Page 7 of Festive

Prinie turns to me, laughing as the other girls shake their heads. “Okay, Captain Obvious, what’s your gripe with Amber?”

Letting out an exaggerated huff, I throw my hands in the air. “You should have seen how she was all over Six…pah-thetic.”

They all smile. “You have nothing to worry about where that’s concerned. That man is so head over heels for you it’s literally sickening. Watching how happy you guys are makes me want to puke most of the time… no, actually, regularly,” Prinie teases.

I can’t help but giggle as I watch Six, Wraith, and Neon head into Neon’s den. I know they’re going to run a background check on Amber. Hopefully, she comes back with warning signs, and we can kick her ass to the curb.

“Can we not talk about puke? With my morning sickness, I’d rather it not make an appearance again. I’ve only been free of it for a few weeks.” Unfortunately, I seem to suffer severe and extended morning sickness. I’ve had it with each of my pregnancies.

Prinie groans. “Man, I am so glad those days are behind me.”

Cherry nods. “Me too.”

I snort. “Me three, this is it. Six has his legacy, and I am closed for business. Well, not for business because Six does his businessvery, very well.”I wiggle my brows.

“La la la…” Prinie sings loudly with her hands over her ears, making me laugh. “I don’t want to hear about my brother’s sex life, thank you very much!”

Glancing over at Amber playing with the kids, it’s clear that the kids are enjoying her company.

Maybe I need to give her a chance.

Cherry places her hand on my arm and warmly smiles. “If you think something is wrong with Amber, trust your gut. It’s what the First Lady of the club is supposed to do. But if you’re only doing it because she might have a savior complex for Six, then you have to give the woman a little credit. A burly biker comingin and rescuing youdoesdo something for the libido. I think all of us women here can attest to that.”

Groaning, I nod. “You’re right. I’m being petulant. She’s probably very nice. The kids are loving her. I have to give her a chance. I’ll blame the hormones.”

They all laugh as Six, Wraith, and Neon walk out of the Den and over to Zero, who is sitting at the bar with his twin boys, playing with a racetrack set that seems to be a permanent fixture of the bar these days.

The guys seem deep in discussion while the rest of us watch them, trying to decipher their body language.

“Seems whatever they’re discussing is important,” I suggest.

“Maybe she is a descendant of Hawke Hernandez,” Prinie jests, and we all snap our heads to her. “What? It was a joke.”

Cherry swallows heavily. “Not a funny one, Prinie.”

Hawke and his Militia are responsible for what happened to Zero, which is the reason he had to step aside as president. The reason Six had to ascend rapidly. The reason I am First Lady, and Cherry is not. That isnotsomething you joke about.

“Shit… I didn’t think. I’m sorry, guys. I’m sure she’s not. But, I mean, what are the odds the guys would run into her if she was?” Prinie responds.

My rapid heart rate begins to slow at that confirmation.

She’s right.

She can’t be.

The chances are almost impossible.

She can’t be Militia.

The club wiped them out.

The room goes dead silent as we all stare at Amber. The air feels thick, charged with unspoken questions, and everyone thinks the same thing—who the hell have we just let into our clubhouse?There’s something about her, something we didn’t see before, and now, it’s like the entire atmosphere has shifted.Tension ripples through the room, and no one dares to break it.

Out of nowhere, I feel a warm, familiar touch at my side. Six steps up next to me, slipping his arm around my waist, pulling me close. His sudden movement catches me off guard, and I jolt a little, my body reacting before my brain can catch up. His hand tightens, steadying me, his touch firm but reassuring.

My heart skips a beat as I turn to look at him, and there’s this softness in his eyes, an unexpected tenderness that cuts through the tension. His brows lift in surprise at my reaction, and he leans in just slightly, his voice low and gentle.

“Hey, didn’t mean to scare you,” he murmurs, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. His eyes search mine like he’s making sure I’m okay, that he hasn’t startled me too much.

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