He pulls an envelope out of a drawer. My hackles rise. “I ain’t taking any more cash from you.”
“It’s not from me. It’s club earnings. And you’ll take your share.” He points upstairs. “Or you can hand over your cut right now.”
“Christ, you’re a pushy prick,” I grumble, taking the envelope and stuffing it in my pocket. “Does this mean the other brothers are taking a smaller share of earnings? I don’t want to cause any hardships.”
“Gray, everyone understands the hardship you’ve been through. The sacrifices you’ve made for all of us. If someone has a complaint, they can take it up with me.”
“Yeah, ’cause you seem so calm and reasonable.”
“I have my moments.” He pulls out two glasses and a bottle of scotch.
“None for me.” I hold up one hand. “Don’t know what to expect next time I check in with my P.O.”
He doesn’t call me a pussy or try to convince me. Just nods and pours one for himself before gesturing toward the table.
Someone knocks on the door and both of us turn. Z pushes his way inside without waiting for an answer or invitation. “Hey, G. I was hoping you’d be around.”
“Yeah? Why’s that?”
He has the nerve to pat my cheek like a baby’s rump. “I’ve missed this gruff face and luxurious beard. Wanna soak it all in while I’m here.”
I snarl and slap his hand away. “Knock it off, you cocky fuck.”
“Still a ray of sunshine, I see.” Z shakes his head and grins at Rock.
Always the serious one of their comedy show, Rock doesn’t crack a smile. Just gives Z the ol’ stare and blink.
When we’re all seated, Rock sits forward, lacing his fingers together and resting his arms on the table. “Tell me if there’s anything I can do for you.”
“Same,” Z says, all traces of playfulness wiped from his expression. “We want to help. Anything you need, brother.”
“I owe you an apology.” I nod at Z. “Went to see Rose this morning. You were right. I shouldn’t have bothered.”
While Z always enjoyed being a comedian, whenever shit got real, he was the first one there to support a brother. That hasn’t changed. “Ah, shit. I’m sorry to hear that, brother.”
I shrug as if it hadn’t left a mark. “I shouldn’t have been surprised.”
“Well, you’re free to go to Crystal Ball with the rest of the guys tonight.” Z grins.
“Yeah,” I answer slowly. “That’s the last fucking form of entertainment I need.”
Rock ducks his head and laughs.
I turn my glare his way. “What’s so funny, chuckles?”
“Nothing. Anyone else woulda been side-stage at the first opportunity.”
“Yeah, is that where you went last time you got out?”
“Nah.” Z flicks his hand toward the rest of the clubhouse. “He marched up those stairs and fucked the curl out of his wife’s hair.”
Rock slowly turns and stares at Z. “The fuck is wrong with you?”
Z spreads his hands in front of him, the picture of innocence. “What? You think Grinder’s surprised or something?”
“Or something,” I mutter.
“What I meant was, now that Rose is out of the picture”—Z again gestures toward the clubhouse—“find a bunny and make sure everything still works before you try settling down with someone new.”
“Thanks for the sage advice, dickwad,” I grumble. “The girls you got hanging around here ain’t gonna be interested in someone old enough to be their grandpa. For fuck’s sake, you do your recruitin’ at the high schools now?”
“Please.” Z dismisses that with an eye roll. “You’re a biker.” He sweeps his gaze over me. “According to Lilly, you’re what the ladies call a ‘silver fox.’”
“Seriously?” Rock mutters.
“I’m just saying,” Z continues. “Muffler bunnies wanna fuck bikers. Period. Your forecast is full of panties dropping with a high chance of blow jobs.”
“That’s precious,” I grumble.
“Do you have some sort of problem you need to discuss with us?” Rock asks Z.
Z reaches under the table—to do fuck only knows what—and squeezes his eyes shut. “Lilly’s almost ovulating or whatever, and she asked me to conserve…well, you know. I’m a bit wound up.”
That’s probably the last thing I expected to ever come out of Z’s mouth. And I would’ve been perfectly fine if it never had.
“I’m sorry I asked.” Rock shakes his head. “If you’re done handing out dick-wetting suggestions…” Rock raises an eyebrow at Z, who wisely remains silent, before turning to me. “Don’t hesitate to let us know if you need something—besides a trip to Crystal Ball. You can arrange that with Dex.” He jerks his head toward Z. “Or clogged drain over here.”
I bite out a laugh. “I’m more than taken care of.” I hesitate. Rock might not like this next part, but I refuse to hide things from my brothers. “Although, there are a few guys inside I’ll probably send some cash to.” I pat my pocket, indicating the money he gave me earlier.