stay at our favorite vacation spot. Might be safer anyway if any of the f*cks from your club come milling around. Just don't –“

“I know how to behave myself, brother-in-law. I'll be a good boy. You don't need to worry about the girls neither. These ladies are always on their best behavior. I wouldn't dream of doing anything that would f*ck up the new thing we've got here.”

They shared an icy stare. Finally, Blaze shook his head, growling as he threw up his arms and headed for the bar.

“Shit!” Saffron gave Brass an apologetic look and ran after him. “Let's get some f*cking food, and then I want them outta my damned sight. There'll be time to play catch up with your bro and his chick after the heavy shit's over.”

I could practically hear her rolling her eyes. “Jesus, Blaze. Look, I know it'll be a late night for you, so I'll stay over with them and make sure nothing crazy happens.”

Brass looked at me and let out a laugh. I joined him. I wasn't sure how much Jackie followed what was going on, but she must have absorbed something. By the time Saffron returned holding some boxed up dinner for us, my sister was laughing harder than she had in months.

The cabin was beautiful. We ate an early dinner with Saffron and made small talk. Jackie and I weren't the only ones who had our stomachs twisted in knots any time someone mentioned family.

It was obvious Brass and his sister had suffered too. I knew they'd lost their mother to some other Grizzlies killers he'd fallen in with – but the way their eyes fell at the only mention of their mom all evening was all too familiar.

That evening, Saffron turned in early, helping set up a comfy room for Jackie downstairs. Brass and I sat on the porch, feeling the crisp bite of early spring on our faces. He stared out at the darkening lake's waters and the high ridges leading toward Glacier National Park beyond them.

“Damn. Just seeing it makes me want to go hiking, you know?” Speaking above a whisper felt like screaming in the nighttime stillness.

Brass laid a hand over my shoulder, pulled me close, dangerously close to his lap. “Didn't take you for the kinda girl who enjoys getting down and dirty in the woods. That park's got some nasty f*cking bears too. Shelly and I used to head up there all the time 'til Ma couldn't make the trips anymore.”

I laughed. “I've dealt with more Grizzles than I ever thought I would. What's a few more? Some of them are really f*cking nice when you get past all the teeth and claws.”

My hand slipped into his. I clenched my fingers tight around his. He closed his eyes and puffed dragon smoke into the cool air.

“Fuck, babe. You really wanna play with bears?” His eyes sparkled, drawing me in like they always did. I nodded. “Wrong answer.”

In a flash, his hands were on me, lifting me high and plopping me down on his lap. I felt the raging hard-on beneath his jeans instantly. Everything below my waist tingled, and the wetness was instant with my legs spread over his waist, splayed wide for the cool breeze and so much more.

“Brass...” I whispered. “Your sister's not even asleep yet...she's still banging around in the kitchen.”