Page 169 of Unhinged
My throat goes tight, thick with emotion. Acid’s hand brushes against mine under the table, grounding me. This time, I reach back.
Marcus catches my eye. Just once. He doesn’t smile, doesn’t push.
And I nod. Not forgiveness. But a start.
The table starts to quiet down as bowls empty and stew settles warm in our bellies. The laughter fades a little, leaving just silence. Gears clears his throat.
Marcus looks up, and Gears shifts forward, elbows on the table. “We had an idea,” he says, voice steady, “one that’d keep you close to Gidge and your, uh, nephew.”
Marcus raises a brow. “I’m listening.”
“Well,” Gears says, “we’re getting ready to start house hunting. It’s time to move out. Which means rooms here at the clubhouse are gonna be open.”
Marcus nods slowly.
“So,” Gears continues, “we were wondering if you’d have any interest in joining the Renegades.”
Marcus blinks. “Become a biker?”
“Yeah,” Gears says.
Marcus leans back, arms folded. “I don’t think I’m cut out for the bitch work your low men do. I did enough of that in the service.”
“Consider being our brother-in-law an advantage.” Gears smirks. “You’d skip prospecting. Go straight to patched in.”
Marcus is quiet for a beat. “Okay.”
“Okay?” Acid says, incredulous. “That’s it? We ask you to join the club, knowing full well what we do, and it’s just fine?”
Marcus shrugs. “If it gets me time with my sister and nephew, I’ll do it. Plus, I like it here. Little loud, but I’ll deal.”
Arrow lets out a low laugh and Gears nods. “Alright, then. First order from your president. We got a whore we need you to drop off at another chapter.”
Marcus stiffens. “You trade women?”
“Not like that,” Gears says fast. “She laid hands on our omega. And while Gidge whipped her ass,” he nods toward me, “we’re not keeping her here. She was told—leave voluntarily or be tossed. She chose to go.”
“And the trade?”
“Another chapter’s sending one of theirs,” Arrow explains. “Willingly. Fresh start. Stacy’s hoping she’ll still land an Ol’ Man over there.”
“When did all this go down?” I ask, turning to Gears.
He shrugs like it’s no big deal. “I put Suave on it while we were handling your heat.”
I stare at him for a second, then lean over and kiss him slowly. “I love you.”
Gears grins. “You better.”
I smirk. “I love all three of you.”
They murmur it back like a prayer, like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
Judge, of course, chooses that moment to fake a gag and make a face. “Gross.”
Marcus chuckles. “C’mon, kid. Let’s go outside. You can show me how good you’re getting at catching a ball.”
“Okay,” Judge says with a shrug, already pushing his chair back.
