His fingers dig into my hips as he pumps one last time and climaxes with a shout.

He sinks his teeth into my shoulder, gently biting down. “You’re going to fucking kill me.”

I can’t catch my breath long enough to dispute it.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Z

Guilt, remorse, shame, they’re not emotions I’ve ever been in touch with. And I’m not feeling any of them after Shadow’s death. If anything, I’m relieved that we cut him out before he did more serious damage to the club or got someone killed. Maybe some small guilt prickles at me for not recognizing he was a problem sooner. But fuck, if Sway didn’t see it after years around the guy, how could I?

It’s been a while since I visited anyone in prison. Grinder’s the only member of the upstate charter who’s incarcerated. Since he got moved out of the maximum-security facility he’d been at for years, it’s easier to pay him a visit.

The Pine Correctional guards toss a few suspicious looks my way. Eventually they approve my visit and I’m shown into a small room. A few minutes later, Grinder shuffles in, shackled and cuffed. The guard at least frees his hands.

Grinder waits until the guard leaves before speaking. “Zero. It’s been a minute. How are you, brother?”

“Not bad. Waiting for you to come home, old man.”

“Shouldn’t be long now.” He coughs. “Least that’s what they tell me.”

“You all right?” What a stupid question. Of course, he isn’t. The man’s had almost two decades of his life stolen. For a crime he didn’t even commit. I have no doubt he’s committed plenty of crimes since he’s been inside. That’s just the nature of what you have to do to stay alive, but he shouldn’t have gone to prison in the first place.

“Looking forward to getting out. Probably won’t recognize anything.”

That’s true. The world’s changed a lot since he was a free man. “We’re all here for you, brother. Club will help with anything you need.”

“Not looking for any handouts, Z.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it. Can’t wait for you to come home. That’s all.”

“Haven’t seen Rock in a bit. He okay?”

“Yeah.” Rock’s twitchy with the information he shares about his personal life. Makes sense in our world. Grinder’s Lost Kings MC family, but he’s also part of a different world right now. Still, I think knowing about Rock’s family will make Grinder happy. “He and his wife just had a baby.”

He sits back. “Really? That’s good. I’m happy to hear that. How’s Teller doing?”

Interesting that was his first question.

“Good.”

“He and Murphy were coming pretty regularly to visit.”