Page 159 of Outlaws of Tulsa

“Ready?” I ask as I pull the casserole carrier from the floorboard.

He nods, giving me a reassuring wink. We both agreed not to flaunt our relationship, but he also said he wouldn’t hide or deny it anymore. I’m not delusional. When it’s officially out that we’re not just fucking but are together as a real couple, it’s going to cause waves. Copper says he’s ready to go toe to toe with anyone who has a problem with it, even his brother.

“That thing is huge,” I state as we walk toward the front door, motioning for the giant structure at the edge of the property. “Whose house is that?”

“Clubhouse,” Copper says. “Koyn wants to expand, but he has enough shitheads in his house. He doesn’t want any more. Especially now that Caydence is here.”

Just the mention of Hadley’s little baby has me grinning. I can’t wait to hold her. Sure, it’s stressful walking into the lion’s den, but I keep reminding myself I’m a lion too. I’ll be damned if I let Filter and Dragon and Koyn make me cower.

The front door opens and Bermuda steps out. He’s adorable today in a black baseball cap and a boyish grin affixed on his face. His flannel fits him in all the right places, making him seem like he belongs on the front of an Abercrombie catalog rather than in an MC gang. He’s going to make some girl really happy one day.

“About damn time,” Bermuda says in greeting. “You know how hard it is keeping a bunch of bikers out of the fucking food?” He leans in and hugs me, kissing the top of my head. “I missed you, Stormy.”

My heart swells and my eyes water. Stupid probably-almost-period time emotions. I bite on my bottom lip, unable to answer him without crying, so I simply nod.

Copper’s glare is hot and possessive as he takes in the way Bermuda holds me. It sends a thrill down my spine. So muchfor not making a fuss over our relationship. It’s written all over Copper’s face I belong to him.

Bermuda finally releases me to take the casserole carrier from me. “Come on. I made a double batch of my fluffy nonsense for PG. She’s probably already spooned her way through the first batch.”

We follow him inside. It’s loud and chaotic. I can hear Nees laughing and Dragon telling him he’s a fucking idiot. Then, I hear Hadley throwing shade at both of them. My heart does a painful squeeze inside my chest. At one time, I’d almost given up on my undercover agenda and just let myself live as Filter’s almost ol’ lady. I’d felt at home and a part of something when I was here.

Too bad it was all a farce.

Try telling my feelings that.

Being back reminds me I did care about those guys even when I didn’t want to. Nothing’s changed. They might want to kill me—especially Filter—but I just want them to accept me again.

“Stormy!”

The female screech is my only warning before I’m nearly tackled by a girl in a blue TU hoodie. My arms fling around Hadley and I hug her to me tight. She starts to cry, which sets me off too. I hold her in my arms, reassuring myself that exposing my identity to protect her was the best thing I ever did, even if I didn’t even need to do it. At the time, I thought she was in danger and I wanted to protect her.

“These motherfuckers wouldn’t let me see you,” she complains through her tears. “I’m done with their bitchy asses. If they try and keep me from seeing you again, I’ll kill them all in their sleep.”

A laugh bubbles out of me. “And have this house all to ourselves with no boys? Need help sharpening your knife?”

“Okay, Thelma and Louise,” Copper grunts. “You can plan your murder spree after dinner. There’s a dining room full of hangry bikers and if we don’t get this show on the road, Dragon will make a meal out of my bratty-ass son.”

“He’s not my type,” Dragon calls out from nearby. “I like ’em soft. Nees is not motherfucking soft.”

“Dude,” Bizzy interjects. “He takes Hadley to Sonic like every goddamn day like he’s her personal assistant. Dude is fuckin’ soft.”

“Your belly is soft, Santa Claus,” Nees hollers back. “After today, your ass is going back on the diet.”

I pull away from Hadley, admiring how beautiful and grown she looks. Her eyes shine with happiness. “I missed this,” I murmur. “And did hell freeze over? Bizzy on a diet?”

“Oh my God,” Hadley says with a giggle. “It’s fucking hilarious. Dragon and Nees think they’re going to make over Bizzy and turn him into a chick magnet. Even if he had a body like Dragon, there’s no way in hell the chicks will be flocking to him.”

“I heard that,” Bizzy bellows. “Prez, tell your ol’ lady to stop talking smack about me.”

“Don’t be a pussy,” Koyn says back to him. “You’re upsetting my daughter.”

At the mention of Caydence, I drift my gaze over to Koyn. It’s easy to see past his scarred face, tattoos, and leather when he’s holding a bundled baby girl in a pink blanket. His dark eyes shine with the pride and love of a father. I never could have predicted a year ago that I’d witness Koyn like this. Never.

Payne and Halo are expressionless at my appearance, but I don’t miss the distrust in their eyes. For some reason, they seem to be lingering around Hadley like a couple of bodyguards. It makes me nervous because they look seconds from jumping me.Rather than withering like I want to, I lift my chin, prance right up to Koyn, and hold out my hands.

“Give her up, Daddy,” I say, a smile curling my lips up. “I’ve been dying to see this angel.”

He doesn’t say anything shitty to me. Simply passes her to me before heading out back to smoke. I snuggle the adorable sleeping baby to my chest and close my eyes. Leaning close to her face, I inhale her sweet infant scent. My heart pulses as I secretly hope for more than a delayed period. I hope for so much more.

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