Chapter Three

W ire and Cora walked into the clubhouse. Ruger kept an eye on his sister. If she headed his way, he'd leave.

Draining the last drop of coffee, he pushed away from the table as soon as Cora broke free from her husband. He took the mug to the sink and headed to work.

Jagger had added him to the roster now that he had all the time in the world. Unfortunately, he got stuck in the parts shop at the front of the building, putting orders together to ship out.

"Ruger?"

He silently groaned, hearing his little sister's voice. If he closed his eyes, she sounded exactly like he remembered his mom sounding. She was a splitting image of his mom if he looked at her.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Don't have a minute." He walked away from her and headed toward the backdoor of the clubhouse that led to the parts shop.

Cora caught up with him, holding her growing belly. "Katrina mentioned the girl that was staying with you is gone. Since you have your time back, I want to invite you over for a barbecue."

"No."

He hadn't even known he had a sister until Cora tracked him down a year ago. It took him a quick ten minutes to realize she had the drive of a badger. Once she got an idea, she wouldn't let go. She was ferocious in her desire to get to know him. And that was the last thing he wanted.

As far as he was concerned, she'd found him. She'd seen what he looked like. Now, she could leave him the fuck alone.

"Don't say no yet." Cora stepped in front of him, halting his escape. "We can have dinner whenever it's convenient for you. Katrina and Jagger agreed to come, too."

She was pregnant with Wire's kid. It wasn't like he could pick her up and move her out of his way in her condition.

"Have fun with them." He hitched his chin. "Now move."

Cora huffed in frustration, moving out of his way. He went through the door and walked into the shop.

Bane was at the counter and glanced over his shoulder at Ruger's entrance. "Mornin'."

"Morning." He went to the wall and pulled down the clipboard filled with orders.

Over the last few days, he'd gotten faster at getting the parts out the door. He wanted to get on one of the crews running security or laundered money. He'd rather be outdoors on his Harley than stuck indoors.

But he was at the mercy of Jagger. A position that irritated him.

It was because of his friendship with Jagger that he found himself locked in prison for eighteen years. He'd stupidly taken the pistol out of Jagger's hand and got caught red-handed with the murder weapon.

It wasn't his crime, but he'd done the time. He lost eighteen years with his daughter while Jagger's mom, Mama Sue, raised Katrina. Jagger was around her every day. Now, they were married.

He blew out his breath. He had a hell of a time wrapping his head around the turn in his life. Sometimes, he thought it was easier living in a cell.

Working inside the building was a nightmare. But it came as no surprise that Jagger put him in the shop.

Jagger had done him dirty, getting involved with Katrina while he sat in prison. A few weeks ago, Ruger named the penalty for Jagger breaking the bylaws and extracted the payment from the president of Havlin, as was his right. Today, they stood on equal ground. The past was put in the past.

If he had to do the last two decades again, he would protect his MC brother because that's why he wore the patch. But he still had regrets because he was a dad. His actions hurt Katrina and affected his relationship with his daughter.

Nowadays, he preferred to stay to himself. It was easier that way.