Page 12 of Pieces We Keep

“We should see a movie,” I said, watching her tie her shoes.

Irina’s gaze found me, shooting down my hopes. That was the moment I realized our relationship would never be more than a hookup situation.

Walking her out to the waiting Uber, I swore to myself how I was done. I couldn’t keep feeding this need, only to be continually disappointed.

“Can I see you next week?” Irina asked as if sensing where my head had gone.

Shrugging, I remained noncommittal. Irina’s brokenhearted expression destroyed my resolve. Just like that, I had her in my arms and asked her to wear her red shirt.

“It makes your tits look hot,” I said like a dumbass.

Irina smirked at my lustful gaze. “I don’t care what you wear.”

The way her breath caught when she said those words promised I was important to her. This wasn’t a one-sided obsession. I promised myself I would push the topic next week.

Except I didn’t see her that next Friday.

Marky Rogers went insane after losing a fight with my VP—Wade “Armor” Palmer. The entire thing was nuts. The rich asshole showed up at the Pigsty with his idiot brothers to “challenge Armor to a duel.” Like they would battle to win a chick’s heart.

Armor went along with the fight part, mostly because he wanted to pound on Marky Rogers.

When my VP won, the sore loser went looking for trouble. Or maybe he stumbled upon the object of his desire. Either way, Marky attacked Yazmin Norris at a park with kids around, including her and Armor’s new baby boy. Yazmin’s sister—who is also my club president’s wife—was nearly killed, too. Selene and Yazmin put up a decent fight, shooting and stabbing the giant fucker. In the end, Tomcat’s dad—and local baller, Glenn Childs—blew out Marky’s brains.

For the next few weeks, McMurdo Valley flipped sideways. Everyone waited to see the fallout.

Todd Rogers rarely leaves his estate. He’s eighty-plus years old, and not much to look at. People often forget his power while the club rides around reminding everyone of our reach.

However, after Marky died so publicly, the Valley felt the old man’s presence. Everyone got nervous over a potential war. The old man hired mercenaries to patrol his property. His surviving sons started driving around as if looking to start trouble.

Meanwhile, the Steel Berserkers Motorcycle Club had a reputation for hacking their enemies to pieces. If war broke out, McMurdo Valley could get real dangerous real quick.

Instead, the old man stood down. Probably because he didn’t give two shits about his kids. His own safety and finances mattered more, so he didn’t demand vengeance for his fallen moron.

However, Todd Rogers did expect everyone with any power to pay their respects at Marky’s funeral. That was the first time I ever saw Irina in the light of day. She stood next to Fiona’s wheelchair, tugging the tiny blonde into a sitting position whenever the woman’s body slumped over.

I walked right past her as the club paid their respects to Todd. Ruin had to kiss the old man’s ass. I just needed to stand quietly. I tried not to stare at Irina, but she was fucking gorgeous in her black dress, stockings, and heels. Her long dark hair was tied up in a bun, revealing her flawless skin, beautiful blue eyes, and pouty lips.

I kept waiting for Irina to catch my gaze or signal me. Seeming oblivious to my presence, she only saw the sick woman.

That was earlier today. Now, after the funeral and the long-ass memorial, I sit out back on the Pigsty’s expansive porch and think about the day. While we were waiting to leave, Armor asked if I thought Irina might be a spy for the old man. I stated no, believing every word.

Now, I have to wonder. I haven’t seen her in over a week.Was she still the woman who owned my heart?

Hobo joins me on the steps. The guy’s normally messy blond hair is tied back, making him seem downright civilized.

“Irina’s not a spy,” Hobo told me after fiddling with his beer bottle’s label for a while. “She’s just a chick doing a job.”

Considering his words, I remember how Todd Rogers sent Irina to give Ruin a message. The old man claimed to trust her more than his sons. The message let us know the old man wouldn’t retaliate. I’d been relieved to know Irina was safe, yet I worry now about why she was chosen.

“Todd Rogers sent her to give Ruin a message. Why do that if she isn’t important?”

“He trusts her because she’s loyal to his daughter. She doesn’t want his money or his sons. She’s just wrapped herself up in Fiona, so Todd thinks she won’t work any angles.”

“And you know that how?”

“I sit out in the woods and listen to them talk. They love to blurt out shit. Living on their fancy estate makes them feel untouchable.”

“So do you ever listen to Irina talk?”

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