I ease into my chair and nod to each of my brothers as they enter the room. When everyone’s in place, Rock takes his seat. I catch his eye. “Can I say something, first?”
He regards me carefully, then nods once.
I stand so I can see everyone. “I want to say thank you. Tonight was rough.” I knock my knuckles against the table, suddenly unable to find the right words. “I couldn’t have gotten Carter home safely so fast if it wasn’t for your help. It wasn’t club business, yet you all had my back. Charlotte and I both…thank you.” Feeling like a naked asshole, I drop into my seat.
Blake pats my back.
“We got you, brother,” Dex says.
“You’d do the same for any one of us,” Bricks adds.
“I’m sorry I didn’t do more,” Sparky says in a low voice.
I look up and meet his bloodshot eyes. “You did, though. Charlotte said you helped keep her mind off things. Appreciate you looking out for her, brother.”
He straightens in his chair. “We did have an enlightening conversation. She’s brilliant.”
“Yeah.” I smile wide. “She is.”
I meet Rooster’s bleary eyes across the table. Whatever the doc gave him must be hitting him hard. “I’m sorry you got hurt too, brother. Anything you need, just let me know. Anything.”
He lifts his chin.
“Okay,” Rav interrupts. “Now that Carter’s home safe, can we please talk about the fact that he has two hot chicks fussing over him?”
How’d I know Rav would be the one to ruin the moment? “No,” I growl.
“I always assumed our little dude was gay,” Rav adds as if I hadn’t voiced my objection.
“Stop assuming stuff. It makes you look like a bigger asshole than normal,” Jigsaw says.
“Don’t get offended.” Rav shoots a smug smile at Jigsaw. “I didn’t say there’s anything wrong with being gay, I just said—”
“We heard you,” Rock interrupts. “Now, knock it off.”
“He’s got a point.” Stash holds his hands out in front of his chest like he’s carrying two watermelons. “Bianca has a fantastic set of tits. Every time I’ve seen her she’s been in one of those corset things, showing ’em off. So fucking hot.”
“Shut up.” Sparky shoves his buddy. “Not cool.” Whether he’s defending Bianca’s honor or worried about something else, I can’t tell, and don’t care.
“Then Swan. Swan!” Rav continues. “Who knew she went for little artsy dudes?”
“Jesus Christ.” I pinch the bridge of my nose and stare at my lap. “Can we not discuss my brother-in-law’s love life? I already know way more than I want to know about everyone at this table. I’d rather not expand that knowledge.”
“Agreed,” Rock says, taking over the meeting. “It’s been a long night. I want to go over a few things, then let everyone get some rest.” His gaze shifts to Rooster, then to me.
Z glances around the table. “We might need to go over this again in the morning.”
“It’s already morning,’’ Wrath says.
“First,” Rock’s tone captures our attention, “Merlin’s an overnight guest.”
“I explained house rules to him,” Wrath says. “But everyone keep an eye on the girls around him. That includes June.”
“That the skinny black-haired chick Swan brought in?” Sparky asks.
“Yes.” Rock rubs his forehead. “Keep an eye on June too. I don’t completely trust her.”
“You thinking we should give her some cash and send her on her way?” Z asks. “Maybe some airfare to the other side of the country?”