Page 55 of Pike

“I need her back.”

“That’s not an option,” he tells him.

“Feather, baby. I need you,” he coos as Pike snorts a laugh.

“Baby? The only one callin’ her baby is me,” Pike informs him before he pulls back and punches him. I can hear the crack of bone, and it makes my stomach churn. I’m used to broken bones and blood, but to see it happen? I’m not so used to that.

Blake stumbles back and grabs his face before spitting blood from his mouth. Then he steps back up in front of Pike and sneers at him.

“She’s mine.”

“That’s where we disagree. She’s mine now. You had her once, and you fucked that up. That’s over. You need to go, pretty boy, and if you ever look her way again, I will kill you.”

“You can’t do this. I’m falling apart here! I have no money. Nothing!”

“That’s on you. She isn’t your toy anymore. She’s mine.”

“Since when?”

“Since the day she stepped into my hospital room,” Pike replies before glancing over at me. “I knew then this girl was gonna be mine.” He turns his head and drags his gaze back to Blake before pulling his fist back once more. He hits Blake again and sends him stumbling back until he falls on his ass.

“You can’t do this. Feather!”

“She can do this, and she is,” Van tells him.

“You ever come near her again, and you’re a dead man,” Free adds. Blake looks between the guys and me and shakes his head. He stumbles to his feet and gets his bearings before looking at me once more.

“Come on, Feather. You can’t do this,” he whines.

“You used me, Blake. I was nearly killed because of you. I think you should do what they say,” I tell him, nodding toward the guys. He glances back over before looking at me once more.

“Is that how you want it?”

“That’s exactly how I want it.” Pike jerks at him once more, and Blake jumps back. The guys laugh before Blake sucks it up and walks away. We watch him as he walks away unsteady on his feet down the block. There’s no doubt in my mind he’s broke from me not being around to do his dirty work. He’s not man enough to do it himself.

“That’s done. Let’s have a drink for Rooster,” Mask declares. The guys agree and head back inside as Pike reaches for me and grabs my hand in his. He pulls me along with him and back into the clubhouse. We stop at the bar and grab some drinks before Pike leads me to the back of the room. I listen as the guys tell stories about Rooster and the shit he got into. Life without him isn’t going to be an easy one. They all speak highly of him.

“You remember when he was just a prospect?” Pike asks them.

“Young and dumb,” Mask laughs.

“Yeah. Young, dumb, and trigger-happy. That motherfucker was ready to shoot at anything and everything.”

“Even shot at the wrong person,” Pike says with a laugh. The guys join in, and my heart feels full. This is a true family. This is what family is all about.

“You okay, Jailbait?”

“I’m good. Just glad to be here,” I tell him.

“Don’t plan on goin’ anywhere. I’m not done with you yet.”

“When will you be done with me?” I ask, batting my lashes at Pike.

“Never, sweetheart. I don’t plan on ever bein’ done with you.”

“You might want to trade me in later. You know, a younger model and all.” Pike laughs now and throws his head back.

“I don’t fuckin’ think so. You’re already too young for me, Jailbait. Any younger, and I’d be robbin’ the cradle.”

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