For all the ways Rider could be a Neanderthal, and there were plenty if you asked his woman, a leftover to the earliest Souls one-percenters at times, he had progressive views on a woman's role within the club.
Up to a point.
The old lady’s, and even the groupies, added something to their place.
His girl most of all. Zara had brought fresh eyes to every part of the business. She didn’t know how much she’d changed him as a prez for the better.
In the glimmer of the first light of dawn, there was only want and need in each breath.
Steady, possessive sweeps of his hand moved from breastbone to stomach and up again, warming her already silky skin, making her squirm underneath the covers.
Zara’s pulse fluttered under his fingertips when he stroked around the front of her neck. “Good sleep, Icy?”
“Yes, you?”
“Sleeping next to my queen, so yeah.” The extra sleep had done her good.
He said it so she’d chuckle – which she did – but he meant it too.
“Smooth talker, Marinos.” She flipped around to face him, and her hand came to his cheek. He pressed a smile onto her shoulder. The moment was too right to ruin, but he said what he had to, anyway.
“Why don’t you stay home today?”
She pulled back. All sweetness from her voice vanished. “No way. And have people assume I’m scared?”
“No one thinks that.”
“You know if a woman stays home, they’re going to assume it is fear keeping her there. I’m not afraid, Rider.”
“No, you’re not. My woman is badass.”
“Damn right.” She poked his chest and smiled up at him.
He saw the fear she wasn’t acknowledging behind her pale eyes.
It was something he was going to sort out today.
“You know I’ll make it right, don’t you?”
“Never doubted it. So don’t you either.”
With Zara, he could be someone other than The Prez. He couldn’t give her answers other than he’d do what needed to be done, but he’d given her the truth last night. She’d handled it better than he thought she would.
He felt her shiver, though her skin was warm to the touch. He tightened an arm around her and let her find a spot under his chin to burrow into.
His girl craved affection. Years back, he didn’t see it; he was too busy trying to win her. Trying to make up for everything that had hurt her.
Rider would never stop. It was his whole life’s mission.
That and to keep his family safe.
But now, he was more aware of her needs. She liked physical touch and affirmations. When she needed it, he was more than happy to drown her in affection.
She’s easy to please. A purr pumped out of her when he stroked along her spine, making her soften under his hand.
He would always give her the truth.
And he would, without fail, love his woman until she felt smothered by him.
They stayed in bed, sharing quiet words, Rider holding her until the kids woke up and wanted to eat. He was the tribute, and he left her in bed, putting a kiss on her lips.
He hated leaving her that morning. Rider put Pretty-Boy in the picture because the brother cared for Zara like his own sister, so he’d stick extra close to her today.
It was Hawk riding at his side an hour later when they headed toward Henderson. There was no announcing their arrival. This wasn’t one club reaching out to another and giving a courtesy call. Rider was the bigger dog, and he was hoping this new prez wannabe would kick off with his ego, giving Rider any excuse not to be reasonable.
All but vibrating under his skin as the pair approached on foot what passed for a clubhouse. It was no bigger than a shed, and a ram shackled one at that.
Rider slowed his breathing and listened.
“Keep your head,” he told Hawk, who only snorted.
“Doubt it’s me that’s gonna go off half-cocked, Ri.” Hawk thumped on the door. It opened almost immediately. A reedy sly-looking man was standing there in jeans and a cut. The younger man’s eyes widened like stunned deer when he saw the pair of them.
“Boss around?”
“Maybe. Who am I saying it is?”
Little shit already knew. He’d taken in Rider and Hawk’s cuts through their unzipped jackets.
“Rider Marinos.”
“And you?” He addressed Hawk, who only curled his lip in a vicious sneer.
“My watchdog, you don’t want to piss off.”
The kid disappeared, slamming the door in their faces. It was a few minutes more before it opened to show an older guy.
“Rider Marinos as I live and breathe. Thought my man was lying when he said you were out here. But here you are, shit, man. Can’t believe it. The Rider Marinos.”
The guy spoke with admiration in his voice, though his eyes were shrewd, bouncing between him and Hawk.
“You know me, but I don’t know you.”
“Robert. But they call me Titan.”
Titan. Sure.
“You guys wanna come in?”
“Nah, we’ll talk right here. I’ll get to the point,” Rider started, sharing a look with Hawk. Hawk was mistrusting by nature. It wasn’t hard to see he didn’t like this guy. “Who’s big idea was it to resurrect the Raging Rebels?”
“And which one of you in there is related to Hades?” Asked Hawk. Chances were they were also related to Hawk, which was gonna put his VP in a pissy mood.
“What? No one. We don’t know that guy, just heard about him.” A bite to
