Page 66 of After the Burn

“We’re going to form a family group and claim Taryn.” Adrian barely got the words out before he let out a burp so deep it had to have come up from his asshole.

Beck burst out laughing. “I didn’t think you had it in you. Must be because you finally lost the stick up your ass.”

I felt like I was in a dream. What the fuck was happening right now?

“You and Beck are going to claim Taryn together?” I frowned in confusion. “I’m assuming it’s going to be a performance to throw Gideon off?”

“That’s part of it.” Adrian agreed.

Beck finished his beer in one long gulp, then banged it down on the table. “But it won’t only be for show.”

“What?” No way, I understood that right.

“In theory, Gideon isn’t wrong. Women are scarce, and one man, even an enhanced one, isn’t going to be enough protection.” Adrian glanced at Beck, then turned back to me. “We both love Taryn. And even though neither of us is the kind to share, to keep her alive and safe, we’ll try.”

“Hold the fuck up! You two, who’ve been fighting for months over that viper, are suddenly going to set all of that aside to share her?” I was stunned, and a little pissed off, if I were honest.

“Yes.” Adrian stood and threw his bottle in the trash.

“Yes?” I stood and began pacing. “Yes, he says. Like it’s nothing.” I stopped abruptly. “Is Taryn on board with this?” I answered my own question. “Of course, the greedy bitch is. That must have been what that fake little blush was⁠—”

I was cut off abruptly.

“Don’t call her that,” Beck snarled as he shoved me against the wall.

Max growled low as if he agreed with him.

“I’ll call her any damn thing that I want.” I shoved him back. “She made false accusations and got me fired.”

“I don’t give a fuck.”

Beck punched me in the eye. The sharp sting immediately spreading across my face.

“Fuck!” I yelled at the pain even as I returned the favor and punched the bastard in the mouth.

Beck’s head jerked back, and he stumbled. “Not too bad, Teach.” He grinned, his teeth bloodstained from the lip I busted. “Maybe you’re not as much of a pussy as I thought. I might be able to stomach this after all.” He looked at me, and his face grew serious. “But the name-calling has to stop.”

What the fuck?

Max eyed us both like we were crazy, then prowled off to lie on a pile of blankets on the floor.

“I’m nobody’s pussy biker boy. I was fucking shit up long before you were able to get your dick hard.” I slowly sat on the bed and held a hand over my aching eye.

I heard Adrian open the refrigerator. “Are you two finished?”

“Yep.” Beck straddled the tiny chair he’d been sitting in and smirked at me.

I narrowed my one good eye at him, then flipped him off.

Adrian brought the beer over to me, and I winced as I pressed the cold bottle against my eye.

“He’s right.” Adrian sat back at the table.

“About what?”

Damn, my eye hurts. I’d never admit it, but that boy packed one hell of a punch.

“You can’t call her names anymore.” He leaned back and gave me a serious look. “I won’t allow you to treat our wife like that.” He motioned between us all.