Chapter 10

GRIZZ

I've spent most of the day looking for Luna's brother, but as it gets closer to opening time at The Bar, I have to admit defeat and give it up. I'll try again tomorrow.

Axel asked me to hire a bar manager, but I haven't gotten around to it yet, and honestly, I enjoy hanging here. Taking up one of the booths nearest the bar so I'm on hand to help, I lay out my receipts. Cash gave me a crash course in bookkeeping, and although he'll do most of it, I've been tasked with listing my expenses.

I'm so lost in it that when Danii slides into the seat opposite me, I don't immediately notice. She clears her throat, bringing me from the numbers, and I smile. "Hey, what are you doing here?"

She glances at the bar, and I follow to see a group of women. "I thought I'd bring my friends here to sample the cocktail menu."

We'd parted last night on rocky terms. She'd allowed me to walk her home, but a kiss was out of the question. Funnily enough, it made me want her more, and as she sits before me now, all dressed up nice, my cock twitches. "The first round is on me," I tell her.

"I thought about last night a lot."

"Okay."

"And I'd like to give it a go."

I'm surprised at her words. We didn't really discuss where we were headed and it's only been a few dates, so I lean closer. "Us?" I ask for clarification.

She gives a nod. "On one condition."

I smirk. "You're giving me conditions?"

"I've been hurt way too much to get to this age and let it happen again. So, take me to the clubhouse."

"Why?" I ask, frowning. One thing is for certain—I'd planned on keeping the two very separate.

"I want to see it for myself."

"It's an old factory with a bunch of bikers living together like a frat house. It's nothing special, trust me."

"Still, I need to see it for myself to understand it. You say these women hang around for sex, I need to see that."

My frown deepens. "You want to watch the women having sex?"

She blushes, laughing. "No, of course not. I just have to picture this place for myself because what I'm imagining is terrible."

I give a nod in understanding. It's Sunday night, so the clubhouse will be quiet, and it's probably the best time to take her. "Okay. I'm leaving here in an hour. You're welcome to come back with me."

I'd droppedAxel a text warning him I was bringing Danii back. I asked him to ensure the place wasn't in chaos, so when we walk into a full-scale party, I feel like hunting him down to punch him.

Smoke is at the bar, and I slap him on the back. "What's the celebration?" I ask, keeping our backs to Danii.

"Lexi started it," he says with a shrug. "She doesn't need an excuse lately." I roll my eyes. I wouldn't put it past her to have done it on purpose.

I hand Danii a vodka and Coke and down my double whiskey in one. Grabbing her hand, I lead her to the couches, pulling her onto my knee and trying to act as normal as possible, even though I'm nervous as fuck. This is most definitely gonna scare her off.

Her eyes scan the room in amazement. I forget how weird it must be for a newcomer to see all this. To us, it's everyday life. "Is it like this all the time?" she asks.

I shrug. "Sometimes. Usually, it's quiet in the week."

She grins. "It's crazy." Her eyes fix on something and her mouth drops open. "Oh my god, that woman is practically naked," she whispers, and I turn to see London dancing on the pool table in her underwear.

"There's a lot of that," I admit because I have no choice but to be honest. I wince before adding, "It often goes further."

Her eyes widen. "Like sex?"

I nod. "Sometimes. The guys get carried away and it can start in this room. I'm only telling you in case it happens tonight."

Her cheeks flush as she bites her lower lip. "Did you do that?" I briefly close my eyes before giving a quick nod. "Don't you feel . . . exposed?"

I laugh. "Not usually, but it's been a while since I did that shit."

Heels click against the floor and I glance to where Fable is walking across the room. She's dressed in a long, green lace jumpsuit. Underneath, she's wearing underwear, but it's all on show, and I clench my jaw in annoyance.

"Is it weird seeing a woman you've had sex with doing it with other men?"

Danii's question pulls my attention back to her. "Not really," I say, shrugging. "These are my brothers, and it's just sex."

"Would you share me?"

I almost choke. "No. Why would I share you?"

"Maybe that's your thing?"

I pull her closer and inhale the scent of her fresh shampoo. "There are rules here. If we wanted to spend the rest of our life together, I'd announce it to the club and you'd be known as my old lady," I tell her. "They become part of the club too, and none of the brothers can touch someone's old lady."

"And don't the other old ladies mind women walking around here naked?"

I laugh. "No, they're used to it. The single brothers need club girls to keep them grounded. Besides, there's only Lexi who's officially someone's old lady."

She looks around the room again, and I take the chance to discreetly check out what Luna is up to. I stiffen when I see her with Fletch. He's standing behind her with his arms wrapped around her waist and his chin rested atop her head. They look at ease together as he talks to Axel.

Lexi joins us. She seemed to hit it off with Danii last night, which is a relief. If this goes anywhere, I know she'll feel welcomed into the club. "I was just explaining club life to Danii," I tell her.

"Oh yeah? Things hotting up between you?" It's an odd question, and my expression must show it because she adds a laugh and moves on quickly. "You get used to the noise and the half-naked women strutting around."

"Doesn't it bother you that they're around your husband?"

Lexi shakes her head. "Nah, he knows where his bread is buttered. He also knows I'd chop off his nuts if he went near any of them." She leans closer. "The secret is to befriend the girls so they feel a loyalty towards you. That way, if your man tries shit on, they feel obliged to tell you."

I laugh. "Does Axel know about this?"

She looks over to where Axel is still talking to Fletch. "I didn't think that would be long," she mutters absentmindedly.

"What's that?" I ask, knowing she's talking about Fletch.

"Fletch and Luna. He's been after her since she came back." She smiles dreamily. "Maybe he'll claim her and they'll live happily ever after." She's trying to get a rise from me, and her expression confirms that when she gives me a subtle smirk. "Lord knows she deserves it."

"Can that happen?" asks Danii.

"Yeah," Lexi replies. "Some of the bikers are a little too stuck-up and wouldn't be seen dead claiming a club whore. But some of them, the good ones, they see past it and want to offer the world."

I bristle at her words and the obvious dig at me. "You're talking shit," I mutter.

"Am I?" she queries, arching a brow. "Luna needs rescuing. She's had a shit life."

"Why?" asks Danii.

"We don't need to talk about this," I snap, glaring at Lexi.

Of course, she ignores me. "Most of these girls are in this life because they've faced some kind of trauma," Lexi continues. "Luna is no different. It's why I came up with a scheme to pair the men with the club girls, in the hope they'd feel like part of the club and protected."

Danii smiles. "That's so sweet."

I zone out, uninterested in Lexi's mission to save a whore, and take my eyes back to Luna, who is now sitting on Fletch's knee with her arms around his neck. His hands are running through her hair, but when he tries to pull her in for a kiss, she dodges him and kisses his neck instead. He rests his head back on the seat and closes his eyes as she trails her hands down his chest.

I tear my eyes away. "Who's watching Ivy?" I ask Lexi.

"She's asleep. Lu's got the baby monitor on."

I push to stand, lifting Danii from my lap. "I'll check on her," I mutter, stalking from the room.

LUNA

I lower tomy knees and unfasten Fletch's belt. I don't want to be here, not to do this, and I internally give myself a pep talk. It's not like Fletch isn't hot—he is. His body is solid, and he's got all the makings of an alpha male. And he doesn't stink, which is abonus. But he isn't Grizz.

I haven't seen Grizz all day and I hate it. I got so used to him being around, and now that he's not, I feel abandoned. It's the reason I didn't want him hanging around in the first place, especially for Ivy. Imagine if she was older and had gotten attached.

"I'm all for the tease," says Fletch, breaking my thoughts, "but seriously." He finishes opening his trousers and releases his cock. I stare at it, and my body aches. Why did I have to go and try to make Grizz jealous? This is why I'm back here on my knees, because I'm too fucking stubborn for my own good.

Fletch's hand goes into my hair as he guides me closer to his erection. "Enough." The word is barked from somewhere across the room and Fletch instantly releases my hair.

I turn to Grizz, who's glaring down at me with contempt. "Get the fuck off the floor and sort out your kid," he spits angrily. Ivy is nestled against his chest, but I can see she's awake. The room is almost silent, and I can feel eyes on me as I push to stand. He grabs my upper arm like I'm some diseased rat and marches me out the room.

Once we're out of everyone's view, he releases me but shoves me to walk in front. We go upstairs and into my bedroom. "She was awake," he snaps, laying Ivy on the change table. "She needs changing," he adds angrily. I go to take over, but he slaps my hands away. "What kind of mother would rather be on her knees sucking dick than tending to her baby?" This time, he glares at me, and I wilt under the intensity.

"I had the monitor," I mutter feebly, feeling the sting of each word he spits. "I was keeping an eye on her."

"You were on your knees about to suck cock. I didn't see you checking the monitor."

"Why are you so mad?" I ask, folding my arms over my chest. "Ivy is fine. She wasn't crying and she's been fed."

He removes her nappy and points out the explosion in there. "She needed changing."

I hate the way he's judging me again. It makes me feel ten times worse. "What's this really about, Grizz?" I ask, allowing anger to chase away the shame. "Why are you even in here checking on Ivy?"

"Somebody's gotta watch out for her."

I attempt to take over again. This time, his hand goes around my neck, and I inhale sharply. It's not aggressive. His hold is loose, but it's enough to keep me back. He drags me closer until we're practically nose-to-nose. "I don't like it," he whispers, looking tormented. "I don't like the return of Fable. Get rid of her."

My chest heaves with excitement as his eyes meet mine. They're full of heat and the desire to kiss him is strong. "Grizz?" shouts out a voice, and he briefly closes his eyes before taking a step back. Whatever he'd just felt is gone, replaced by the stone-cold Grizz, the one who hates me.

"In here," he replies, shoving me away.

Danii enters the room and her eyes dart between us as he goes back to changing Ivy's bottom. "Lexi pointed me in the direction of your room. I hope that's okay," she says, smiling.

I sit on the bed and fiddle with the lace over my knee. "We were just discussing parenting tips," he spits, his tone sounding pissed again. I roll my eyes, and Danii spots it, smirking.

"She's cute," she comments. She's seen Ivy before in church. "I didn't know you were the father," she adds, and I resist the urge to roll them again.

"I'm not," he says firmly. "If I was, she wouldn't be around to fuck up her life." His words are like daggers as he hands Ivy back to me. Staring down at her innocent face, a tear leaves my eye and rolls down my cheek. "Take the fucking night off and be a mum to your baby," he adds, leaving the room with Danii.