Page 108 of A Love Like Venom

As I peer back down at Alice with adoration in her eyes, I can’t help but think that it’s worth it. Even all the hell Sticks is going to give me.

Addressing the women I say to them, “Take care of her for me while I’m gone.” They all nod happily but it’s Haven who still wears a smirk on her face. That damn girl has something up her sleeve but I’m too late on time to find out what it is.

I then turn to Slater who is subtly but not so subtly admiring Alice. Pointing my finger at him with a glare I growl, “And you don’t fucking look at her like that.”

Slater raises his hands in mock surrender but the sly smile on his face shows that he doesn’t care he got caught.

“Reed,” Alice admonishes me but by the look in her eyes I can tell a small part of her likes my jealousy.

Softening my voice I tell her, “I’ll be back.”

“And I’ll be right here.” She then sits on the bar stool. I give her one last kiss on the forehead before I leave for Church.

The whole time I am walking away I can feel her heated stare.

Smiling to myself I open the doors to Church and shut the doors behind me.

My smile falls flat off my face when my eyes meet Sticks’ cold ones.

Shit.

Taking the empty spot next to Dex I sit down and fold my hands over the table.

All their eyes are on me but it’s Sticks I am the most worried about.

“You’re late,” Sticks announces. His voice harsh and his eyes ice cold. A lesser man shrivels. I meet his stare head on and sit with my shoulders pushed back.

“It won’t happen again,” I tell him firmly.

He nods his head. “Good.” Then his eyes start to warm up and he speaks in a softer tone as he asks, “How is Alice?”

“She’s good. Right now she’s with all the Old Ladies. And Slater.”

At that Pax chuckles and I raise a brow towards him. “You sure putting her around Slater was a good idea? That man can charm the pants off any woman.”

Jealousy begins to rear its ugly head again as I imagine him flirting with her. My fists tighten as I picture him trying to lay a hand on her. Through clenched teeth I ask him, “And you aren’t worried about him with Stella?”

He scoffs. “Nah, Stella loves me. She wouldn’t fall into his trap.”

“And you think Alice will?”

Before Pax can answer that question without asking for a death wish, Oak interrupts us, “We have important matters to discuss here and that doesn’t include Slater.”

“I’m just saying,” Pax says in a teasing way that makes me want to punch him in the face.

“How about you fucking don’t,” I snap back.

Dex whistles lowly. “Someone has it bad. You thought I was over the top with Haven. Hell, I’m thinking you’re worse.”

The fact that he’s not far off on his opinion is not lost on me.

Oak has my back yet again as he says, “Great now that we’ve stated the obvious can we talk about fucking business? We are already thirty minutes late.”

Pax snickers, “Not my fault.”

“And I said it won’t happen again,” I remind all of them. God, I really am never going to hear the end of this with Pax and Dex. Even if I know it’s all in good fun.

“I’m letting it slide. This time,” Sticks adds. I nod my head in his direction with respect and he does the same. He then begins, “The Crowned Devils MC made a move last night at our strip club. They tried to scare our workers and made lewd comments. When one tried to touch a worker, security came to the women’s rescue. But on the way out of the strip club they trashed the place. Broke the windows, threw around the tables and shattered glasses on the stage. Now none of the women are hurt but they are making a point. They don’t give a damn who we are, and they don’t respect us or our people. I won’t stand for this. Who knows what they will do next but I’m not one to find out. This war has officially begun boys and we have to fight back,” he declares.

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