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  “My woman, my rules.” He caught her face in his hands, slamming his lips down on hers. “I expect to see you tonight. It’s Saturday.”

  “Don’t you usually party at the club?”

  “Not tonight.”

  “Okay.” She kissed him one final time. He waited until he heard the lock click back into place in the apartment before heading back to his car. Climbing behind the wheel, he headed back. It was past six by the time he got back to the house, and he saw the light on in the kitchen.

  He found Matthew sitting, eating cereal, and playing a video game.

  “She did know that I wouldn’t say shit, right?”

  “Holly’s delicate. If you’re fucking up I may as well get shit done.” He headed for the coffee machine, groaning when he saw it was empty. “What are you doing up?”

  “I’m always up this early.”

  Duke glared across at his son and started muttering about early risers. “I’m heading into the garage.”

  “Sure.”

  Leaving the kitchen, he went to his workshop where he was fixing up some more bookcases. He liked to make everything himself. Duke trusted his own craftsmanship while he detested the faulty goods people like to buy from the store. By the time ten came he got a text from Holly letting him know she was heading over to her folks’. She also asked what Pike had done to Mary.

  Duke: Mary?

  Holly: She’s withdrawn and looks strange.

  “Dad, Pike, Daisy, and Raoul are here,” Matthew said, shouting for him to hear.

  Staring at the bookcase, he put down his tools, and headed out to greet his men.

  He shook Pike’s hand along with Daisy’s. Like all the other times before he gave Raoul a nod of the head. He didn’t like the fucker, and if it was up to him the bastard would have been voted out years ago. Raoul had contacts that were vital to the club.

  “What’s going on?” he asked.

  “Diaz called. Our first shipment deal is this coming Friday. We’re to drive it straight through to Ned. He’ll handle the coke from there. First payment comes from collection, second payment, delivery,” Raoul said.

  “Okay, sounds like a done deal. All the boys in?”

  “Yeah, Knuckles isn’t too happy. He’s on guard duty while we’re gone. Russ is also staying back to keep an eye on shit,” Daisy said.

  Duke nodded. They all took it in turns on long rides for one of them to stay home. Duke no longer got a choice about staying home. As club president, he went on each delivery.

  “Why does it take three of you to head out here?” he asked.

  All three of his men looked at each other.

  “Spit it out. I can’t be done with this playground shit.”

  “Julie’s at the club. She’s high and demanding to know what whore you’re banging in front of her son.”

  Duke’s temper rose. “What the fuck’s she doing in the club?”

  “Mandy let her in.”

  Gritting his teeth he stared toward the house. Mandy was a club whore and a pretty popular one. “One of you stays here. The other two come with me. Raoul, you’re on babysitting duty.”

  The brother didn’t argue and headed toward the house. “What the fuck is going on with you and Mary?” Duke asked.

  “No offence, Prez, not your business.”

  Duke stopped beside his bike. “When it affects my woman, it becomes my business. Don’t make it become my business.”

  “Fine.”

  Straddling his bike, he followed Pike and Daisy toward the clubhouse. The sun was shining, and the town of Vale Valley looked more beautiful than ever before. He loved living in this town that was on the edge of a city. They were close enough to the local malls but far enough away that they were left alone. Most people stopped by for gas on the way out of the city. The small town thrived with several ranches on the outskirts. If he’d not been president of the Trojans, Duke imagined he’d have turned his ranch back into a cattle one. He knew next to nothing about cows, sheep, or pigs. There was no way he was passing in his cut for a chance to find out.

  By the time he got to the clubhouse he heard Julie shouting from the outside. Several brothers were standing, smoking cigarettes as he made his way inside. Across the grounds he saw Junior working on the cars while several of the other workers stood back watching him. “What the fuck do I pay you for? Get back to fucking work.”

  Entering the clubhouse he found Julie with a smashed bottle in her hand, pointing it at his men, screaming at them. From the look in her eyes, he knew she’d taken some weird shit.

  “Julie, what the fuck are you doing?” he asked.

  This woman was the thorn in his side. He fucking hated her, despised her. The only saving grace she had was the fact she was Matthew’s mother. Otherwise he’d have killed the bitch long ago.

  “You think of replacing me?”

  “What the fuck?” he asked, stepping closer. She kept the bottle raised, glaring at him.

  Folding his arms over his chest, Duke watched her, waiting. “I take it you’ve got something to fucking say. Go ahead, I’m listening to whatever shit you’re going to tell me.”

  “You took Matthew. You’ve got another woman. I know you have.”

  “So what the fuck if I have?” he asked, glaring at her. Julie was hanging on by a fucking thread, and if she crossed the line Duke would see her six feet under. “Put the damn bottle down.”

  Her hand shook.

  “You think I don’t know about Dawg’s Crew and your little visits to them?” he asked. “You should be fucking lucky you’re not dead right now.”

  She threw the bottle down to the ground. Grabbing her arm, he tugged her into the room they had church in. He was pissed, shaking with anger that she’d fucking threaten him. Pressing her into a chair, he glared at her, waiting for himself to calm down.

  “I’m your woman, Duke.”

  “No, you’re not. You’ve not been my woman in a long fucking time.” He glared at her, hoping she’d shut the fuck up. “You’ve never been my woman, Julie. The only luck you ever fucking had was getting knocked up by me.”

  Gripping the arms of the chair, he pressed his face against hers.

  “Who is she?” Julie asked. She started to scratch her arms.

  “What the fuck are you doing to yourself?” He didn’t care, but the sight of her sickened him. Duke didn’t know how he could have stooped so low as to be with her.

  “Me, what about you? Who is the whore?” She spat the words at him. He reached out, catching her jaw in his hand.

  “Let’s get something straight, you don’t get to call her a whore or to talk about her.”

  “You can’t keep her a secret forever. She’s part of the club, isn’t she?” Julie glared at her.

  “How did you know?”

  “Dawg’s Crew has resources. He let me know exactly what you’ve got going on.”

  Duke gritted his teeth. They all had their resources, but he didn’t know how Dawg could have found out about Holly.

  He hasn’t. He only knows you’re seeing someone.

  “It’s Holly, isn’t it? I saw the way you looked her on the Fourth of July celebrations. You’ve always been panting for her. She’s eighteen years younger than you, you fucking perv.”

  He grabbed her arms, slamming her against the wall. Duke wrapped his fingers around her neck, squeezing tight.

  “Let’s get something straight, you fucking whore. Holly is no business of yours. You’ll stay out of my club, my business, and if you so much as come near her, you’re fucking dead.”

  Duke released his hold around her neck.

  “You wouldn’t kill me. I’m the mother to your only son.” She smiled at him, looking like she’d won some great battle.

  He smiled, but there was no laughter in his eyes. Duke saw the smile on her face disappear. She’d fucked up.

  “You’ve not got a leg to stand on, Julie. Our son hates your guts. You’re on borrowed time.” He pulled away from her.
“Get the fuck out of my club, now!” He yelled the last word.

  She ran away.

  Daisy came to stand beside him where he was standing in the doorway.

  “Put protection on Holly.”

  “If you don’t trust her, why is she walking out of here?” Daisy asked.

  “I’ve got to know who’s watching us. When I do, unless Matthew says otherwise, she’s going to find a nice eternal sleep.”

  ****

  “Mary, are you okay?” Holly asked. Their apartment looked the same as always apart from the fact Mary was wrapped up in a blanket on the sofa. This was how Holly had found her friend when she walked into the room. She’d not thought to go after Duke to ask him what was going on.

  “I’ll be fine.” Mary took the mug of coffee from her. Sitting on the sofa beside her friend, Holly stared at her.

  “I’m worried about you. You’re not one to camp out on the sitting room. What about work?”

  “I’m, erm, I’m going in a couple of hours.” Mary had tears in her eyes.

  “Tell me what happened.” She took Mary’s hand in her own.

  “I know you called Pike. I, we, erm, we had sex.” From the look in Mary’s eyes, Holly’s gut twisted.

  “It wasn’t good?”

  “It was nice. I mean, I thought it was nice. I don’t know. Could we not talk about it?” Mary sipped at her drink.

  “I’m completely confused right now. You’ve got a thing for Pike.”

  “And he proved to me why it could never work.” Mary’s smile was watery. “Please, Holly. I know why you called him and I understand, but it’s done. Whatever happened between Pike and me ended last night.” Mary gripped her hand. “Some things are just not meant to be.”

  Holly tightened her hand around her friend’s.

  “Tell me what happened with you and Duke.”

  “I can’t.”

  “You’re happy. Please, I’ve woken up after being asleep for so long when it comes to Pike. It’ll never work. Tell me about your time with Duke.”

  Holly let out a sigh. There wasn’t a chance of getting Mary to open up to her.

  “He told me he loved me.”

  Mary squealed, wrapping her arms around her. “I’m so happy. I’ve always told you Duke has got a thing for you.”

  For the next hour Holly told Mary every little detail of her time with Duke, not leaving anything out. She saw the blush staining her friend’s face.

  “Wow, he sounds so dreamy.”

  “I’ve got to head to my parents’. I want to tell my dad before I head to the clubhouse.”

  “Are you spending some time with Duke later?”

  “I was going to. What do you have planned for tonight?” Holly asked. Her friend’s wellbeing came first.

  “I’ve got another double shift. It’s fine. I’m going to work, come home, take a shower, and then bed.”

  “I hate leaving you.”

  Mary stood up, wrapping the blanket around her. “You’re not leaving me, Hols. I’ve got work. Go, see your dad.”

  Nodding, Holly got to her feet. “I’m going to head out.”

  “See you soon.” She watched Mary walk away toward her own room.

  Grabbing her bag, she dialed the number for a cab. She took their cups into the kitchen as she went.

  Holly: What did u do to Mary?

  Pike: Not ur business.

  Holly: She’s my friend.

  Pike: Then u shouldn’t have called me last night.

  Tapping her foot, Holly glared at her phone. What the hell was going on between the two?

  Shaking her head, she headed out of the apartment calling goodbye to Mary. When Mary shouted one back to her, Holly closed the door behind her. The cab was waiting. She gave him the address, and she sent a quick text to Duke.

  Duke: It’s their business, baby.

  She released a sigh, sitting back in her chair. Folding her arms underneath her breasts, she stared out of the window. The driver didn’t try to make more conversation, which she was thankful for. She really wasn’t in a talking mood right now.

  She paid him as she climbed out of the car. Her parents’ house held a great deal of mixed memories for her. She remembered when her father had bought the place years ago. She’d been six years old, and before they moved here, they’d lived in a one bedroom apartment. Life had been uncomfortable for the longest time.

  Russ was putting out the trash as she entered the garden.

  “Hey, Dad.”

  “Honey.” He pushed the bag into the trash, walking over to her. She was pulled into his bear hug a second later. Giggling, she held him close. “I’ve missed you around here, honey.”

  She smiled, pulling away. “I’ve missed you, too.”

  Glancing up toward the front door she saw Sheila standing with a towel in her hand. “I made breakfast, Holly. Come on inside.”

  “Why do I get the feeling this is not a social visit?” Russ said. They made their way up to the house together.

  “It is and it isn’t.” She put her purse down on the door, kicking off her sneakers to head toward the kitchen.

  The scent of baked bread met her senses.

  Sheila was cutting up some bread. Three places were set at the dining table with breakfast already waiting. “Go and eat.”

  Sitting on one side of her father, she waited for her mother to take a seat before she started to eat.

  “What brings you out here?” Russ asked, biting into a chunk of bread.

  Heat filled her cheeks as she thought about Duke. How did she tell them she was seeing him? She felt put on the spot just by talking with her folks.

  “Erm, I’m seeing someone.” She gazed down at her plate. Her hands were shaking.

  “Do we know him?” Sheila asked.

  “Yeah, you both know him.”

  Russ reached across the table. “Honey, we know.”

  Her shoulders sagged.

  “Just say the name,” Russ said.

  “I’m seeing Duke Bana.” She forced herself to look up at her parents. Sheila and Russ shared a look before turning back to her. “What’s with the look?”

  “You’ve had a crush on him for the longest time,” Sheila said.

  Her cheeks went from warm to burning hot. “Mom, please.” Here she was thinking she’d hidden her crush well.

  “What, honey? It wasn’t a secret. Well, maybe it was a bit of a secret, I don’t know.” Sheila tapped her hand. “I’m happy for you.”

  Holly looked toward her dad. Russ hadn’t said anything else since she started to talk.

  “Dad?”

  “I’m not going to lie, honey. I don’t like the fact he’s older than you. In fact, I want to fucking castrate the bastard, but I know he cares about you. He wanted to ruin Raoul. I knew then something was going on between the two of you. Your mother filled in the other blanks.”

  “Are you happy about it?” She nibbled her lip, shocked by how much she wanted them both to be happy with her decision to be with Duke.

  “Holly, if I didn’t like Duke he wouldn’t be running the club. He’s a good man. No man will ever be good enough for my daughter, but I’m happy for you both. I know he’ll never make the mistakes that I made.” Her father reached out to take her mother’s hand.

  “You know we’ve had our difficulties, Holly. Your father and I, we got through it. We’re strong together.” Sheila smiled, going red as Russ leaned over, sucking on her neck.

  “Like I said, I was an asshole, and I paid the price for my sins. You’ve got nothing to fear with Duke. He’s a damn fine man.”

  From her father that was a good start. Getting to her feet, she went behind him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I love you, Daddy.”

  “I’ve come to see something else,” he said. “It’s ‘Daddy’ whenever you get what you want or if you want something and you need me to get it for you.”

  Sheila laughed, and Holly joined her.

  “He wants me to be his old
lady,” she said, taking a seat.

  Glancing up she saw Sheila and Russ share a look. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

  “You better make sure he warns her,” Sheila said, getting to her feet.

  “I will.” Russ turned his attention back to her. “Nothing to worry about. I promise.”

  He tapped her hand. She spent most of the morning with her parents. Russ mowed the lawn while she baked some cookies with Sheila. Her mother liked delivering a fresh batch of cookies to the day care, which opened on a Saturday. While they were talking, her mother opened up about her father’s indiscretions and also admitted that she’d forced him out of their life after the loss of her unborn baby. The miscarriage had hit her mother hard, hard enough to hate her father. Once he came home after cheating on her with another woman, he’d sobbed out all of his loss and the love he had for Sheila. Holly was happy that her mother opened up to her about it.

  When her mother left to deliver the cookies she asked her father for a ride to the clubhouse. She wanted to see Duke before she headed home or at least went to his home.

  Holly climbed off the back of his bike, kissing his cheek.

  Several guys were outside. One of them was Daisy.

  “Hey,” she said. “Duke in there?”

  “He sure is.”

  Entering the clubhouse she was aware of gazes on her. Her heart raced at the thought of what they were all thinking. She didn’t stop to give any of them any notice. The door closed behind her, and she saw Mandy was serving at the main bar. Some of the guys were drinking. Most of the men were in mechanics’ overalls covered with grease stains. She heard Duke before she saw him. He held a pool stick and had just taken his shot.

  Linda hung off Knuckles as they were playing pool together. Duke didn’t have anyone hanging off him, which she liked.

  Drawing her shoulders back, she advanced toward her man. He’d not noticed her yet.

  Duke turned toward her when she was only a few steps away. He didn’t say anything, merely watched her.

  “Hey,” she said, moving in front of him.

  “Hey.”

  One of his brows rose, waiting for her. It was all on her what she decided to do. Running her hands up his chest, she banded them around his neck, drawing his head down for a kiss. The club faded away for her. Duke dropped the pool stick. She heard it fall to the floor with a clatter. He gripped her hips lifting her onto the pool table.