Adler (The Henchmen MC 14)

"How far do you usually take them?" she asked, rounding down a street just before crossing into Third Street territory.

"Until they seem tired. Then by the time we get back to the compound, they're dragging ass, and will pass out."

"Someone is keeping five dogs at the compound? Is that new?"

"Ya have been away for a while," I reminded her. "There's been a lot going on 'round here."

"Such as?" she asked, glancing my way for the first time since I had her backed against the wall. When I didn't immediately launch into it, she rolled her eyes at me. "Come on. I live in this town. I have a right to know if a war is breaking out."

"An old war," I allowed, knowing she would find out the truth sooner or later, seeing no reason it couldn't come from me. "Ya been around long enough to know who V is?"

"She was a bit before my time, but I know the story."

"She's out."

"Ah," she said, nodding. "And since Reign helped get her put away..."

"And Summer is her daughter..."

"You guys are on lockdown," she guessed accurately. "Everyone is closing ranks."

"Aye. The dogs. And parrots. Tortoise. Kitten. And other various creatures would normally be livin' in a big Victorian where they get the run of the place. But Reeve-"

"One of your brothers."

"Aye. V got her claws into him. So his girl Rey was brought in. Along with all her critters."

"Is he alright? Reeve? From the stories I hear of V, she's one vengeful bitch."

"Puttin' it lightly, I think. But he's recovered alright. She didn't have him for long."

"And now you are all waiting for the other shoe to drop," she guessed.

"There's no way V has just moved on," I agreed.

"You must be going stir crazy. I mean, I know bikers spend a lot of time at their compounds. But a lockdown sounds stifling. I'm surprised you're allowed to even walk the dogs." My guilt must have been showing on my face, because her eyes lit up. "You're not, are you? You are going to get in trouble for this. What does Daddy Reign do to you when you disobey? Send you to bed without supper? Take away your Xbox?"

"If this were any other time, I'd likely get my arse handed to me. But he's got a lot on his plate. I'll probably just get a lecture."

"Well then, no wonder you break out if a lecture is as bad as it gets."

"What? Ya would prefer he beat the shite outta me?"

"I'm afraid the fictional retellings of bikers make it a lot bloodier than it is in reality. What a letdown."

"Ya wouldn't think that if ya had been around the past few years."

"You haven't even been around the last few years."

"No, but I've heard the stories. They could make movies out of the shite. Think the prez has dealt with crazier shite, so he is choosin' his battles with us these days."

"I can see that," she agreed, turning at the end of the street to guide the dogs back up the other side, leading us back down toward Paine's place.

"Were ya on a job all this time?"

"In a manner of speaking."

"Could ya be more vague?"

"I could actually," she told me, sending me a look with quirked lips.

"Are ya in town for a while?"

"I never really know. I haven't told Geoff I am back yet. But even if I did, he might not have a case I want to take on."

"Been gone a lot. Maybe ya should take a couple days. Settle in."

"And settle you in my bed?" she asked, brow raised.

"Well, I wouldn't turn down the invitation, would I?" I asked, thinking a slight blush might have crept up her cheeks, and deciding I must have been imagining it. She wasn't the kind of woman prone to blushing, no matter how coquettish she played it with that shite Thomas at the bar when she was trying to get him out of the casino. "And, let me tell ya, duchess. If ya settled me there, ya would never want to kick me out."

To that, she snorted slightly. "Do I seem like a woman for commitments, Adler? I can't commit to a dog. I haven't so much as committed to a houseplant in a decade. There's no room for that in my life."

"Lou, ya can commit to my cock for as long as ya want, and hear no complaints from me."

"Not even if I drop it for a shiny new one?"

My lips curved at that. "Might be difficult."

"To lose me?"

"For ya to lose me," I clarified, barely managing to keep a laugh out of my voice when she sputtered.

"Arrogant much?"

"Just honest, Lou. I'm afraid ya might get addicted to it."

"To your cock?" she shot back, eyes rolling.

"Did ya have someone?"

"I'm sorry?"

"When ya were out of town," I clarified. "Did ya have someone?"