Page 73 of Rex

Landing on my ass, I’m too stunned to move for a few seconds. That, unfortunately, gives both the pig and the dog a chance to trample over me on their way out the door. Today is not going the way I thought it would go. I toss a glare at Reeves and ignore the laughter as I draw gulps of air into my oxygen-deprived lungs.

“Any reason why one of your employees is being chased around the parking lot by a biker, a dog, and a pig?” Gunner asks from above me. “And why I wasn’t invited to the office party?”

The man has impeccable timing. Drawing in another deep breath, I stand and face my irritated club president. Standing behind him are Axel, Pooh, and Vex. All are smiling huge, and allcan kiss my ass. I notice in my peripheral vision, Marti quietly picking up discarded plates, quickly straightening up the mess.

“Thank you, Marti,” I say.

“Pooh. Go outside and end the chase. Tell both to get their asses in here,” Gunner states while staring at me.

“The chase is my fault, Gunner. Reeves—” Aria starts, but Gunner holds up a hand, and she stops speaking immediately.

“Even if Pooh saves Horse, you owe me fifty bucks, Aria. At least one of them will be crying,” Reeves mutters and instantly gains Gunner’s full attention.

“Are you here for a reason, Reeves?” he snaps.

“Yep. Working overtime. Stopped for lunch. That’s still allowed, right?” Reeves answers while crossing his arms over his chest and staring back at our President.

Maybe Horse isn’t the dumb one in our club, but I do admire Reeves’ bravery.

“I asked this the last time you were here, but I’ll ask again. There a problem, Prez?” I ask as Pooh, Chubs, and Horse re-enter the office.

I note that all three are out of breath, even the pig and dog, who both collapse on the floor without a sound. I also note that Chubs has possession of the bag Horse ran out with. Not surprised by that, though.

“The problem is I still don’t have the intel you’ve been working on for-fucking-ever, and yet every time I show up here, it’s afucking circus,” Gunner states in a low growl. “Anyone who’s not a club member, now would be a good time to leave.”

I feel my temper rise at his implication and the way he just spoke to Aria, Marti, and Lucy. Turning my head, I catch the surprise on Aria’s face. She slides off the desk, picks up her purse, and walks to the door, where she turns back to face me.

“Please don’t bother looking for anything more on my stalker. My brother Les and I will get it figured out, but thank you for what you have done so far. It gives us a good start. Much appreciated, Rex,” she says softly before literally pushing her way between Axel and Vex to leave.

“Aria! Wait!” Chubs shouts, but she doesn’t listen. His frowning face turns to stare at Gunner.

“Bye,” Marti murmurs before following Aria out.

“I’ll see you tonight, Chubs,” Lucy says before giving him a quick kiss and walking to the door.

“Take the fucking pig and dog with you, Lucy,” Gunner orders.

“You take the fucking pig and dog with you, Gunner. Club business and you can tell me to leave. But I’m not a member, so take your orders and put them sideways up—” Lucy replies heatedly while Gunner’s eyebrows nearly hit his hairline, and Chubs interrupts Lucy’s rant.

“See you tonight, my love.”

Lucy stares up at Gunner for several beats before elbowing Vex and Axel out her way as she exits.

“She was going to say ‘your ass,’ Gunner. In case you’re confused about it. You have to be a major dick fucker to piss Lucy off. Well done, Prez,” Axel says with judgment clear in his tone.

“I know what she was going to say, Axel. I’m just surprised she was going to say it,” Gunner states.

“I’m not,” Reeves mutters.

“So now that you’ve cleared the room, what’s so fucking important that you’ve pissed off three women and half your members?” I ask, too angry to care if it makes Gunner mad.

“Since when do we care if the women get mad? They’re not members of The Devil’s Angels,” Gunner asks.

“Since you took Ava as your old lady,” Axel replies. “And your whole personality changed, and we were forced to adapt to having women around that had opinions or end up in the ring with you. Club girls were never allowed that privilege, so it was never a problem until you and Ava. Since Petey and Trudy got together. Since me and Bailey. Since—”

“I get it, asshole!” Gunner barks.

“You didn’t even get to me and Pippa, or Vex and Taja. Or—” Pooh says in his most reasonable voice before Gunner slashes a hand through the air, stopping his sentence.

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