Grinch (Cerberus MC)

I know if she would’ve committed to being mine, I would’ve protected her from something like this ever happening.

Until she was too eager to get home to me that she forgot to look both ways before pulling out into traffic.

I take a staggering step back, catching myself against the wall, grateful both Kincaid and Max have gone back to looking at the computer screen.

Explaining myself right now to them is the very last thing I want to do. I don’t know if I could ever breathe such things out loud.

What happened to Lana could happen to anyone, and along with the grief everyone feels, they also realize this. The people we love can be taken away in the blink of an eye. Our time is precious. We shouldn’t waste a second on regrets or waste the opportunity to correct any situation that has the potential to destroy us in the future.

“While we have you here,” Kincaid says, turning his attention back to me. “I wanted to make sure this spot was good for you.”

The television mounted on the wall comes to life, revealing an aerial view of the Cerberus property.

Max clicks something on his computer, highlighting one of the plots across the street.

“Imagine there being a road here,” Kincaid says, using the red light on the remote to draw a line alongside of Hound’s house.

“What am I looking at?” I take a step closer, but my mind is too muddled with other thoughts to be fully engaged.

“I was thinking this is the best spot for your house, but if you want—”

“My house? Why do I need a house?”

“You’re going to need one eventually,” Kincaid says, as he turns his attention from the screen to look at me.

“Families get houses. I don’t want a house.” Just the thought of it being in the works has the potential to give me hives.

“We won’t start construction on it anytime soon, but we have to figure out where everything goes. We’re planning to buy the twelve acres just behind—”

“I don’t want a house,” I repeat.

Kincaid frowns. “Like I said, we have to work on getting Rocker and Simone into one first, along with Drew and Izzy. We’ll have numerous crews working simultaneously, so we should be able to knock them out quickly. We’ll hold off on those that don’t have kids like Tug, Max, and Jasmine.”

I look at Max, wondering what he thinks of all of this. The man is in a triad relationship, and all three of them have been adamant about not living on Cerberus property, despite their penchant to play with each other in the clubhouse when we have adults-only parties.

He nods, looking resigned to what Kincaid is saying.

“You’re requiring everyone to live on the property?”

My boss takes a deep breath before speaking. “In light of what has happened, I think it’s best. Everyone has been all for the change, except you.”

“I’m not arguing about living on the property, but my room is enough.”

Another sigh comes from Kincaid as he watches me, and I feel like I’m under a microscope. Like he’s watching me and trying to figure out my motivation. I wouldn’t feel any less inspected if Slick, the new female psychologist, was watching me for reactions.

“We’re leaving plots of land available for all that may need or want them,” Kincaid says as the television behind him goes dark. “If you were going to settle down and start a family, or even just want a little more space for yourself, would that plot of land work for you?”

I’ve never been a man to worry about the future. If a stray bullet takes me out on a mission, I leave no one but my brothers at Cerberus behind. It’s different for others, and I can completely understand his reasoning. He wants everyone close. Most all of their needs can be met here. Lana died on her way to the clubhouse after working on some sort of still undisclosed surprise at her and Harley’s house. Had they lived across the street, he wouldn’t have lost her.

That thought makes all of this make sense.

“That plot will be fine,” I tell him, knowing full well I never plan to live anywhere else but the room I’ve been given until I retire.

I have no plans for love, and I make damn sure I’m protected against a surprise pregnancy with every woman I encounter.

Kincaid nods, satisfied with my answer before turning back to the computer and chatting softly with Max about the plans they’re making.

They have a handful of houses to build just to cover the people that don’t live on the property before they can start worrying about the people occupying the rooms down the hallway.

Rivet and Cannon’s house is currently being constructed. April and Apollo’s house is nearly done.

“Have you spoken to Harley about this?” I ask, before realizing Harley may have no intentions to even stay with Cerberus after such a devastating blow.