Rough Justice (Sinner's Tribe Motorcycle Club #1)(37)

Gunner gave a loud, indiscreet cough that sounded suspiciously like “shut the f*ck up” or maybe it was “run away.” Jill and Tanya, two new sweet butts, emerged from the kitchen, drawn by the raised voices. Jagger vaguely recalled seeing them at the party last night. They must have spent the night with two of the brothers. No wonder there hadn’t been a spare room to crash.

“I needed protecting?” Arianne’s voice rose in pitch, and Jagger folded his arms, amused. The boys had never encountered a woman in the clubhouse who stood up to them as an equal. Not only that, she wasn’t the least bit intimidated or afraid, although all three men stood at least five inches taller than her. She may have had a tough life with Viper, but it had given her the kind of backbone he wished he could see in the prospects that came knocking at the door. Wheels included.

“I didn’t need protecting last night,” she said. “I had successfully evaded Leo, and Dawn and I were headed to her place. I also had a .45 in my jacket, and this.” She bent down and pulled up her jeans, revealing a holstered LadySmith .38.

“Christ.” Gunner licked his lips. “She rides, she fixes bikes, she’s hot, and she’s packing. She’s every biker’s wet dream.”

“She’s also Viper’s f*cking daughter.” Zane’s lips curled in disgust, giving Jagger a first insight into his odd behavior. “What do you think Daddy Dearest would do if he caught someone playing hide the salami with his little princess? I’m guessing he’d slice off the guy’s balls. Maybe make a sandwich for lunch.”

“Ouch.” Sparky grimaced. “Don’t hold back there, Zane. Lay it on the line.”

Zane folded his arms and stared at Arianne. “Just sayin’ … girls who carry usually do it just for show. Or did your daddy teach you something other than trying to wiggle your way into a man’s bed?”

Jagger was across the room before he even realized he had moved, momentum carrying him forward until he had Zane by the collar. With a growl, he slammed Zane back against the wall. “You are so f*cking out of line, I don’t even know where to begin.”

“Well, I’ll tell you where’s it’s gonna end,” Zane muttered, his voice so low only Jagger could hear. “With you bleeding in a f*cking ditch. And I won’t stand around and watch it happen. She’s the enemy. Plain and simple. We can’t—”

Jagger cut him off with a glare and the word, “Don’t.”

They stared at each other, eyes locked, and then Zane looked away. “Whatever happens, you know I’ve got your back. But it would be better if I didn’t have to be there.”

Christ. He couldn’t f*cking hit him now. But shoving Zane against the wall wasn’t enough punishment for his disrespect. Everyone was watching, waiting to see what Jagger would do, but he didn’t want to strain their friendship. He’d never hit Zane before, and he had no idea how his friend would react.

“Do I get a chance to defend my honor?” Arianne placed a cool hand on his arm.

Her touch calmed him, grounded him. His mind cleared and he released Zane and rasped in a breath.

“What are you talking about?”

Arianne stepped closer to him, angling her body between him and Zane. “Viper didn’t care much for me, but he taught me the three things he thought were most important in a biker’s life: how to fix a bike, how to shoot pool and how to fire a gun. And when Viper teaches a lesson, you don’t forget it. Zane accused me of packing for show. I’d like the chance to prove him wrong. Could be he apologizes and this all goes away.”

Words failed him. In a few short minutes, she had neatly defused the tension, saved a friendship, and helped him save face. Did Viper realize what an incredible asset he’d lost when he alienated his daughter?

With a curt grunt of assent, he turned to Zane. “Your call.”

“Let’s see what she’s got.”

Jill and Tanya swooped in on Arianne as they traipsed outside. Women were few and far between at the club, and they tended to stick together. He rounded the corner and caught up to Zane as he mused over what the females might be talking about. Arianne didn’t seem the type who would be into the usual girly stuff.

Zane looked over at Arianne and twisted his lips to the side. “Smart.”

“Very.”

“Don’t know if we would have survived that punch,” Zane said quietly.

Jagger’s throat constricted. “I would have found another way.”

“You always do, but this time you had help.”

They walked through the overgrown grass, skirting around bushes badly in need of pruning, until they reached the vast expanse of the back lawn. Jagger filled his lungs with fresh air and exhaled his tension. He only ever felt relaxed outdoors, and at this property there was more than enough space for his rapidly expanding club.

“Got word back from our men on the street early this morning,” Zane said. “Rumors are goin’ around that we snatched Viper’s daughter in retaliation for the fire. It’s given us some serious street cred. We might be able to secure a coupla contracts we couldn’t get before, make some of the gangs think twice before messing with us.”

Jagger bristled. “She’s not a prisoner this time.”

“No one knows that but us.”