Page 140 of Wife Number One

Taillights up ahead had me slowing, peering through the darkness at the bikes maneuvering through the gates. Fang waved me over as I approached, and I rolled the window down. Music from within the compound filtered through the night air, and I jerked my head toward the gravel drive that led down to the clubhouse. “What’s going on? Who was that?”

Fang sighed heavily. “You’re late to the party, brother.”

“What party? We weren’t having a party tonight?”

“We are now. And it’s a full house. Guys from the Louisiana chapter have been arriving for hours.”

I frowned, irritated they’d shown up here without so much as a word of warning. “What the fuck for?”

He shrugged. “No idea. War was waiting for you to get back before we take their prez and VP to church.”

Awareness prickled over the back of my neck. “War called all the Saint View crew in?”

Fang nodded grimly. “You’re the last to arrive. We’ve just been keeping everybody happy. We’ve been supplying the alcohol. They brought a few women. Everyone is having a nice time.” He glanced down the hill. “So far anyway. War ain’t happy about them just showing up here uninvited.”

Not that he could say that. There were laws between chapters. Rules that had been set in stone from the club’s conception. The Slayers were a family, no matter which chapter you were a part of. You never turned away a brother when they arrived on your doorstep, wanting a roof over their heads or a bourbon in their hands.

I glanced over at Kara and then back at Fang. “Are Kian and Vaughn at your house with Rebel and the kids?”

“I sent them all over to War’s place. Vincent and Nash are there too.” He leaned past me to talk to Kara. “Hayley Jade as well. Rebel picked her up on their way. They’re all waiting for you.”

That was smart. Keeping all of their families together. Kian, Vaughn, and Nash could all hold their own in a fight, but Vincent was lethal. Kara would be safe with them. A hell of a lot fucking safer than she’d be here tonight, with fifty extra bikers all hoping for a good time. “Tell War I’ll be back in twenty. I’ll just take Kara and then we can call church.”

“No,” Kara said sharply.

Fang and I both looked over at her.

I reached over and squeezed her leg, but she flinched away from me, like we were right back where we started, and like I hadn’t just had my hands all over her in the lobby of that theater. What the fuck was going on?

“Kara, there’s probably a hundred people down there, throwing what will likely be an all-night party,” Fang explained gently.

“Great,” she bit out through gritted teeth. “Sounds like fun.”

I stared at her. “Fun? No. Not fucking fun. You have no idea what a Slayers’ party is like. Especially not one with out-of-towners. You’ve only ever been to family events. That’s nothin’ like what’s going on down there tonight. I’m taking you to War’s place. You’ll be safe there.”

My mouth dropped open when Kara yanked on the handle and shoved the door open. She unclicked her seat belt and got out of the van, storming around to the front and through the gates, lit up by my headlights.

Fang and I stared wide-eyed.

“What the fuck did you do to her?” he asked me.

I shook my head. “I honestly have no idea.”

“I’ve never seen her act like that. Should I go get her? I mean…she can’t go down there.”

It was what my gut instinct said to do as well. To keep her away. Keep her locked up safe and sound at War’s place while I dealt with whatever the hell was going on.

“Kara,” I called.

But she didn’t stop.

“For fuck’s sake,” I muttered to Fang and then shook my head. “I’m not gonna carry her out of here kicking and screaming. Are you?”

He stared at her stomping down the driveway. “If you tell me to, I will. But I won’t be very happy about it.”

“Me neither.”

“So what’s the other option?”

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