Page 126 of Obliterate

Not only that, but because Houston was so grateful for us helping them with the Baroness situation and for Hurricane coming to them with a plan to bail out Six instead of actually following through with the assassination, they let NOLA recruit some of their brothers to help fill our diminishing quota. So now we’re back up to full numbers, and Houston is back to normal. So both clubs have evened out.

Have to admit, it’s fucking great having a decent quantity of brothers back in the clubhouse. Especially because with the recruitment, we were able to bring in an additional tech guy to help out Raid. He desperately needed another set of hands in the den, and now he has that support. Everything seems to be easing the pressure, which can only be a good thing.

Stepping up to the bar, I tap it, signaling to Jaz that I’d love a beer.

She pours then slides it my way. “Looks like you’re in a good mood,” Jaz states.

“I am. Ingrid has decided she’s gonna put her house up for rent in a few weeks’ time and move into my room with me in the clubhouse. It will be easier than us back and forth all the time.”

Jaz grins wide. “You two are serious couple goals. I swear whenever I see you two together, I get giddy.”

I chuckle, grabbing my beer. “It will happen for you one day, Jaz. But you’re doing well with your writing, aren’t you?”

She nods in response. “Oh yeah, I mean, I’m not Frankie with two published books, but I’m getting there.”

“Way I see it is we all have to ride the wave. Our time comes when it is supposed to. Yours will too, Jaz.”

She clinks her glass with mine. “Cheers to that.”

We both take a sip of our drinks when my cell rings. I widen my eyes at the unexpected call and reach into my pocket, pulling it out to see Bella calling. A spontaneous smile crosses my face, and I swipe the call to answer. “Hey, Bells, what’s going on?” I ask her with a pep in my tone.

Her usual chirpy demeanor doesn’t hit me straightaway like it normally does. She is quiet for a moment, and then she exhales heavily. “Rome… do you have some time to come home for a bit? I really need to see you.”

Her tone tells me something is wrong as I sit taller, my anxiety instantly peaking. “Bells, what’s going on?”

“I need to discuss something with you, but I don’t want to do it over the phone. It’s been so long since I’ve seen you. You said you would bring Ingrid over to meet us. It’s been months.”

Guilt flows through me. I’ve been so happy in my little bubble I forgot about my family on the other side of the country. “Okay, sure, let me talk to Ingrid and see when we can come out there.”

“Rome, make it soon…please.”

Furrowing my brows, I clear my throat. “Bells, are you in some kind of trouble?”

“No, nothing like that. I justreallyneed to talk to you.”

Unease washes over me.

She is never like this.

Something is wrong.

I need to get back to LA as soon as possible.

“I’ll be there as soon as I can. I’ll talk to Ingrid now.”

“Okay, let me know when you’re coming. Talk soon, Rome. I love you.” She ends the call before I have a chance to respond, which only makes me more concerned for her.

Picking up my beer, I throw the contents back in one swift gulp, slam the glass down on the bench, and stand. “Thanks for the drink, Jaz.”

“Everything okay?” she asks.

“No… I don’t think so, not at all.”

“Good luck!” Jaz calls out as I go in search of Ingrid, who, from what I remember her saying, is out back with Kaia and a fourteen-month-old Immy playing on the new play equipment.

As I walk out, a child’s laughter filters through the air. Ingrid is pushing Immy on the swing, and Kaia is standing back, taking photographs of the two of them.

Such a precious moment.

---