“He means don’t fuck her and leave her high and dry holding a grudge against you, which will include the entire MC,” Verek explains.
“I’ve already told her I wouldn’t sleep with her,” I admit to everyone in the room. Although, now that I’ve said it aloud, it’s like it’s real and there won’t be any takebacks. Fuck. Too late now. “If I can’t get rid of her in the morning, then I don’t want to even go there.”
“Good,” Roman replies. “You’re finally doing the right thing for once when it comes to women.”
“I’ve never heard any complaints before or regrets,” I can’t help but respond.
“Most of the calls asking about the club’s re-opening are from women asking how you are,” Leo says with a smirk.
“See? They’re worried about me, not hating me for giving them a night they’ll never forget.”
“Well, let’s not take the chance on Madison Monroe having regrets that would negatively affect the MC.”
“Fine! I’ve already said I won’t sleep with her,” I tell him.
“Yes, but for some reason, that doesn’t comfort me,” Roman mutters with his brow furrowed. I’m about to ask what he means when he asks, “Any other business before we adjourn to Bailey’s house?” When no one adds anything, he picks up the gavel and slams it down. “Let’s go.”
As we all get up to head out, Roman stops me with a hand on my arm and says, “Let me do most of the talking at Bailey’s. I’ll leave the video message to you, and that’s it.”
“Okay. Got it, prez.”
“I hope so,” he replies.
“Too bad it’s too cold for our bikes,” Winston grumbles. “Hard to be intimidating in a bunch of cars and SUVs.”
“We’ll make it work,” Roman replies with a smile as he clasps him on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, spring will be here before we know it.”
“You’re staying back, right?” I ask Conrad when I catch up to him.
“I don’t want to, but I’m not stupid,” my brother says. “No reason to give Bailey a chance to arrest me or provoke me again. The next time I hit him, I may not be able to stop, especially if Hannah’s not there to pull me off of him.”
“You lay low. In fact, why don’t you and Hannah go stay at one of the club’s beach houses? They ran off our tenants and shut them down to tourists; but as part owner, you could stay there anytime you want.”
“Why? You want to be alone with Madison or something?” he asks. “You heard Roman. If you piss her off, we’re fucked.”
“No, that thought didn’t even cross my mind,” I tell him honestly. And since my brother knows me better than anyone, he can probably hear that I’m telling the truth. “Besides, you’re the one who was trying to get me to fuck her last night.”
“I didn’t tell you to fuck her, I just didn’t think it was realistic that you wouldn’t end up fucking. There’s a difference.”
“Whatever,” I say, because I really don’t want to let myself go down the road and start thinking about fucking Madison. If I start, I may not be able to stop until I have her. “The point I was trying to make is that if Bailey wants to arrest you, our house and here are the first places he’ll look. Don’t make it easy on him. Spend as much time with Hannah while you can. I know you missed her the last three months.”
“Okay, maybe. I’ll ask her and see what she thinks,” Conrad replies.
“Good. If you’re not home when I get back tonight, I’ll call and let you know how everything went.”
“Hopefully, I’ll get to see it for myself on the news.”
“Hopefully,” I agree, because I’m not sure if the media will show up or not for Madison. They didn’t when she made her announcement, but I think this story is different. It’s one that will grab the whole town’s attention.
Chapter Sixteen
Madison
“Holy crap, that’s a lot of cameras,” I say, showing the photos Harlen sent me to Lily and Vanessa of the scene in front of the police station. The three of us, along with the two prospects, of course, decided to have an early lunch before the press conference. Harlen decided to skip class to attend as my media coordinator. I told him that was unnecessary; but after what happened, he said he thought being there was more important than an hour of lecture. I hope he doesn’t regret making such a sacrifice for me.
“We should probably get moving,” Lily says. “If you’re still sure about this?”
“I am,” I say even though I feel like I may pass out as soon as I stand up from the nerves. What if no one believes me? Shit. “Jake, Lucas, would you two mind if I name you as witnesses from last night?” I ask the guys sitting at the table next to ours.
“Go for it,” Lucas says.
“Doesn’t matter to me. Chicks dig heroes,” Jake says, looking like he’s feeling better after a burger and a milkshake.
“Good, because I don’t want anyone to say I’m making it all up.” Lowering my voice, I tell them, “We should probably cut out the part about you both chasing after the bad guys with guns.”
“Why?” Lucas asks. “We’ve got carry conceal permits. We’re legal.”
“You are?” I say in surprise.
“Yes, ma’am.” Great, now they’re responding to me like they do Cannon. Speak of the devil, both Lucas’ and Jake’s phones ding like they have a new message at the same time. Jake reads it aloud first. “Cannon said the Kings are about to leave the clubhouse. They should be at Bailey’s in five.”
“Okay, good,” I say with a sigh of relief.
“Cannon also said he’s got some fundraising ideas to run past you when you meet back up at the office after everything goes down.”
“Well, hasn’t he been a busy boy today,” I remark. And dammit, I will not continue to let myself miss him. Not even a little. There are two
