CHAPTER TWO

REBEL

The roaring of Harleys echoes outside the clubhouse, and I smile, knowing the guys have returned from their daylong cruise. They’ve been gone for hours, so they must have enjoyed themselves. “Kenna, baby, c’mon… let’s welcome Daddy home.”

She races to my side, and I hoist Kinzley from her play mat on the floor onto my hip, my body aching from being eight months pregnant. My other hand reaches down for Kenna’s tiny, delicate hand. The three of us walk out when I see a car pulling in behind them, and I scrunch my brows in confusion.

What the hell is this?

As I walk toward Six, my pace is steady, but my heart is racing. I catch sight of a woman stepping out of a car nearby. She’s stunning—long legs, flawless skin, and this effortless, confident grace about her. My stomach twists the moment I see the smile spread across her face, and what makes it worse is that it’s aimed directly at Six. The woman doesn’t even glance around—her focus is solely on him, as if he’s the only thing in her world.

My breath catches, and I feel this sharp pain in my chest. I want to look away, but I can’t. I’m rooted to the spot, watching as she approaches him, her smile growing wider with every step. The air between us suddenly feels heavy, thick with tension, and the closer I get, the more that knot in my stomach tightens. The moment I see her smile at him, something strains inside me, like a knot pulling taut, and I tense all over. My whole body reacts, heat rushing through me, and I can’t stand how she looks at him—like he belongs to her, like I don’t exist. My steps quicken, my heartbeat thudding faster as Kenna releases my hand and runs ahead, straight into Six’s arms. He scoops her up effortlessly, holding her tight, his smile warm and protective.

But that smile—the one meant only for me and our girls exclusively—sends a wave of possessiveness through me. I close the distance between us, needing to be closer to Six, needing this woman to see and know without a shadow of a doubt—Six is mine . Without a second thought, I press my lips to his, more demanding than usual, more forceful than I ever am in public. I slip my tongue into his mouth, staking my claim, silently telling this woman exactly where she stands. Fucking nowhere.

His eyes widen in surprise, but he doesn’t pull away. Six wraps his arm around me, holding Kenna in one arm while his free hand grips me tighter, pulling me closer. He kisses me back, though I can tell the intensity catches him off guard.

I don’t care.

I need this.

I need her to see it.

Kissing my man is like coming home. Like sinking into the safest place in the world, where nothing else matters but us. Six is my rock, my kryptonite, the one thing that grounds me when everything else spins out of control. And right now, I need her to understand that.

Whoever she is.

I pull back slowly, feeling his warmth still on my lips, and glance at her.

The blonde’s eyes drop to the ground, and I see it clear as day—disappointment, thick and heavy, written all over her face. Good . I fight back the smirk tugging at the corners of my mouth and turn my attention back to Six, feeling a swell of satisfaction.

“How was your ride?” I ask, a casual smile creeping onto my lips as if nothing happened. I nod toward her, keeping my tone light but sharp enough. “I see you’ve brought a guest?”

Six clears his throat with a subtle nod. “This is Amber. She was being attacked at the gas station, and we stepped in… we discussed options of working at the club in exchange for safety.”

I stare at him incredulously.

The club already has three club girls.

How will having another worker be beneficial and not just another overhead?

I’m confused, not because the club can’t afford another mouth to feed—we definitely can—it’s just that everything is running so smoothly. Why change now?

But, if this woman requires our help, then who am I to turn her away?

However, she needs to stop making damn eyes at my Old Man.

“Okay, well, I assume Neon will run all the appropriate checks first?”

Six narrows his eyes on me and nods. “Yeah, Rebel, that’s how it works, babe.”

Amber stands taller and smiles, placing her hand on Six’s arm in an obviously flirtatious way. “I am so honored that Six came to my rescue. Bradley was going to hurt me if they hadn’t stepped in. You have a real brave man here.”

I weakly smile, narrowing my eyes on her hand. “Well, I am glad you’re okay.” I inhale deeply. “Welcome to the club. How about I show you around while the guys settle back in after their long ride? Six, can you take the kids?”

He smiles like he is proud of me, placing Kenna to the ground and grabbing Kinzley from my hip, making Amber’s hand drop from his arm. “Rebel will take good care of you, Amber.”

“Thank you both… so much .”

Six winks at me as I gesture for Amber to follow me. I lead her toward the clubhouse doors, watching her every move. Her eyes widen as she enters, taking in the main room and the bar to the right.

“Wow, this place is huge.”

I smile, leading her toward the bar. “It is, and it’s home. We love it here.”

“So you all live here? Together?”

Her tone makes it sound weird. It’s not. We’re one big happy family in my eyes.

“Some brothers have homes off-site, but most of us live here together… yes.”

“Interesting,” she mumbles. “So you live here with your children and Six?”

Is she dense? Didn’t I just say that?

I narrow my eyes on her. “Yes.”

She purses her lips. “That’s actually really cool. I think you’re super lucky to have something like this. A big club. A family atmosphere. And a man like Six. I would give anything to be in your position… two kids, one on the way, and someone as gorgeous as Six. Wow! That sure is something.”

I’m not sure what it is about Amber, but there’s an edge about her that instantly unsettles me. I don’t have a reply for her, so I simply continue showing her around, taking her over to meet the other club girls and old ladies she will spend much of her time with. “Nessie, this is Amber. She is going to be starting here as a new worker. So, as head club girl, I will need you to take her under your wing a little and show her the ropes.”

Nessie weakly smiles like she, too, finds this whole situation strange.

We don’t need another worker.

But this is the hand we’ve been dealt.

So we will roll with it.

“Nice to meet you. I’ll be here any time you need anything… Amber? Was it?”

“Yes, nice to meet you.”

“So, how did you become a part of the club?” Nessie asks.

Amber drops her eyes to the floor, picking at her thumbs nervously. “My ex, Bradley, broke up with me, stole my dog, and kicked me out of our home. I have nothing but what’s in my car and the clothes on my back. He took everything from me. Unfortunately, I was at the gas station when Bradley found me. He attacked me. Six stepped in and saved me.”

Well, shit! I didn’t realize how bad it was.

Now I feel bad.

Suddenly, Kenna runs up and cuddles into my legs. She smiles up at Amber and tugs on her skirt. “You’re super pretty. Do you wanna come play?”

I let out a laugh, bending down to my five-year-old. “Firefly, Amber’s just gotten here. Let her settle in before you bombard her, okay?”

Amber shakes her head. “No, that’s okay. I love kids. I trained in childcare a few years back and have a great rapport with them. They love me. Let me take her off your hands for a bit. We’ll just sit over there and let you get off your feet. In your condition, you need to rest. Looks like you’re about ready to burst.”

You fucking calling me fat?

I really want to say that out loud.

However, I simply smile, biting the inside of my cheek to stop from actually calling her a goddamn whore straight to her face.

Prinie steps forward, practically shoving Sephy in Amber’s arms. “Here, take mine as well. This is Sephy, she and Kenna are cousins. They love drawing, so feel free to take them to the craft station over there and spend some time with them while us moms prepare your room.”

I give Prinie a look, silently thanking her while Amber grabs Sephy and Kenna. “I don’t want to be too much trouble. I am happy to sleep anywhere. I’m just so grateful to be here.”

“I bet you are,” I murmur, and Prinie elbows me in the side when Amber walks off, completely oblivious, with the kids to the craft table.

Prinie turns to me, laughing as the other girls shake their heads. “Okay, Captain Obvious, what’s your gripe with Amber?”

Letting out an exaggerated huff, I throw my hands in the air. “You should have seen how she was all over Six… pah-thetic .”

They all smile. “You have nothing to worry about where that’s concerned. That man is so head over heels for you it’s literally sickening. Watching how happy you guys are makes me want to puke most of the time… no, actually, regularly,” Prinie teases.

I can’t help but giggle as I watch Six, Wraith, and Neon head into Neon’s den. I know they’re going to run a background check on Amber. Hopefully, she comes back with warning signs, and we can kick her ass to the curb.

“Can we not talk about puke? With my morning sickness, I’d rather it not make an appearance again. I’ve only been free of it for a few weeks.” Unfortunately, I seem to suffer severe and extended morning sickness. I’ve had it with each of my pregnancies.

Prinie groans. “Man, I am so glad those days are behind me.”

Cherry nods. “Me too.”

I snort. “Me three, this is it. Six has his legacy, and I am closed for business. Well, not for business because Six does his business very, very well.” I wiggle my brows.

“La la la…” Prinie sings loudly with her hands over her ears, making me laugh. “I don’t want to hear about my brother’s sex life, thank you very much!”

Glancing over at Amber playing with the kids, it’s clear that the kids are enjoying her company.

Maybe I need to give her a chance.

Cherry places her hand on my arm and warmly smiles. “If you think something is wrong with Amber, trust your gut. It’s what the First Lady of the club is supposed to do. But if you’re only doing it because she might have a savior complex for Six, then you have to give the woman a little credit. A burly biker coming in and rescuing you does do something for the libido. I think all of us women here can attest to that.”

Groaning, I nod. “You’re right. I’m being petulant. She’s probably very nice. The kids are loving her. I have to give her a chance. I’ll blame the hormones.”

They all laugh as Six, Wraith, and Neon walk out of the Den and over to Zero, who is sitting at the bar with his twin boys, playing with a racetrack set that seems to be a permanent fixture of the bar these days.

The guys seem deep in discussion while the rest of us watch them, trying to decipher their body language.

“Seems whatever they’re discussing is important,” I suggest.

“Maybe she is a descendant of Hawke Hernandez,” Prinie jests, and we all snap our heads to her. “What? It was a joke.”

Cherry swallows heavily. “Not a funny one, Prinie.”

Hawke and his Militia are responsible for what happened to Zero, which is the reason he had to step aside as president. The reason Six had to ascend rapidly. The reason I am First Lady, and Cherry is not. That is not something you joke about.

“Shit… I didn’t think. I’m sorry, guys. I’m sure she’s not. But, I mean, what are the odds the guys would run into her if she was?” Prinie responds.

My rapid heart rate begins to slow at that confirmation.

She’s right.

She can’t be.

The chances are almost impossible.

She can’t be Militia.

The club wiped them out.

The room goes dead silent as we all stare at Amber. The air feels thick, charged with unspoken questions, and everyone thinks the same thing— who the hell have we just let into our clubhouse? There’s something about her, something we didn’t see before, and now, it’s like the entire atmosphere has shifted. Tension ripples through the room, and no one dares to break it.

Out of nowhere, I feel a warm, familiar touch at my side. Six steps up next to me, slipping his arm around my waist, pulling me close. His sudden movement catches me off guard, and I jolt a little, my body reacting before my brain can catch up. His hand tightens, steadying me, his touch firm but reassuring.

My heart skips a beat as I turn to look at him, and there’s this softness in his eyes, an unexpected tenderness that cuts through the tension. His brows lift in surprise at my reaction, and he leans in just slightly, his voice low and gentle.

“Hey, didn’t mean to scare you,” he murmurs, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. His eyes search mine like he’s making sure I’m okay, that he hasn’t startled me too much.

For a moment, the chaos in the room fades away. It’s just him and me, his arm warm and solid around me, grounding me when everything else feels uncertain. The way he looks at me, the way he’s always here—no matter what’s going on—reminds me that no matter who walks through those doors, I’ve got him. And he’s got me.

I breathe out slowly, letting the tension in my shoulders ease, but my gaze flicks back to Amber, still standing there, an enigma wrapped in uncertainty. The questions are still there, hanging heavy in the air, but with Six’s arm around me, I feel a little steadier, a little more sure.

Whatever’s coming, we’ll face it together.

I let out a long breath, turning to him. “So, what did the background check come back with? Any particular skeletons we need to be wary of?”

He shakes his head. “A few parking tickets and a DUI when she first got her license, but that’s it. No gang affiliations, nothing that stands out, making me question her judgment. She did do a childcare course a while back, though. That could come in handy.”

Huh!

Squeaky clean.

I do need to give her a chance.

“Okay, so she stays?” I ask.

He rolls his shoulders. “If you want her gone, I’ll kick her out myself.”

Glancing over at Kenna and Sephy, seeing them giggling and having a great time, I groan. It seems like they have made a new friend. I can’t do that to them. “Fuck, fine, she can stay. If only for the kids. Maybe that can be her job. She can care for the kids while we all tend to business, newborns, and such.”

Six nods his head. “Done. I know it’s hard to let new people in, but sometimes they can surprise you.”

“Mm-hmm,” I murmur.

He smirks and leans forward, placing a tender kiss on my lips, his hand splaying out across my stomach like he always does.

“I don’t like surprises,” I state.

He scoffs out a laugh. “Yeah, I know. Look, we’ll put Amber on trial. If we don’t vibe with her, then she is out, no questions asked. She’s in a vulnerable place, Rebel, and we can help her. You know what that’s like.”

Shit.

Six was there for me when I was at my lowest, vulnerable, and in trouble. We met in college at a party. I was having a panic attack, and he helped bring me back by making me focus on the word ‘pineapple.’ Silly, I know, but it worked. It’s been our thing ever since. Whenever one of us struggles, the other says ‘pineapple’ to help snap out of it. People give us weird looks, but for some reason, it works.

Go figure.

“She has until the new year to prove she will be a valuable member of Defiance. If not—”

“Like I said, I’ll kick her out myself,” Six replies.

“Okay… we have a deal.”

Six smiles, that cute smirk he’s known for, and my insides instantly melt. Fucker. He places his hand out like this is a business transaction, and I giggle, taking it in mine. We shake once, and he dips his head. “Deal.”

Leaning in closer, I lock eyes with him. “You’re so hot when you’re trying to be serious.”

He grins again. “You’re fucking hot all the time, baby.” He winks, bringing the back of my hand to his lips, kisses it, and then walks away.

Suddenly, the sound of dry retching comes from behind me, and I turn to see Prinie pretending to puke, and I burst out laughing. “See, you literally make me want to hurl,” she jests.

Cherry laughs as I smile because I know that even though I may have felt a pang of jealousy toward Amber for having her eyes on my man, Six would never have his eyes on her.

He merely wants to help her.

That’s his nature, and I get that.

So I need to let go and try to help her too.

So that is what I am going to do.

Be her friend because the closer I am to her, the better an eye I can keep on her.