Page 41 of Kade

I knew they had their own dynamic.

Stripes came over to me. “You could’ve told me he was a ringer.”

I grinned at him, not hiding it. “A ringer? My brother’s a lawyer.”

He still glared. “You know what I mean.”

“Not my fault you didn’t do your homework. There’s a documentary about us.”

He scoffed, but I caught a hint of a grin before he left again, ambling over to some of the other bikers.

“What’d he want?” Nate asked, reappearing at my side.

I told him.

Nate snorted. “He should’ve done his research.”

I searched Nate for derision in his face or in his voice, but there wasn’t any. He was tense, on guard, but he wasn’t judging us, not the way he had earlier.

“You’re okay with this now?” I asked, keeping my voice low.

A wariness came over Nate’s face, and he seemed to be choosing his words. “I…I hate this shit. This…” He waved toward Logan, nodding at the rest of the warehouse. “I think you’re better than this. I think we’re better than this. But I see your point. Logan needed this. I can see that now. You were right to bring him here.” He hesitated. “And whatever other reason you’re doing this for, I’m sure it’s valid.”

I waited to see if there was more.

After a moment, he gave a short laugh. “Being a dad now, I can understand why my parents pulled me out of here.” His eyes sparkled, until he saw me.

I wasn’t amused.

His laughter fell away. He cleared his throat. “I was referring to you being a bad influence on me, so they sent me to that school.”

“I remember.” I still wasn’t amused.

He frowned, looking away.

Stripes stalked back over. “Your boy is playing with him. That shit’s going to get old real fucking fast.”

I shrugged. “What do you want me to do about it?” I gestured to the ring. “Get another guy in there and get that one out. And if Logan starts playing with that one, do it again. I paid for this.”

He huffed. “Yeah, we can do that. We’ll consider this one a win for your boy.” He whistled sharply and motioned. “Get in there. Core, you’re out.”

“What?” the guy started protesting.

“He’s playin—” Stripes had his hand in the air.

Wham!

Stripes stopped talking because Logan rounded on the guy and hit him so hard in the face the guy’s entire body flew in the air. When he landed, no one was surprised that he was knocked out.

Logan stood in the ring, heaving, blood and sweat streaked over his entire body. After a moment he came to the edge. “I want to go again.”

Stripes gave in. “Roadie, it’s your turn. Let’s see if you stay pretty for all those girls.”

Some of the bikers laughed, whistling as the next guy climbed in. He eyed Logan with a bit more wariness than the first guy.

The second fight wasn’t won as easily. Logan eked it out, but just barely.

After that, it was my turn.

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