Page 10 of Deviant

After we all got settled, I admitted, “We just met yesterday. This is our first date.”

“And he already brought you to the clubhouse?” Marnie beamed a smile at me. “I see good things for you two.”

As I told them about my new job and Grady’s niece being in my class, it was impossible not to contrast her reaction to seeing Grady and me together versus what Britney had said yesterday. These women were much more welcoming, and I could see myself becoming friends with them if we had the chance to hang out more.

I was just wrapping up my story when an alarm went off on Molly’s phone.

“Sorry, we have to run over to Iron Inkworks,” she apologized.

Dahlia hooked her arm with her sister’s. “Do you guys want to come with us?”

“Um…” my gaze darted toward the door Grady had walked through.

Marnie came to my rescue. “You can hang out with me while you wait. I’m stuck staying here anyway. Hayes would not be happy if I was gone when the meeting is over.”

Molly wagged her brows. “You’re missing a prime opportunity to have him carry you out of the tattoo parlor. Trust me when I say it can lead to amazing things.”

Dahlia rolled her eyes. “You’d be the one to know since your relationship started with Maverick tossing you over his shoulder from Silver Ink and basically kidnapping you.”

“Mom taught us that you can’t kidnap the willing,” Molly joked as they walked away.

When they were out of earshot, I turned to Marnie and whispered, “They weren’t being serious, right?”

“Girl, you have no idea.”

After she finished telling me a couple of stories that blew my mind, another biker walked into the clubhouse, and his gaze zeroed in on me. “You should have friends over to the clubhouse more often if they all look like this.”

Marnie shook her head with a laugh. “You wish she was only here as my friend.”

He flashed me a grin. “Whatever brought you here, it’s my lucky day since none of my club brothers are around and I get to meet you first.”

I was about to correct him when Marnie elbowed me in the side. As I turned to look at her, wondering what she was up to, she introduced me to him. “This is Alice Payne.”

“Payne?” he echoed, his grin widening. “I was right about it being my lucky day. My road name is Pain.”

“Really?” My eyes widened as I wondered what he’d done to earn that nickname. “What a coincidence.”

“Or we were just meant to meet.”

5

DEVIANT

Pain was one of my club brothers, but that wouldn’t stop me from kicking his ass if he didn’t get away from my woman. I stalked over to the couch where she was sitting, determined to stake my claim so that it couldn’t be mistaken.

Marnie’s eyes darted over Pain’s shoulder, her lips curving into a smile as I got closer. Alice and Pain didn’t see me coming until I gripped his shoulder and tugged him out of the way. “It wasn’t fate, asshole. I’m the one who brought Alice here because she’s mine.”

Marnie giggled, holding her belly. “Oh my gosh, pushing buttons with you guys is way too easy when you find the one.”

Alice shot her a confused look, but then her attention wholly focused on me when I lifted her off the couch and over my shoulder. Her hands pounded against my back as she squealed, “Put me down!”

“Not when I got this beautiful ass right here,” I said, giving one of her cheeks a good smack.

Pain said something as I stalked away, but I ignored him, barreling toward my room while holding tight onto Alice. Slamming the door shut, I crossed over to the bed and tossed her onto the mattress, thankful as fuck that I’d changed the sheets this morning. Not that I’d had another woman on them when it’d been years since I’d been with anyone. But my time in the military had taught me to keep my quarters clean, and it was a habit I hadn’t kicked when I got out.

She squealed, bouncing a little before she sank into the goose feather pillows. “What in the world was that about, Grady?”

I slumped down to the bed, crawling on my knees between her spread thighs. She looked down at me through her thick lashes, blinking slowly.

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