Chapter Twenty-One
Not finding Miaat home, Army went over to Champion and spotted her car in the parking lot. Adrenaline pumped through him as he swung open the doors and stepped into the club. He immediately saw her sparring with Kat on one of the mats in the far corner of the room. As he stalked toward her, he tried to pull back his rage that bubbled close to the surface and focus on keeping his temper in check.
Mia turned to him and flashed him a big, warm smile, and her amber eyes shimmered with excitement. “Army!” She said something to Kat then began walking to him. Bitterness and tenderness battled inside him as he watched her.
She came up to him and grabbed his hand, then her smile waned and her face clouded a bit. “Were you in a fight?” Mia put her fingers on his jaw, but he jerked his head back. Her eyes snapped to his. “What’s wrong?”
“We need to talk.” He grabbed her arm and ignored her quips as he dragged her over to the locker room. Once there, he let go of her and stood facing her, his arms folded against his chest.
“What’s going on with you?” she asked, rubbing her upper arm.
“Are you Shark’s sister?”
Her sheepish look sunk his heart. He slammed his hand on a locker. “Why the fuck didn’t you tell me?” He wiped away the spittle that had formed in the corners of his mouth.
Mia looked up at him. “Calm down.”
“I have no intention of calming down. I trusted you!” He pounded and kicked the locker, the clash of metal resounding through the room. Mia flinched and he kicked the locker harder.
“I was afraid you’d stop us right when we were beginning,” she answered softly.
“So, you knew?Fuck!”
“Not when I first met you. I only knew when you told me you were a member of the Night Rebels. I really liked you a lot and decided that I’d tell you later on.”
“Youdecided. Did it ever occur to you that I would want to know something like that?”
“It did—that’s why I didn’t say anything. I was afraid you’d leave if you knew. I was planning on telling you when you came tomorrow. Remember, I told you I wanted to talk to you about something the other day when you had to go back to Alina? Well, I was ready to tell you then. I felt like we’d reached a place where we both trusted and cared for each other.”
“Trust? Don’t fuckin’ use that word. You deceived me.”
“Technically … yes, but it didn’t make any difference what club you belonged to. I have nothing to do with your club or my brother’s. I’m not involved with any of it. Please don’t let this affect us.”
“Did you give Shark info about the clubhouse?”
Her eyes glistened. “How could you think that?”
“Because I had to find out you were that fucker’s sister in front of the club. Everyone knew but me. I don’t know what to believe from you. You deceived me and lost my trust,sweetheart.”
“I didn’t think it mattered. Just because my brother is president of some club doesn’t mean I’m a part of it. It’s like Taylor and Asher aren’t a part of the Night Rebels. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t think it was important. Even if the Satan’s Pistons didn’t exist, I’d still be me. You’re condemning me for who my brother is. That’s so unfair. When I found out you were a Night Rebel, I didn’t see your club—I sawyou. You would still be you whether you were in the club or not.”
“You don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about. The Night Rebelsiswho I am.”
Mia took a few steps toward him. “Okay, I understand that, but I don’t give one fuck about the Satan’s Pistons. I don’t even see or talk to my brother very often. His club doesn’t involve me, and him being my brother shouldn’t be a big deal with you, unless you’re mad because you lost face in front of your club.”
Army shook his head. “I’m pissed because you didn’t trust me enough to tell me. I gave you what I’d never given to any other woman—my trust and my love. You threw both in the goddamn trash!”
“Stop, Army, please. You’re not the only one who gave something—I love you too. I’ve never said those words to any man. Our love must supersede the hatred between your club and my brother’s. Don’t let it come between us.” She wiped her cheeks. “I don’t want to lose you.”
He pressed his lips together in a slight grimace while he rubbed his hand against the front of his shirt, near his heart. He wanted to gather her into his arms and kiss her until she pulled away, breathless and satisfied, but he just stood there watching her silently cry. “It’s not that easy. The brotherhood is who I am.”
She sniffed and took out a tissue from the pocket of her top and blew her nose. “I understand that and love you for your sense of loyalty and family, but you’re still your own person and would be with or without the club. I’m not expecting you to give up the club, but we can still be together. A lot of your members have women in their lives.”
“The club won’t accept you,” he said in a low voice. Her bottom lip trembled and he wanted to slip it between his teeth and soothe it.
“I’m not dating the club—I’m dating you.” She stared at him with those big, beautiful shimmering eyes.
“It’s just not that easy. Iamthe brotherhood and it’s me.”