Page 111 of Hostile Saint

Careful not to spill water, I walked back to a waiting Charlie. “Won’t the drug dealers mess with Diesel’s bikes out there?”

Lynx huffed. “Drug dealers live on our side of the law and know they can’t call cops for help when we start gutting them if they fuck with our rides.”

I watched Charlie slurp some water. “What about the SUV then?”

He held a dirty t-shirt in front of him to examine. “I got bikes on each side. The message is clear.” He held the shirt higher. “Hey, dirty ones, roll them inside out so the girls know they are dirty.” He laid it on the bed, folded it in half, and did a tight roll. “Like this. Capeesh?”

“Capeesh. What about jeans?”

He grabbed a pair. “Those we wear for a few days unless we get blood on them.”

“Oh.”

“But, if no blood or obvious dirt, you roll them from the top.” After he gave me an example, he said, “What is seen is the bottom hem of your pants. That indicates they’re dirty.” He pointed to my duffle bag. “Test how well Georgia is training the girls. How did Jewel roll your jeans?”

Sure enough, I pulled out a pair of jeans that the top was exposed.

Lynx winked. “The details, Pup. Always in the details.”

Just then, my cellphone rang. My eyes went wide. A picture of Elle had appeared! “Hello?”

“Hi! How are you?”

“Elle! I have a phone!”

She giggled. “I know, baby!”

Grabbing his chest with laughter, Lynx stumbled back a couple of steps. “Fucking stealing my heart and shit, kid! Jesus. H. Christ.”

In the morning, I woke to the sound of Lynx brushing his teeth. While checking on Lacey, only to see her sleeping soundly in her Serenity bed, I found myself asking Lynx, “How do you wake so early? I never hear an alarm for you.”

He spit in the sink. “Habit. Mind is always running in high gear. Plus, I sleep for shit without my woman.”

“Is she mad at you for being away so long?” By this point, I had been with him for about six weeks.

After rinsing his mouth, he wiped it dry with a questionable towel that made him cringe, then threw it in a corner. “Not an option for her, kid. A woman getting with a motorcycle man learns that first.”

After setting my phone down, I nervously tugged at the corner of my pillowcase. “I want to follow every rule the club has—”

“When did Lacey get with you?”

I sighed as it all made sense. “Before I became a Prospect.”

He grabbed a fresh T-shirt. “That is very unusual, but definitely an exception to the rules.” Pulling the shirt over his head, he added, “Plus, her circumstance, and yours for that matter, has everyone prepared to give you both time to adjust. And if Lacey can’t handle you being gone for long, then you won’t be.” He grabbed his jeans, which were laying over a chair with a wobbly leg. “You wouldn’t be worth shit if you were with me yet worrying about her.”

The loyal part of me that was Lynx’s couldn’t compete with my loyalty to Lacey, so I didn’t even try to argue with his valid point.

“Pup, be sure to put all your shit in your bag and leave nothing behind. Never know when you’re not coming back.”

“Yes, sir.” I jumped out of bed and was ready in a flash. Then I packed Charlie’s box back up. When I grabbed his leash to take him for a potty walk, Lynx said, “Text Vice. You are not to be out there without him.”

I had so many things to learn that this command was understandable, so I asked no questions and pulled my cell from my jeans pocket.

Within minutes, there was a knock-knock pause knock at the door, announcing a Stallion. With a gun held behind him, Lynx opened the door, then relaxed. “Mornin’ boys.” He stepped back to make room for Vice and Dagger, who were both holding their duffels.

Vice teased, “Good morning, Charlie.”

Grrrrr…