Page 5 of Sinfully Mine

“Sorry, Pres,” I mumbled as Rael snickered. “Got a lot of shit goin’ on. What you need?”

“For you to fucking focus,” he spat with a frown.

“You’re weirder than usual,” Rael added, just to rile me up.

I didn’t rise to the bait; only my middle finger did.

Chuckles echoed around the room. It was church, so no one would go too far and piss off Grim or our V.P., Mammoth. Of course, Rael would push the limit. He always did—the asshole.

Mammoth ticked his chin my way. “Anything we need to worry about, Xenon?”

“No. Just keepin’ watch and makin’ sure there aren’t any surprises. Just because it’s been peaceful for a few months doesn’t mean shit won’t go down.”

That was a true statement. The club finally found peace after eliminating the last of our enemies and destroying the Bloody Scorpions MC after all the shit they’d done to us and other chapters of the RBMC. But that didn’t mean we should stop paying attention to what happened around us or in Nevada, specifically in our territory, which ran from Carson City down to the bottom of the state, well beyond Las Vegas. If anything happened in Nevada, we knew about it.

Or my cameras caught it.

That was my function as a member of this club. I kept tabs on everything and reported it to Grim. No, I didn’t watch my club brothers. There wasn’t a need. Although, on occasion, I sure glimpsed what they were up to, especially those that didn’t mind who saw where they were fucking their ol’ ladies or club girls. Those were the cameras I flicked off until they finished. I didn’tneed or want to watch that show. There were some things you couldn’t unsee that took up free residence in your mind, and I’d be fucked if I accidentally caught a glimpse of Rael’s naked ass. No fucking thanks.

Hannibal leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. “You don’t have to watch all the time. Not fair to you.”

“It’s my duty,” I replied because I was serious about my contribution. I rarely left the clubhouse to ride with the others because my skills were best put to use on a keyboard and consisted of recon, surveillance, and blackmail. I could look up anything on the internet and find it. No trail was too small or any lead too insignificant. Nobody could hide forever. There was always evidence somewhere. That was how I continued to help my club.

Grim nodded. “Works for me. You’re a humble man. But I like knowing I can count on you, Xenon. You find shit no one else can, and you protect this club as well as any other member, if not better. You got a million fucking eyes,” he laughed. “I don’t want you ever to think that goes unnoticed. It doesn’t.”

Fists pounded the table in response, agreeing with Grim.

“I appreciate that, Pres.”

He ended church, and I stood with the others, prepared to leave the chapel, when Grim’s hand landed on my shoulder. “Wait a minute. Got somethin’ to say.”

The room cleared. Not even Mammoth or Rael stuck around.

I turned to Grim, curious about what he wanted to discuss. “You need me on somethin’?”

He smirked. “No, but I’m not surprised you asked. You’re always on top of shit. But this isn’t me asking you for something I need. It’s about me askin’ you what I can do for you. You’ve been with the club and at The Crossroads since I patched in as a young man. We’re both pushing forty in a few years.”

“Yeah,” I agreed with a laugh, “You’re right. We’re gettin’ old.”

He laughed. “True. Creed keeps me runnin’ around, though.” He smiled wide. “Trish is pregnant.”

Wow. She lost a baby before Creed, and they’d been trying for months. I knew they wanted more kids. “I’m happy for you, Grim. That’s awesome news.”

“Thanks.” He cleared his throat, and I could tell he felt emotional about it. “I want the same for you. Kids. A family. An ol’ lady.”

“I have the club.”

“But you want more. You always have,” he reminded me.

“I know.” I shrugged, thinking of Grace. “Maybe I’ll find my woman where I least expect to.”

“Maybe.” He walked to the fridge inside the chapel, pulled out a beer, popped the top, and took a swig. He didn’t offer me one, knowing I’d refuse. I never drank during the day or church, only in the bar and when I wasn’t working on something for Grim or the club, which wasn’t often. But, man, I loved a good Chicago-style pizza, draft beer, and a game of pool.

I’d have to make that happen soon.

“Just know that I’m here, Xenon. You need to talk, take a break, or just let off steam, I’ve got you. Feel me?”

“I do.” Fuck, I loved Grim like a brother. His friendship had been one of the most important and influential in my life, especially after I lost my mom.

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