Just then Opal walks up and lets out a groan. “Please don’t start,” Opal says pointedly to Patsy.
Ezra looks a little dazed as everyone is introduced, but it doesn’t take long before we’re sitting around the table chatting. Just as Bolt delivers another round of beers to the table, Snake walks in with his hand on Graycie’s back.
Graycie lights up when she sees Warden and walks faster to get to him. The big man is up and out of his seat so fast. He sweeps her up into his arms and hugs her with gentle hands. Gentle is not something I would have associated with Warden before Snake and Graycie got together.
The man is the former VP, and he earned all of the whispers and the fear which surrounded him when he was in his prime. Still, it’s not like I would want to go up against him even now. No fucking thank you.
I stand up and hug Snake quickly before asking, “How’s it going man?”
“I should be askingyouthat,” he teases me.
“Life is good.” I say the words easily and realize how true they are.
Opal grabs Ezra’s hand, pulling her up and heading toward the bar, snagging Graycie along the way. “Come on,” she implores, “I need something other than beer, and it’ll be fun to watch Bolt fumble through my instructions. You can’t drink with me, Graycie, but Ezra can.”
The sing-song quality in Opal’s voice has me glancing at Snake. The man is already wincing. Between his sister and his woman? He can’t seem to win.
I’m smiling without even realizing it. When I look over at Jackal, one side of his mouth tips up.
“Be careful, Teach,” I call out after her.
She glances over her shoulder at me, her lips curling up into a smile just for me. Then she teases me, “I’ll be fine.”
I scoff and look at Dad when he gives my shoulder a squeeze. He keeps his voice low, the question filled with curiosity and not judgement, “You sure about this?”
My eyes stay on Ezra. Opal is saying something, her hands flailing around and Ezra laughs.
We’re nowhere special. It’s almost too loud. The lighting is low.
Still, she glows.
“Never mind,” Dad says before I can answer him, caught up in her for a moment. “It was a stupid question in the first place.”
I look at him and smirk.
Rumble, Playboy’s dad and the former enforcer for the club, walks up with a few glasses and a bottle of Hammond whiskey. He glances up at me and nods, “You gonna have a drink or run after your lady?”
Even though I try to keep my eyes on Rumble, who is grinning from ear to ear, my eyes move to Ezra. I can’t help myself.
Still, I pull out a chair while Snake takes the one right next to me because they have the best view of the bar. Rumble barks out a laugh and pours me a drink.
I want to walk over to my Ez, throw her over my shoulder, and carry her away, but I take pleasure in just watching her.
For now.
CHAPTER 17
EZRA
I have to say, this party is a little tamer than I thought it would be. Where are the piles of ammunition? What about the body shots? The hedonistic sex acts?
To be fair, I could see body shots happening here at any moment, so I can’t say it’s impossible at this point.
The only thing that really makes this any different than anight at On Wasted Ridge is that the club whores are barely wearing any clothes. Well, they don’t wear a lot more when out at the bar the club owns either, but still.
As we walk up to the bar, Bolt gives us a weary look. The moment we’re close enough, he grumbles, “I can give you a beer and I can pour shots. I can’t make some girlie drink for you.”
Graycie giggles while glancing at Opal. “Don’t worry, I don’t need anything.”