Page 3 of Room One Hundred and Seven: Catch and Claim

“Of course,” there’s a dark undercurrent in Maxim’s voice, “that could change at any moment if he decides to step over the line.”

“Obviously,” Kirill intones with a dismissive wave of his hand.

I nod, glad that we don’t have to deal with protecting Volkov’s power from two fronts. Amato is someone to fear, but he’s not without honor. Ten years ago, we looked into his family to findout if they were involved in Morozov’s dealings. They weren’t and the family wasn’t happy about it going down from what we heard.

“For now, he’s an ally and it’s better to keep it that way,” Baker sounds almost bored.

“Until our shit is dropped at his door,” Huck mutters, but doesn’t push it farther.

From the look on everyone’s faces, no one is surprised. It’s not like I would expect more. Amato would look out for his own first.

“Tomorrow I’m meeting up with Spark and a few of his brothers. I’ll update you with anything I find out,” Hendrix informs the men in front of us.

With a few nods and chin lifts in acknowledgement, we part ways. I’m more than ready to get some shut eye. Hopefully, the demons of my past won’t chase me into my dreams. However, if the angel of my future wants to join me, she’s more than welcome.

CHAPTER 2

HENDRIX

Walking into the warehouse that the DSMC has converted into their clubhouse has me breathing a sigh of relief. There’s something about being around men who have a brotherhood, one built on loyalty, respect, and experiencing life together. It’s the same kind of connection that I’ve found with Wolfe and Dominic.

The bond I have with my brothers was born under fire. Considering that we were called in by the DSMC to track down a brother’s sister when she was taken, I have zero fucking doubt it’s much the same for the men of the DSMC.

Ten years ago, watching the guys storm into that warehouse at our backs without hesitation earned them a little bit of respect from me. Then, seeing the way they allowed Monk, who was only a prospect at the time, exact his revenge when they didn’t have to, grew it even more. There wasn’t a single man in that warehouse that flinched at the violence and the bloodshed.

They did what they had to do in order to find justice. Whenever they’ve called us in the years since then, it wasn’t even a question that we’d have their back.

Knowing that they have our backs while we’re helping Volkov to cement his position in Seattle and exterminate the last of thecockroaches who have been hiding in the shadows has given us some peace of mind.

Even if we weren’t being paid well, which we are, we’d still be here because Baker, Wolfe’s brother, is part of Volkov’s inner circle. Dominic and I don’t have any blood that we’d be willing to put our lives on the line for. You better fucking believe that since Wolfe does, we’ll do anything to protect that connection.

There are only a few of the brothers in the main lounge area of the clubhouse when we walk in. The first person I see is Spark, the president of the MC. He’s standing very close to his woman, Navy, who he got with a few months ago.

But he’s not alone.

Rites, the MC’s VP, and Crucify, one of the club’s enforcers, are standing just as close to Navy. They’re looking at her like she’s their entire world.

These are men who I have seen welcome arterial spray painting their bodies. They’ve reveled in the violence. Not out of joy of death, but out of a sense of justice. I’ve stood shoulder to shoulder with them in those bloody moments.

With a fucking smile on my face and understanding in my soul.

The men of the DSMC don’t kill for sport, and you better fucking believe they would be at the front of the line to take out anyone they thought was terrorizing Seattle in such a way.

I know all that, but looking at them right now? It’s a little difficult to believe. They’re besotted with their woman. Part of me feels bad for anyone who would even think about doing their woman wrong; it would be a stupid move.

When Spark looks up and meets my eyes, the smirk on his face says it fucking all. He’s a possessive man and I’m not about to look sideways, or anyway, at his woman. Sure, she’s gorgeous, but that’s like appreciating a work of art in a museum.

Look.

Don’t touch.

Appreciate and then walk the fuck away.

In the months since Spark, Crucify, and Rites claimed their woman, I’ve heard the story of how it came to be. I wasn’t surprised that they fell fast and hard for a woman, not after hearing about how a few of their brothers found their old ladies, but the fact that they’re sharing Navy sure as fuck came as a surprise.

I wouldn’t have thought Spark would be, or could be, the kind of man to share a woman. From the gossip around the clubhouse, he struggled with it at first. And not a single part of me was surprised when I heard this.

But I guess if you want the same woman and you’re talking about sharing with your brothers, then there are worse things in the world.

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