Page 35 of Hap

“It’s my club, and you are my responsibility. I know if it was the other way around, you would all do the same for me,” Ghost states firmly.

“Of course we would,” Hawk states. “Well, apart from Beast, but that’s because he’s an ugly fucker,” he goads, laughing. Beast thumps him hard in the arm, making Hawk laugh harder.

“So, I think the other thing we need to ask is what about the women, because you know what fucking happens when they allget together,” Acid points out. All the brothers grunt and nod around the table.

Ghost’s lips twitch, knowing full well that it is his ol’ lady that is the one behind it all. “With us all here, there ain’t a lot they can get up to, and if they do, we can stop it before it gets too messy,” he states, not sounding convinced by his own words.

Scar raises his brow and shakes his head. “Well, whatever happens, it will be interesting, that’s for sure.”

“So, the plan for today?” I ask.

“Today we rest and spend time as a fucking family. Tomorrow the work starts,” Ghost asserts.

“Can I just say I have never seen Hap smile so much as he has since he’s been banging?” Hawk pauses. “Sorry, in a romantic relationship with Alina,” he corrects himself. “I mean, I think we may have to change your road name. We called you Hap because you were a miserable fucker when you joined us.”

“Have you had too much sugar today or something?” Scar asks, looking at Hawk with a raised brow.

Hawk shrugs. “I’m just in a good mood considering.”

“You got laid,” Spider states.

Hawk sighs. “Yeah, it’s been a while. Maisy is just not fucking sleeping. Seriously, like I don’t know why she hates it so much. So, she’s been in bed with us, and last night Queenie offered to take her for the night. Man, I swear. I felt like a kid at Christmas,” he sighs. “See Hap, you ain’t the only one that got your end away last night.” Hawk winks.

Ghost groans. “Just all of you fuck off now,” he says, gesturing to the door. “Now, where are the painkillers?”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

ALINA

“Will you step away?I’m cooking the fucking meat,” Ghost growls at Star.

“I know. I can see that, but it doesn’t mean I can’t stand next to you while you do it. It’s not like barbequing the meat is a woman free zone. Jesus, want me to shove a hot dog down my pants so I have a wang like the rest of you?” She huffs.

The other brothers all laugh as they drink their beers. I have to admit, I have to stifle my own laugh as I watch Star purposefully annoy Ghost. He reaches out and grabs her around the neck, and my smile immediately falls. I’m ready to jump in if he lays a hand on her. Star grins as he whispers something in her ear before he kisses her firmly on the lips. I relax a little in my chair as she saunters over, sighing like a lovesick teen.

“Everything okay?” I ask as she takes a seat next to me and takes a long sip of her wine.

“Oh yeah, I just wanted to rile him up a little. He’s been really sweet and affectionate since you got him out of jail. Don’t get me wrong, I love that, but I also like to be dominated. A little light spanking, threats of punishment. You know, that sort of thing.” She casually shrugs while I feel my cheeks heat at the thought. “That little display was him threatening to shut me up bygagging on his cock,” she swoons, fanning her face. “Honestly, I don’t think I could love a man more.”

Maggie coughs out a laugh. “Jesus, Star. Over share much. You know that if you want an instant reaction out of him, you just need to flirt with one of the guys.”

Star nods. “I know, but now they’re all taken. It doesn’t feel right,” she sighs.

I look around at all of them, then at the women—or the ol’ ladies as they are known—smiling happily and clearly madly in love with their partners. I chance a look over to Hap, who is stood with the rest of the guys laughing while drinking his beer. He looks so young, so carefree. Tearing my gaze away, I stare down at my glass of water, unable to fight back the heavy feeling in my chest. The feeling of doubt I had shoved aside was gnawing its way back into my thoughts. I was older, and I was not part of this world, plus to top it off, if I had not come to Hap and told him about being pregnant, I wouldn’t be sat here now. He never tried to contact me after that night. He was not interested enough to want me then. I glance back at the men, all of them possessive alphas in their own right. Is that what it was for Hap? The urge to stake a claim, to have me? I look away and rub at my temples, feeling the start of a headache brewing as my mind whirls with a million thoughts and possibilities.

“You good?” Star asks, nudging me out of my thoughts.

I nod and force a smile on my lips. “Just a little headache,” I state.

She eyes me for a second and opens her mouth to say something but is quickly cut off when Nova abruptly stands.

“Spider and I got married!” she blurts out. Star’s attention whips around to Nova, and even the guys stop talking as they look from Nova to Spider. Nova’s cheeks turn a crimson red from everyone’s attention. She clears her throat. “We didn’t want to make it a big deal. It was around the time the entireScar hell happened, and it didn’t seem right to be celebrating,” she says, fiddling with her fingers. Spider walks over to her and clasps the back of her neck, giving her a gentle pull before taking her mouth. He whispers something over her lips, making her smile.

I can’t fight the smile that tugs on my lips at seeing them so clearly in love.

Star stands abruptly to her feet. “We didn’t get a bachelorette party,” she gasps.

“You ain’t having one,” Ghost growls at her.

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