Since vowing to stop myself turning up wherever she is, I’ve actually seen her more. It’s an epic fail on my part. I’d even convinced the guys to come to this bar for a few drinks saying that I liked the live band. It was bullshit— I’ve never heard of this band, but I hoped that Anna would come here. The strip of bars along this street is where everyone seems to come.
Blade gets a call. “Pres, Cree is at The Windsor. He wants to know when we’re going back there.”
“One more drink and we’ll head back,” I say, and he relays it as Bonnie sets the tray on the table. She’s been glued to me all evening. I can’t exactly tell her to fuck off when she spends every night in my bed. It’s easier than explaining to the guys why I blow hot and cold with her.
I spot that the two men who were with Anna and her friend have gone, So I head over to their table. Her friend spots me and she taps Anna. Her perfume fills my nostrils and when she turns to look at me with those big green eyes, I feel like I’ve been punched in the gut. She’s stunning. “We’re gonna head back to The Windsor,” I say. “You wanna come?” Anna glances back to her friend, who nods her head in response. “Great. Drink up.”
“Won’t your girlfriend mind?” asks Anna, blushing.
I smirk. It’s cute that she’s trying to sound casual and unaffected. “Drink up,” I repeat, purposely not answering her again.
As we walk back to The Windsor, Anna and her friend trail behind the rest of us, so I wait by the door for them to catch up. She smiles when she sees me waiting and we walk in together. My chest swells with pride. Having her on my arm feels good.
Cree hands me a bottle of beer and then his eyes fall to Anna. “Anna, this is Cree, my VP,” I introduce.
“Anna?” repeats Cree, his eyes burning into me. “Thee Anna?”
“And this is her friend,” I say, ignoring him. He looks at her friend and nods his head in a cool move that he uses when he likes what he sees.
“Eva,” she says, holding her hand out for him to shake. He frowns at her offering and then shakes it.
“What happened to your dates, ladies?” I ask.
“Anna upset Jamie, so they left,” says Eva. “I was having a nice time,” she points out.
“For goodness sake, they were annoying and boring. He tried to kiss me after boring me half to death with stories about his sister’s kids,” says Anna.
“I thought you’d like a man who likes kids seeing as you have one!” Eva points out.
Anna laughs and her head lifts slightly. I catch a glimpse of a mark on her skin and frown. Then I notice a bruise under her lip and a cut. I take her chin in my hand and tip her head back to get a better look at her neck. When she realizes what I’m doing, she shakes me off. “Are those bruises?” I ask.
“It’s nothing,” she mutters.
“That’s why you were crying when I called you?” I growl.
“Leave it,” she says quietly, and Eva gives her a sympathetic smile. It’s none of my business, but it’s pretty obvious this has something to do with Reggie. I clench my jaw and take a calming breath.
There’s a commotion at the door that distracts me, and I spot Rock trying to block someone from getting in. I catch a glimpse of the blond and know instantly that it’s Michelle. “Fuck me,” I groan. I pass my beer to Cree and head over. “What are you doing here?”
She looks like she’s been crying. “Sorry to just turn up like this,” she mumbles. “I lost my key. I can’t get into the house.” She stumbles and I catch her.
“Where’s the weasel?” I ask.
“He left,” she mutters and begins to cry. “Why can’t I keep a man? Why don’t they want me?” I look back over to where Cree is chatting with Anna and Eva. I want to spend some time with Anna and now I have to deal with this. I spot the club prospect and grin in his direction. We call him Tiny even though he’s at least six-foot-four. He shakes his head, but as a prospect, it’s his job to do anything we ask him. “Come on, Pres,” he moans. “I have the promise of club pussy tonight.”
“I need you to take Michelle back to my room at the club. Don’t let my mom see her.” I hand her to him, and he sighs heavily. “And lock the door. I don’t want her near Ziggy.” He nods his head and guides her from the bar.
“She okay?” asks Cree when I return, and I nod. “Where’s Tiny taking her?” he asks. I glare at him and he gets the message. I don’t want to discuss my ex in front of Anna.
“Let’s talk,” I say firmly to Anna, leaving her no room to argue. I guide her over to the same table where we sat when I first spoke to her.
“Is this your private table?” she asks. “It’s just this place is so busy and this table is always free.”
“It was my dad’s table,” I say fondly. “People don’t sit here out of respect.”
“Because he was part of your gang too?” she queries. I step closer and back her into the corner of the room.
“Club, Anna,” I smirk. “It’s an MC club. We have rules and respect. Calling us a
