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  “I’m a vegan,” she said.

  The entire table stopped eating and turned to look at her.

  “You’re what?” Duke asked.

  “I don’t eat meat, dairy, or any animal products. That’s why I ask.”

  “Why are you vegan?” another guy asked. This was the one from the bar who Misty tried to flirt with.

  “It’s my choice.” She put down her plate. She looked to Holly and Mary. “I didn’t mean to offend you. I hope you will accept my apology.”

  She offered them both a smile and then turned on her heel and left. This was embarrassing. She was at the gate when someone grabbed her arm. She turned to see Landon standing before her.

  “I didn’t mean to cause a problem.”

  “The diner. You only ate a salad. This the reason.”

  “I don’t eat out, apart from at the snack bar in town when he’s open.” She shrugged. “It’s really no big deal.”

  “Good. Are you heading to your place?” he asked.

  “Yeah, why?”

  “I’m starving, and I want to be with you. After today, I owe it to you.”

  She folded her arms, smiling up at him. “You want me to cook for you as well now?”

  “You got it.”

  “Don’t you have a guy to deal with?”

  “I can come back for that. I don’t want you alone right now.”

  “Okay.”

  Landon took her hand, leading her back toward his bike. “Let me take you for the ride of your life.”

  ****

  A few seconds before

  “Landon, you can’t let her leave,” Duke said. “She knows too much already.”

  “We’ve got the cops in our pocket. No matter what, if she squeals, no one will believe her.”

  “You never know who is listening. I’m not asking.”

  Landon got up and followed after his woman. Duke watched him go. He had a feeling Landon had had every intention of following after Anna. The man just wanted to eat before he did.

  “We’ve never catered to a vegan before,” Mary said.

  “I know, but it doesn’t mean we can’t,” Holly said.

  Duke saw the excitement in his wife’s face. She looked like a kid in a candy store.

  “You think Anna’s going to be sticking around?”

  “I’ve got a feeling she is. Have you seen Landon bring any woman around?” Duke asked.

  “It’ll be good to see him settle down,” Zoe said, speaking up. “He’s been kind of lonely, and I know since the whole Maya problem, he’s not been himself. It’s all messed up.”

  Duke couldn’t agree more.

  “Any news on Maya?” Holly asked.

  “Not yet. I got an update they had to restrain her as she tried to seduce a couple of nurses and make a break for it. She’s a problem, but they’re also working to get the drugs out of her system.”

  “It would seem I’ve got a lot of catching up to do,” Preach said.

  “If you’d decided to come home in between each deployment, you’d be up to speed.”

  “Where’s the fun in that? You knew when I joined I’d have to stay on point. It’s something I needed to do, and now I’m ready to be home and be back in business.”

  Duke hadn’t seen Preach in such a long time.

  The young man he once knew was gone. Preach had been a prospect before Duke had. He’d earned his patch, and once he did, he’d put in a couple of years at the club, just as Duke had. Preach had told them all what he wanted to do in joining the army.

  No one had tried to stop him, and each time he made it home, they all got a text. That was all. A single text he’d arrived, then another saying he was heading back out.

  Not once did the man come to Vale Valley, but his spot within the club had always remained open.

  Preach was larger, more muscular, with greying hair at the temples. Age had been good to him.

  Duke rose to his feet. He’d put the drug dealer he had in the basement out of his mind, along with Maya and Anna. All the problems he could deal with.

  “I want to propose a toast. To Preach, for making it back safe and sound, and for not losing himself. It’s good to have you back, man.”

  Preach lifted his beer. “Thanks.”

  “What do you think you’re going to do now you’re back?” Pike asked.

  “Teaching.”

  “Teaching?” Holly asked.

  “I’ve got a degree in teaching, and I’ve already sent in an application to the community college. I want to help others in between my obligations to the club. I knew I wasn’t going to stay in the army forever, and each time I came back home, I studied hard. Took me a long time to earn my right to teach, but I finally did it a few years back. I need to brush up, but then I want to start.”

  “Wow, you’re going to have legal chicks drooling all over you,” Bertie said. “Why didn’t I think of becoming a teacher?”

  Duke snorted. Reaching out, he took Holly’s hand. His club was together, and he wanted her to know no matter what trouble happened, he was going to be there to fix it.

  ****

  The following day Landon wrapped his arm around Anna’s waist.

  “Come on, Landon, please, you can’t keep stopping me from leaving.”

  “Then come back to the clubhouse with me. I don’t want you to be on your own.” Last night she had made him an amazing pasta dish. It had tasted so good, not that he’d tell Holly or Mary just how nice it was, but he also didn’t want to let his woman leave.

  “Seriously, Landon, you think I don’t realize what you’re doing, but I do.”

  “What am I doing?”

  “You’re acting like you’re worrying I’m going to say something.”

  He didn’t mean to tense, but he couldn’t help it. This woman was good at detecting lies.

  “Seriously!”

  She pulled out of his touch with a great deal of force. He could have stopped her from leaving him, but instead he let her go rather than continue to hurt her.

  “This is what this is all about? You don’t trust me?”

  “It’s not about trust.”

  “Then what is it about?” She burst out laughing. “It’s why you followed me, isn’t it?”

  “After what you saw yesterday, I can’t let you leave.”

  “This is fucking crazy.” She shook her head. “I’m not going to tell anyone. You can run back to your precious club and let them know their secrets are more than safe with me. I’d never do anything like that to you, or the club.” She stormed off, walking toward her small bathroom.

  He got a nice view of her plump ass, and he wanted to bite it, drag her back to bed, and fuck her into not arguing with him.

  “This is club business, baby. You can’t think for a second we’re going to let you talk.”

  Anna turned and glared at him. “Right now, I really don’t like you.”

  “It doesn’t matter what you like or not. The truth is, you’re not going to like it. That guy sold her drugs. We’re going to take care of it, and you know too much. You’re not going to Danny’s today. I’ve already called him. You could have made this easier on yourself.”

  “Was last night about keeping me in line?” she asked.

  “Last night was fun. We have fun, Anna. Don’t try to play the victim. You enjoy what I do to you.” He reached out, gripping her hip and drawing her close. “Admit it.”

  “I don’t have to admit anything to you. I don’t need a pity fuck, thank you very much.” She pulled away from his touch and growled.

  “Will I need to call some of the guys to help me with you?”

  She glared at him. “I hate you.”

  “Don’t worry. You’ll get over it.”

  “Because you’ve had a lot of experience with women getting over crap like this. I can’t even begin to believe I even dated you. What was I fucking thinking?”

  “If I recall, you weren’t thinking at all. You were enjoying what I was doing
to your body, and believe me, I can make you forget exactly how much you hate me.”

  “I doubt it.” She pushed him away, not hard. “I’ll get ready. Don’t touch me.”

  He’d intended to eat last night before coming to pick her up, but what the club wanted, they got. He accepted it long ago. He’d give his life for every single one of his brothers, without a second thought. Trojans MC was his very life and no woman would ever come between his loyalty.

  Seeing the pain in Anna’s eyes, it was impossible not to feel guilty for what he’d done. He wouldn’t ever hurt her, not in any way, but it didn’t stop the ache in his chest, which he had no idea what caused it.

  Grabbing his jeans, he pulled them on, followed by his shirt, leather cut, and finally his boots.

  As he sat on the edge of the bed, Anna came out, fresh from the shower.

  Last night, he’d not used a condom, and he’d fucked her three times. Once was never enough. The moment he was inside her, he had this desperate need to do so again.

  “Can’t I go to work? Isn’t Danny on, like, your payroll or something.”

  “Anna, you’re not leaving my side. We can do this the easy way or the hard way.”

  “How about no freaking way? Would that work?”

  He sighed.

  Stepping toward her, he wrapped his arm around her. “I didn’t come with you last night just because of this. I came because I want to spend time with you. I enjoy your company. I’m not using you to manipulate you. For now, just follow my lead. It’s for the club, and you’ve got to learn, they’re in charge.”

  “I’m not one of their members.”

  “How about this for a bargain, do this for me, and I tell you how to become a member? You can’t breathe a word of it to anyone, not even your friend.”

  Anna stared at him. “You won’t lie to me.”

  “No, I won’t.”

  She pressed her lips together, thinking about his deal. “Fine, deal.” She shook his hand. “I’ll get dressed.”

  He didn’t bother turning his back. He’d seen her naked and in all of her glory, and he didn’t have a problem with admiring every single part of her.

  His dick was already hard as she bent down. She wasn’t even trying to seduce him, and yet, here he was, ready to have her hot cunt back on his dick.

  Her ass was tempting as well. He’d be taking that soon.

  Within minutes she was dressed. She pulled her hair up into a ponytail and declared she was ready.

  She was beautiful.

  He drove them to the clubhouse.

  Several of the club whores were outside dealing with some of the chores. One of them was even hanging out washing, which could only mean one thing. Duke had allowed the women to stay.

  The basement was soundproof. No one would hear what was going on. Handing his woman to Holly and Mary, he made his way toward the basement.

  Matthew was on the outside, and the moment Landon arrived, he opened the door.

  Duke wouldn’t allow his son or any of the prospects into personal matters. They had to prove themselves, which was why prospecting was a long, hard business.

  Preach sat on the steps, drinking a cup of coffee as Duke dealt with the drug dealer, who hung upside down.

  “What do we know?” Landon asked.

  “The kid’s name is Winston. He’s got a long list of arrests and complaints from burglary, possession, drug dealing, and rape. He went to the community college in town, and it appears he had every intention of setting himself up here, dealing out drugs, Only he got into some trouble with Diaz’s crew, stole from them, and has been working out of his car. He’s got multiple contacts. The drugs are standard street stuff. He buys the shit in bulk, and charges three times the rate.”

  “Wow, how did you learn all of that stuff?”

  “The shit in his car and a couple of calls. Believe me, no one would miss him.” Preach took another sip of his coffee.

  “Why did you go to Maya?” Duke asked, moving toward the table full of tools.

  Duke must have been in a pissed off mood to have gone to get tools. Normally, he was a simple shot to the head.

  “I don’t know.” The guy pissed himself, and Landon wrinkled his nose.

  “He’s already shit himself as well,” Preach said. “I’ve not met this Maya. Is she important?”

  “She’s family,” Landon said.

  “Then this guy has what is coming to him. No one messes with family and gets away with it.”

  Landon couldn’t agree more.

  Chapter Ten

  “Don’t you ever get hungry?” Mary asked.

  Anna was … bored.

  She sat outside, enjoying the last rays of sunshine. It wouldn’t be long before fall was upon them, then winter. She wondered if she’d still be coming around the clubhouse during those times. If so, she’d have to get to know them all a little better so she could get the right gift for each of them.

  Still, Holly and Mary were interrogating her as if she was some specimen on a Petri dish.

  Not cool. Not nice, and she was getting a little … fed up.

  “I don’t know what you want me to say,” she said. “I get hungry, sure. I can eat bread so long as it’s made with vegetable fats and not eggs. I’m a normal kind of girl.”

  “Don’t you miss the taste of cheese and bacon?”

  “No.”

  “How long did you say you’ve been a vegan?” Holly asked.

  “Since I was fourteen. We’re talking nine years now.”

  “Wow, that is a long time,” Mary said.

  She stared at the women. “Do you know how to become a member of the club?” She wasn’t looking to join, but her curiosity had certain piqued. She was curious as to why it was such a secret to everyone.

  “Oh, erm, it’s club business. Are you thinking of joining?” Mary asked.

  “Why is it club business? Is it top secret? Do you have to kill someone?”

  “No, nothing like that,” Holly said. “No one has to kill anyone. Do you have feelings for Landon?”

  She stared between the two women. “I don’t feel comfortable discussing something like that.”

  “Please, there is no way Landon is ever going to settle down.” A woman with long blonde hair approached the table.

  Anna didn’t recognize her.

  “Scarlet, we don’t need you here. You can just run along,” Holly said.

  “You think you all are superior to us. You’re not. You’re just the paid pussy. Where we get a taste of the whole club, you can only have the one dick.” Scarlet ran her tongue across her lips and moaned.

  “Please, there is no way my husband will ever sleep with you.”

  “I bet he’d love to though. Just because a man can’t have, doesn’t mean he can’t crave it. I bet Duke would love to ride my pussy.”

  “Wow,” Anna said. “This is … wow.”

  “Like I said, I’ve been one of Landon’s favorites, and I know he’s not the kind to go settling down.”

  “Don’t listen to her,” Mary said. “She’s just pissed off that Landon hasn’t been around lately.”

  “You’ve been his favorite?” Anna asked. “Landon has been screwing you.”

  “Landon only screws people the once. It’s all he ever does, but he loves for me to use my mouth and I’ve got no gag reflex. He can take me wherever he wants me.”

  “Wow,” Anna said.

  “You’ve got no chance of ever winning him. You may as well forget about it. You’ll never be a club pussy. You’re too uptight to ride more than one, and Landon gets bored really easily.”

  “You’ve been warned about the shit you spew,” Holly said.

  “Then I guess Landon has a new favorite,” Anna said, standing up.

  Scarlet threw her head back, laughing. “Please, don’t make me laugh. You don’t have what it takes.”

  “Then tell me why last night alone he had me three times?” In her head she was screaming at herself to
shut up. She didn’t want people to know, especially not strangers, what she got up to last night. But she was pissed off. From one to ten, she was at a nine and a half, maybe even higher.

  “Yeah, in your dreams.”

  “Scarlet is a club whore,” Mary said, standing up. “The men who are single, who want to use pussy, go to the club’s women. They’re not allowed with anyone else, and they spread for whoever will have them. They’ll never be an old lady. Never be owned.”

  Staring at Scarlet, Anna didn’t understand why she wasn’t backing down. This wasn’t like her, and she didn’t like it.

  “You’re not worth it.”

  “I’ll be choking on Landon’s cock by the end of the week.”

  “I doubt that,” Landon said. His arm banded around Anna’s waist, pulling her against him.

  Anna didn’t fight him.

  Scarlet’s cheeks went a deeper shade of red. “So it’s true. You’re settling down.”

  “I’ve found a woman I want to keep. I never gave you any indication I wanted you. I’ve never made any promises to any of you. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to deal with my woman.”

  Before Anna knew what was happening, he’d spun her around and lifted her over his shoulder.

  “Hey, put me down, now!”

  “Not going to happen.”

  He stroked over the curve of her ass as he carried her through the clubhouse. Men stopped to watch.

  “Are you enjoying the show?” she asked.

  “It’s entertaining.”

  “Pleased I can be of some assistance then.” She glared at each of them. Landon wasn’t done, and he didn’t let her go until they were in his bedroom.

  He put her down on the bed, and she stood up, only for him to push her down. “We had an agreement, and I’m going to tell you how you become a member of this club.”

  “Was Scarlet your favorite?” she asked.

  “You care about what that bitch said to you? She’s not liked, and nothing she speaks is the truth.”

  “I don’t care. I want to know.”

  “No, she wasn’t my favorite. She was there to be used, so I did.”

  “Ugh, I don’t even know why I like you.” She made to stand again, but he stopped her, putting his hands on her thighs, and keeping her still.