Page 32 of Sophia, Property of Tracker

“Like what you’ve done with the place,” Quill says as he takes a seat at the table where Viper and Tork have just sat. Tate and I follow and take a seat next to them.

Viper turns to a female who’s behind the bar and asks her to bring beer to the table. He then turns to Quill, saying, “I’m glad you’ve decided to come down with Tate’s brother. I’ve been meaning to have a meeting with you.”

Quill sits back in his chair, his fingers entwined. “What can I help you with?”

Viper looks to me, then back at Quill again. “Later, I’ll call church, and we can discuss the matter. For now, let’s have a drink.”

He doesn’t trust me.

Does he sense something?

The girl returns with beer and places the bottles on the table.

“Thank you, Bonnie.” Viper slaps her on her ass, and she turns and walks back to the bar. She’s wearing red hotpants that are so short they ride up her ass. She looks over her shoulder, smiles, and gives me a wink.

“She wants you, brother.” I turn to Tate, who is smiling, then looks at Bonnie and rubs his chin. “She’s a hot piece of ass, I’ve been trying to get her in my bed, but she’s not interested.”

“That’s because I’m the good-looking brother.”

Tate laughs and smacks the back of my head. “You wish.”

Glancing over to Quill and Viper, who are having a conversation, I ask Tate if he can show me around. Thinking perhaps I could have a private conversation with him.

He agrees and stands with his beer in hand, and I grab mine. “Just showin’ my bro around,” Tate explains when they notice us getting up out of our seats.

Viper nods, then continues his conversation with Quill. Quill gives me a look as if to say, ‘be careful,’ and I give him a chin lift and follow Tate as he takes off outside.

I follow him to what looks like their garage, and once we’re inside and all eyes are off us, he turns to me, saying, “You’ve got some fuckin’ balls coming here, Agent Cruz.”

Whipping my head around, making sure no one can hear what Tate just said, I growl. “Shut the fuck up, Tate. Do you want to get us killed?”

Tate laughs, saying, “Calm down, brother. No one’s around. Everyone’s inside, happy as hell that the Blood Brothers are here.”

“Doesn’t matter, Tate, be careful what you say. The last thing I need is for your club to know that I’m an…” I lower my voice, “… agent. If they knew that piece of information, then they would probably think I’m investigating them and would kill me.”

Tate crosses his arms over his chest. “Look… I’m sorry I up and left and didn’t call. I didn’t mean to worry you or Mom, but as you can see, I’m doing fine. This is my new home now, and it’s where I belong.

Striding toward him, I stop only inches away. “Do you understand the worry you caused Mom and me? You could of at least told us where you were going. If not to me, then Mom.”

“And what would you have said, Ryan?” Placing my hands on my hips, I let him continue, “You would have stopped me from leaving. You never liked my friends, and when they told me they were joining the Sinners and I should too, I couldn’t resist. They made it sound like home, like a family, and I haven’t felt like that in a long time, Ryan.”

I place my hands on his shoulders. ‘I’m sorry I wasn’t always around for you. I got too involved in my job and didn’t think about you or anything else, and for that, I’m sorry. I’m your older brother, and I should have been around.”

He shakes his head. “You’re not my dad. I had a dad, and he didn’t want us. I get you need to live your life. And now it’s my turn to live mine. This is my life now, Ryan. Here with the club. I belong here.”

Seeing his face light up when he talks about the club makes me believe he really does want to belong here. My only problem is that I feel like I let him down.

Gripping his neck, I bring him in closer. “You know it’s not too late. You can always come home with me, move in with me if you want to. I’d love that.”

He smirks. “Thanks but no thanks. Like I said… this is where I belong. Just spend a couple of days here, you’ll see what I mean.”

I straighten. “Is there anything you want to tell me?”

Tate’s eyebrows shoot together. “Like what?”

Turning around to make sure no one has exited the club, I then turn back to Tate. “I don’t know. They mentioned something about a favor from the Blood Brothers. Is there anything illegal going on here?”

Tate shrugs. “Like they would tell me. I’m a prospect, remember? I’m not privileged to that kind of information. I’m not even able to sit at church. I only get told where I’m needed and when. The rest I trust them to it. And even if I was told what’s going on, my loyalty lies with them. They’re my brothers.”

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