Page 11 of Redemption

I’ve always considered Jasper to be unflappable so I’m laughing when I hang up. Right up until the thought of Sloane having our child hits me, unexpectedly making me suck in my breath athow much I like the idea. Shaking my head, I put those thoughts aside and pick up my other phone to call a buddy of mine down in South Carolina.

“How ya doing, old man?” I greet him when Demo immediately answers.

“You gonna make me ride up there and kick your ass?” While he’s only been president of the Saint’s Outlaws, Hawk’s Landing chapter for a handful of years he was in the Army for nearly a decade and him, like the rest of his chapter, look more like a well-trained militia than a motorcycle club.

“Funny you think you ever could.”

“Been meaning to call you,” he says, chuckling but moving on from our bullshit. “We’re talking about heading up to that casino in Cherokee sometime in the next week or so, why don’t y’all meet us there?”

“Sounds good,” I respond, wondering what my chances are of getting Sloane to join me.

“Why don’t you bring Bridg? We’ll show her a good time.”

“Fuck off,” I growl, good-naturedly.

If I thought Bridget was interested in him, or any of the men I consider friends, I’d back off and let her navigate her own relationship—after threatening to cut off their dick if they ever hurt her or ran around on her, of course.

But Demo’s part of a smaller sub-set of men, those who flirt with her to yank my chain. I almost pissed myself laughing the day Bridget turned it back on him, scaring him to death that he’d have to let her down. The only time he makes comments now is when it’s just us.

“Ya know, I had an actual reason for calling you.” I change my tone, letting him know it’s time to get down to business.

Without talking about our club’s business, I start out asking him about his read on all the changes that have taken place in our region recently and if he thinks alliances will hold.

As Demo talks, I wonder when I’d be able to get him and Flint in a room together. I think watching the two of them playing chess would be life changing. Demo immediately seems to know which MC I’m fishing for information about and doesn’t disappoint; he does however reassure me that they have bigger fish to fry than me.

“So, I’ll let you know what weekend we lock in at the casino; you be sure to get your ass there!” Demo signs off.

Chapter 5

Sloane

“Kiddo!” Pops calls out, just before I hear the top step squeal under his weight. “You’re going to be late.”

I grin to myself, rolling over to dig deeper into my pillows. Last night I let him know that I was going out with Andrew tonight, more as a courtesy than anything else. After a few minutes of Pops telling me how much he liked the man, he then broached the subject of the motorcycle club.

“It’s not that I think you were sheltered growing up, but have you ever really experienced what their lives are like?” he asked me.

“Some of Dad’s buddies are in one not too far from home. He and Mom would bring us to the more family-friendly parties, especially once Beau was tall enough to drive,” I responded, grinning at Pop’s snort when he understood that Beaudid nothave a license at the time.

“While I get the impression that the Northern Grizzlies have mellowed, that could be wishful thinking since you and Vector are interested in each other,” he said, carefully choosing his words. “Things were pretty crazy under Jigsaw, so promise this old man that you’ll proceed with caution.”

Since Pops hasn’t come upstairs since the day I moved in, I’m wondering what’s on his mind now.

“I’m awake!” I call back. “I’m meeting a crew over on Long around ten.”

Standing up and reaching for a hoodie, I open the door to see him standing on the faulty step.

“I wanted to make sure I didn’t overstep last night,” he starts, giving me a tentative smile. “You make solid decisions and I—”

“No, Pops,” I cut him off, giving him a quick hug. “You were downright gentle compared to Mom when I was in high school.”

“I’m pretty sure I don’t want to know what all you got up to back then.” He tsks his tongue at me before turning to head back downstairs. “Just know you can always call me if you need a getaway driver!”

“The slowest getaway driver in the history of the world,” I retort in a whisper as I grip the banister, to see if he’ll reply.

“I keep telling you, there’s nothing wrong with my hearing,” he calls over his shoulder and I duck back into my room.

After experiencing one of the longest days ever, I shower and am nearly ready when I hear the roar of Vector’s bike coming up the street—which helps me decide on my outfit. There’s no way I’m going to flash Pops when I slide onto the pillion.

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