I stare him down and speak slowly so my message sinks in this time. “My only problem this second is you’re not hearing me.”

“I hear you.”

I continue as if he hadn’t spoken. “I need you to help her feel comfortable and safe down here. There’s no one in this clubhouse I trust more than you and Murphy to look after her so please, I’m asking as your friend and your brother, don’t be a dick.”

He drops the attitude but stares at me for a few seconds before speaking. “You got it.” He hesitates. “Wait, did she tell you I gave her a hard time?”

“No, but I know how sensitive you are,” I say to throw him off.

“Yeah, about as sensitive as a brick wall.” He laughs and shakes his head, then turns serious. “You stuck up for Charlotte from the jump. Even when Wrath kept questioning her loyalty, you had my back.”

“So show me the same respect. That’s all I’m asking.”

He shoves his hands in his pockets and nods. “You got it, brother.”

“You two need more time alone?” Murphy asks, poking his head inside the room. “I thought we were meeting out front.”

“Yeah, Teller and I needed to straighten out a few things.”

“We’re good,” Teller assures me.

I hope he’s right and this is the last time I have to defend my relationship. To any of my brothers.

Chapter Eight

Z

Three bikers roaring into the gated community makes an impression. The poor rental agent pulls a face like she’s regretting her life choices when we pull up.

I flash what Lilly says is a panty-dropping smile and the agent blushes. “I’ll open it up for you. Take your time.”

Murphy and Teller watch her go with matching smirks.

“What do you think?” I ask.

Murphy nods to the house on the left. “It’s literally next door.”

“I wasn’t kidding.”

Teller and Murphy follow me up the driveway. We stop on the porch “You’re not mad I’ll be right next door checking up on you two?”

“Fuck no.” Murphy answers. “Safer to have us close together.”

Teller shakes his head. “I can’t believe I’m sharing a house with you two again. I have enough nightmares about you violating my baby sister as it is.”

Murphy jerks his thumb at Teller. “He doesn’t want anyone to know all the kinky shit he lets Charlotte do to him,” he whispers loud enough for Teller to hear.

Teller plants his hands on Murphy’s chest and shoves him. Laughing, Murphy stumbles backwards and flashes a grin.

I yank them in closer to me and slap both of them on the back. “Fuck, I’m glad you two are here. Now, focus.”